Nominet's Criminal Practices Policy
Request
The Commission was added on 6 July 2026 to the list of agencies in section 4 of Nominet’s Criminal Practices Policy, enabling it to certify.uk domain names to the registry as being used for criminal activity.
Please provide:
(1) the number of such certifications the Commission has made to Nominet between 6 July 2026 and the date of this request;
(2) the number of requests the Commission has made to any domain registrar or registry, anywhere, for the blocking or suspension of a domain name, in the twelve months to the date of this request;
(3) the number of URLs the Commission has referred to search engines for removal in the same twelve-month period; and
(4) any internal guidance, criteria or decision framework used to determine when the Commission seeks registry or registrar suspension rather than, or in addition to, search engine removal. If any part of this request is likely to exceed the cost limit, please treat the numbered items as separable and answer as many as can be answered within it, beginning with item 1.
Response
Thank you for your request which has been processed under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA).
Your Request
In your email you have requested:
The Commission was added on 6 July 2026 to the list of agencies in section 4 of Nominet’s Criminal Practices Policy, enabling it to certify.uk domain names to the registry as being used for criminal activity.
Please provide:
(1) the number of such certifications the Commission has made to Nominet between 6 July 2026 and the date of this request;
(2) the number of requests the Commission has made to any domain registrar or registry, anywhere, for the blocking or suspension of a domain name, in the twelve months to the date of this request;
(3) the number of URLs the Commission has referred to search engines for removal in the same twelve-month period; and
(4) any internal guidance, criteria or decision framework used to determine when the Commission seeks registry or registrar suspension rather than, or in addition to, search engine removal. If any part of this request is likely to exceed the cost limit, please treat the numbered items as separable and answer as many as can be answered within it, beginning with item 1.
Our Response
Section 31 – Law Enforcement
I can confirm that the Commission does hold further information falling within the scope of your request. However, releasing this level of detail would reveal the methods and techniques the Commission uses as part of its regulatory work. We are of the view that the disclosure of this information would prejudice the regulatory functions of the Commission. As such, this information is exempt under section 31 of the FOIA.
Section 31(1)(g) exempts information whose disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the exercise by any public authority of its functions for any of the purposes specified in subsection (2).
The Commission considers the subsections below apply and therefore the information is exempt from disclosure:
i. Subsection 31(2)(a) refers to the purpose of ascertaining whether any person has failed to comply with the law,
ii. Subsection 31(2)(b) refers to the purpose of ascertaining whether any person is responsible for any conduct which is improper,
iii. Subsection 31(2)(c) refers to the purpose of ascertaining whether circumstances which would justify regulatory action in pursuance of any enactment exist or may arise.
Public Interest Test
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 is required to regulate the gambling industry in the public interest. There is therefore a public interest in members of the public having confidence the Commission is being open and honest with the information it holds so that it can be held to account.
Furthermore, this disclosure may encourage stakeholders to work with us and contribute to our programme of work, increasing confidence in the Commission as a regulator and its ability to uphold the law.
However, there is an expectation of confidence in much of the Commission’s work, particularly in relation to intelligence, investigations and discussions concerning illegal gambling markets. The Commission considers that disclosure of this information would be likely to adversely affect its ability to carry out these activities effectively, including the investigation and disruption of illegal gambling operations.
The Commission has robust and effective processes and procedures in place which are utilised as part of our strategy to tackling illegal markets. These procedures and processes have been put in place to minimise the risk of a product being offered without an appropriate licence.
It could seriously impact the Commission’s investigation process, if details of what information it uses to inform its regulatory activities became known; this is strongly not in the public interest as it would impair the Commission’s ability to regulate effectively.
The Commission routinely provides updates to the public about its regulatory actions. It considers that the public interest in transparency, accountability, and public awareness of how the Commission handles regulatory concerns is therefore met by this level of disclosure.
The Commission acknowledges that there is a public interest in promoting the accountability and transparency of public authorities and the importance of having sufficient information in the public domain to support consumers with their choice of operator. However, disclosure of the information would be damaging to the Commission as a regulatory body which ultimately serves to protect the wider public interest. We consider that the public interest is better served by withholding this information.
Further information on how the Commission tackles illegal gambling can be found on our website, here: How we tackle illegal gambling (opens in a new tab).
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