Maximum £2 Stake Set For Under 25s Playing Online Slots

In a new bid to further reduce harmful gambling, the UK Government is set to put in place stake limits for online slots players.

On Friday 23rd February 2024, it was announced that the UK Government would be limiting the amount players could stake on online slots. Limits are applicable from September 2024 with the aim to reduce harmful gambling.

What Are The New UK Slot Limits?

Two new limits are to be put in place in September 2024 which apply to online slot players of under and over 25 years of age.

A maximum stake of £2 will apply to those ages 18-24 and a £5 limit for those aged 25 years and over. The limits apply to a single spin on online slot games.

When Will The New Limits Come Into Effect?

The new online slot limits will be enforced in September 2024 and have been a topic of discussion since the Government published a white paper on gambling reform in April 2023.

Although there are not currently any limits on how much players can wager, and only on the amount they can stake on a single spin, the new limits are still set to cost gambling operators millions of pounds.

When the original white paper was released, it suggested setting limits of between £2 – £15 per spin on online slots with a £8.50 limit estimated to cost the gambling industry £185m. The confirmed limit of £2-£5 will expectedly cost online casinos far more.

Why Are The Limits Being Enforced?

The new limits for online slot play somewhat mirror the £2 stake limits which were applied to fixed-odds betting terminals in 2019. Previously, players were able to stake up to £100 per spin on games such as roulette or online slots.

The UK Government and UK Gambling Commission are constantly reviewing safer gambling measures to reduce harmful gambling. They see online slots as one of the most addictive forms of online gambling with often thousands of slots easily accessible to anyone over the age of 18 at any of the dozens of online slot sites. With colourful graphics, familiar themes, enticing bonus rounds and huge jackpots, online slots can be hugely addictive and cause financial strain to individuals.

Online casinos accounted for £4bn of the industries £11bn revenue in 2023 (National Lottery excluded), with slots accounting for £3.2b of that revenue.

What’s Next For Safer Gambling?

In recent years, the Government has imposed restrictions on slot limits, fixed-odds betting terminal stake limits, the removal of quick spins and auto spins on slots, along with removing the ability to buy slot bonuses.

However, it’s likely that the industry will see more restrictions put in place in the coming years.

In last years published gambling reform white paper, the Government stated that they would be consulting on including a levy to help fund gambling addition which would include treatment, research, and education on the subject. New affordability checks are also likely to be introduced for players who lose large amounts of money at online betting sites.

Polls have found that a large percentage of gamblers have shown support for affordability checks, although there has been opposition from the horse racing industry who feel it may have a negative impact on the sport.