Data Scientist Projects

Request

I seek records relating to the "data programme" referred to in minutes of the meeting of the Gambling Commission's Digital Advisory Panel of 17 January 2024,in particular:

1. Documents detailing the "projects" taken on by the "2 data scientists" recruited;

2. Documents detailing the "pilot projects" delivered;

3. Documents detailing the "new projects" taken on since January 2024;

4. Any documents used in the presentation on the "data work" referred to the Executive team and/or the Board in September 2023; and

5. Records of the "outputs of the data project" presented to the Board and/or the Executive team on 13 March 2024.

Response

Thank you for your request which has been processed under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA).

In your email you have requested records relating to the "data programme" referred to in minutes of the meeting of the Gambling Commission's Digital Advisory Panel of 17 January 2024, in particular:

1. Documents detailing the "projects" taken on by the "2 data scientists" recruited;
2. Documents detailing the "pilot projects" delivered;
3. Documents detailing the "new projects" taken on since January 2024;
4. Any documents used in the presentation on the “data work" referred to the Executive team and/or the Board in September 2023; and
5. Records of the "outputs of the data project" presented to the Board and/or the Executive team on 13 March 2024.

The Gambling Commission can confirm that information is held falling within the scope of your request.

Section 12 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) makes provision for public authorities to refuse requests for information where the cost of dealing with them would exceed the appropriate limit, which for public authorities, such as the Commission, is set at £450. This represents the estimated cost of one person spending 18 hours in determining whether the department holds the information, locating, retrieving and extracting the information.

In order to identify, locate and retrieve the information requested, we would need to conduct a search of our file store to identify documents relating to each of the projects taken on by the two data scientists, the pilot projects, the new projects taken on since January 2024 and any supporting information referred to in the Board and/or Exec meetings held in September 2023 and March 2024. Once the relevant documents were identified, we would need to review these documents to assess if they were in scope of your request. Therefore, we estimate that it would take in excess of 18 hours to determine appropriate material and retrieve and extract any relevant information in reference to your request.

When a public authority applies the Section 12 exemption to a request, the FOIA guidance specifically states that a public authority should avoid providing any information found as a result of a search as it denies the requestor the right to express a preference as to which parts of the request they may wish to receive within the appropriate time limit. Guidance on the application of section 12 can be viewed here: 

Requests where the cost of compliance exceeds the appropriate limit (section 12) | ICO (opens in new tab)

If you are able to refine your request, we may be able to narrow the number of records that we need to search. In order to be of assistance in refining your request, we can advise that a document can be provided listing the projects taken on by the new data scientists, the pilot projects and the new projects taken on since January 2024. This will provide insight into the areas that the Commission are currently working on and should allow you to submit a more specific request for information in relation to this work.

Further information regarding out data and analytical work can be found on our website here: Strategic focus 1: Using data and analytics to make gambling regulation more effective

Until we are able to process the search of the information you have requested, we are unable to ascertain if other exemptions will apply to any material identified which would also prevent disclosure.

Please note, any refined request would be processed as a new request and the 20 working day statutory time limit would apply. 

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 new tab), Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5AF.

Information Management Team
Gambling Commission