DAP Recommendations
Request
- Records of measures taken by the Gambling Commission to implement the advice of the Digital Advisory Panel from September 2019 on the impact of online platforms, available here: https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/licensees-and-businesses/guide/digital-advisory-panel-advice-on-the-impact-of-online-platforms-on-gambling. In particular:
a. The Digital Advisory Panel commented that "[n]ow that online gambling represents more than half of the total, the balance of skills of the commissioners needs to be adjusted." It recommended that "the Gambling Commission consider appointing commissioners with digital awareness and background that are comfortable with the topics referred to in this paper." Please provide records relating to the appointment of commissioners since September 2019 assessing their credentials in response to this recommendation.
b. On the risks posed by digital advertising, the Digital Advisory Panel expressed the view that "the Gambling Commission must respond to the challenges being presented by technological advance because they have had such a major impact on the growth of advertising." It recommended that "the operators be required to report progress on targeting their online advertising away from problem and at-risk gamblers as well as children", and commented that "[t]his may involve the Gambling Commission clarifying the definition of these terms, but the main onus must be on operators to use their big data and analytic capability to identify vulnerable gamblers better and ensure that their advertising, free bets and bonuses do not increase risk of harm." Please provide records of any reporting from operators that the Gambling Commission has requested as a result of this advice.
Minutes of meetings of the Digital Advisory Panel relating to the Gambling Commission's implementation of its advice of September 2019 on the impact of online platforms.
Records of all recommendations made by the Digital Advisory Panel to the Gambling Commission since September 2019.
Response
Thank you for your request which has been processed under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA).
In your email you have requested the following information in relation to the work of the Gambling Commission's Digital Advisory Panel and the Gambling Commission's implementation of its recommendations:
- Records of measures taken by the Gambling Commission to implement the advice of the Digital Advisory Panel from September 2019 on the impact of online platforms, available here: https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/licensees-and-businesses/guide/digital-advisory-panel-advice-on-the-impact-of-online-platforms-on-gambling. In particular:
a. The Digital Advisory Panel commented that "[n]ow that online gambling represents more than half of the total, the balance of skills of the commissioners needs to be adjusted." It recommended that "the Gambling Commission consider appointing commissioners with digital awareness and background that are comfortable with the topics referred to in this paper." Please provide records relating to the appointment of commissioners since September 2019 assessing their credentials in response to this recommendation.
b. On the risks posed by digital advertising, the Digital Advisory Panel expressed the view that "the Gambling Commission must respond to the challenges being presented by technological advance because they have had such a major impact on the growth of advertising." It recommended that "the operators be required to report progress on targeting their online advertising away from problem and at-risk gamblers as well as children", and commented that "[t]his may involve the Gambling Commission clarifying the definition of these terms, but the main onus must be on operators to use their big data and analytic capability to identify vulnerable gamblers better and ensure that their advertising, free bets and bonuses do not increase risk of harm." Please provide records of any reporting from operators that the Gambling Commission has requested as a result of this advice.
Minutes of meetings of the Digital Advisory Panel relating to the Gambling Commission's implementation of its advice of September 2019 on the impact of online platforms.
Records of all recommendations made by the Digital Advisory Panel to the Gambling Commission since September 2019.
The Gambling Commission can advise that the Digital Advisory Panel (DAP) was established to advise us on ways to manage new risks that may come from online gambling platforms. They inform us on the digital marketing landscape and emerging trends. This includes:
- advising on digital developments and trends and how the gambling sector will be impacted by current and future digital developments
- reviewing specific topics and making appropriate recommendations
- providing guidance or other input to specific projects.
Formal written advice from the Digital Advisory Panel will be published, alongside the Gambling Commission’s response. Please note, the panel has no decision-making role and will provide advice collectively.
Further information can be found on our website here: Digital Advisory Panel: Terms of reference
The Gambling Commission’s response to your questions is as follows:
Question 1:
1a) The Commission can confirm that no information is held falling within the scope of question one of your request. For context, our Commissioners are appointed by the Secretary of State for Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) through a public appointments process. The Commission does not have the power to recruit or appoint Commissioners.
We do, however, hold other information pertaining to the appointment of Commissioners. This information includes, but is not limited to, our own skills assessments and succession planning.
1b) The records you request do not exist. The DAP is one of several advisory groups which support the Gambling Commission's work. We take account of their recommendations, however they are not a policy-making body. This particular recommendation did not become policy. Our position on gambling advertising is set out in our 2023 Gambling Act Review Advice to the Secretary of State at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). The then government subsequently published 'High stakes: gambling reform for the digital age' (opens in a new tab), its white paper on gambling reform, which contained several advertising-related commitments. We have since delivered regulatory changes relating to improving customer choice on direct marketing and socially responsible incentives.
Question 2:
We can confirm that minutes for DAP meetings prior to 2020 are not held by the Gambling Commission as no formal minutes were recorded at that time.
Question 3:
Where DAP provides formal advice to the Commission, this is published on our website. Section 21 of the FOIA provides that information is exempt from disclosure if it is reasonably accessible elsewhere. In order to be of assistance, please see the following:
Digital Advisory Panel Advice: Impact of online platforms
Review of the decision
If you are unhappy with the service you have received in relation to your Freedom of Information request you are entitled to an internal review of our decision. You should write to FOI Team, Gambling Commission, 4th floor, Victoria Square House, Victoria Square, Birmingham, B2 4BP or by reply to this email.
Please note, internal review requests should be made within 40 working days of the initial response. Requests made outside this timeframe will not be processed.
If you are not content with the outcome of our review, you may then apply directly to the Information Commissioner (ICO) for a decision. Generally, the ICO cannot make a decision unless you have already exhausted the review procedure provided by the Gambling Commission.
It should be noted that if you wish to raise a complaint with the ICO about the Commission’s handling of your request for information, then you are required to do so within six weeks of receiving your final response or last substantive contact with us.
The ICO can be contacted at: The Information Commissioner’s Office (opens in a new tab), Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5AF.
Information Management Team
Gambling Commission