Policy
Corporate Governance Framework
Our corporate governance framework sets out the necessary responsibilities and procedures that guarantee we operate properly.
Gifts and hospitality
53. It is an important part of our work to develop contacts and build good working relations with a range of outside organisations, for example, relevant trade associations and with individual licence holders. You are encouraged to develop such contacts appropriately. In doing so, however, you are expected to observe exceptionally high standards of personal honesty and integrity. Failure to comply with the Commission’s policies on the acceptance of gifts and hospitality will be regarded as a serious matter and may amount to gross misconduct. In particular, you should make yourself aware of the provisions of the Bribery Act 2010 (opens in new tab) and ensure that your actions do not place you and/or the Commission in a position where you and/or the Commission could be accused of being in breach of the provisions of that Act.
54. No gift or hospitality should be accepted if it would, or might, appear to place you under any obligation, or compromise your impartiality, or be otherwise improper. Subsequent payment for, or reciprocity of, any hospitality does not legitimise its unauthorised receipt. Prevailing practice in the private sector is not a justification for a breach of the standards required in the public sector.
55. Employees should not, therefore, accept any gifts however modest, or hospitality from actual or prospective licensees, or from current contractors or those seeking to become contractors. The only exception is light refreshments at a meeting, for example tea or coffee. Care must also be taken over acceptance of hospitality from trade associations and representative bodies.
56. If you have any doubts about the proper course of action to take when giving or receiving hospitality, it is your responsibility to discuss the issue with your manager in the first instance, or the Head of Governance.
57. You must refer to the Gifts and Hospitality policy if you are in doubt about what action to take in giving or receiving gifts or hospitality, which includes winning any prize/s related to your work at the Commission. This policy and reporting process document can be found in the Policy Centre on the Commission’s intranet.
Receipt of gifts or cash
58. Generally the offer of any gift, reward or benefit arising out of your duties as an employee of the Commission should be politely refused with the explanation that public servants are not permitted to accept such offers. Where refusal would clearly be impractical, or cause offence to the donor (for example a representative of a foreign government or similar) you should let the donor know that the gift is being accepted on behalf of the Commission for retention in the office. Such gifts must be handed to the Commission’s Head of Governance for office use or subsequent disposal.
59. Any gifts received should be returned with a polite letter of explanation. Where return of gifts would be expensive or otherwise difficult, the donor should be told that the gift cannot be accepted but will be donated to charity in their name.
60. These principles do not apply to isolated gifts, for example office accessories at a conference, or from a visitor which are worth less than £10, and which may be accepted for use at work.
61. Details of any gift you have accepted or provided (including those with a value of less than £10) must be notified immediately to the Governance team via TOPDesk (under Finance). A public register of gifts and hospitality will be maintained by the Governance team showing all notified gifts and hospitality accepted or provided with a value greater than £10. Unsolicited gifts passed on to charity with the donor’s knowledge should also be notified to the Head of Governance.
62. Employees should not accept cash or any other form of monetary payment under any circumstances from actual or prospective licensees, or from current contractors, or those seeking to become contractors.
Receipt of hospitality
63. An element of modest hospitality plays an important part in the maintenance of a wide range of important business contacts and the acceptance of appropriate levels of hospitality is acceptable. It is essential, however, that you exercise careful judgment in deciding whether the acceptance of hospitality in particular circumstances is appropriate. In doing so, you should consider whether the offer and/or its acceptance would be normal and reasonable in the circumstances. If you have any doubt as to appropriateness, you should decline any offer of hospitality.
64. With the exception of modest hospitality invitations (with an estimated value of £10 or less) acceptance of hospitality invitations should first be cleared by a Director. Hospitality, even if modest, must not be accepted from actual or prospective licensees or from current contractors or those seeking to become contractors. Any working lunches, for example during a corporate inspection, must be paid for. To ensure transparency in the Commission’s affairs, all hospitality received must be recorded in the Commission’s Hospitality Register. Any hospitality you have accepted (including that with a value of less than £10) must be notified immediately to the Governance team via TOPDesk (under Finance). The only exception is tea, coffee, and soft drinks accepted in the course of a working visit.
65. If you are in any doubt over the rules on gifts and hospitality, you should contact the Governance team for advice via bsecretary@gamblingcommission.gov.uk.
66. You must follow the rules set out in the Gifts and Hospitality Policy which can be found in the Policy Centre on the Commission’s Intranet.
Offer of hospitality by Gambling Commission employees
67. Senior employees at Director level may, occasionally, offer hospitality in line with the specific hospitality limits set out in the Commission’s expenses rules. These limits will only be varied by prior written agreement from a Director or the Chief Executive as appropriate. Without such prior agreement no reimbursement will normally be made.
Previous sectionAppointments on leaving the Commission Next section
Political activities
Last updated: 15 December 2025
Show updates to this content
Formatting updated