Reality check: meaning in casino apps
A reality check is a pop-up in a casino app that tells you how long you've been playing since your session began. UK rules say you must be able to choose how often it appears, and you have to acknowledge it before it goes away. It's a simple pause that helps you notice time and spending you might otherwise lose track of.
By the BestApps editorial team. Last checked .
Key takeaways
- A reality check shows the time elapsed since your session started.
- You can set how often it appears, and you must acknowledge it to close it.
- Full-screen apps that hide your phone's clock must show the time themselves.
- Pair it with a deposit limit or a phone-level app timer for firmer control.
- What it shows
- Time elapsed since the session began
- Rule
- RTS 13B
- Frequency
- Set by you
- To close it
- You must acknowledge it
- Related rule
- RTS 13A clock display in full-screen apps
What a reality check is
Casino games are designed to hold attention, and an hour can pass without you noticing, especially on a phone held close to your face. The reminder interrupts that with a message showing how long the current session has lasted. Separately, UK games must show your net position while you play, so you can set the time against what you've won or lost.
It's one of the safer-gambling terms in our casino app glossary. Operators sometimes call it a session reminder or time reminder; the name varies, but the idea is the same.
Reality check rules for UK casino apps
The Gambling Commission's technical standard RTS 13 on time requirements and reality checks (opens in a new tab) sets out what apps must do.
| Standard | What it requires |
|---|---|
| RTS 13A | Apps that run full screen and hide the device clock must show the time of day or the elapsed time |
| RTS 13B | You must be able to set how often reality checks appear, and acknowledge each one to remove it |
| RTS 13C | Elapsed time must be displayed during play |
| RTS 2E | Your net position must be displayed during play |
From 17 January 2025 the Commission extended real-time display of net spend and time to online casino games beyond slots, as set out in its announcement of new rules boosting safety (opens in a new tab). Our page on game design rules explains the wider package.
How to set up a reality check in an app
Menu names differ between apps, so look for a reality check, session reminder or time reminder option in your account's safer gambling or responsible gambling settings.
- Open your account settings and find the safer gambling section.
- Choose the reality check or session reminder option.
- Pick an interval that feels short enough to make you stop and think.
- Save the setting and note whether it applies across the app and the website.
- When a reminder appears, read it properly before choosing to continue or log out.
Our guide to reality checks in casino apps covers the set-up in more depth, and partner pages such as Coral's safer gambling tools describe each app's own options.
Why a reality check matters on a phone
Speed is the reason. Online slots must take at least 2.5 seconds per spin, but that still allows up to 720 spins in 30 minutes (1,800 seconds ÷ 2.5). At £1 a spin, that's up to £720 staked in half an hour.
On a slot with a 96% RTP, the long-run expected cost of £720 staked is £720 × 4% = £28.80. Results in any one session swing far above or below that, but the house edge means losses are likely over time. A reminder every 30 minutes gives you a moment to compare what's happened with what you planned to spend.
This kind of reminder doesn't stop you playing. If you want a hard stop, use a session limit or time-out instead.
Reality checks vs phone screen-time tools
Your phone has its own time controls that work on any app, not just casino apps. On Android, Digital Wellbeing app timers (opens in a new tab) close an app when its daily allowance runs out and dim its icon until midnight. On iPhone, Screen Time offers similar limits.
- An in-app reality check reminds you; it doesn't end your session.
- A phone app timer closes the app, but you can usually change it yourself.
- Using both gives you a gentle prompt and a firmer backstop.
See our guides to blocking casino apps with Digital Wellbeing and blocking casino apps with Screen Time.
Terms related to reality checks
- Deposit limit: caps how much money you can pay in.
- Cool-off: a short break from your account.
- Self-exclusion: a longer block, from six months when done through GAMSTOP.
- Game cycle: one round of a game, which the speed rules measure.
If reminders keep appearing longer into your sessions than you'd like, the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 is free and open 24/7, or you can chat to GamCare online (opens in a new tab).
18+. Every casino game has a built-in house edge, so over time you should expect to lose what you stake. Set a budget before you play and stop when it’s gone: safer gambling tools and support. Free, confidential help: National Gambling Helpline 0808 8020 133.
Frequently asked questions
What is a reality check in gambling?
It's an on-screen reminder telling you how long you've been playing in the current session. UK rules say you must be able to choose how often it appears and must acknowledge it to close it. Games must also display your net position during play. Our longer answer to what a reality check on a casino app is covers the details.
Are reality checks mandatory in UK casino apps?
Yes, the facility must be there. RTS 13B requires operators to let you set how often reality checks appear and to make you acknowledge each one. Whether one is switched on by default depends on the app, so check your settings. Our safer gambling tools in casino apps page compares the tools you should expect.
How often should I set a reality check?
Choose an interval short enough to make you stop and think, such as every 30 minutes. With a 2.5-second minimum spin time, a slot can still run up to 720 spins in half an hour, so a longer gap can hide a lot of play. You can always change the interval later. Our reality checks guide offers more practical suggestions.
Can I turn off reality checks in a casino app?
You can always change the interval, and whether you can switch reminders off entirely depends on the app. It's worth keeping them on. The reminder costs you a tap and gives you a regular moment to check your time and spending. If you want something stronger, consider a time-out, which stops you logging in for a set period.
What's the difference between a reality check and a session limit?
One reminds you how long you've been playing; a session limit ends or blocks play when the time you set runs out. One is a prompt and the other is a stop. Using both gives you a reminder and a backstop. Our entry on session limits explains how those work in apps.
Why does my casino app show a clock while I play?
Because RTS 13A requires apps that run full screen and hide your phone's own clock to display the time of day or the elapsed time. It's there so you don't lose track of time, which is easy in a full-screen game. Our guide to phone habits and gambling explores why time slips by more easily on a phone.