UK Gambling Commission Sets New Deposit Limit Rules to Protect Players

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) is following through on its promise to bring more safeguards to the gambling industry. In a move designed to give players greater control over their spending, the Commission has announced new rules around deposit limits that all licensed gambling operators must follow by 30 June 2026.

A Clearer Definition of Deposit Limits

At the heart of the new policy is a clearer definition of what a “deposit limit” actually means. Under the updated rules, a deposit limit refers to the total amount a customer pays into their gambling account over a set period—whether that’s daily, weekly, monthly, or another duration set by the player.

This is distinct from other types of limits such as loss limits, which factor in the amount lost after winnings and withdrawals. By simplifying the definition, the Commission aims to give both customers and operators a clear and consistent understanding of how deposit limits work.

Step-by-Step Introduction

The new deposit limit rules won’t come into full effect until mid-2026, but there are earlier changes coming in 2025. Starting 31 October 2025, operators will need to meet a set of new requirements designed to make financial limit-setting easier and more transparent for customers.

Before making a deposit, customers will be prompted to set a financial limit, encouraging them to think about how much they want to spend before playing. Operators must also make it simpler for customers to review and change their limits. To keep players aware of their spending, customers will receive reminders to review their deposit limits every six months.

Additionally, gambling companies must provide clear access to limit-setting tools. This includes links on both the homepage and deposit pages of their websites, ensuring that financial controls are never more than a click away. If a customer wants to decrease their limit, the change must be applied immediately.

Helen Rhodes, the Commission’s Director of Major Policy Projects, explained the motivation behind these updates:

“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.”

A Long Time Coming

These changes are the result of years of debate and review. The UK’s gambling regulations are still based on the 2005 Gambling Act, which underwent an extensive two-and-a-half-year review. One of the most hotly debated topics during this process was customer affordability—essentially, how much someone can afford to gamble without facing financial harm.

The idea of affordability checks sparked significant controversy. Many in the gambling industry, particularly the horse racing sector, argued that such checks could have unintended consequences. The horse racing industry, for example, estimated potential losses of up to £60 million due to reduced operator profits if strict checks were applied.

Operators also warned that heavy-handed affordability measures could drive customers away from regulated sites and towards the black market, where there are no safeguards, responsible gambling tools, or protections in place. This concern mirrors some of the arguments currently being made around gambling taxation: that excessive regulation could unintentionally push players into unsafe, unregulated environments.

From Affordability Checks to Financial Risk Checks

The UKGC ultimately introduced the concept of “financial risk checks” as a central part of its responsible gambling strategy. These checks were meant to assess whether a player’s spending posed a risk to their financial wellbeing, without being as invasive as some affordability checks.

However, after careful evaluation, the regulator concluded that some of these checks might have unintentionally driven certain customers toward black market operators. As a result, the Commission has been refining its approach, focusing on practical tools like deposit limits that give customers more control without introducing unnecessary friction.

Keeping Affordability Front and Centre

Despite these changes, affordability remains a key focus for the regulator. Recent findings from the Gambling Survey for Great Britain (GSGB) have highlighted a worrying trend: people living in underprivileged areas are more likely to experience gambling-related harm compared to those in wealthier areas.

This evidence has strengthened the UKGC’s resolve to introduce measures that protect vulnerable groups while maintaining consumer choice for everyone else. By making deposit limits a standard feature across all operators, the Commission hopes to normalize responsible gambling practices and reduce the risk of harm.

Andrew Rhodes, the Commission’s CEO, summed up the initiative when the GSGB results were published:

“From the end of this month our new rules will give consumer controls over deposit limits and all gambling businesses must prompt their customers to set a financial limit before they make their first deposit.”

What This Means for Players and Operators

For players, these changes represent a shift toward more personal responsibility and awareness. Deposit limits give individuals a straightforward way to manage their spending, similar to budgeting tools for other forms of entertainment. The fact that limits can be easily reviewed, adjusted, and applied directly from the homepage means it’s easier than ever to stay in control.

For operators, the new rules bring greater regulatory obligations. Companies will need to update their platforms, train customer service teams, and ensure compliance with the UKGC’s standards by the set deadlines. While this may require investment, it also creates a more consistent environment for all operators, large and small.

Final Thoughts

The UK Gambling Commission’s upcoming deposit limit rules are more than just another set of regulations—they signal a cultural shift in how gambling is managed in Britain. By giving players more tools and making responsible gambling a built-in part of the user journey, the regulator hopes to reduce harm while maintaining a fair and open market.

Although there will always be debates about the best way to balance consumer protection with operator freedom, these deposit limit rules strike a measured and practical compromise. They put power back in the hands of players—where it belongs.