UKGC Withholds CEO Speech Recording
Regulator cites privacy concerns in refusal to release audio of Andrew Rhodes's address at an industry conference.
The UK Gambling Commission has refused a Freedom of Information request for a recording of its CEO's recent speech to the industry. Citing data protection for other participants, the regulator has withheld the audio, raising questions about transparency. The decision means the full content of Andrew Rhodes's address at the CMS Gambling Conference remains private.
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UKGC Denies Access to CEO's Industry Speech
The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has withheld a recording of a speech given by its Chief Executive, Andrew Rhodes, at a private industry event. A Freedom of Information (FOI) request submitted on 20 June 2024 asked for recordings or transcripts of Mr Rhodes's address and subsequent question-and-answer session at the CMS Gambling Conference held the previous day.
In its response, the regulator confirmed it holds an audio recording but is refusing to release it to the public.
Why This Matters for Consumers
Speeches by the UKGC's leadership at industry-only events are of significant public interest. They provide insight into the regulator's strategic direction, its interpretation of new legislation, and its enforcement priorities. For consumers, these discussions can signal upcoming changes to everything from affordability checks and marketing rules to player protection measures. Withholding such information limits public scrutiny and raises questions about transparency between the regulator and the industry it oversees.
Details of the Refusal
The UKGC has justified its decision by citing Section 40(2) of the Freedom of Information Act, which provides an exemption for personal information. According to the Commission, the recording contains personal data relating to other conference participants.
The response states: "The personal information contained within the recording includes reference to the participants by name, their background and their families. The voices of the participants are also classed as personal information."
The regulator argued that releasing the audio would contravene the Data Protection Act 2018, as the individuals involved did not have an expectation that their contributions would be shared publicly.
Crucially, Section 40(2) is an absolute exemption. This means the UKGC was not required to conduct a public interest test to weigh the benefits of transparency against the privacy of the individuals. The Commission stated: "It is our view that it is not necessary to disclose this personal information and there is not a legitimate reason for doing so."
While the UKGC does not hold a full transcript, it did offer a potential compromise, noting it "may be able to transcribe a small part of the speech" if the requester could specify the information they were seeking. This places the burden on the public to guess which parts of the speech might be relevant.
Significance and Industry Implications
The decision highlights the ongoing tension between the public's right to know and data protection laws. While the UKGC's legal reasoning focuses on protecting the privacy of third parties, the result is that a key policy speech from its CEO remains shielded from public view.
For consumer protection advocates and the public, this lack of transparency can be a cause for concern. It prevents a full understanding of the messages being delivered to gambling operators behind closed doors and makes it difficult to assess whether the regulator's private stance aligns with its public commitments to making gambling safer.