UKGC Releases Redacted Talks on Gambling Risk Data

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The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has released correspondence detailing discussions about gambling harm 'risk calculations' between its key advisory board and government health officials. The documents, obtained by Saferwager through a Freedom of Information (FOI) request published on 21 November 2023, shed light on the evidence-shaping process that took place ahead of the UK government's gambling reforms.

The Heart of the Request

The FOI request sought all correspondence from August and September 2022 between the Advisory Board for Safer Gambling (ABSG), the UKGC, and the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID).

Crucially, the request was prompted by a statement in an ABSG report from September 2022. The report mentioned that the ABSG had written to OHID to summarise its position on an unspecified issue and that the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) was conducting its own "independent quality assurance on the risk calculations" which were due to be published later that year.

This confirms that in the months leading up to the publication of the Gambling Act Review White Paper, these key bodies were actively discussing and scrutinising the methodologies used to measure gambling-related risks.

What the Disclosure Reveals

The UKGC's response confirms that it holds the requested information and has released it. However, the disclosure comes with a significant caveat: it is a "partial exemption".

Key details from the response include:

• Confirmation: The UKGC located emails between the ABSG, the Commission, and OHID within the specified timeframe.
• Partial Redaction: The Commission has redacted personal information from the released documents, such as the names and contact details of individuals involved.
• Justification: The UKGC has exempted this personal data under section 40(2) of the Freedom of Information Act. It argues that there is "no strong public interest" in disclosing the personal details of the officials involved and that doing so would be unfair.

While the core content of the discussions is ostensibly available in the released PDF, the redactions mean the public cannot see exactly which individuals were shaping the conversation around gambling harm evidence.

Why This Matters for Consumers

For consumers, transparency in how gambling harm is measured and understood is vital. The 'risk calculations' mentioned in the correspondence are fundamental to how the regulator and the government decide on new safety measures, such as affordability checks or betting limits. These calculations influence the policies that directly affect how consumers can gamble.

This FOI disclosure confirms that a process of debate and quality assurance was underway between the regulator's advisors and the government's public health experts. While the partial redaction limits a full understanding of the accountability chain, the release itself provides a glimpse into the collaborative and sometimes contentious process of creating a regulatory framework based on evidence. It underscores the importance of the data that underpins the rules designed to protect consumers from harm.