GREO Gambling-Related Suicide Programme

Request

Please can you supply me with all reports, correspondence and memoranda relating to the Gambling Research Exchange Ontario (GREO) Gambling-Related Suicide Programme? I request this information for 2023 and 2024 (year to date).

Response

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

In your email you have requested:

‘Please can you supply me with all reports, correspondence and memoranda relating to the Gambling Research Exchange Ontario (GREO) Gambling-Related Suicide Programme? I request this information for 2023 and 2024 (year to date).’

Gambling is a public health issue linked to adverse health outcomes, and for some individuals the most serious consequence is suicide. Elevated instances of suicidality in gamblers have been reported in many studies. The goal of the Gambling Research Exchange Ontario (GREO) Gambling-Related Suicide Programme is to fund research in the UK that will improve understanding of the links between gambling and suicide to increase the effectiveness of regulatory measures, harm reduction, prevention, postvention, and ultimately reduce the number of gambling-related suicides in the UK.

Further information in relation to the programme can be found here: Gambling-Related Suicide Research Programme - Greo (opens in new tab).

The Gambling Commission can confirm that we do hold information falling within the scope of your request. However, the Gambling-Related Suicide Programme 2023/24 will be published in due course, alongside any supporting analysis. As such, we are of the view that this information is exempt under section 22A(1) (“Research Information”) of the FOIA.

Section 22A(1) (“Research Information”) provides that Information obtained in the course of, or derived from, a programme of research is exempt information if:

a. the programme is continuing with a view to the publication, by a public authority or any other person, of a report of the research (whether or not including a statement of that information), and

b. disclosure of the information under this Act before the date of publication would, or would be likely to, prejudice the programme,

i. the interests of any individual participating in the programme,

ii. the interests of the authority which holds the information, or

iii. the interests of the authority mentioned in paragraph (a) (if it is a different authority from that which holds the information).

Public interest test

This is a qualified exemption; therefore, the Commission must consider whether the public interest in maintaining the exemption is greater than the public interest in disclosing the requested information. These arguments are as follows:

Arguments in favour of disclosure:

• there is a legitimate public interest in promoting the accountability and transparency of public authorities.
• there is a public interest in Government Departments providing information they hold, that falls within the scope of an FOI request, as quickly as possible.
• disclosure of the raw data and the conversations about it allows for a wider evaluation of the conclusions that have been published.

Arguments in favour of maintaining the exemption:

• this needs to be balanced with the public interest in the Commission ensuring the maximum time/cost effectiveness.
• this research is ongoing and there is an intention to publish data, alongside any supporting analysis.
• as such, GREO should be able to complete research before it is subjected to external scrutiny.
• premature publication of this data could lead to an incomplete and confusing picture emerging and would be likely to cause prejudice to the programme of research and statistics.

Weighing the balance

Whilst we recognise that there is a public interest in promoting the transparency and accountability of public authorities in a timely manner, there is no outstanding public interest in releasing this information whilst the programme is still ongoing.

Having considered the above factors, the Commission is of the view that the balance of the public interest lies in maintaining the exemption.

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