Suicide reporting
Request
- Under the Freedom of Information Act, I would like to request the following information:
How many UK gambling operators have notified the gambling commission of a customer, who has died by suicide, in the past 10 years?
I would like the information in the following format:
A table with two columns. A column with yearly range (eg 2014 -2015, 2016-2017) and a column with the result (eg 0, 1, 2, 3).
- Under the Freedom of Information Act, I would also like to request the following information:
How many deaths by suicide the Gambling Commission have been informed of (either through family disclosures, media sources, inquests, death certificates) of customers of UK gambling operators inside of the UK over the past 10 years.
I would like the information in the following format:
A table with two columns. A column with yearly range (eg 2014 -2015, 2016-2017) and a column with the result (eg 0, 1, 2, 3).
- Under the Freedom of Information Act, I would also like to request the following information:
How many deaths by suicide the Gambling Commission have been informed of (either through operators, family disclosures, media sources, inquests, death certificates) of customers of UK gambling operators inside and outside of the UK over the past 10 years.
I would like the information in the following format:
A table with two columns. A column with yearly range (eg 2014 -2015, 2016-2017) and a column with the result (eg 0, 1, 2, 3).
Response
Thank you for your request which has been processed under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA).
In your email you have requested:
- How many UK gambling operators have notified the gambling commission of a customer, who has died by suicide, in the past 10 years?
- How many deaths by suicide the Gambling Commission have been informed of (through family disclosures, media sources, inquests, death certificates) of customers of UK gambling operators inside of the UK over the past 10 years.
- How many deaths by suicide the Gambling Commission have been informed of (either through operators, family disclosures, media sources, inquests, death certificates) of customers of UK gambling operators inside and outside of the UK over the past 10 years.
It should be noted that the Gambling Commission do not investigate gambling related deaths or suicides; it is for the coroner to decide a cause of death. The Commission however will consider instances where there appears to be a regulatory breach. More information about our compliance and enforcement approach can be found on our website.
In 2019, the Gambling Commission published an analysis of existing data indicating the link between problem gambling and suicide, which was funded by GambleAware. As a result, the Commission approved a regulatory settlement project, under which the Samaritans and GamCare have been working together to develop more in-depth guidance for gambling businesses to sit alongside the Commission’s requirements for the gambling industry to ensure operators are responding appropriately to risks of harm to their consumers. This work builds on evidence from our compliance and enforcement casework.
As of 01/04/2024 a change in the LCCP came into effect that means operators are now required to inform us when they become aware of customer deaths if there is evidence of a link to suicide, such as contact from the customer warning that they may take their life. Where we identify that a suicide might have links to gambling, we will fully investigate the actions of the operator the person was gambling with.
The Commission does hold information of enforcement cases where an individual has taken their own life. As such, I can confirm that we do hold information within the scope of your request. This information for the years 2016 – 2024 is readily available.
However, in order to provide this information for the years prior to 2016 we would be required to individually review large quantities of archived documents.
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.
We estimate that it would take in excess of 18 hours to determine appropriate material and locate, 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. (opens in a new tab)
If you are able to narrow your request, we may be able to provide some data by working up to the 18 hours’ time limit e.g., for a narrower time period (such as 2016 - 2024).
Please be aware that until we are able to process the search and retrieval of the information you have requested, that can be provided within the statutory time limit, we are unable to ascertain if other exemptions will apply to the material retrieved, which may 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 a new tab), Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5AF.
Information Management Team
Gambling Commission