UK to Introduce Maximum Online Pokie Stakes and Gambling Levy in 2025
The UK government has confirmed plans to introduce a maximum stake limit on online pokies and a mandatory levy for gambling operators starting mid-2025. Under the new rules, players will be restricted to a maximum bet of £5 per spin.
Two key measures have been introduced to further strengthen UK gambling legislation. These proposals were first outlined in the 2023 white paper and were previously open for consultation. It has now been confirmed that a mandatory operator levy and a maximum stake limit for online pokies will take effect by mid-2025.
Maximum pokie stakes and the mandatory levy are the latest measures introduced in the UK to safeguard vulnerable gamblers, building on earlier initiatives such as the ban on credit card gambling, removal of autoplay features in pokie games, and the implementation of mandatory affordability checks.
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Maximum Stake Limits to Lower Financial Risks
The maximum stake for online pokie games will be set at £5 per spin for players aged 25 and above. Younger players, aged 18 to 24, will face a stricter cap of £2 per spin. The government hopes this will help mitigate the financial risks associated with online pokies.
“Gambling harm can devastate finances, relationships, and ultimately, lives. We are fully committed to implementing stronger protections for those at risk and providing effective support for those already affected.”
Fiona Twycross, Minister for Gambling
The impact of these measures will be reviewed after five years, with the first evaluation set for 2030.
More and more countries in Europe have taken measures to protect young adults with Belgium having introduced a new minimum age of 21 years in October and The Netherlands only allowing licenced operators to offer promotions to players of 24 years old and above.
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Gambling Levy to Fund Prevention and Treatment
In addition to stake limits, licensed gambling operators will be subject to a mandatory levy starting in 2025. Currently, contributions towards gambling-related harm are voluntary, with some operators in the country contributing as little as £1 annually.
The new rules will require operators to pay between 0.1% and 1.1% of their gross gambling yield. The government expects to raise £100 million annually, which will be allocated to prevention and treatment programmes. The funds will be distributed as follows:
- 50% to improve treatment for gambling addiction and related harms.
- 30% to fund preventive initiatives such as awareness campaigns and training for support workers.
- 20% to support the UK Gambling Commission and UK Research and Innovation in developing targeted gambling research.
The exact percentage that British operators will be required to pay — thus ranging from 0.1% to 1.1% of their gross gambling yield — depends on factors such as:
- The size of the operator: Larger companies with higher revenues will be required to pay a higher percentage, closer to the 1.1% mark.
- Specific product offerings: Operators focusing on higher-risk gambling activities, such as online pokies, will face higher rates compared to those offering lower-risk options (such as lotteries).
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UK Gambling Commission: Setting the Standard for Rigorous Regulation
The maximum online pokie stakes and gambling levy in 2025 are the most recent measures in a list of regulations adopted in the country to protect vulnerable gamblers and adhere to the most responsible gaming. Other measures that have been implemented in the UK in recent years are:
- Ban on Credit Card Gambling: Since April 2020, gambling operators are prohibited from accepting credit card payments for gambling activities, both online and offline. This measure aims to prevent individuals from gambling with borrowed money, thereby reducing the risk of financial harm.
- Ban on Autoplay: In 2021, the UK Gambling Commission banned the autoplay function in online pokie games which is a function that allows players to set the game to play automatically for a predetermined number of spins.
- Mandatory Affordability Checks: In August 2024, operators with an UKGC-licence are required to conduct financial vulnerability checks when a customer’s net deposits exceed £500 within a 30-day period. This threshold is set to lower to £150 per 30 days starting February 28, 2025.
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