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Image includes a photo of Commission Market and Regulatory Insight Senior Manager Rab Grewal alongside the blog title - 'Closing the chapter on COVID'

Closing the chapter on COVID

Our Senior Manager for Market and Regulatory Insight Rab Grewal provides an update on the Market Impact data publications.

Posted 21 May 2026 by Rab Grewal

Back in April 2020 at the start of the pandemic, we launched our Covid dataset (also known as the Market Impact data) based on information collected from a number of the largest gambling operators.

During the pandemic, understanding how the world was changing and having timely data was crucial. This dataset became one of our most useful tools in helping us and Government understand the market during that unprecedented time.

Since we launched the dataset, operator regulatory returns have moved from an annual to a quarterly requirement (as of July 2024), meaning that the Commission now receives more frequent regulatory data than previously. As a result of this change, a degree of overlap between the two datasets became apparent, and we are mindful of the need to constantly review administrative burdens imposed on businesses.

Many of you will be familiar with Industry Statistics, which was originally an annual publication, but as of February 2026, it is available quarterly on our website, and this is where I would signpost you to for the latest market data going forward.

As we draw this Market Impact dataset to a close, we would like to thank all the operators who have contributed over the years. Their commitment, during an initially challenging time was invaluable in assessing risk. Our final reporting on this dataset will be our May publication (containing data from January to March 2026).

Looking ahead, we will be expanding the Regular Feed of Operator Core Data (ROCD) project which collects data from operators on customers gambling behaviour. We see this as an important part of our approach to meeting the Government’s expectations for improving the use of data and analytics to deliver more effective regulation.

We welcome opportunities to collaborate with operators, so please get in touch if you would like to help us shape our future approach to proportionate ‘data enhanced’ regulation rocd@gamblingcommission.gov.uk.

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