Staying in control
Deposit limits, time-outs and reality checks
The tools every licensed site must give you, and how to set them before you play.
Reviewed by the Slate Casino Review editors
Before
Set the limit before the first deposit
Licensed operators must let you set a deposit limit per day, week or month, and they must prompt you to choose one while you open an account. Lowering a limit takes effect at once; raising one only applies after a cooling-off period, so a limit set on a calm day still protects you on a bad one.
Tools
What you can switch on
- Deposit limits per day, week or month.
- Reality checks that tell you how long you have been playing.
- Time-outs that lock the account for a short spell, from a day up to weeks.
- Account history showing what you have deposited, withdrawn and staked.
- Self-exclusion from one operator, or from every licensed site through GAMSTOP (opens in a new tab).
Online slots
Stake limits on slots
Online slot games in Great Britain have a maximum stake of £5 per spin for adults aged 25 and over and £2 per spin for those aged 18 to 24. Spins must take at least 2.5 seconds, and autoplay and features that speed play up are banned.
If it slips
When limits are not enough
If you keep raising limits, or play past them elsewhere, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133. It is free, confidential and answered at any hour.
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