UKGC Blocks Release of Local Bingo Spending Data
Regulator cites commercial sensitivity in refusal to provide granular Gross Gambling Yield figures for the past five years.
The UK Gambling Commission has refused a Freedom of Information request for a local breakdown of bingo spending, known as Gross Gambling Yield. The regulator cited commercial sensitivity, arguing that releasing the data would likely harm operators' business interests.
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The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has refused to release detailed figures on bingo spending across the UK, citing concerns that it would prejudice the commercial interests of gambling operators. The decision, revealed in a Freedom of Information (FOI) response, blocks public access to localised data on the scale of the bingo market.
Why This Data Matters
Access to granular data on gambling spend, such as by local authority, is a valuable tool for public health bodies, researchers, and local councils. It can help to understand gambling activity in specific communities, identify potential hotspots of gambling-related harm, and tailor support services accordingly. The UKGC's refusal means this level of local insight into bingo spending remains unavailable to the public, limiting the ability of local organisations to assess the impact of gambling in their areas.
The Request and the Refusal
The FOI request, dated 31 July 2025, asked for the total Gross Gambling Yield (GGY) from bingo for the last five years (2020-2024). GGY is a key industry metric representing the amount retained by operators after paying out winnings but before deducting operating costs. The request sought a breakdown by local authority, or if unavailable, by region or operator.
In its response, the Commission confirmed that it holds the requested information but would withhold it under Section 43(2) of the Freedom of Information Act. This exemption allows public authorities to withhold information if its disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the commercial interests of any person.
The UKGC stated that releasing the GGY of individual operators or on a granular geographic basis “relates to the performance of the business” and could provide competitors with a commercial advantage.
The Public Interest Test
As required by law, the UKGC conducted a public interest test to weigh the arguments for and against disclosure. The Commission acknowledged a “legitimate public interest in promoting the transparency of the Gambling Commission” and ensuring it can be held to account.
However, it concluded that the arguments for maintaining the exemption were stronger. These included:
- Licensed operators have a reasonable expectation that this level of detail would not be published.
- Releasing the data could discourage licensees from freely providing information to the Commission in the future.
- It could lead to “unjustified inferences” being made about operators without full context.
Ultimately, the UKGC stated that “the public interest is best served through maintaining this exemption,” believing there was a greater than 50% chance that disclosure would cause prejudice to operators' commercial interests.
Significance for Consumers
This decision highlights the ongoing tension between regulatory transparency and the commercial confidentiality of licensed gambling operators. While the UKGC publishes aggregated, national-level industry statistics, this refusal prevents a deeper, local-level analysis of a specific gambling sector. For consumers and communities, it means less visibility into the financial scale of bingo operations in their local areas, information that could inform public debate and local policy.