A stake limit is the maximum you can bet on a single round of a game. In UK casino apps the phrase usually means the legal cap on online slots: £5 per game cycle if you're 25 or over, and £2 if you're 18 to 24. Some apps also let you set a lower personal stake limit of your own.
UK online slots are capped at £5 per game cycle for players 25 and over, and £2 for 18 to 24-year-olds.
The £5 cap started on 9 April 2025 and the £2 cap on 21 May 2025.
The caps cover reel-based slots only, not roulette, blackjack or other casino games.
Some apps let you set a personal stake limit lower than the legal one.
Slot cap, age 25+
£5 per game cycle (from 9 April 2025)
Slot cap, age 18–24
£2 per game cycle (from 21 May 2025)
Applies to
Online slots (reel-based games)
Doesn't apply to
Roulette, blackjack and other casino games
Measured per
Game cycle
Stake limit meaning
Your stake is the money you put on one round. A stake limit sets the most that round can cost. There are two kinds you'll meet in apps: the legal maximum set by UK rules, and a personal limit you can choose yourself where an operator offers one.
The cap applies to a game cycle, which runs from the start of a game until all money staked is lost or all winnings are made available to you. Any further stake inside that cycle counts towards the limit.
A 27-year-old who stakes £2 on a spin may be offered up to £3 more within the same cycle, taking the total to the £5 cap.
A 19-year-old who stakes £2 has already hit the cap, so nothing more can be offered until the cycle ends.
A 27-year-old who stakes £5 and wins a prize may turn it down for a chance at a larger one without adding money; if that fails, the balance is down only the original £5.
That last example comes from the Commission's own guidance and shows that an optional prize gamble with no extra stake can sit inside a game cycle.
What the stake limit doesn't cover
The guidance defines an online slot as a reel-based casino game played online. Roulette, blackjack and other casino games aren't covered, so a roulette app can offer higher table limits. Whether free spins or bonus features count towards the cap isn't addressed in the guidance.
Bonus terms can add a stake cap of their own while a bonus is active, which is separate from the legal limit. Read casino app bonus terms before you play with one.
Expected loss per spin and per 200 spins at a 4% house edge
Stake per spin
Expected loss per spin
Expected loss over 200 spins
10p
0.4p
80p
£2 (cap for 18–24)
8p
£16
£5 (cap for 25+)
20p
£40
The cap limits the cost of each spin, not the cost of a session. A personal stake limit or a session limit does more to control the total.
Setting a personal stake limit in an app
Some operators list a maximum stake limit among their safer gambling tools. Where it exists, it sits in the account or limits area; check the app's help pages for the exact name.
Open the app's account or safer gambling settings.
Look for a stake or bet limit option.
Enter the highest amount you want any single bet to cost.
Save it, and pair it with a deposit limit for a full budget.
The spin offers below all use 10p spins, far below the £2 and £5 caps, so the legal stake limit isn't the deciding factor. What differs is the qualifying deposit, the number of spins and the payment methods excluded. All are 18+ and terms apply.
Coral Casino: 18+, new players. Deposit and bet £10 or more on slots to get 100 free spins at 10p each on selected games; accept within 48 hours and use within 7 days. No wagering on free spin winnings. Neteller, PayPal, Paysafe, Skrill, prepaid cards and certain debit cards don't qualify. Runs 1 October 2026 to 1 February 2027.
Ladbrokes Casino: 18+, new customers. Deposit and spend £10 or more on slots to get 50 free spins a day for 10 days (500 maximum), 10p each on selected games; claim before 23:59 each day, valid for 7 days, no wagering. Prepaid cards, PayPal, Paysafe, Neteller, Skrill and Moneybookers deposits don't qualify.
PlayOJO: 18+, new UK customers excluding Northern Ireland. A first deposit of at least £10 brings 80 free spins on Big Bass Bonanza at 10p each, with no wagering and winnings paid in cash. It can't be combined with other offers and is available only through the designated offer link.
