UK Online Casinos Face New Deposit Limit Requirements from June 2026

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has announced a new set of rules designed to give players greater control over their spending and bring more clarity to how deposit limits work across online casinos and betting platforms. The decision comes as new data reveals that gambling remains a regular part of life for nearly half of British adults.

Nearly Half of British Adults Still Gambling

The UKGC’s Gambling Survey for Great Britain paints a clear picture of the country’s gambling landscape. According to the report, 48% of British adults gambled in 2024, with participation dropping to 28% when lottery play is excluded. The findings highlight that the majority of players take part in state and charity lotteries rather than casino or sports betting.

The motivation behind gambling remains largely the same: the chance to win big money continues to be the top driver, cited by 85% of participants, followed by fun and enjoyment at 72%. However, the report also noted a social divide in gambling habits, with participation rates almost double in more deprived areas compared with wealthier ones.

Despite the high level of engagement, problem gambling rates remained steady at 2.7%, the same level reported in 2023. This stability comes amid growing discussion about responsible gambling and the need for stronger protections. There are also reports that UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves may be planning to raise gambling taxes to support addiction treatment services and public health initiatives.

A Focus on Clarity and Control

In response to these findings and as part of its ongoing consumer protection reforms, the UKGC has introduced new rules to ensure consistency and transparency in how players set financial limits. From 30 June 2026, all online gambling operators will be required to offer customers the option to set a deposit limit.

To make things clearer, only this type of restriction will be allowed to carry the name “deposit limit.” Other types of limits, such as those based on losses or including withdrawals, must be clearly labelled as different financial controls.

The UKGC has also emphasised the need for easy access to responsible gambling tools. Operators must ensure that these settings are clearly visible and can be reached with minimal clicks from both their homepages and deposit pages. In addition, any request from a player to lower their financial limit must be implemented immediately.

Helen Rhodes, the UKGC’s Director of Major Policy Projects, said the reforms are about giving consumers greater awareness and control over their gambling choices. She explained that the updates aim to bring clarity and consistency to deposit limits while still allowing operators to provide alternative tools for players who prefer other ways to manage their activity.