Skip Header
Important information: The value of investments can go down as well as up so you may get back less than you invest. Investors should note that the views expressed may no longer be current and may have already been acted upon. This is a third-party news feed and may not reflect Fidelity’s views.

Government to introduce £2 limit for digital slots - report

(Sharecast News) - The government is poised to announce strict maximum stake limits for online slot machines, it was reported on Thursday, in a blow to the gaming industry. According to The Guardian, the government will on Friday announce a £2 maximum stake for under-25s, and £5 per spin for people over that age.

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport declined to comment on the report.

A proposed limit on online slot machines, similar to the one introduced in 2019 on fixed-odd betting terminals (FOBT), was first mooted in last year's white paper on gambling reform.

Since publishing the paper, the government has been consulting on a limit of between £2 and £15. It is estimated that setting the limit at the midway point of £8.50 would cost the industry up to £185m.

Industry operators have fought against strict maximum stakes, with one source also telling The Guardian that two limits would further ramp up costs.

According to figures from the Gambling Commission, online casinos generated revenues of £4bn in the year to March 2023, £3.2bn of which came from slots.

Gambling campaigners, however, argue that both FOBT and online slot machines are considerably more addictive than other forms of betting.

The Labour MP Carolyn Harris, who chairs an all-party parliamentary group on gambling-related harm, welcomed the £2 limit for under 25s. But she told The Guardian it should be extended to all ages.

Share this article

Related Sharecast Articles

Agronomics investee Solar Foods raises EUR 8m
(Sharecast News) - Cellular agriculture investor Agronomics announced on Friday that its portfolio company Solar Foods had raised an additional €8m through Finnish investment organiser Springvest.
Berenberg hikes target price on Greggs
(Sharecast News) - Analysts at Berenberg raised their target price on bakery chain Greggs from 3,550.0p to 3,990.0p on Friday as it noted that customer appeal had broadened as its market share was expanding.
Thousands of UK firms fighting for survival - Begbies Traynor
(Sharecast News) - More than half a million UK business are fighting for survival, according to an industry research published on Friday, weighed down by the weak economy.
Thruvision FY24 adjusted underlying losses widen
(Sharecast News) - Security technology business Thruvision said on Friday that adjusted underlying losses had widened in FY24 as revenues fell.

Important information: This information is not a personal recommendation for any particular investment. If you are unsure about the suitability of an investment you should speak to one of Fidelity’s advisers or an authorised financial adviser of your choice. When you are thinking about investing in shares, it’s generally a good idea to consider holding them alongside other investments in a diversified portfolio of assets. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns.

Award-winning online share dealing

Search, compare and select from thousands of shares.

Expert insights into investing your money

Our team of experts explore the world of share dealing.