UKGC Reveals Staff Engagement Tech Criteria
FOI disclosure shows the regulator's search for data-driven tools to manage its workforce, including a focus on action plans and cybersecurity.
A Freedom of Information request has revealed the criteria the UK Gambling Commission used to procure a new employee engagement platform. The search terms highlight a focus on data dashboards, action planning, and benchmarking, showing the regulator's investment in its own workforce management and operational effectiveness.
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A Freedom of Information (FOI) request has shed light on the internal operational priorities of the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), revealing the specific criteria used to procure a new Employee Engagement Survey and Platform.
The disclosure, resulting from a request dated 12 September 2025, provides a window into how the regulator manages its own workforce—a key factor in its overall effectiveness in overseeing the UK gambling industry.
Context: Why Staff Engagement Matters
For consumers, the internal health and efficiency of the Gambling Commission are directly linked to the quality of regulation in the market. A well-managed, engaged, and motivated workforce is better equipped to handle the complex and demanding task of ensuring gambling is fair and safe. This procurement demonstrates the Commission's investment in its own organisational effectiveness, which is a prerequisite for effective external regulation.
Details of the Disclosure
The UKGC responded to the request by stating it did not hold a formal "evaluation template" for the procurement. However, it provided full disclosure of the search criteria used on the government's G-Cloud 14 digital marketplace.
The Commission's search terms for potential suppliers were:
- “employee engagement platform”
- “dashboard”
- “action plan”
- “benchmarking”
These keywords indicate a desire for a sophisticated system beyond a simple annual survey. The term “dashboard” suggests a need for real-time data visualisation, allowing management to monitor staff sentiment and engagement levels continuously. The inclusion of “action plan” shows the Commission was seeking a tool that helps translate feedback into concrete steps for improvement. Finally, “benchmarking” reveals an intent to measure its performance as an employer against other organisations, aiming for best practice.
Furthermore, the UKGC specified an important security requirement: suppliers must have “cyber essentials” certification. This demonstrates a commitment to data security, even for internal HR systems, which is a reassuring standard for an organisation that handles vast amounts of sensitive industry and consumer data.
Significance for the Industry
While seemingly a minor administrative detail, this FOI response is significant. It shows the UKGC is applying data-driven principles to its own management, mirroring the expectations it places on licensed operators to monitor and act on customer data for safer gambling purposes.
The focus on action plans and benchmarking suggests a culture of continuous improvement within the regulator itself. For consumers and the industry, a regulator that actively invests in its own operational excellence is a positive sign. The emphasis on cybersecurity across all procurements reinforces the Commission's understanding of digital-era risks, a critical competence for a 21st-century regulator.