One of the largest global markets for online slot gaming, the United Kingdom, has manifested significant change in the sector in 2025.
The introduction of government-mandated stake limits has seen players hit with all-time low caps of either £2 or £5 per spin, depending on their age.
The UK isn’t the only market to have stake limits for slot gaming, but it is noteworthy that some of the toughest rules are now found in the region as ministers look to maximise responsible gambling practices.
So how do the new rules in the UK compare to slot bet caps globally? And are there other countries in which you can play slots with more freedom?
Slot Stake Limits by Country
There is very little uniformity when it comes to the regulation of online gambling from one country to the next.
In fact, even two countries or regions with seeming similarities can be poles apart when it comes to governing online slots; as you can see from the table below, the UK and the USA – who share a so-called ‘special relationship’ – could not be any different when it comes to slot stake limits.
Here’s just a flavour of stake limits by country:
Country | Stake Limits Per Spin |
Germany | €1 (around 87 pence) |
United Kingdom | £2 (18-24-year-olds), £5 (25+) |
Ireland | €10 (£8.70) |
Greece | €20 (around £17.40) |
Norway | 100 NOK (around £37) |
USA | $500 (£373) |
Netherlands, Spain, Sweden | €0 – players have no stake limits |
The table above offers a glimpse of how several different countries compare when it comes to online slot stake limits.
As you can see, only Germany has a more stringent limit than the new rules in the UK. Even neighbouring Ireland have instigated a €10 limit per spin, while Greece – who initially introduced a €2 cap in 2020 – have since reevaluated and increased that to €20.
Perhaps the most interesting regulatory regime is in countries like the Netherlands, Spain and Sweden, amongst others, where there are no stake limits. Instead, players are given the freedom to wager an amount suitable for their personal circumstances.
However, there are typically more stringent, mandatory deposit limits in these nations, to help promote responsible gambling.
Stake Limits by Age
It’s also interesting to note that the UK is one of the few gambling jurisdictions to introduce stake limits that differ for players of different ages.
As of the new legislation, players aged 18-24 have a maximum stake limit of £2 per spin, which increases to £5 per spin for those aged 25 or older – you can learn more about the new rules in our dedicated article: the Real Impact of 2025 Stake Limits by Age on Winnings and Session Duration.
The rationale is that people aged 18 to 24 are, statistically, more prone to problem gambling behaviours than older adults – they could still be developing neurologically, which impacts risk perception, while having access to money for the first time can lead to issues associated with chasing losses and staking more than they can afford to.
The UK government also suggested that this younger age group are more likely to suffer long-term financial issues should they become addicted to slot games, with less disposable income than the over-25 age bracket.
The new limits have been introduced by online casinos already; load up your favourite slots and you should only be able to wager the maximum amount per spin allowed for your age group.
But as far as enforcement is concerned, typically the onus falls on the industry regulator. In the case of the UK market, the Gambling Commission is responsible for ensuring that the stake limits are adhered to at the casino side.
And if the casino isn’t complying, the regulator’s sanctioning powers range from fines to licence suspensions and even permanent revocations.
Cross Border Gaming
Anyone tempted to play in an international market with more relaxed gaming limits should be aware of some important considerations.
You should first read up on international gambling regulation, with specific reference to the ‘local’ rules in each country. Clearly, in some cases, you won’t be able to open an account unless you have a presence – home address, bank account etc – in the host country.
And no matter which international country you choose to play in, the same basic principles apply as they do in your home nation: only play at licensed, approved operators – the rise of ‘black market’ and unlicensed sites is a tremendous concern, as often these don’t conform to legislation regarding player safety and security.
As always, choose your online casino wisely… Some of the best operators are to be found in the countries with the most rigorous stake limits.
