THE GAMBLING COMMISSION IS SET TO REQUIRE QUARTERLY REGULATORY RETURNS TO VERIFY THAT LICENSEES ARE APPROPRIATELY CATEGORISED FOR FEES.
The UK’s Gambling Commission has announced a significant shift in regulatory reporting requirements for all licensed operators. Previously operators were obligated to submit regulatory returns annually, but under the new rules submissions will be required every quarter.
The decision follows an extensive consultation in Autumn 2023 on proposed changes to the Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice (LCCP). The amendment will now mandate submissions from licensees every three months, a move aimed at enhancing oversight and data collection within the industry.
The consultation received feedback from various industry stakeholders, with nearly half of respondents expressing agreement with the proposal. Advocates for quarterly reporting argue that it will provide more timely insights into gambling harms and enable better evaluation of public health interventions.
Furthermore, proponents believe that aligning remote and non-remote submission dates will streamline reporting processes for licensees with multiple licence types. They also anticipate that quarterly reporting will simplify submissions by reducing the number of data fields required.
However, not all stakeholders are in favour of the change. Around one-third of respondents disagreed with the proposal, citing concerns about increased administrative burdens and costs. Some operators, particularly those managing lotteries, worry that the additional workload could divert financial resources away from charitable causes.
Critics also argue that quarterly reporting may not offer significant advantages over annual returns in terms of providing insights, as longer timeframes better capture changes in trends. They caution that without proper support, the new requirements could lead to penalties for missed deadlines.
In response to feedback, the Gambling Commission defended its decision by emphasising the importance of quarterly reporting for budgeting and forecasting accuracy. The Commission aims to enhance its understanding of the gambling sector through an evidence-led approach aligned with government objectives.
Despite acknowledging concerns regarding administrative burdens, particularly for lotteries, the Commission nevertheless opted for a 28-day submission window, rejecting calls for a 42-day window.
“We recognise that some licensees preferred a 42-day window for submissions, but have decided that 28 days for the collation and submission of quarterly data is sufficient.”
