UKGC Withholds 888/777 Investigation Data
Regulator cites law enforcement exemptions in response to a Freedom of Information request, refusing to confirm or deny non-public scrutiny.
The UK Gambling Commission has declined to confirm or deny if it holds information on non-public investigations into operator 888/777. In a Freedom of Information response, the regulator cited law enforcement exemptions, stating disclosure could compromise its regulatory activities. The response highlights the line between public transparency and confidential regulatory processes.
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The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has refused to confirm or deny whether it holds information on non-public investigations into major operator 888/777, citing law enforcement exemptions in a recent Freedom of Information (FOI) response.
The response, dated 14 September 2025, reveals the limits of public transparency in gambling regulation and underscores the confidential nature of the Commission's ongoing oversight.
The Request and The Response
An FOI request was submitted to the Commission asking for two key pieces of information:
- Any enforcement action, investigations, or regulatory findings against 888/777 (and its brands) in the last three years.
- Internal UKGC guidance or policy regarding operators' duties towards problem gamblers.
In its response, the UKGC granted a partial exemption. It acknowledged that some information was already in the public domain, pointing to two previous public sanctions against 888 UK Limited. These public statements detail an operator's failings and the resulting fine or settlement.
However, for any other information that is not already public—such as potential new or ongoing investigations—the Commission refused to confirm or deny its existence.
Why Was the Information Withheld?
The UKGC invoked Section 31(3) of the Freedom of Information Act, an exemption related to law enforcement. The regulator argued that confirming or denying the existence of such information could prejudice its ability to carry out its regulatory functions.
In its public interest test, the Commission stated that disclosure could:
- Alert individuals or operators to an investigation, allowing them to "alter their behaviours or evade detection."
- Impact the willingness of stakeholders to share important information with the regulator.
- Prejudice the outcome of any future investigation.
Ultimately, the UKGC concluded that "the interests of the public are better served through maintaining the exemption."
Regarding the request for internal guidance, the Commission directed the requester to publicly available documents, primarily the Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice (LCCP), which outline the rules all licensees must follow to promote socially responsible gambling.
What This Means for Consumers
This "neither confirm nor deny" stance is a standard procedure used by regulatory bodies to protect the integrity of their investigations. While the UKGC is committed to publishing the outcomes of formal regulatory decisions, the process leading up to them remains confidential.
For consumers, this response serves as a critical reminder that the public record of fines and sanctions is only part of the story. The absence of new public enforcement action against an operator does not necessarily mean an absence of regulatory scrutiny. The Commission's refusal to comment highlights that its oversight is an ongoing process, much of which occurs behind the scenes until a formal conclusion is reached.