The United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC) has just announced new slot limits that are already being rolled out across UK casinos. The regulations impose a £2 betting maximum on players aged 18 to 24, while those aged 25 and above are restricted to wagers of no more than £5.
UK slots are already tightly controlled, with minimum slot spin times (no less than 2.5 seconds per spin), and bans on certain features (“Gamble” mini games, “Auto-Play” functions, and “Buy Bonus” options), but these limits will make UK slots some of the strictest in the gambling industry.
When Will These Changes Take Effect?
The rules were slated to take effect in September this year, with the regulators noting that operators will have a six-week transition period to help them become compliant with the £5 minimum stake requirement (for players aged 25+), and a further six weeks to adapt to the £2 minimum for younger gamblers.
However, we’re writing this on October 31st, and after checking several major UK sites and numerous slots, only one of them had a maximum wager of less than £5. Most were above £50.
Why Are These Changes Being Introduced?
A decade or so ago, it was all about fixed online betting terminals, interactive roulette games that became a big problem for at-risk gamblers. Eventually, wager limits were set, new rules were enforced, and those games were pushed into the background. These days, the attention seems to have moved to slot machines, and the authorities are going down a similar path.
The issue is that slots are considered high-risk for problem gamblers. The lights, sounds, and the potential for a big win—not to mention the near misses that keep you hunting those jackpots and bonus features—draw players in. Combined with the fact that wagers are increased with the click of a button and can go as high as £100, it’s easy to see why problem gamblers have issues with these games and why regulators are keen to protect them.
After all, even though UK slots move a little slower than those in other regions, 2.5 seconds is still incredibly short. At the maximum wager allowed on some of these games, it’s possible to lose thousands of pounds in less than a minute.
Younger players are deemed to be higher risk, as they form a significant proportion of the total problem gamblers in the United Kingdom. They also have lower disposable incomes on average and may be more prone to impulsive actions, which is why they are subject to lower wagering restrictions than those aged 25 and over.
Do the Limits Apply to All Games?
As things stand, these limits apply solely to slot machines. It remains to be seen whether such restrictions will be rolled out into other games and bets, but it’s unlikely. The minimum bets on many live casino games are between 50p and £1, and while sportsbooks allow bets of just £0.05 or more, exchanges like Betfair have a minimum of £1 (formerly £2). A similar limit on these games would have a massively detrimental effect and may render certain games untenable (it’s hard to justify hiring a dealer and operating a stream when they are dealing 10p hands), but they are also fairly low-risk when compared to slot machines.
