Starting from September, the regulations signify the inaugural implementation of maximum stakes for online slots within the UK.
The government lauded this announcement as a “landmark” moment for online gambling regulation.
Commencing this September, stake limits will take effect following secondary legislation.
A six-week transition period will be instituted for operators to adhere to the £5 stake limit. Subsequently, another six-week period will facilitate any necessary technical adjustments to ensure operators’ full compliance with the reduced stake limit.
The decision to impose stake limits stems from a 10-week consultation period, during which the government noted widespread agreement among respondents regarding the necessity of statutory limits for online slots to mitigate gambling-related harm.
Input from various stakeholders including industry experts, academics, treatment providers, and individuals informed the consultation process.
The proposal was initially introduced as part of the government’s Gambling Act white paper, unveiled in April of the preceding year.
This comprehensive document outlined several recommendations aimed at overhauling gambling regulation in the UK.
Gambling Minister Stuart Andrew highlighted the reasoning behind the decision, stating,
“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.”
He emphasised the vulnerability of young adults to gambling-related harm, underscoring the government’s commitment to addressing these issues.
Citing data from the NHS indicating a problem gambling rate of 8.7% among 18-24 year-olds engaged in online gambling activities, the government justified the introduction of lower stake limits for this demographic.
Factors such as lower disposable income and ongoing neurological development influencing risk perception were also considered.
GambleAware CEO Zoë Osmond expressed satisfaction with the new limits, particularly praising the decision to implement lower stake limits for younger adults.
She emphasised the importance of collaborative efforts between the government and gambling harm prevention organisations to effectively tackle this public health concern.
The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) echoed support for the measure, acknowledging its role in enhancing protections for young people.
However, BGC CEO Michael Dugher cautioned that such measures would impact industry members and urged policymakers to consider the broader implications of regulatory changes.
The stake limit measure is part of a broader set of proposals outlined in the white paper aimed at protecting players from gambling harm while supporting the gambling industry’s sustainability.
The government assured ongoing consultation with stakeholders to strike the right balance between regulatory safeguards and industry interests.