Beginning September 2024, a new UK law will limit the maximum stake per spin on digital slots machines for the first time. The new limits form part of the government’s continued rollout of measures to protect citizens from potentially harmful gambling.
New Key Changes to Maximum Stake Limits for Online Casino Operators
September 2024 will mark a significant milestone with the first implementation of maximum limits on bet stakes for digital slot games in the United Kingdom
A Maximum bet stake of £2 per spin for online slots will be in place for players aged 18 to 24
In addition, a Maximum bet stake of £5 per spin for online slots will now limit players aged 25 and over
Both limits will bring bet stakes at online casino games in line with those already in place at land-based casinos
Ease of access indicate online slots to be one of the most easily addictive types of gambling. Commonly associated effects are long sessions, large losses, and binge activities. Furthermore, digital casinos are not subject to any statutory limits on stake amounts.
Evidence & Reasoning Behind Differential Age Limits
Countering the elevated risk potential for significant harm and life-altering losses from digital slots UK lawmakers introduced regulations limiting stakes to £5 per spin for players aged 25 and over.
A further reduced stake limited to £2 per spin will come into effect for younger players aged 18 to 24. Evidence indicates this age group to have the highest percentage with problem gambling of all age groups. In addition, this age set also proved to of the low disposable income group, that was still developing neurologically.
These factors both impacted risk perception as well as common life development factors like the first experience managing their own measures money. Evidence also indicates a more powerful link between suicide and problem gambling among the younger 18 to 24 age group.
The determination comes in the wake of a 10-week period of consultation where most respondents agreed with the white paper proposal on gambling for the introduction of statutory limits on online slots. Respondent consultations included from academics, industry, individuals, and treatment providers.
NHS survey statistics revealed a problem gambling rate of 8.7% existed relating to online slots, bingo, and other casino games. This is the highest ratio across all forms of gambling.
An evidence review of gambling-related harms by the England Office for Public Health revealed young adults to be exceptionally vulnerable to harms related to gambling. Specifically with adults under the age of 25 recording the highest problem gambling rate of all age groups.
Quoted on Gov.UK, Stuart Andrew, UK Gambling Minister, stated:
“Although millions of people gamble safely every single day, the evidence shows that there is a significantly higher problem gambling rate for online slot games.
We also know that young adults can be more vulnerable when it comes to gambling related harms, which is why we committed to addressing both of these issues in our white paper.
The growing popularity of online gambling is clear to see, so this announcement will level the playing field with the land-based sector and is the next step in a host of measures being introduced this year that will protect people from gambling harms.”
Similarly, on Gov.UK, Zoë Osmond, GambleAware CEO, contributed saying:
“We welcome the Government’s announcement to introduce lower online stake limits for under 25s as an important mechanism to protect young people. Our research shows a concerning trend with this age group experiencing an increase in harm arising from gambling and online slots are very high-risk products.
As we continue our work to tackle this growing public health issue, we will collaborate with the Government and others across the gambling harms sector to ensure there are no missed opportunities when it comes to the introduction of robust preventative measures, including new regulations such as these.”
Implementation and Compliance Periods
The new limits will be implemented in September this year, following the enactment of secondary legislation. There will be a transition period of six weeks to provide operators the time to comply with the new national £5 stake limit regulations.
This will be followed by an additional period of six weeks to develop solutions to resolve any technical issues to ensure operators conform fully with lower stake limits for both young adult age groups.
While most individuals gamble without any problems, the restrictions introduced today are part of the proposals outlined in the Government’s white paper to modernize the gambling sector and adapt it to the digital age.
This includes the establishment of a statutory levy for research, prevention, and treatment, as well as financial risk checks aimed at preventing devastating, life-altering losses.
The Gambling Commission and the Government continue to consider feedback from campaigners, the general public, and both the gambling as well as horse racing industries as part of the consultation process on these checks. The Gambling Commission is continually refining its approach to design to strike the right balance between protections and freedoms.
In addition to introducing procedures and means to protect individuals from harm related to gambling, the white paper package includes proposals that will help the land-based gambling industry prosper. The industry supports thousands of jobs nationwide, and the Government has made it clear that it does not want to jeopardize its success.
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