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UK Implements Unpopular New Statutory Video Slot Bet Limits
By Shane Addinall Feb 24, 2024 LegalityThe United Kingdom has moved ahead with the implementation of new statutory bet limits on slot games. Learn more about how players are being forced to spin for as little as £2, and what the expected impact on the licensed casino market will be.The United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC) is unpopular with online casino players and most licensed operators. Over the past few years, the regulator, thanks to pressure from local political parties, has been seen to overstep in its attempts to protect at-risk members of the community.
The saying “the road to hell is paved with good intentions” rings true of the UKGC as protecting one group of individuals by ignoring the rights of clear-minded, fiscally sound punters shows a lack of foresight or the ability to plan strategically.
Player Rejected Slots Limit Approved
When the idea of limiting the maximum bet sizes was first raised as a way to curb player spending and slow down the growth in gross gaming revenues, players and operators disagreed with the strategy.
Despite public backlash, Gambling Minister Stuart Andrew doubled down on the idea, saying:
Quote"Although millions of people gamble safely every single day, the evidence shows that there is a significantly higher problem gambling rate for online slot games."
After nearly two weeks of consultation with a variety of experts in gambling, addiction treatment, and several other sociological fields, the British Government approved the new statutory limit on online slot stakes.
The newly approved regulation has quashed wagering limits for players over the age of 25 to a maximum stake per spin of £5. The news is even worse for players aged 18 to 24 as they are limited to only £2 per spin.
This pricing represents a significant decrease in the top end of wagers, considering that in most cases, slot bets range from £0.10 up to £100 per game, which could end up costing the local casino market billions of pounds annually.
The tragedy of this decision is that it places the UK gambling market firmly in “nanny state” territory as it ignores the individual's right to spend their money as they please and their financial situation in favour of a blanket oppression of one's rights to self-determination.
Black Market Operators Gear Up
GambleAware and the Betting and Gambling Council have publicly approved the decision to apply a £2 limit on punters under 25 as their research shows a tendency toward compulsive behaviours.
Zoë Osmond, CEO of GambleAware, said:
Quote“We welcome the Government’s announcement to introduce lower online stake limits for under 25s as an important mechanism to protect young people. Our research shows a concerning trend with this age group experiencing an increase in harm arising from gambling, and online slots are very high-risk products.”
However, neither party has specifically spoken up in support of applying a £5 limit to players over the age of 25.
The Betting and Gaming Council CEO Michael Dugher did, however, warn:
Quote“We must avoid customers drifting to the unsafe, unregulated black market online if we don’t tread carefully and get the balance of regulation right.”
With these limitations on slots play and recent requirements to provide masses of personal and financial information to be allowed to gamble online, there is a strong likelihood that punters with means will begin frequenting unlicensed offshore gambling sites.
These sites offer better bonuses, internationally recognised licenses (just not a UK one), and no forced bet limits on their preferred instant slots. It will be interesting to see if players make their dissatisfaction known loudly enough to prompt the UKGC to walk back the £5 bet limit.
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