In this Casinoplusbonus news report we discuss the current white paper consultation covering upcoming changes to land-based gaming machines. (Photo by SLNC on Unsplash)
The UK Gambling Act White Paper – yes, that old chestnut again. It is still going through its consultation process, and now we are at the stage where changes are coming to land-based gambling machines.
As with all sections of the UK Gambling White Paper, operators who supply gambling machines to the British gambling entertainment market can attend a consultation and provide their input. It is a system set up to ensure transparency and to give all parties involved their say.
Key topics up for discussion include 12 technical standards land-based gambling machines may need to adopt. On top of this, the consultation will discuss time and monetary limits, which are similar to the online slot betting limits applied to the UK iGaming market.
Machines may also need to display safer gambling messages. From experience, I have already seen most gaming machines in the UK display these messages already, so I don’t believe this will be a big deal.
However, there is one change that will mean a system-wide operating system update for all UK land-based gaming machines. That is a display that shows session times and also possibly their current win/loss ratio for the session. This is very similar to the Reality Check tool mentioned in our responsible gambling tools guide.
At this stage, though, nothing is concrete. The current procedure for the White Paper has been to introduce points for discussion in each sector of the UK gambling sector. We have seen the online slots sector overhauled, as well as financial checks for online casinos, which we recap below.
Companies Affected by Possible Changes: Playtech, Inspired, Reflex Gaming, IGT, Blueprint, Merkur, William Hill and other land-based gaming machine providers will be affected by news rules if the consultations result in changes.
Proposed Land-Based Gaming Machine Changes
What is up for discussion in the latest gambling machine consultation? Let’s break down what we know so far.
- Session Time and Bet Limits: To prevent players from over-gambling or over-spending, part of the discussion will include the possibility of setting time limits on player sessions. Plus, max bet thresholds are also in the conversation.
- Reality Check Style Software: Currently, UK land-based slots and gambling machines do not show your win/loss ratio or session time. This is something available at all UK online casinos. The consultation will discuss how this feature could be effectively added to land-based machines.
- Safer Gambling Messages: As you can see from my screenshot of a UK video slot machine, most land-based game providers already display messages by GambleAware and GamCare. However, the consultation will discuss making these messages mandatory for all gaming machines.
Land-based gaming machines are primarily digital, so the main cost for software providers is going to be system updates. It is not quite as straightforward as changing online slots on an iGaming platform. There are tens of thousands of physical slot machines across the country. Tim Miller, the UKGC Executive Director for Research and Policy, has made a statement regarding addressing the issue of costs involved with these changes.
UK Land-Based Gaming Machine With Gambleaware Logo
Tim Miller acknowledgement: “We understand that regulatory changes impacting the design of machines can come with considerable costs.”
Changes to the UK Online Gambling Entertainment Scene
For those of you who have missed the White Paper saga on the UK iGaming scene, there have been some drastic changes to the online casino scene already.
In February 2024, affordability checks will be fully implemented for players who deposit £150 or more per month.
In late 2024, we saw the UKGC ensure all online slots have bet limits applied. If you are 24 or younger, the maximum spin bet you can set is £2.00. For those 25 and over, the max bet is £5.00. You can see the official news report regarding online slot limits on our
Another rule that has come into force is that all UK gambling entities, whether online or offline, will pay a mandatory 1% of revenue. Funds go directly to charities and non-profits that help prevent or help those with gambling addiction problems.
For those interested, see the table accompanying this section. It gives you updates from the Casinoplusbonus news desk covering various stages of the White Paper and changes to the UK gambling scene.
| Casinoplusbonus News Covering Changes to the British Gambling Act 2025 | |
|---|---|
| New UK Land-based Casino Rules Explained | Cashless Gaming Machines and an increase in gaming machines in land-based venues. |
| UK Online Slot Max Bet Limits Confirmed by DDMS | The confirmation of bet limits applied to online slots for British iGaming platforms. |
| UKGC Clamps Down on Software Providers | Part of the White Paper has to been to prevent game developers from supplying black-market gambling. |
| £100 million Levy Announced | News covering the gambling levy applied to gambling entities operating in the British online gambling market. |
| UK Affordability Check Pilot Project Begins | Covers the official pilot project prior to February 2024’s introduction of full affordability checks. |
To find out more about the current rules applied to UK gambling, we have a guide dedicated to British gambling entertainment, which covers online casinos and info on new rules apply.
Leave A Comment