Individual-level online gambling data
Request
I would like to inquire whether the Gambling Commission could provide access to anonymised individual-level online gambling data for academic purposes. Specifically, I am interested in the following data points:
User ID (anonymous): To track user behaviour while ensuring privacy protection. Timestamp: Bet time, session duration, and login frequency. Betting types: Categories such as sports betting, slot machines, poker, and live casino. Bet amount: Single bet amount, total bet amount, maximum/minimum bet. Win-loss scenario: The outcome of each bet (profit/loss). Deposits and withdrawals: Fund flow, including deposit frequency and large withdrawals.
I understand that certain data may be restricted due to privacy and regulatory policies, and I am open to receiving a subset of the available data if full access is not possible. If such data is available, I would greatly appreciate receiving further information via email
Response
Thank you for your request which has been processed under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA).
In your email you have requested access to anonymised individual-level online gambling data for academic purposes. Specifically, you are interested in the following data points:
- User ID (anonymous): To track user behaviour while ensuring privacy protection.
- Timestamp: Bet time, session duration, and login frequency.
- Betting types: Categories such as sports betting, slot machines, poker, and live casino.
- Bet amount: Single bet amount, total bet amount, maximum/minimum bet.
- Win-loss scenario: The outcome of each bet (profit/loss).
- Deposits and withdrawals: Fund flow, including deposit frequency and large withdrawals.
We are designing a pilot of industry data collection of a more detailed daily dataset (Regular Feed of Operator Core Data – ROCD) from a small number of operators, which if successful would enable us to conduct more in depth analyses of consumer play data to explore the impact of a range of factors on gambling behaviour.
However, this data is not yet being received by the Commission. Therefore I can confirm that no information is currently held within the scope of your request.
Whilst we will hold information in the scope of your request in the future; until we are able to process the search and retrieval of the information you have requested, we are unable to ascertain if other exemptions will apply which would prevent disclosure.
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