Cookies on the Gambling Commission website

The Gambling Commission website uses cookies to make the site work better for you. Some of these cookies are essential to how the site functions and others are optional. Optional cookies help us remember your settings, measure your use of the site and personalise how we communicate with you. Any data collected is anonymised and we do not set optional cookies unless you consent.

Set cookie preferences

You've accepted all cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. About us
  3. Statistics and research

Revisions and corrections policy

1. Summary

  1. The document provides an overview of how we handle revisions and corrections within our official statistics. Principle T3.9 of the Code of Practice for Statistics (opens in new tab) states that scheduled revisions or unscheduled corrections to the statistics and data should be released as soon as practicable. The changes should be handled transparently in line with a published policy.

2. Revisions to official statistics

  1. Sometimes it may be necessary to revise certain statistics when further information becomes available or data systems change. This may lead to previously released statistics being replaced by more complete or updated data.

  2. Where this happens, statistics will be communicated in an orderly manner as soon as is practicable, in a transparent way.

  3. The Gambling Commission will ensure to revise and re-issue the relevant publications, including the re-released date of the publication, and an explanation as to why the publication has been updated. The superseded version of the publication will also remain present on our website and will be clearly labelled as superseded.

  4. When we publish data that we expect to be later revised, we will be transparent that it is provisional. When data is provisional, we will explain why that is the case and when users can expect revised data. When we revise data, we will explain why data has been revised and the impact of the revisions.

  5. All administrative and non-administrative data can be updated when new information becomes available that relates to a period already published. Each relevant publication will set out how publications will be revised in these circumstances. Revisions would normally be made in the next planned publication following receipt of any further data.

  6. In tables, statistics published as provisional will be clearly marked as provisional, for example, using a [p] and include information on the reasons why the data is provisional. Once data has been revised, it will be marked, for example with an [r] in the first edition after revision. Information on the reasons why the data has been revised will be provided.

3. Corrections to official statistics

  1. Errors that occur within released statistics are often genuine mistakes. Unfortunately from time to time, despite our best efforts, mistakes can happen. In these instances, corrections are announced, made in a timely manner and explained clearly to users in line with the Code of Practice for Statistics.

  2. Where an error has been found, the Head of Statistics will assess the scale and impact of the error which will inform the actions we take.

  3. Substantial errors will be corrected as soon as possible by reissuing the statistics with the corrected figures. In such circumstances key users and/or ministers may be alerted. If an error is identified but corrected figures are not yet available due to a need for further investigation, a note will be added to the statistics to explain the situation, making it clear the figures are subject to change.

  4. Minor errors may be corrected in slower time as appropriate (always within 12 months). We may make these corrections with the next edition of a relevant statistical product.

  5. In cases where errors are found in time series that appear in more than one edition, the errors will be corrected in the most recent edition only. Older editions will not usually be corrected.

  6. In tables, corrections are shown by the addition of an [r] next to figures that have been corrected. This will be accompanied by a note explaining the reason for and the scale of the correction. Corrections will only be marked in the first edition of each publication that the corrected figures appear in. If the figures then appear again in future editions they will not be marked as corrected.

  7. The report and tables will state when the data was first published and when it was revised.

  8. In cases where errors are corrected in cumulative spreadsheets, that is, where the latest data is added to a spreadsheet, which then replaces the previous edition on our website:

  • in the first edition after revision, corrections will be shown, for example by the addition of an [r] next to figures that have been corrected. This will be accompanied by a note explaining the reason for and the scale of the correction
  • in subsequent editions, the [r] marker and original note will be removed from the spreadsheet and replaced by a note explaining what was revised, the reason for and scale of the correction
  • the old uncorrected publication will be removed but will be filed and available on request.

  1. For all corrections, steps will be taken to determine what corrective actions and/or training and/or communications are needed to prevent similar errors from occurring in the future. The emphasis is on learning from mistakes and improvement.

  2. The Commission will ensure that where errors and corrections have occurred, users will be made aware of the errors and their impact as soon as is reasonably practicable, alongside a clear reason as to why the errors have occurred.

Previous page
Quality management approach for statistics Next page
Using our official statistics

Last updated: 5 November 2026

Show updates to this content

No changes to show.

Is this page useful?
Back to top