UKGC Clarifies Deposit Limit Rules to Strengthen Player Control

The UK Gambling Commission has confirmed a series of upcoming regulatory changes aimed at creating a uniform standard for deposit limits across all licensed online gambling platforms. The new framework is designed to remove inconsistencies in how operators define these limits and to help consumers gain a clearer understanding of their financial controls.

Currently, gambling companies must provide customers with tools to manage their spending, including the ability to set limits during registration or at the time of their first deposit. The forthcoming amendments, however, focus on providing greater consistency and transparency in how these limits are applied and presented.

By June 30, 2026, all online gambling operators will need to adopt a standardized definition of a deposit limit — one based exclusively on “the amount a customer pays into their account over a set duration.” According to the regulator, only this specific type of limit can be labeled a “deposit limit,” putting an end to the varied interpretations currently used across the industry.

While other types of controls — such as loss limits or limits that factor in withdrawals — will remain available, these must be clearly differentiated from deposit limits to avoid confusion. The goal, the Commission explained, is to ensure that customers fully understand how each financial control operates.

Helen Rhodes, the Commission’s Director of Major Policy Projects, stated: “Our work will help empower consumers to have greater awareness and control over their gambling. 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.”

Before the 2026 rollout, the first phase of updates will begin on October 31, 2025. At that point, all licensed operators must comply with new obligations designed to help players better manage their gambling activity.

These requirements include:

• Prompting users to set a financial limit before their initial deposit and allowing them to easily review or modify it.
• Sending reminders every six months for customers to reassess their account activity and spending behavior.
• Offering customizable limits through free text input fields to help players create more personalized restrictions.
• Displaying financial limit-setting options prominently on homepages and deposit screens with minimal navigation.
• Immediately applying any customer requests to lower their financial limits.

The Commission described these measures as an essential milestone in enhancing consumer protection and promoting responsible gambling practices across the online sector.

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The new rules coincide with findings from the Gambling Survey for Great Britain (GSGB), one of the most comprehensive studies ever conducted on gambling participation. The survey revealed that 48% of UK adults had gambled within the previous four weeks, and that 2.7% — equivalent to approximately 1.4 million people — met the threshold for problem gambling. It also found that 6.7% of participants had reduced spending on essential needs due to gambling.

In response to such data, the regulator has intensified its focus on stronger player protections. Alongside the deposit limit overhaul, the Commission has launched a trial of “enhanced frictionless financial risk assessments” for players spending £1,000 in 24 hours or £2,000 within 90 days.

Collectively, these updates mark a significant advancement in the UK’s gambling regulation framework. By standardizing deposit limit definitions and improving access to financial management tools, the Commission aims to provide players with more clarity, confidence, and control when gambling online.

Source:

, gamblingcommission.gov.uk, October 7, 2025.