Due Diligence on Non-UK Regulated Operators

Request

1. Due Diligence on Non-UK Regulated Operators

In the past 18 months, has the Gambling Commission reviewed, evaluated, commented on, or had any access to due diligence conducted by UK Sports organisations regarding the systems and processes of non-UK-regulated gambling operators?

Specifically, systems designed to prevent UK-based bettors from placing wagers on their platforms. If yes, please provide the names of the sports organisations and/or betting operators involved.

2. Advice to DCMS on Advertising and Promotion

In the past 18 months, what advice and guidance has the Gambling Commission provided to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) regarding the advertising and promotion of non-UK-regulated gambling operators?

Please provide copies of relevant correspondence, including any replies or clarifications sought by DCMS. Please provide the number of cases and the year each action occurred.

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 regarding the Gambling Commission's oversight and guidance concerning sports organisations and non-UK-regulated gambling operators.

Specifically:

1. Due Diligence on Non-UK Regulated Operators

In the past 18 months, has the Gambling Commission reviewed, evaluated, commented on, or had any access to due diligence conducted by UK Sports organisations regarding the systems and processes of non-UK-regulated gambling operators?

Specifically, systems designed to prevent UK-based bettors from placing wagers on their platforms. If yes, please provide the names of the sports organisations and/or betting operators involved.

2. Advice to DCMS on Advertising and Promotion

In the past 18 months, what advice and guidance has the Gambling Commission provided to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) regarding the advertising and promotion of non-UK-regulated gambling operators?

Please provide copies of relevant correspondence, including any replies or clarifications sought by DCMS. Please provide the number of cases and the year each action occurred.

The Gambling Commission can confirm as follows:

Question One:

In relation to due diligence on non-UK regulated operators, this is not something that the Gambling Commission has access to nor has any possibility, or authority, to access or research. For information, UK sports do not come under the regulatory remit of the Gambling Commission, and we would not be privy to any commercial engagement sports have with non-Gambling Commission licensed entities.

Question Two:

Section 26 of the Gambling Act creates a duty for the Commission to provide advice to government. Where advice is given under this section the Commission publishes such advice.

Section 21 of the FOIA provides that information is exempt from disclosure where it is reasonably accessible elsewhere.

In order to be of assistance, please see the following which covers the Gambling Commission’s advice to Government on marketing and advertising - Advice to Government - Review of the Gambling Act 2005.

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