Operation Scott

Request

In relation to Operation Scott:

1. How many employees have worked either full or part time on the investigation?

2. Has any internal investigation taken place into how the identities of people under investigation or being interviewed as witnesses entered into the public domain?

3.a) Was it the policy of the Commission to inform the Metropolitan Police of the identities of any individuals under investigation by the Gambling Commission who were not serving Metropolitan Police officers?

b) If so, was this due to legal requirements?

Response

Thank you for your request of 20 May 2026 which has been processed under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA).

In your email request, you have asked for the following information in relation to the Operation Scott investigation:

1. How many employees have worked either full or part time on the investigation?

2. Has any internal investigation taken place into how the identities of people under investigation or being interviewed as witnesses entered into the public domain?

3. (a) Was it the policy of the Commission to inform the Metropolitan Police of the identities of any individuals under investigation by the Gambling Commission who were not serving Metropolitan Police officers?

(b) If so, was this due to legal requirements?

The Gambling Commission (the Commission) has reviewed your request and does hold information relating to your request. The Commission responds as set out below:

Question 1:

At the date of your request, 37 Commission employees have worked on this investigation either part time or full time.

Question 2:

The Commission undertook internal enquiries which resulted in no findings that any such information came from within the Commission.

Question 3:

The information requested relates to an ongoing criminal investigation. Information may be exempt from disclosure under section 30(1)(a) of the FOIA, if it has, at any time, been held by the authority for the purposes of:

(a) any investigation which the public authority has a duty to conduct with a view to it being ascertained

(i) whether a person should be charged with an offence, or

(ii) whether a person charged with an offence is guilty of it.

Section 30 is a qualified exemption meaning that the Commission must consider whether the public interest lies in favour of maintaining the exemption and withholding the information or whether the public interest lies in favour of disclosure.

In considering the public interest in favour of disclosure the Commission notes that it is a public body regulating the gambling industry in the public interest. It is acknowledged that there is a public interest in members of the public having confidence in the Commission and that is supported by transparency of information. This also assists in holding the Commission to account in the carrying out of its functions. Disclosure of information relating to investigations can assist understanding in how the Commission delivers its statutory functions. Increased transparency can encourage stakeholders to work with the Commission and contribute to our programme of work.

In considering the public interest in maintaining the exemption, the Commission notes that there is an expectation of confidence in much of the Commission’s work. This is particularly so in relation to criminal investigations. It is the impact on this work of the Commission which is more likely to be adversely affected by disclosure of the information.

Disclosure of sensitive and confidential information about the state and nature of its enquiries and inquiries in a particular investigation may lead to prejudice to that particular investigation, including inhibiting those engaged in the investigation, diverting resources and undermining investigation outcomes. All of this undermines the Commission's ability to protect consumers. It is noted that this investigation remains ongoing including ongoing criminal prosecutions, and there is a public interest in protecting the space for investigations to be completed.

In all the circumstances of the case and the information that falls within the scope of your request, the Commission considers that the public interest falls in favour of maintaining the exemption and withholding the information.

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