Genting Casino
Request
I am writing to request information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
This request concerns the premises trading as Genting Casino Reading (Rose Kiln Lane, Reading), operated by Genting Casinos UK Limited (Gambling Commission account number 537). Please provide the following for the period 1 January 2020 to the date of this request:
The dates of any compliance assessments, inspections or site visits carried out by the Commission at Genting Casino Reading, and the type of each (for example full compliance assessment, targeted visit, test purchase).
The date of the most recent compliance assessment of Genting Casinos UK Limited as an operator, whether or not it involved a visit to the Reading premises.
The number of complaints or reports the Commission has received from members of the public that refer to Genting Casino Reading, broken down by year.
Whether any of those complaints or reports resulted in enquiries, compliance action or a licence review, and the outcome in each case.
The date of the most recent testing or verification, whether by the Commission or by a Commission-approved test house, of the gaming machines and electronic roulette terminals in use at Genting Casino Reading, if the Commission holds this information.
I am not asking for any personal data, and I am content for names of individuals to be redacted. If any part of this request would exceed the cost limit, please advise which part and provide the remainder.
Response
Thank you for your request which has been processed under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA).
In your email you have requested information concerning the premises trading as Genting Casino Reading (Rose Kiln Lane, Reading), operated by Genting Casinos UK Limited (Gambling Commission account number 537). Please provide the following for the period 1 January 2020 to the date of this request:
- The dates of any compliance assessments, inspections or site visits carried out by the Commission at Genting Casino Reading, and the type of each (for example full compliance assessment, targeted visit, test purchase).
- The date of the most recent compliance assessment of Genting Casinos UK Limited as an operator, whether or not it involved a visit to the Reading premises.
- The number of complaints or reports the Commission has received from members of the public that refer to Genting Casino Reading, broken down by year.
- Whether any of those complaints or reports resulted in enquiries, compliance action or a licence review, and the outcome in each case.
- The date of the most recent testing or verification, whether by the Commission or by a Commission-approved test house, of the gaming machines and electronic roulette terminals in use at Genting Casino Reading, if the Commission holds this information.
The Gambling Commission (the C omission) is a regulatory body with licensing, compliance and enforcement functions. Through our regulatory activity, the Commission aims to protect consumers and the wider public, and to raise standards in the gambling industry.
The Commission do not provide comment on any information held regarding specific operators, unless it is in the public interest to do so. As such, we are unable to confirm or deny whether we hold any information falling within the scope of your request. Section 31(3) of the FOIA (Law Enforcement) exemption applies.
Section 31(3) (“Law Enforcement”) provides that the duty to confirm or deny does not arise if, or to the extent that compliance with section 1(1)(a) would or would be likely to, prejudice any of the matters mentioned in subsection (1).
The Public Interest Test
Having acknowledged that the Commission is not able to confirm or deny whether we hold any information within the scope of your request, section 31 of the FOIA requires that we consider a public interest test to identify whether there is a wider public interest in fulfilling this request as opposed to maintaining the exemption.
In considering the public interest the Commission has considered the following factors. The Commission is a public body which regulates the gambling industry in accordance with its statutory objectives, and its work is in the public interest. We recognise that there is therefore a public interest in members of the public having confidence that the Commission is being open and honest in how it regulates and the information it holds so that it can be effectively held to account.
Further to this, it is important that there is sufficient information in the public domain, so consumers have an understanding of the regulatory activity that the Commission is taking with specific operators to enable them to make informed decisions regarding their choice of operator. Weighed against these factors, the Commission has also considered factors in favour of maintaining the exemption.
The Commission has robust and effective processes and procedures in place which are utilised when carrying out activities which contribute to our regulatory activities. These procedures and processes have been put in place to increase the integrity of our work, demonstrating to the public at large that they can have confidence in the Commission’s ability to uphold its statutory obligations.
There is an expectation of confidence in much of the Commission’s work, particularly regarding the information collected in relation to specific operators. Sharing this information, if held, would consequently impact on the openness of stakeholders when sharing important information with us or other law enforcement agencies. This would have a substantial adverse effect on the Commission’s ability to carry out its regulatory functions.
Confirming or denying information which makes specific individuals, events or lines of enquiry identifiable could alert individuals involved to the fact that the Commission was/is or alternatively wasn’t/isn’t engaging in specific conversations; providing an opportunity for individuals to alter their behaviours or evade detection. This would result in making it more difficult for the Commission to achieve its aims.
Ultimately, the Gambling Commission regulates gambling in the interests of consumers and the wider public. As such, the Commission believes that the interests of the public are better served through maintaining the exemption, therefore, we are not in a position to confirm or deny whether we hold any information in relation to your request.
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