Office for Statistics Regulation Backs Improvements to UK Gambling Data Collection
The UK Gambling Commission has announced a series of upcoming changes following a formal review of the Gambling Survey for Great Britain (GSGB) by the Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR). The move signifies a strategic shift towards enhancing the credibility, usability, and transparency of gambling-related data in the UK.
The OSR review, which the Commission itself requested, assessed the GSGB against the Code of Practice for Statistics. This independent audit aimed to ensure that the survey meets the highest statistical standards and remains a robust source of data for policy and public understanding.
New Survey Plan, Questions, and External Validations
In response to the OSR’s recommendations, the Gambling Commission has already introduced a new survey improvement plan. Among the implemented changes are updated survey questions specifically designed to align GSGB findings with external validation sources, including responsible gambling schemes such as Gamstop.
Moreover, the Commission has initiated several usability improvements to enhance the presentation and accessibility of GSGB outputs. This includes refining data visualisation and simplifying reporting formats for better stakeholder engagement.
Upcoming Additions: Health and Psychiatric Data Comparisons
Looking ahead, the Commission plans to further enrich the survey’s analytical depth by integrating comparative data from the Health Survey for England and the Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey. These comparisons are expected to provide deeper insight into gambling’s relationship with public health and mental well-being.
A dedicated communication strategy is also in the works to improve how GSGB updates are shared with stakeholders, policymakers, and the public, thereby fostering greater transparency.
Leadership Endorsement and Continued Oversight
Ben Haden, Director of Research and Statistics at the Gambling Commission, expressed strong support for the OSR’s recommendations:
“We welcome the findings from OSR, both the public statement regarding casework they have received in relation to GSGB and their overall review of the GSGB.
We are pleased they recognise the huge amount of work that the team has put into developing and delivering the largest survey of its kind in the world. We also welcome OSR’s recommendations for further action, which closely align with work that we already have underway.”
Wider Regulatory Context
This announcement follows the Gambling Commission’s recent update on the second phase of its financial risk assessment pilot, which aims to better monitor and regulate gambling-related financial harm. The alignment of regulatory oversight and statistical enhancement signals a broader initiative to improve the UK’s gambling governance framework.