Coral and Ladbrokes are both run by LC International Limited (Entain), so you may not be able to open new accounts at both. Compare more on our best slot apps list.
Coral and Ladbrokes are both run by LC International Limited (Entain). If you already hold an account with one Entain brand, you may not be able to open another; check the terms first.
Significant terms: 18+. New players only. Offer runs 01/10/2026 to 01/02/2027. Deposit (certain types excluded) and bet £10+ on slot games to get 100 free spins (selected games, £0.10 each, 48 hrs to accept, valid 7 days). No wagering on free spin winnings. Deposits by Neteller, PayPal, Paysafe, Skrill, prepaid cards and certain debit cards do not qualify. Restrictions and T&Cs apply. GamCare.org.uk
Read our Coral app reviewLicence: LC International Limited, Gambling Commission account 54743. Offer checked 5 October 2026.
Time limitClaim daily for 10 days; each batch valid 7 days
Worked valueUp to 500 spins at £0.10 (up to £50 in spins)
Significant terms: 18+. New customers only, from 14/11/25 until further notice. Certain deposit methods excluded. Deposit and spend £10+ on slots for 50 free spins a day during the first 10 days after first deposit and registration (max 500, £0.10 each, selected games, claim before 23:59 each day, valid 7 days). No wagering. Prepaid cards, PayPal, Paysafe, Neteller, Skrill and Moneybookers deposits do not qualify. Restrictions and T&Cs apply. GamCare.org.uk
Read our Ladbrokes app reviewLicence: LC International Limited, Gambling Commission account 54743. Offer checked 5 October 2026.
Significant terms: 18+. New UK customers (excluding Northern Ireland). First deposit only. Minimum deposit £10. 80 free spins on Big Bass Bonanza, £0.10 each. No wagering requirements; winnings paid in cash. Cannot be used with any other offer. Only available to players who arrive through the designated offer link. Full T&Cs apply. GamCare.org.uk
Read our PlayOJO app reviewLicence: Skill On Net Limited, Gambling Commission account 39326. Offer checked 5 October 2026.
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 the stake limit on UK online slots?
It's £5 per game cycle for players aged 25 and over, and £2 for players aged 18 to 24. The £5 cap started on 9 April 2025 and the £2 cap on 21 May 2025. Both apply to every licensed operator, in apps and on websites. Our page on what the slot stake limit is on apps answers the common follow-ups.
Does the £5 stake limit apply to roulette and blackjack?
No. The Commission's guidance limits the caps to online slots, defined as reel-based casino games. Roulette, blackjack and other table games keep their own table limits set by the operator. They are still covered by other UK rules, including a minimum of 5 seconds per game cycle since January 2025. See game speed rules for that rule.
Why is the stake limit lower for under-25s?
The government decided on a separate, lower cap for 18 to 24-year-olds; its 2023 white paper had consulted on either £2 or £4 for that age group. The £2 figure was announced in February 2024 and took effect on 21 May 2025, a few weeks after the £5 cap. Operators must check age before you play, which is how apps apply the right limit. Read about age verification rules.
Can I set my own stake limit in a casino app?
Often, yes, but it depends on the operator. Some list a maximum stake limit among their safer gambling tools, letting you cap each bet below the legal figure. If your app doesn't, a deposit limit, which every UK operator must offer, controls your total spending instead. Check the app's limits area or help pages before relying on a stake cap.
Do free spins count towards the stake limit?
The Commission's guidance doesn't say. In practice, spin offers usually run at a fixed value, such as 10p a spin, which is far below both caps. Bonus terms may also set their own maximum bet while a bonus is active. Read free spins in casino apps to see how spin offers are valued.
What is a game cycle in the stake limit rules?
A game cycle runs from the start of a game until all money staked is lost or all winnings are made available. The stake limit counts everything staked inside one cycle, so a 25-plus player who stakes £2 can be offered at most £3 more in that same cycle. The full definition is in our game cycle entry.
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