UK casino rules
Six rules every licensed casino must follow, and how each doubles as a test of whether a site is licensed at all.
By Ryan Jessop. Last checked .
Key takeaways
- Bonus wagering: 10x at most.
- Slot stakes: £5, or £2 for ages 18 to 24.
- No autoplay, no credit cards.
- Identity checked before play.
In shortUK gambling regulations limit bonus wagering to ten times, online slot stakes to £5 a spin, and ban autoplay and credit cards. A site that breaks any of them is not licensed in Great Britain.
Six rules
When each took effect
| Rule | In force from |
|---|---|
| Credit card ban | April 2020 |
| No slot autoplay; 2.5 second spins | 2021 |
| £5 slot stake limit | 9 April 2025 |
| £2 slot stake limit, ages 18 to 24 | 21 May 2025 |
| 10x wagering cap | 19 January 2026 |
| One product per promotion | 19 January 2026 |
Who sets them
The Gambling Commission sets licence conditions for operators in Great Britain; stake limits were made by government regulation. Northern Ireland has separate law.
Why this matters for trust
Trust in a casino is not a feeling; it is a set of things that can be checked. A licence makes the operator answerable to a regulator. Segregated funds, tested games, a named dispute service and safer gambling tools are conditions of that licence. Knowing how each works lets you tell a casino that is meeting them from one that merely says so, and lets you act quickly when something goes wrong.
How we score casinos
Each of the five casinos is scored out of ten in six categories: the welcome offer and its terms, games, live casino, payments, mobile, and trust and support. The overall score out of five combines them. Scores are desk-based: they draw on each casino's published terms, the public register and recent independent reviews, not on real-money accounts, and we say so wherever it matters. Commission from casinos does not change a score or an order, and the overall score is not a ranking of trustworthiness.
Where to get help
If you are looking for a way round limits you set yourself, or gambling is costing more than you can afford, free and confidential support is available at any hour. The National Gambling Helpline, run by GamCare, is on 0808 8020 133. GAMSTOP blocks you from every UK-licensed gambling site, and most banks can block gambling payments on your card. None of these costs anything.
Licences were confirmed on the Gambling Commission register; regulatory actions were checked against Commission announcements on 8 October 2026; offer terms on 5 October 2026. Items labelled "reported" come from independent reviews, and items labelled "not checked" we have not confirmed. How we check. 18+. Free help: 0808 8020 133 or safer gambling.
Frequently asked questions
What are the UK online casino rules?
A 10x wagering cap, £5 slot stakes, no autoplay, no credit cards and ID checks before play.
Who regulates UK casinos?
The Gambling Commission.
Do the rules apply to every casino?
To every casino licensed in Great Britain.
Why does this matter when choosing a casino?
Because trust rests on things you can check.
How do you rate casinos?
On six published categories, desk-based, with commission having no effect on scores.
Where can I get help for problem gambling in the UK?
Call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133, free, 24 hours.