UKGC Withholds Consultation Respondent List
Regulator cites future publication plans in refusal to name organisations that responded to major 2023 industry reform consultation.
The UK Gambling Commission has refused a Freedom of Information request seeking the names of organisations that responded to its key Summer 2023 consultation. The regulator stated the information will be published at a later date, delaying public scrutiny of who is influencing major changes to consumer protection rules.
Article Content
Regulator Delays Transparency on Key Gambling Reforms
The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has withheld the names of organisations that provided input on its significant Summer 2023 consultation, according to a Freedom of Information (FOI) response published by the regulator. The decision delays public insight into which industry bodies, charities, and other stakeholders are influencing major changes to gambling laws in Great Britain.
In a request dated 15 May 2024, the UKGC was asked to disclose the list of organisations that responded to its consultation on proposed changes to Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice (LCCP), Remote Gambling and Software Technical Standards (RTS), and arrangements for Regulatory Panels.
Why This Consultation Matters
The Summer 2023 consultation is a critical component of the government's overhaul of gambling regulation, stemming from its White Paper. The proposed changes directly impact consumer protection, covering areas such as:
- Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice (LCCP): The core rules all licensed operators must follow, including those related to social responsibility and customer interaction.
- Remote Gambling and Software Technical Standards (RTS): The technical requirements for online gambling products, ensuring fairness and integrity.
- Regulatory Panels: The bodies responsible for making decisions on licensing and enforcement cases.
Knowing which organisations have contributed to this process allows consumers and watchdog groups to assess the balance of influence between industry interests and those advocating for stronger consumer protections.
Details of the FOI Refusal
The Gambling Commission confirmed it holds the requested information but has exempted it from release under Section 22(1) of the Freedom of Information Act, which covers information intended for future publication.
The regulator stated: "This information will be published on the Commission website, along side our position in relation to the consultation... in due course."
In its public interest test, the UKGC acknowledged the legitimate public interest in transparency. However, it argued that releasing the information in response to an FOI request was not a "time/cost effective way" when a full publication is already planned. The Commission concluded that the balance of public interest lies in maintaining the exemption until its scheduled publication, which it deemed to be on a "reasonable" timetable.
Significance for Consumers
While the list of respondents will eventually be made public, the delay prevents immediate scrutiny of the policy-making process. Consumers and the public are currently unable to see the extent to which gambling operators, trade associations, and harm reduction charities have engaged with the regulator on these fundamental rule changes.
This lack of immediate transparency means it is not yet possible to analyse whose voices may be shaping the future of gambling regulation and the consumer protection measures that will result from the consultation.