Deposit Limits UK: View the Current Gambling Commision rules
In recent years, the UK has significantly tightened regulations around online casino play, with deposit limits becoming a cornerstone of responsible gambling measures. These changes affect everyone from casual players to regular bettors, so it’s worth getting your head around the current rules.
What are deposit limits?
A deposit limit is when an online casino caps how much money you can transfer into your account. They’re designed to help players stay in control of their spending and prevent gambling harm.
For example, you have set a deposit limit of £100. This means you can only deposit up to £100 within a set period, either all in one go or via multiple transactions.
All casinos will set a timeframe for their deposit limits that you can use. The most common are:
- Daily
- Weekly
- Monthly
If you reach the maximum threshold, you’ll be prevented from depositing any further money into your account until the limit resets at the end of the timeframe.
These caps apply to all payment methods. Do not confuse deposit limits with the maximum deposit for each payment method. That is a separate amount set by the casino.
It’s important to remember that deposit limits apply to specific casinos only. For example, if you play at two or more sites, the limits will not apply to all. Make sure to set them at every casino you play at for added protection.
Net deposit limits
A net deposit limit is when the casino calculates your deposit amount minus any withdrawals you’ve made when determining your remaining balance.
For example, you have set a net deposit limit of £100. You then make a deposit of £50 before withdrawing £25 later. This means you could then deposit up to £75 (£50 – £25) within the remaining timeframe.
Of course, this system works differently from standard deposit limits since it factors in your withdrawals. It’s considered by some to track your casino spending more accurately, while still limiting the total amount you can lose.
As such, some UK casino operators use net deposit limits rather than standard ones, so players should keep this in mind when managing their gambling budget. You can check which type of limit your casino implements by checking their FAQ section or contacting live chat support directly.
Spend limits
A spend limit is when the casino caps the total amount of money you can use for betting during a specific time period.
For example, you have a spend limit of £100. This allows you to bet up to £100 on all types of gambling products the casino offers.
Once you’ve reached your spend limit, you won’t be able to place any more bets until the timeframe resets, regardless of whether you win or lose.
Some casinos may decide to focus on total spend instead of deposits. This way, it includes any money that was in your account previously, along with any you may win from casino bonuses or promotions.
Loss limits
A loss limit is when the casino sets the maximum amount of money you can lose while gambling in total. This is calculated by subtracting any wins from your total spend.
For example, you have a loss limit of £100. You bet a total of £30 but win back £20 while playing for a deficit of £10 (£30 – £20). This means you could then bet a total of £90 (£100 – £10) within the remaining timeframe.
This method is very similar to the spend limit but factors in any wins you have for a more accurate calculation. However, it still prevents you from losing more than you choose overall.
How to set your own limits
All online casinos with a UK licence offer one or more of these deposit limits for British players. You will usually be able to find these options from within your account. All sites are different, but it’s often found within a tab or page about responsible or safer gambling.
Once found, make sure to check how the limit actually works. This will allow you to set an appropriate amount. If you don’t understand then ask customer support to explain it. Once you’ve decided on an amount, follow the instructions to set it active immediately.
What happens if you reach your limit?
Once you hit your deposit limit or other limits listed above, you simply won’t be able to continue gambling. There’s no override option, and customer service can’t adjust it for you on the spot. This is precisely why limits are effective as they create a mandatory pause in spending.
You will simply need to wait until the limit’s timeframe is reset for you to be able to gamble again.
Current Gambling Commission requirements
The Gambling Commission regularly audits operators to ensure compliance with deposit limit requirements. Operators must demonstrate that:
- Limits are properly implemented
- Cooling-off periods are enforced
- Players receive clear information about their limit usage
- Systems cannot be circumvented
In recent years, the Gambling Commission has strengthened its stance on deposit limits with several key updates.
Mandatory limit-setting options
All licensed gambling sites must offer players the ability to set their own deposit limits or other similar restrictions listed above. This is now a mandatory requirement. At Casino Professor, we only list UK casinos with a licence so you’ll find these limits at any site you choose from us.
The operator must ensure these options are clearly visible and accessible in account settings so players can choose to use them if they want.
It’s not mandatory for players to set deposit limits. While we strongly recommend using them, they are optional.
However, even if you don’t set a limit yourself, some UK casinos will apply an amount to your account automatically.
Changing limits
You can change a deposit limit once it’s been set, but it may take time to be activated:
- Increase or remove: Casinos must implement a cooling-off period of at least 24 hours before the change takes effect. This delay is deliberately designed to prevent impulsive decisions during gambling sessions.
- Decrease: Any player who decides to reduce their deposit limit will see this take effect straight away. This ensures that your wish to gamble less is catered to immediately.
Financial vulnerability checks
In addition to deposit limits, operators must now conduct financial vulnerability checks when players reach certain thresholds. While these vary between operators, they typically kick in when:
- Monthly deposits reach £500
- Lifetime deposits reach certain milestones
- Patterns of play suggest potential harm
These checks are done to ensure gambling remains affordable. However, they are designed to be frictionless for the player so you won’t be asked for information about income and financial commitments in the vast majority of cases.
Will deposit limits change in the future?
The UK Gambling Commission continually reviews its rules and regulations and deposit limits are not exempt. Starting from 31st October 2025, it will be mandatory for casino sites to prompt players to set a deposit limit or other limit before they make a first deposit. However, this isn’t a major change as most sites already do this.
However, one more potentially bigger update is that casinos must remind players to review their limits every 6 months. This may help players remember that the option is available.
The Gambling Commission has also launched a consultation about the definition of deposit limits. Due to the various different methods listed above potentially confusing players, the regulator is seeking opinions on how to achieve consistency and clarity for this term.
Other options that haven’t been officially confirmed but heavily rumoured for the future include:
- Standardised limits across all operators
- Maximum deposit caps regardless of individual settings
- More extensive affordability checks
- Cross-operator monitoring of spending
Summary
Deposit limits are now a permanent feature of UK online gambling, reflecting a broader shift toward player protection. While some may find them restrictive, they’re designed to help maintain gambling as a fun, controlled activity rather than a financial burden. Whether you’re a casual player or regular bettor, setting sensible deposit limits is simply part of responsible gambling in today’s UK market.
If you want even more control over your gambling habits, remember that alongside deposit limits, there are other tools such as time-outs, session limits, reality checks, and self-exclusion. Organisations like Gamcare and GambleAware offer free support and advice too, with more information on our responsible gambling page.