Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS)

The complainant requested correspondence between a named Minister and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (‘DCMS’) relating to gambling regulation. DCMS provided some of the requested information and withheld the remainder under sections 36(2)(b)(i), 36(2)(b)(ii) and 36(2)(c) of FOIA (prejudice to the effective conduct of public affairs). The Commissioner’s decision is that DCMS was entitled to rely on sections 36(2)(b)(i), 36(2)(b)(ii) and 36(2)(c) of FOIA and that the balance of the public interest favours maintaining the exemptions. No steps are required as a result of this notice. First-tier tribunal (General Regulatory chamber) information rights appeal EA/2023/0239 under appeal.