New £2 maximum stake for under 25s playing online slots
Let’s dive into the key changes on the horizon and what they mean for aspiring casino entrepreneurs. We must stay informed about these developments to seize opportunities and mitigate risks. The gambling sector is no stranger to change, with technological advancements and societal attitudes constantly reshaping its framework. Although operators now have to jump through a few more hoops than they used to, the end result is a safer environment and, therefore, a more prosperous experience for everyone. It’s comforting to see that the commission hasn’t placed undue burdens on honest players, even as their mandate require them to stamp out money laundering.
This includes both online and physical places you can gamble, like a betting shop or casino. Next up, online casinos can no longer allow people to play multiple games simultaneously. Some of the biggest changes to the way games are played at online casinos will involve the way the games are designed. If you live in the UK, when January rolls around, expect online casinos to ask you to opt-in to marketing from them. From this point onwards, any direct marketing needs to be opt-in, so players must choose to receive advertising from online casinos.
The UK casino regulations represent the most significant overhaul of British gambling law in over two decades. Membership of GAMSTOP is mandatory for all licensed online operators. Operators pay gambling duties instead, including the 40% Remote Gaming Duty introduced in April 2026. Every casino in our UK casino rankings is licence-checked as part of our review process, so the list is a safe starting point.
The UK Gambling Commission’s mandate is to regulate gambling and oversee gaming law in Wales, Scotland, and England. Whether you gamble online or at a live casino, you can count on the UK Gambling Commission to keep you safe. Further information on these changes will be published as it becomes available on the Gambling Commission’s website and communicated to operators and licensing authorities.
We therefore propose to consult on reducing the ratio from 80/20 (Category B to C/D machines) to 50/50 (Category B to C/D machines) in bingo and arcade venues. However, we remain of the view that it is important to maintain a balanced offering of higher and lower stake products in licensed gambling premises. It has also been overtaken by the development of digital Category B machines with improved player protections in comparison to older Category C and D machines, although we recognise there is scope to make further improvements. The stake for Category C machines is currently at a maximum of £1 and was last changed in 2009 — if inflation had been applied this would (as of February 2023) be approximately £1.43.
These fees are used on a cost recovery basis to enable licensing authorities to undertake their gambling enforcement and administrative duties. To ensure this, we outlined in the white paper our intention to increase the cap on the maximum chargeable premises fees which can be charged by licensing authorities. The government will make inviting, causing, or permitting under-18s to play ‘cash-out’ Category D slot-style machines a criminal offence through a draft affirmative statutory instrument. Bacta currently operates a voluntary age restriction on these machines for all of its members. We believe it is appropriate to make inviting, causing, or permitting under-18s to play ‘cash-out’ Category D slot-style machines a criminal offence. Eighty-two per cent of respondents agreed that it should be a criminal offence for a person to invite, cause or permit children or young persons to play on ‘cash-out’ Category D slot-style machines.
As the premier gambling law, it dictates the protocols for casinos, poker, sports betting, pools, lottery betting, etc. We have also considered a broad range of academic and other literature on gambling harm and gambling harm prevention, including material produced in other jurisdictions, and publications since the call for evidence period. In addition to the direct impact on the levy of a reduction in betting industry GGY, we have also assumed that there may be an impact on racing’s income from gambling sponsorship and media rights, as operators’ income is reduced. The horserace betting levy is paid by bookmakers based on 10% of GGY from customers in Great Britain, betting on races in Great Britain, whether online or in betting shops. A number of submissions to our call for evidence highlighted the relationship between horse racing and gambling, including the importance of the horserace betting levy for maintaining the sport.
There was some concern that this would create a safety risk for customers using gaming machines in pubs as it would increase the potential for their PIN to be observed by other customers. In regards to the second objective, under Option 3, the evidence provided suggests that over time it is likely that many operators would reduce their offer of Category C and D cabinet gaming machines substantially and offer predominantly Category B cabinet gaming machines. As highlighted in Chapter 2 of the land-based gambling consultation, we are aware that Category B gaming machines on average result in greater customer losses per session than Category C and D gaming machines. “… for the purpose of calculating the Category B machine entitlement in gambling premises, gaming machines should only be counted if they can be played simultaneously by different players without physical hindrance.” (Gambling Commission, 2019 Of those who didn’t answer ‘I don’t know’, 80% of respondents favoured operating and premises licence fees being the same for Small 2005 Act casinos and 1968 Act casinos that elect to increase their gaming machine entitlement.
Equally, evidence suggests that young people and young adults are particularly prone to benchmark their own gambling against that of their peers, but often overestimate peer gambling participation. Evidence and proposals regarding age and identity verification to access and make deposits into online gambling accounts are covered in our proposals for online gambling in Chapter 1. As outlined above, the evidence we received suggests that online age verification is currently effective as long as the details of an adult are not being used fraudulently or with that adult’s permission.
