Where does the limit come from?
From a statutory instrument, not a voluntary code. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport consulted in summer 2023 and confirmed the two limits in 2024; The Gambling Act 2005 (Operating Licence Conditions) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 then attached a new condition to every remote casino operating licence, including licences issued before the change. The condition caps «the total amount which an individual may stake in relation to any game cycle». A game cycle runs from the moment you start a game until everything staked has been lost or everything won has been paid to you.
How the cap works: the Commission's examples
| Player | What happens | Allowed? |
|---|---|---|
| Aged 27 | Stakes £5 on a spin | Yes; no further stake until the cycle ends |
| Aged 27 | Stakes £2, then £3 more inside the same cycle | Yes; £5 in total |
| Aged 19 | Stakes £2 | Yes; nothing more in that cycle |
| Aged 27 | Stakes £5, wins, then gambles the prize without adding money | Yes; no new stake is asked for |
The last case shows the limit is about money you add, not about what you win inside a feature.
Which games does it cover?
Any casino game that is reel-based and played online:
- covered: games where images or text are shown on reels «or other means» and the resulting arrangement decides a prize, so games without classic reels can count too;
- not covered: table games such as roulette and blackjack.
The cap sits alongside the Commission's design rules, which require at least 2.5 seconds per game cycle and ban autoplay, explained on slot design rules. A casino can apply the right limit because it must verify your date of birth before you play.
