Introduction

The Gambling Commission has finalised new rules on deposit limits in the Remote Gambling and Software Technical Standards (“RTS”). From 30 June 2026, only gross deposit limits (i.e. caps on the total amount a customer deposits within a set period) can be described as deposit limits. Operators must offer them as a minimum, give them equal prominence to other limits, and block further deposits once the limit is reached. New guidance also allows stake, loss and net deposit limits, provided they are clearly labelled and not called deposit limits.

Background

As part of the Gambling Act Review, the Gambling Commission has been tightening and clarifying the customer-led tools that help players manage their gambling. Following changes made in Autumn 2023 to the Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice (“LCCP”) and the RTS, the Commission observed inconsistency in how operators defined and applied “deposit limits”. Some operators had started offering “net” deposit limits that offset withdrawals against deposits, while others continued to use “gross” limits, which cap the total amount a customer deposits into their account over a set period without factoring in withdrawals.

Concerned that this inconsistency could confuse consumers, the Commission launched a supplementary consultation in March 2025 to clarify the definition of deposit limits and related financial limits. The consultation closed in April 2025 and the final response was published on 7 October 2025. The new requirements will apply to all remote gambling operators except subscription lotteries.

The updated framework will come into force in two stages:

1. Changes taking effect from 31 October 2025

These are the wider “customer-led tools” changes first proposed in the 2023 consultation, now reflected in RTS 12A, 12C, 12D and 12E. From this date, operators must:

• provide easily accessible facilities for customers to set financial limits at any time;

• prompt customers to set a limit at registration or first deposit, implementing the limit as soon as practicable;

• make limit-setting the default choice, requiring an active opt-out before gambling;

• ensure links to limit-setting tools are clearly visible on home and deposit pages, minimising clicks to access them; and

• issue account and transaction statements at least every six months under RTS 12D, prompting customers to review their activity and limits for accounts with activity within a rolling 12-month period, with facilities for customers to set more frequent reminders.

These changes aim to make limit-setting more visible, proactive and part of the standard customer journey.

2. Changes taking effect from 30 June 2026

These are the new RTS 12B requirements and related implementation guidance, which define what constitutes a deposit limit and set the rules for applying, labelling and enforcing limits.

What are the new RTS 12B requirements from 30 June 2026?

The Commission’s final position does more than tidy up definitions. It introduces new requirements that directly affect how operators design, label and enforce financial limit tools.

1. “Deposit limits” must mean gross deposit limits.
   Only a limit that caps the total amount a customer deposits within a defined period can be called a “deposit limit”. Operators must describe these accurately to customers. Other limit types must not use this label.
2. Gross deposit limits must be offered and clearly presented.
   Operators must offer gross deposit limits as a minimum and give them equal prominence to any other financial limits that may be available, such as stake, loss or net deposit limits. This reflects a change from the original proposal that gross limits should be the default, giving operators some flexibility while ensuring they are still visible and available.
3. Deposits must be blocked when the limit is reached.
   Gambling systems must prevent further deposits once a customer has reached their limit until the period resets or the customer actively increases the limit after a standard 24-hour cooling-off period.
4. When multiple limits apply, the most restrictive must prevail.
   If a customer sets both a daily and a weekly limit, the system must ensure the lower limit applies. The Commission has clarified that “rolling” timeframes are not suitable, and operators must make clear to customers when a limit period starts and ends.
5. New implementation guidance expands the range of tools.
   Operators may continue to offer other limit types alongside deposit limits, but must use the correct terminology. The Commission has:

• replaced the term “spend limit” with “stake limit”;

• clarified the definition of “loss limit” to reflect total stakes minus winnings or returns; and

• formally recognised “net deposit limits” (deposits minus withdrawals) as an optional additional tool.

What this means for operators

The two-stage rollout means operators will need to manage parallel implementation workstreams: one focused on customer journey and visibility requirements by 31 October 2025, and another focused on deposit-limit definition and enforcement by 30 June 2026.

• Update user interfaces. By 31 October 2025, ensure customers can easily access limit-setting tools, with limit-setting presented as the default choice and visible links on home and deposit pages. By June 2026, update copy and layout so that gross deposit limits are as prominent as any other limit type.
• Coordinate communications: Customer support materials, help pages and FAQs should be updated in two phases: first, to reflect the customer-led tool requirements coming into force in October 2025, and again before June 2026 to reflect the new definitions and terminology for deposit limits.
• Audit and re-label limit options (by 30 June 2026): Review all financial limit types currently offered. Any feature described as a “deposit limit” must now meet the definition of a gross deposit limit. Other limits, such as net deposit or loss limits, must be renamed and explained clearly to customers.
• Clarify time periods (by 30 June 2026): Use fixed, transparent timeframes and display reset points clearly when customers set their limits.
• Implement technical blocks (by 30 June 2026):  Systems must prevent further deposits once a limit is reached and apply the 24-hour cooling-off rule before increases take effect.

In summary

These changes bring both definitional clarity and new operational obligations. From 30 June 2026, “deposit limit” will have a single, prescribed meaning, and systems will have to enforce it consistently. Operators can still offer a range of financial limit tools, but terminology, prominence and customer explanations must be accurate and transparent. The focus now should be on design, implementation and testing to ensure all systems and communications are compliant ahead of the 30 June 2026 deadline.