New £2 maximum stake for under 25s playing online slots

Stake limits for online slot games will be introduced for the first time in September, including lower limits for young adults, as the Government continues to roll out measures to protect people from gambling harms.

The new limits will be:

• Maximum £2 stake for 18 to 24-year-olds for online slot games
• £5 limit for adults aged 25 and over brings stakes which is in-line with casinos

The decision follows a 10-week consultation period in which it is reported the majority of respondents agreed with the gambling white paper proposal to introduce statutory limits for online slot games to help reduce the risk of gambling harm. Consultation responses included views from industry, academics, treatment providers and individuals.

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. 

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.”

The limits will come into force in September this year, following secondary legislation. There will be a six-week transition period for operators to become compliant with the general £5 stake limit rules, followed by a further six weeks for the development of any necessary technical solutions to ensure operators are fully compliant with the lower stake limit of £2 for young adults aged 18-24.