Casino gambling in the UK continues to thrive because of the clear regulations set by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), which aims to promote safe gambling while providing casino operators with a favourable business environment. This balance has led to increased interest in the gambling sector, not just from the top casino sites but also from players, game developers, and other stakeholders who wish to make the most out of the arising opportunities. As such, the UKGC has once again reviewed the gambling laws to ensure they match the changing times.

We look at what has changed and what people can expect in 2025.

A new outlook – What’s changes await casinos?

In 2024, the UKGC announced the rollout of a new programme that would impact the casino industry for good. Per the announcement, the commission would work with casino operators to make changes to their operations in phases, with an aim to finish the rollout by the end of the first quarter of 2025.
So, what has changed?

The mandatory statutory levy

While casino operators were free to choose how much to contribute to this levy in the past, they are now subject to a mandatory fee based on their overall revenue and the sector in which they operate. The levy, whose funds will address problem gaming, aims at a total collection of £100 million each year.

The limits on slots

In the past, slot games have attracted a large audience owing to their low costs, fast-paced gameplay, and exciting themes. Given the high spending on these games, the new laws have established the following limits:

● Stakes. Players aged 25 and above will be able to wager up to £5 per spin, while those who are aged 18 to 24 can only play with £2 per spin. The goal behind this limitation is to help players manage their bankrolls better, as this limit keeps them from spending a lot of money at once.
● Time. Since slot games are often fast, people often get engrossed in the games so much that they can play one game after the other in quick succession. New laws now require operators to include a 2.5-second delay between each spin. This delay helps players be more conscious of their actions so they can decide if they should keep going.

Moreover, the new rules have banned features such as auto-spin and playing multiple slot games at once. The aim is to encourage thoughtful decisions, which will help players be more present and take note of their actions and possible consequences.

The new financial limits

Previously, players had the option to include financial limits if they felt that such measures would help them make more financially sound decisions. However, since this was optional, many players wound up spending more money than they initially anticipated, which landed some in tough spots.

Under the new laws, everyone making their first deposit in a casino must set a limit on how much they wish to use on games. What’s more, operators must remind such players to review their limits every six months. The goal here is to help people wager what they can afford, which encourages financial discipline among the players.

The age restrictions

With casino gambling catching on among the younger generations, there have been concerns about minors showing up to physical casinos or signing up on online sites using stolen IDs. As such, the new laws mandate that anyone who looks younger than 25 years old must be subject to an ID check in a physical casino. At the same time, anyone signing up for an online account is subject to a verification process to determine their eligibility.

The marketing consent stipulation

For years, online casinos would send promotional messages to anyone who signed up on the site, with or without the player’s consent. However, the scope is now changing, thanks to the new laws that require players to decide if they want to receive marketing communication. Those who opt in get to receive messages that have been tailored to their patterns and needs, while those who opt out get to enjoy privacy. Everyone wins!

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