Keep reading to learn how British regulators and other entities keep you safe from harm. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) published its gambling white paper in April 2023, which set out the government’s plans for modernising the regulation of the gambling sector. Google acts as data processor on our behalf, further information is available in Google Cloud Platform Service Specific Terms (opens in new tab) and Google’s Cloud Data Processing Addendum (opens in new tab). Further staking opportunities could be offered within the same game cycle up to the value of £3 for a total staked per game cycle of £5.Scenario CA customer aged 19 stakes £2 on an online slot game. Scenario AA customer aged 27 stakes £5 on an online slot game.
Ipsos MORI’s research on the impact of gambling marketing on children (aged 11 to 17) and young adults (aged 18 to 24) found that sport was one of the major channels through which children are likely to be exposed to such marketing. Children’s exposure to gambling marketing through sport sponsorship is identified as a particular area of concern in other research. Seeing sponsorships (15%) was less influential than having or hearing about a big win (28% and 27% respectively), or seeing advertising or direct marketing (both 19%) and similar to hearing about other people’s negative experiences with gambling (14%). The Gambling Commission’s consumer journey research calculated percentage impact scores (prevalence x encouragement) for non gamestop casino different factors that affect gambling. Inclusion in the IGRG Code will help ensure all operators abide by the commitment as it has ordinary code status and compliance can be considered in regulatory action by the Gambling Commission.
Figure 20: Gaming machine types including stakes, prizes, location and speed of play
Conversely, a number of think tanks and campaigners have proposed far more expansive SCV solutions, involving the pooling of every customer’s online and potentially offline play data for analysis by an independent public body which flags concerns and directs operator interventions. As part of the trial, codes of practice are being developed to ensure operators respond appropriately when they are notified of customers in this situation. While supportive in principle, industry initially had concerns regarding potential data protection and privacy implications. For example, a person showing signs or disclosing that their gambling is out of control could have their account closed by one operator doing the right thing to prevent harm, but within minutes they could have a new account with a different operator and a ‘blank slate’.
The Gambling Commission issues a code of practice on the provision of gaming machines in alcohol-licensed premises. There is no upper limit placed on the number of gaming machines allowed, but if a venue wants to install more than two machines, they must apply to the licensing authority to do so (as set out in section 283 of, and Schedule 13 to, the Gambling Act 2005) and pay the prescribed fee. In England and Wales, alcohol licensed premises currently have an automatic entitlement to up to two Category C or D gaming machines. Following a consultation on proposals for changes to Gaming Machines and Social Responsibility Measures, the maximum stake on B2 machines (Fixed Odds Betting Terminals) was reduced from £100 to £2 in April 2019, to reduce the risk of gambling-related harm. These include a variety of venues in practice, including ‘high-end’ casinos which cater for high-net worth (mainly international) clients and have a business model based primarily on live gaming tables. The 2005 Act casinos are also subject to minimum overall and non-gaming space requirements which were introduced alongside a ratio of machines to tables aimed at ensuring a balanced offer of different products.
Processing of personal data will continue to be required in order to achieve compliance with a gambling licence. Where licensees have genuine well-founded concerns about GDPR, we are committed to working with industry to get the right outcome – one that safeguards personal data whilst also promoting the licensing objectives. GDPR should not be improperly used as an excuse to avoid taking steps which enable compliance with licence conditions, promote socially responsible gambling, and promote the licensing objectives. We take the view that GDPR is not intended to prevent operators from taking steps which are necessary in the public interest, or are necessary to comply with regulatory requirements under a gambling licence.
Box 16: Westminster City Council’s proposed new gambling policy statement
The Gambling Commission will continue to monitor that market and consider where and when it could be leveraged to further the government’s objectives for the gambling sector, including the prevention of underage gambling. However, 5% of 11 to 16-year-olds reported using parents’ and/or guardians’ accounts to play on gambling websites or place bets online with their permission, which can be difficult to prevent from a regulatory perspective. Gambling Commission research shows online gambling is experienced by fewer 11 to 16-year-olds than other forms of gambling. These new rules have effectively prevented illegal underage gambling online using a child’s own details or invented identities.
Some stakeholders proposed an expanded pre-release product testing regime where each new game would be tested to appraise its potential to cause harm. Most respondents to the call for evidence discussed product controls in the context of limits on structural characteristics, for example limits on stake and speed of play. These reported indicators cannot be used to directly infer reductions in harm, but they do suggest a moderation in play brought about by the changes.
Finally, it focuses on minimizing the negative impact of gambling on society by protecting children and other vulnerable groups from problem gambling. Second, it seeks to prevent gambling from being linked to any form of criminal activity. First, it aims to ensure that all gambling is conducted in a fair and open way. The Act established the Gambling Commission and transferred licensing responsibilities from the magistrates’ courts to local authorities and Scottish licensing boards. It is also responsible for monitoring and supervising all gambling operations and can carry out inspections and inquiries.
Online protections
In the same period, the average number of gambling ads seen by under 16s more than halved from around 4.5 to just 2.2 per week, and the ads were predominantly for bingo and lotteries. The Gambling Commission’s social responsibility codes specify that operators should still apply the principles of the UK Advertising Codes to any content or media that falls outside of the remit of the codes. While ‘content marketing’ posts which do not directly advertise a product or service may fall outside of the ASA’s remit, they are a popular marketing strategy with which operators can drive brand engagement and loyalty. We want operators to make use of available technology to extend commitments to de-targeting children and vulnerable people and age-gating social media. In Gambling Commission’s Young People and Gambling report 2022, 44% of 11 to 16-year-olds had heard or seen adverts or promotions relating to gambling on social media, and 13% reported following a gambling account on social media.
