How to Set Deposit Limits and Other Gambling Limits
Limits are the simplest way to keep gambling to an amount you are comfortable with. Every UK-licensed operator has to offer them. Here is how they work and how to set them up.
Why limits help
Gambling is designed to be absorbing. Time passes quickly, a near miss makes you want another go, and it's easy to deposit again "just this once". A limit you set in a calm moment does the remembering for you, at the point when it's hardest to stick to a decision.
Limits aren't only for people who are worried about their gambling. Lots of people use them simply to keep entertainment spending in check, the same way they might budget for eating out.
Deposit limits: daily, weekly and monthly
UK-licensed operators must offer deposit limits. You'll usually find them in your account under a heading such as "Safer gambling" or "Responsible gambling", and many sites ask you to consider one when you sign up.
- Daily limits cap what you can deposit in 24 hours.
- Weekly limits suit people who gamble mainly at weekends.
- Monthly limits fit neatly with your pay cycle and wider budget.
You can often set more than one at the same time, for example £20 a day and £50 a month. The tightest limit always applies.
Lowering vs raising a limit
This is the most important rule to know:
- Lowering a limit takes effect straight away.
- Raising a limit only takes effect after a cooling-off period.
The delay is deliberate. It gives you time to decide whether you really want to spend more, rather than raising a limit in the middle of a session to chase a loss.
Loss, stake and time limits
Many operators offer other kinds of limit too:
- Loss limits cap how much you can lose over a period, after taking wins into account.
- Stake or wager limits cap the total you can bet.
- Session time limits log you out after a set time.
Online slots in Great Britain also have legal stake limits: £5 per spin for players aged 25 and over, and £2 per spin for players aged 18 to 24.
Reality checks
A reality check is a pop-up reminder that tells you how long you've been playing, and often how much you've won or lost in the session. You choose how often it appears. Online slots in Great Britain must also show your time played and net position on screen.
Bank and app tools
Your bank can help too. Many UK banks and card providers let you block gambling transactions entirely, and some apps can alert you to your spending. Our guide to gambling blocks explains the options. If you want a complete break, self-exclusion goes further than any limit.
To work out what a sensible limit looks like, our cost of play calculator estimates how much a session is likely to cost, and our guide to setting a gambling budget walks you through it.
Free, confidential support
If limits aren't enough, or you're worried about your gambling, the National Gambling Helpline, run by GamCare, is free, confidential and open 24 hours a day on 0808 8020 133. Our responsible gambling page lists more support services.
