The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has announced plans to implement a series of regulatory and data reforms, following an independent review of the Gambling Survey for Great Britain (GSGB) conducted by the Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR).

The Commission welcomed the OSR’s recommendations, emphasizing that the findings will help enhance the credibility of industry data and improve transparency in policymaking.

As a key source of market intelligence, the GSGB regularly collects and publishes data reflecting industry trends and potential risks. In a proactive move to improve data quality and trustworthiness, the UKGC had requested an independent evaluation of the GSGB against the Code of Practice for Statistics.

In response to the OSR's feedback, the Commission has launched a new improvement plan for the survey, including refining questionnaire design and incorporating third-party data sources such as Gamstop to boost the accuracy and verifiability of results. Additionally, technical upgrades will be made to how GSGB findings are published, improving accessibility and user experience.

Looking ahead, the Commission plans to introduce cross-comparative analyses with data from the Health Survey for England and the Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey to strengthen multidimensional validation. A new communication strategy is also in development to enhance public and policymaker understanding and use of GSGB data.

Ben Haden, Director of Research and Statistics at the UKGC, stated:“We appreciate the OSR’s review and the professional insight it provides. We particularly value the recommendations outlined, which are well-aligned with the reforms we are already pursuing.”

These reforms mark a significant step in strengthening the regulatory framework for the gambling industry and underscore the Commission’s ongoing commitment to data integrity and transparent policy development.