UK Gambling Commission Introduces Phased Online Deposit Rules to Empower Players

On Tuesday, Great Britain’s Gambling Commission released guidance for operators regarding new online deposit rules first announced in February. The regulator confirmed that the measures will be rolled out in stages, with the initial phase set to begin this month.

The introduction of mandatory deposit limits follows recommendations from the Gambling Act review white paper. Similar measures are already in place in countries such as the Netherlands and Germany. Beginning 30 June 2026, all UK online operators must give users the option to set a deposit limit. The Gambling Commission clarified that these limits should reflect the total amount customers deposit into their accounts over a specified period.

Operators will also be able to provide additional options, including loss limits or withdrawal limits, on top of the mandatory deposit limits. The regulator noted that these loss limits could be calculated based on gross deposits—the total deposits made during a period—rather than deposits minus withdrawals.

The first stage of the rules will take effect on 31 October, requiring operators to prompt new customers to set a financial limit before making their first deposit. This limit must be easy for customers to review and modify. Furthermore, licensees are obliged to remind consumers every six months to review their accounts and transaction history. Operators must allow financial limits to be set using free text at an account level to help customers establish meaningful thresholds.

Additional requirements include providing access to financial limit-setting facilities via prominent links on homepages and deposit pages. These facilities must be highly visible, easy to reach, and require only a minimal number of clicks. Operators must also respond immediately to customer requests to reduce their financial limits.

The Gambling Commission emphasized that the changes primarily focus on how limits are defined and communicated to consumers, aiming to help them manage gambling habits more effectively. Helen Rhodes, director of major policy projects at the Gambling Commission, said the new rules will give players greater control over their gambling, noting that the updated limits will “empower” consumers. She added, “These further changes will also bring consistency and clarity for those consumers choosing to set deposit limits, while still supporting gambling businesses to offer customer choice for different forms of limits.”

The new rules were informed by a consultation launched by the Commission in March, which sought input on three main proposals: setting gross deposit limits as the default, whether consumers could choose “net” limits—calculated as deposits minus withdrawals—and the definition of “deposit limit.” The consultation elicited mixed feedback. Some respondents raised concerns about making gross deposit limits mandatory, while others called for clearer guidance and suggested restrictions on the use of the term “deposit limit.”

In response, the Commission clarified terminology to minimize confusion, specifying that only limits calculated on a gross deposit basis—total deposits within a set period—can be classified as “deposit limits.” Operators must offer deposit limits at minimum, but may provide other limit types as well, provided they are equally prominent on the website.

In terms of technical implementation, the Commission ruled that when a consumer sets multiple limit types across overlapping timeframes, the most restrictive limit must apply. Customers who establish a deposit limit cannot make further deposits until the period expires or they choose to opt out, which is subject to a 24-hour “cooling-off” period.

Additionally, the Commission announced that the term “spend limits” will be replaced by “stake limits” to better reflect gambling behavior and reduce consumer confusion. Operators are also instructed to clarify the definition of “loss limit” as total stakes minus any winnings within a defined timeframe. The regulator has endorsed the introduction of “net deposit limit,” calculated as deposits minus withdrawals over a selected period, to provide further clarity for consumers.

By fLEXI tEAM