Why is there no autoplay on UK apps?

Why is there no autoplay on UK apps? The rule behind it

Autoplay used to let you set a slot to spin by itself, for example 50 or 100 times in a row, without touching the screen. The Gambling Commission's remote technical standards now say each game cycle must be started individually. In the Commission's summary of the 2021 changes (opens in a new tab), the line in RTS 8C is short: providing auto-play for slots is not permitted.

That's why you won't find an autoplay button in a UK casino app, from the big brands in our casino app reviews to smaller operators. It isn't a design choice by the app or the game studio. It's a licence requirement, and the same applies on mobile websites and desktop. For more answers like this, see our casino app questions hub.

What autoplay used to do in casino apps

With autoplay, you picked a stake and a number of spins, and the game ran through them automatically. Once started, the bets kept going without a fresh decision each time.

Here's what that meant in money terms. On Starburst, with a published RTP of 96.09% and so a house edge of 3.91%, 100 autoplay spins at £1 meant committing £100 of stakes in one tap. The expected loss on that is £3.91, but the real result could be much worse, and you might not register how the balance was moving while the reels spun on.

Why the Gambling Commission banned autoplay

The Commission's game design changes were about the speed and intensity of online play. Autoplay removed the natural pause between bets, so spins could pile up while attention drifted. Making each spin a separate action brings back a moment where you can decide to stop.

The rules sit in RTS 14, the standard on responsible product design, which also says games must not encourage customers to chase losses or increase their stake. Industry had moved in the same direction: the Betting and Gaming Council's game design code of September 2020 committed its members to 2.5-second minimum game cycles and ending turbo play before the Commission's rules took effect.

When the Commission extended the rules in 2024, its announcement of new rules on safety and consumer choice (opens in a new tab) described limits on speed and intensity going beyond slots. That included the autoplay ban and real-time display of net spend and time, from 17 January 2025. Our autoplay ban rule page has the full detail.

UK autoplay ban timeline

The one exception the rules record is the auto-posting of blinds in peer-to-peer poker, which is a different product from house-banked casino games. For the wider set of rules, see online game design rules UK.

No autoplay on roulette, blackjack and live casino apps either

Since 17 January 2025, the ban has covered every online casino game. That means RNG roulette and blackjack, live dealer tables and game shows all need you to place each bet yourself. Non-slot games must also allow at least 5 seconds per game cycle, and you can't play several games at the same time.

So if you used to set roulette to repeat a bet automatically, that's no longer allowed in a UK app. Read our mobile casino games guides and game speed rules on mobile casino games for how play looks now.

What a UK casino app shows you instead

Alongside removing autoplay, the rules added information to keep you aware of where you stand. During a session you should see your net position, meaning how much you're up or down, and how long you've been playing. If an app runs full-screen and hides your phone's clock, it must show the time of day or the time elapsed.

You can also set reality checks. The Commission's standard on time requirements and reality checks (opens in a new tab) says you must be able to choose how often a reminder appears, and you have to acknowledge it before it disappears. See what a reality check on a casino app is for how to use one.

How to keep manual play under control on your phone

Tapping every spin slows things down, but it's still easy to keep going on autopilot. These steps give you your own brakes, using tools every UK app must offer.

1. Decide your budget and a finish time before you open the app.
2. Set a deposit limit in your account settings; UK casinos prompt you to set one before your first deposit.
3. Turn on reality checks at an interval that suits you.
4. Keep an eye on the net position display, and stop when you reach your budget, not when you're 'due' a win.
5. If you find yourself chasing losses, take a time-out or self-exclude.

PlayOJO's help pages, for example, list deposit limits, time and loss limits, OJO Safeguard and self-exclusion. Our guides to setting deposit limits in a casino app and taking a time-out explain each tool.

Seeing autoplay in a casino app? Treat it as a warning

If an app or site offers autoplay to players in Great Britain, that's a strong sign it isn't licensed by the Gambling Commission. Unlicensed casinos give you none of the UK protections: no GAMSTOP, no dispute resolution through an approved ADR service and no guarantee your funds are handled to UK standards.

Use our guide on how to spot an unlicensed casino app to check before you deposit. If you want to block gambling entirely, GAMSTOP registration (opens in a new tab) covers every online operator licensed in Great Britain for 6 months, 1 year or 5 years. The National Gambling Helpline is free and open 24/7 on 0808 8020 133.

UK-licensed casino apps, all without autoplay

Each of these licensed casinos follows the autoplay ban in its apps and on its website. If you choose to play, these are their current welcome offers for new customers aged 18 or over. Terms apply.

Coral Casino (LC International Limited, UKGC 54743): between 1 October 2026 and 1 February 2027, deposit and bet £10 or more on slots for 100 free spins worth 10p each on selected games. Accept within 48 hours, use within 7 days, and keep winnings with no wagering. Certain payment types, including Neteller, PayPal, Paysafe, Skrill, prepaid cards and certain debit cards, don't qualify.

Ladbrokes Casino (same licence holder): deposit and spend £10 or more on slots for 50 free spins a day over your first 10 days, up to 500. Each spin is 10p on selected games; claim before 23:59 each day, use within 7 days, and there's no wagering. Deposits via prepaid cards, PayPal, Paysafe, Neteller, Skrill or Moneybookers are excluded. One person may not be able to open new accounts at both Coral and Ladbrokes.

PlayOJO (Skill On Net Limited, UKGC 39326): a first deposit of £10 or more brings 80 free spins on Big Bass Bonanza at 10p each for new UK customers outside Northern Ireland. There's no wagering and winnings are cash. Available through the designated link only, and not combinable with other offers.

You'll start each of those spins yourself. More detail is in our Ladbrokes Casino app review and PlayOJO slots app pages.

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.