Key points:
- The UK government has introduced statutory stake limits for online slots: £5 for adults 25+ and £2 for those aged 18-24
- A statutory gambling levy has also been established to fund research, prevention and treatment of gambling harm
- While broadly supported, concerns remain about the black market, land-based sector modernisation and regulatory gaps in Northern Ireland
The UK Parliament has approved new regulations introducing maximum stake limits for online slot games, marking a major change in British gambling regulation.
The measures, debated on 29 January 2025, will implement a £5 ($6.23) per game cycle limit for adults aged 25 and over, and a stricter £2 limit for players aged 18-24.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Stephanie Peacock, emphasised that online slots represent the highest-risk gambling product, noting their association with high rates of binge play and significant financial losses.
The online gambling market currently generates approximately £6.9bn in gross gambling yield, with slots accounting for £3.6bn of this total.
The regulations faced mixed reactions from parliamentarians. While opposition spokesman Louie French expressed concerns about potential impacts on the gambling industry and local businesses, Sir Iain Duncan Smith, chairman of the all-party parliamentary group on gambling reform, argued that the £5 limit was too high compared to the £2 limit in physical venues.
The new measures will be implemented in phases, with operators given six weeks from the instrument's implementation to enforce the £5 limit, followed by an additional six-week period to implement the £2 limit for younger adults.
Good to know: These restrictions build upon previous safety measures introduced by the Gambling Commission in 2021, including minimum spin speeds and bans on autoplay features
The government has committed to reviewing the stake limits within five years, addressing concerns about their effectiveness and impact on the industry.
Alongside stake limits, the government has introduced a statutory levy on gambling operators to fund research, prevention and treatment of gambling-related harm. The levy will allocate 20% of funds to research, 30% to prevention and 50% to treatment services.
The move formalises a funding mechanism that previously relied on voluntary contributions from the industry.
The Liberal Democrats expressed support for the regulations, viewing them as a progressive step toward tackling problem gambling. However, they urged the government to take further action on gambling advertising, black market gambling and the regulation of gaming products such as loot boxes.
In Northern Ireland, where online gambling remains unregulated, Jim Allister (TUV) called for urgent reforms to address the region’s higher-than-average gambling problem. He criticised the lack of oversight and regulatory mechanisms for online gambling in Northern Ireland, urging the UK government to pressure local authorities to act.
