New £2 Maximum Stake for Under 25s Online

New £2 Maximum Stake for Under 25s Playing Online Slots

Gamblers in the UK will be hit with more changes this year as the United Kingdom Gambling Commission, the regulatory body that oversees all casinos and betting sites operating in the United Kingdom, have introduced a new stake limit for online slots.

In a press release issued today, it has been announced that for the first time stake limits will be introduced to online slot games in September 2024. This includes a lower limit for younger adults aged 18-24 in the government's continued efforts to roll out measures to protect players from gambling harms.

Here's what was announced:

• Maximum £2 stake for 18 to 24-year-olds for online slot games.
• £5 stake limit for adults aged 25 and over for online slot games.

It's “a landmark move” and one that will undoubtedly be subjected to scrutiny on both sides of the gambling divide, but the consensus among those putting these rules in place is that online slot games are one of the most addictive forms of gambling, and therefore they believe these measures will “counter the risk of significant harm”.

Younger adults will face lower maximum stakes, with the following reasons cited for this age group:

• The highest average problem gambling score of any group.
• Lower disposable income available.
• Ongoing neurological development impacting risk perception.
• Stronger link between gambling harm and suicide.

More information on this new move is available to read in the press release on Gov.uk.