UK Gambling Commission Seeks Public Input on Deposit Limits

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Published: 7 March 2025

3 min

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has embarked on a new consultation journey, inviting public opinions on gambling deposit limits. This step is part of its effort to reform gambling for the digital era, aiming for enhanced consumer understanding and control.

Key takeaways

The UK Gambling Commission is gathering public opinions on deposit limit regulations until April 30.
This consultation aligns with changes proposed in the 2023 Gambling Act review white paper, which aims to reform digital-age gambling.
There is a call for more precise definitions between traditional and “net deposit limits” to avoid consumer confusion.
The consultation is part of a series to update gambling regulations, including technical standards for land-based gaming machines.

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has opened the floor for British citizens to voice their thoughts on how deposit limits in gambling should operate. With an ongoing consultation set to continue until April 30, this initiative provides a crucial platform for consumer feedback on the intricacies of deposit limitations—a cornerstone of responsible gambling measures.

Understanding the Confusion

Deposit limits have traditionally worked as a protective measure, allowing gamblers to set a cap on how much money they can deposit into their gambling accounts within a specific period. This straightforward approach ensures that a customer adhering to a £20 weekly deposit limit can’t exceed this amount, irrespective of wins or losses during that week.

However, the waters become muddied with the introduction of “net deposit limits.” This newer model factors deposits and withdrawals, potentially increasing the practical deposit limit based on the amounts withdrawn. For example, under this system, a customer with a £20 limit could deposit an additional £10 after withdrawing £10, raising the actual deposit ceiling to £30 for that period. This model has been especially favourable for customers who frequently withdraw winnings, allowing them greater flexibility in managing their deposit limits.

The UKGC’s Proposal

The UKGC has pinpointed the potential for confusion between these two models, attributing the problem to the similarity in the terminology used to describe each type of limit. In response, the commission’s latest consultation seeks to refine the definitions of “deposit limits” and other financial limits within its Remote Gambling and Software Technical Standards. The goal is to ensure that the language used is clear and that the gambling system is tailored to promote awareness and control among consumers over gambling activities. This effort underscores the UKGC’s commitment to fostering a gambling environment prioritising consumer understanding and empowerment.

Deposit Limits: The Bigger Picture

This consultation is a fragment of the UKGC's broader initiative to revise gambling regulations, reflecting recommendations from the 2023 Gambling Act review white paper. These changes designed to modernise gambling regulations for the digital era indicate the UKGC’s proactive stance on gambling reform.

In addition to the deposit limit consultation, the UKGC is also conducting its third round of white paper consultations on land-based gaming machine technical standards. This consultation, which runs until May 20, 2025, is another critical aspect of the UKGC’s comprehensive approach to updating and refining gambling regulations.

As gambling evolves, particularly with the advent of digital platforms, the UKGC’s consultative approach represents a pivotal step toward ensuring that gambling remains a safe and controlled activity. By soliciting public feedback, the commission reaffirms its dedication to a gambling industry that is both fair and responsible, catering to the needs and welfare of consumers.

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Stephen Jones Senior Editor

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With an education from the University of Cambridge and while working with iGaming for the last seven years, Stephen has obtained a lot of knowledge about the industry. He usually writes about the different types of online casinos, casino bonuses and various gambling strategies.