Gambling Commission announces package of changes which make online games safer by design
02 February 2024
The Gambling Commission has announced a 🗝 package of strict measures which will strengthen the protections and controls for those who gamble through online slots games – 🗝 including the introduction of limits on spin speeds, and the permanent ban on features that speed up play or celebrate 🗝 losses as wins.
Following a consultation with the public and players, the gambling industry and other stakeholders, operators will need to 🗝 implement tough new player protection measures which will make online casino games less intensive, safer by design and hand players 🗝 more control over their gambling.
The Commission has focused on online slots because of its features which increase the intensity of 🗝 play and the corresponding risks to players. Slot games have by far the highest average losses per player of online 🗝 gambling products1.
The new rules include the outright ban of four key features of online slots games:
features that speed up play 🗝 or give the illusion of control over the outcome
slot spin speeds faster than 2.5 seconds
auto-play - which can lead to 🗝 players losing track of their play
sounds or imagery which give the illusion of a win when the return is in 🗝 fact equal to, or below, a stake.
Other changes include:
operators must clearly display to the player their total losses or wins 🗝 and time played during any online slots session
alongside the changes for online slots the Commission has also introduced a permanent 🗝 ban on reverse withdrawals for all online gambling – this function previously allowed consumers to re-gamble money they had previously 🗝 requested to withdraw.
The enhanced protections that have been announced today will need to be fully implemented by online operators by 🗝 31 October 2024.
Since the publication of the Commission’s consultation in July 2024, further research has shown that using an auto-play 🗝 feature has been linked to some players losing track of play, making it difficult for some to stop playing and 🗝 in some cases gambling on other activities simultaneously.
Evidence shows that reverse withdrawal functions present a risk to players because of 🗝 the temptation to continue gambling. In addition, the slot features being removed or more closely controlled have been associated with 🗝 increased intensity of play, loss of player control, or binge play.
Neil McArthur, Gambling Commission chief executive, said: “To make online 🗝 games safer we are introducing a ban on features that speed up play, or give the illusion of control over 🗝 the outcome. We are also introducing a ban on auto-play, losses disguised as wins, and slot spin speeds faster than 🗝 2.5 seconds. The evidence shows that these features increase the risk of harm to customers.
“This is another important step in 🗝 making gambling safer and where the evidence shows that there are other opportunities to do that we are determined to 🗝 take them.”
Minister for Sports, Tourism and Heritage Nigel Huddleston said: "Today's steps will help curb the intensity of online gambling, 🗝 introducing greater protections that will reduce the risk of gambling related harm.
"I welcome the Gambling Commission's tough measures as we 🗝 continue our comprehensive review of gambling laws to make sure they're fit for the digital age."
The new rules are part 🗝 of the Commission’s comprehensive programme to make gambling fairer and safer which has also seen the introduction of strengthened protections 🗝 around online age and ID verification, improved customer interaction practices, and the banning of gambling on credit cards.
The announcement of 🗝 the further consumer protection rules for online games and the design of those games follow the Commission’s announcement on 30 🗝 September that it was implementing new rules to stamp out irresponsible ‘VIP customer’ practices. Those rules came into force on 🗝 31 October 2024. A consultation on customer interaction was also launched last in November with the outcome expected later this 🗝 year.
Readers can access the Commission’s online games design and reverse withdrawals response for more details.
Note to editors
1 Our Covid data 🗝 shows the average spend per slots player is £67 per month, compared with £36 for casino products and £45 for 🗝 real event betting.
For all media enquiries, please contact the Gambling Commission press office.
Last updated: 6 August 2024
