New Deposit Limit Rules Introduced by the Gambling Commission

In a significant move to enhance consumer protection and responsible gambling practices, the Gambling Commission has announced a set of new rules designed to provide clearer and more consistent financial control options for online gambling consumers. These measures, which were first introduced in February, will be rolled out in phases, with the first stage of changes set to come into effect on October 31, 2025. By June 2026, all UK online operators will be required to provide players with the ability to set deposit limits, ensuring that gambling remains a controlled and responsible activity.

The introduction of deposit limits follows a broader initiative in the UK gambling sector to promote safer gaming environments. This move aligns with the Gambling Act review, which highlighted the importance of setting such limits to reduce gambling harm. Other European countries, including the Netherlands and Germany, have already implemented similar mandatory deposit limits, and the UK is now following suit.

Key Changes to Deposit Limits and Consumer Control

The new rules stipulate that, starting on June 30, 2026, UK online operators must give consumers the option to set a "deposit limit" based solely on the amount they deposit into their accounts over a specific period. To avoid confusion, only limits that apply to deposits can be termed as a "deposit limit." Additionally, operators will also be permitted to offer other forms of financial controls, such as loss limits or withdrawal limits, but these must not be labeled as deposit limits.

This move is designed to simplify the language and definitions surrounding financial limits, providing clearer options for consumers to manage their spending. By emphasizing deposit limits and clearly defining their parameters, the Gambling Commission aims to reduce confusion among players, making it easier for them to understand and apply these financial boundaries.

As part of these changes, gambling operators are also required to implement a series of measures that will empower consumers to take control of their gambling habits. For example, operators will be mandated to prompt new customers to set a financial limit before they make their first deposit. This prompt will be easily accessible and will allow customers to review and alter their limits at any time.

Further improvements include the requirement for operators to remind consumers every six months to review their accounts and transaction information. This periodic reminder will help ensure that players remain conscious of their gambling habits and keep their limits in check. Moreover, operators must provide links to financial limit-setting tools on their homepage and deposit pages, making it easy for consumers to access these options.

Steps to Ensure Consistency and Clarity

The Commission’s Director of Major Policy Projects, Helen Rhodes, emphasized that these changes are designed to bring greater consistency and clarity to the financial control options available to consumers. "Our work will help empower consumers to have greater awareness and control over their gambling," Rhodes said. She also noted that the new rules would bring clarity to deposit limits, while still offering consumers the flexibility to choose from different types of financial restrictions, such as loss limits or withdrawal limits.

These changes reflect a wider trend in the gambling industry towards greater consumer protection. The new rules also address several concerns raised during the Gambling Commission’s consultation, which was launched in March 2025. Some operators expressed concerns over the mandatory nature of gross deposit limits, while others called for clearer guidance on how to implement these changes.

Clarification of Key Terms and Definitions

The Gambling Commission’s consultation also sought to address issues related to the terminology used for financial limits. The regulator decided that only "gross" deposit limits—defined as total deposits made during a period—would be allowed to use the term "deposit limit." This clarification is intended to reduce any potential confusion among consumers who may have previously misunderstood the term.

In addition to clarifying terminology, the Commission also confirmed that the most restrictive setting would apply when a consumer sets timeframes across different limit types. For example, if a player sets a limit on both deposits and losses, the more restrictive limit would be enforced. This ensures that players are consistently protected by the most stringent financial controls.

Moreover, the Commission clarified the definition of "loss limits," specifying that they should be understood as the total stakes minus any winnings within a given period. It also introduced the concept of a "net deposit limit," which is defined as deposits minus withdrawals during a set period. These changes aim to make the terminology more aligned with actual gambling behavior and easier for consumers to understand.

Operator Requirements and Consumer Empowerment

From October 31, 2025, operators will be expected to comply with these new requirements by ensuring that new players are prompted to set a financial limit before their first deposit. Furthermore, operators must make it easy for consumers to review and alter their limits, as well as remind players to revisit their financial settings every six months.

As part of this initiative, gambling businesses will also be required to immediately act on any customer requests to decrease their financial limit. This will help ensure that players have complete control over their gambling habits and can adjust their limits as necessary to stay within their desired spending boundaries.

The Commission has made it clear that these changes will help increase consumer empowerment by giving them more control over their gambling activities. The rules will not only help players manage their gambling spend more effectively but also support the broader goal of creating a safer gambling environment.

Source:

New deposit limit rules provide clarity for consumers, gamblingcommission.gov.uk, October 7, 2025.