Comprehensive Guide on New £2 Stake Limit for Under-25s

The new limit on stakes will be applied to online slot games in September 2024. According to the UK government, this particular category of games are more easily accessible and most addictive, leading to gambling problems and related harms.

The reason why residents between the ages of 18-24 are being targeted with a more stringent limit is following evidence produced by the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities. It shows that young adults can be more vulnerable and have a higher average problem gambling score. Furthermore, the measure is designed to reduce the 8.7% rate of problem gambling online as revealed in an NHS survey.

The limits being introduced are £2 per spin for 18-24 year olds, and £5 per spin for those aged 25+. At present, it will apply only to online slots and will be effective from September 2024.

From this date, the limit will be signed into law and regulated online casino operators offering slots will have six weeks to become fully compliant. With a further 6 weeks grace period to ensure any technical solutions are implemented.

The new regulation, which was first outlined in-part in the government’s Gambling Act white paper in April 2023, will offer enhanced protections for young people.

However, it will also have a notable impact on the UK gambling industry as a whole. When an initial limit of £8.50 was proposed last year, it was suggested that the cost would be in the region of £185m to the online industry. Yet, with limits significantly more stringent at £2/£5, it is believed the cost will be much higher.

Additionally, there are fears that the new measures may push players to the unregulated online black market.

The UK Gambling Commission has been working with campaigners to introduce supportive measures to reduce harms from online gambling problems. GambleAware has welcomed the announcement and states that the robust measures are preventative in a very high-risk product area. On the other hand, the Betting and Gaming Council has expressed concerns about disregarding the impact on operators and ultimately many of the organisation's members.

This was always going to be a controversial piece of legislation and one that brings about debate on both sides of the spectrum. Ultimately, the aim is to reduce problem gambling and financial issues from playing online slots online, particularly in young people.

However, some argue that the new regulation doesn't go far enough, such as Labour MP Carolyn Harris. Indicating that the £2 stake limit should apply to everyone, and that the government has 'lost another opportunity' in stopping harm from high stakes gaming.

While GambleAware CEO Zoë Osmond has been supportive of the proposals, the new limit has no impact on land-based casinos and retail operators.

The new measures are one of a few proposals from the government white paper compiled last year. It strengthens the protection for UK gamblers, specifically those under the age of 24. It has been suggested that this new regulation may be accompanied by other proposals such as checks on financial risk / affordability, and a statutory levy for gambling research, prevention and treatment.

The UK Gambling Commission is working closely with the government, members of parliament, campaigners and the wider public. It is using fact-based evidence, surveys, and research to support regulation proposals in the UK. This highlights the importance of collaboration on all levels on a sensitive topic, where a balance is imperative between player freedom and safety.