The UK government limits the maximum slot bet to £2 per spin for adults aged 18-24. The maximum limit for anyone 25 and older is set to £5 per spin.
The new restriction will take effect in September, 2024. This is the first time the maximum stakes have been introduced for online slots in the UK. After the 10-week consultation, most respondents agreed with the proposal to reduce the risk of gambling harm, especially for young adults.
Operators in the UK will have enough time to prepare for this change. They will have two blocks of six weeks—a transition period—during which they’ll need to comply with the introduced limit, solve any potential technical issues that might arise, and make final adjustments to ensure full compliance.
Gambling Act White Paper Transforms Online Gambling Scene in the UK
The proposal to set maximum stakes for slots first appeared in the government’s Gambling Act White Paper, which saw the light of day in April last year and touched upon different gambling segments. The Department of Culture, Media and Sport wanted to place the slot limit between £2 and £15. After the consultation, it was decided to set the limit at the lower mark.
Gambling Minister Stuart Andrew said:
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.
He also acknowledged the increased popularity of online gambling and how it affected young adults, highlighting the fact that they were more vulnerable compared to other age groups.
NHS: Young Adults Have the Problem Gambling Rate of 8.7%
The decision to introduce the lower maximum slot limit for the 18–24 age group stems from the fact that young adults have the highest average problem gambling score of 8.7%, as figures from the NHS show.
People in this age group have lower incomes, and the majority of them are managing money for the first time in their lives. Not to mention that there’s a direct link between gambling harm and suicide among young adults, so any measure that can help prevent drastic outcomes is more than welcome.
New Limits Are Well-Received but Caution Is Advised for Future Measures
Overall, the new gambling measures are well received. GambleAware CEO, Zoë Osmond, said they welcomed the announcement to introduce the new stake limits, especially for people under the age of 25:
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.
The Betting and Gaming Council CEO Michael Dugher is also happy with the measures as they “provide enhanced protection for young people.” However, he advises ministers and regulators to be cautious as these restrictions impact industry members, and customers could drift to the unsafe, unregulated online black market if the balance of the regulation is off.
This measure is one of many that will likely be introduced in the UK soon. Some others include a statutory levy for research, prevention and treatment and financial risk checks. The government and the Gambling Commission continue to work together to create the best environment for players and operators.
