UKGC Withholds Gambling Survey Data
Regulator cites future publication plans in refusal to release raw data from the new Gambling Survey for Great Britain.
The UK Gambling Commission has denied a Freedom of Information request for the raw dataset from its new Gambling Survey for Great Britain. The regulator cited plans to publish the data via the UK Data Service by the end of the year, delaying immediate access for researchers and the public.
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UKGC Denies Immediate Access to Key Gambling Data
The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has withheld the raw dataset from its new flagship Gambling Survey for Great Britain (GSGB), following a Freedom of Information (FOI) request made on 20 October 2024. The regulator has stated the information is being withheld temporarily as it is scheduled for public release by the end of the year.
Context: Why This Survey Matters
The Gambling Survey for Great Britain is the UKGC's new, comprehensive study designed to provide the most accurate picture of gambling behaviour, participation, and rates of harm across the nation. This data is crucial for shaping future regulation, understanding emerging trends, and evaluating the effectiveness of current consumer protection measures. For consumers, the findings offer vital insights into the risks associated with different gambling products and help inform public debate on safety.
Details of the Refusal
The request sought access to the full GSGB dataset, including the procedure for obtaining it. In its response, the UKGC confirmed it holds the information but is exempting it from release under Section 22 of the Freedom of Information Act, which covers "information intended for future publication."
The Commission stated that the complete dataset is due to be published via the UK Data Service before the end of 2024. It argued that releasing the information ahead of this planned schedule would not be a "time/cost effective way of placing this information in the public domain."
The UKGC conducted a public interest test, acknowledging the value of transparency. However, it concluded that the public interest in allowing the Commission to follow its established, "reasonable" publication timetable outweighed the interest in immediate disclosure. Once published, researchers will need to register with the UK Data Service to access the datasets.
Significance: A Delay in Transparency
While the data is not being concealed permanently, the decision to withhold it means that independent researchers, journalists, and consumer protection groups must wait for the official, curated release. This delays any third-party analysis of the raw data, which can often uncover trends not highlighted in official reports.
The refusal underscores the formal process required to access this critical information. For consumers and industry observers, it means a longer wait for the detailed evidence needed to fully assess the state of gambling in Great Britain and hold the industry and its regulator to account.