- We will introduce an age limit of 18 and over for the use of ‘cash-out’ Category D slot-style gaming machines.
- The increase in Category B machines is expected to be even higher for Option 3, where no restrictions would be applied.
- Gambling forms include but are not limited to the following venues online casinos with slots, table games, etc., online poker, online sports betting, lottery-style games, and online Bingo.
- Online gambling is legal in Great Britain when offered by operators that hold the appropriate remote operating licences from the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) and comply with its licence conditions, codes of practice, and technical standards.
There is now a maximum stake limit in place for online slot games. Despite the restrictions highlighted on this page, the UK has some of the most relaxed gambling legislation in the world. We’ll discuss how they help to protect online gamblers in the UK. For example, remote gambling and software technical standard 11 requires licensees to implement measures intended to deter, prevent, and detect collusion and cheating. 1 Licensees must conduct an assessment of the risks of their business being used for money laundering and terrorist financing. 6 Licensees must put into effect procedures designed to ensure that an individual who has self-excluded cannot gain access to gambling.
Players who register with GamStop are blocked from all UKGC-licensed online casinos simultaneously — one of the most powerful tools available anywhere in the world. Under the UK casino regulations, casinos must confirm customers can afford their level of play. Driven by the Government’s Gambling White Paper — enacted through 2024–2025 legislation — these sweeping changes introduce a series of player-protection measures that directly affect how online casinos operate. Online casino games, slots, poker, bingo, and sports betting are all legal, provided the operator holds a UK Gambling Commission licence. To legally offer gambling services in the UK, operators must obtain licences from the UK Gambling Commission. Casino gambling is permitted online and in land-based venues, provided the operator is licensed by the UKGC.
Additionally, some gambling products enable charities and other non-commercial organisations such as sports clubs to raise valuable funds. Horse racing in particular has a mutually beneficial relationship with betting, and the levy paid by bookmakers on their racing derived revenue contributes around £100 million a year to support the sport. While many gambling companies do operate overseas hubs, the jobs in this country are geographically dispersed, with hubs of high skill work in areas like Stoke-on-Trent and Leeds. For the majority of people in the Gambling Commission’s research, gambling was just another normal activity which they reported feeling completely in control of. For most people who participate, gambling is a leisure and entertainment activity, as explored in the Gambling Commission’s research into why people gamble and its research into customer journeys. In addition to the approximately 300,000 people categorised as ‘problem gamblers’, there are approximately 1.8 million people in Great Britain categorised as ‘at risk’.
Similarly, the existing rigorous checks on sources of funds for operating licence applications ensure standards are not undermined. The regulator’s case-by-case contentment would be contingent on assurances that adopting cryptoassets would not pose any risks to compliance. As the ‘Key Event’ reporting requirements on operators extend to any changes to payment systems within 5 days, cryptoassets cannot be adopted as a way of accepting customer deposits without the Commission’s notice. Cryptoassets also have implications for operators balancing liabilities from open bets, and can be disadvantageous to consumers because of wait times and fees. There have been no instances of licensed operators making this declaration and accepting deposits directly in cryptoassets.
The remaining third are known as “ticket-out Category D slot machines” and are limited to a 30p stake and the equivalent of a prize worth up to £8. There are two types of Category D slot style machines, those that pay out winnings as money, and those that pay out tickets. A similar conclusion was reached by the House of Lords Select Committee, which noted that banning children from using Category D machines could have a “devastating impact on individuals, businesses and communities”. Category D machines include a diverse range of low stake and prize machines such as coin pushers, crane grabs and slot style machines (also known as fruit style machines).
Please explain your answer, providing any supporting evidence where available. However, it should be noted that respondents were most likely to have spent their own money on types of gambling activity that are legal or do not feature age restricted products, such as penny pusher or claw grab arcade games. Bacta’s members make up approximately 70-80% of the market for family entertainment centres and adult gaming centres. We propose to move the industry’s voluntary commitment into legislation, making it an offence for a person to invite, cause or permit a child or young person to use ‘cash-out’ Category D slot-style games. Further details on machine types and permitted locations can be found at Figure 11.
These account for an estimated 70% of online casino games. The Gambling Commission said online operators would need to implement the new rules by 31 October. New restrictions designed to make online casino games less intensive and safer have been announced by the Gambling Commission.
The government has already indicated that it intends to examine radical new ways to mainstream and improve ADR across the economy for all types of disputes including consumer disputes, so it is no longer viewed as an ‘alternative’ to court but operates as an integrated part of the justice system. Most submissions called for a gambling ombudsman, though there were significant differences in proposals for how best to design a new system, its remit, powers and the specific details around the desired outcomes of the new arrangements. There may also be particular difficulties if the complainant is vulnerable due to gambling disorder or some other factor. This can be costly, time consuming and potentially inequitable given the resource disparities between the typical complainant and the gambling operator.