The UK autoplay ban explained

What the autoplay ban UK rule says

The standard behind it, RTS 8C, requires each game cycle to be started individually. In plain terms, a game can't play a run of rounds for you. You press, the round plays out, and the next one waits until you press again.

Before the ban, many slots had an autoplay menu where you could pick 10, 50 or 100 spins and let the game run. The Commission's summary of changes to the technical standards (opens in a new tab) put it simply: providing autoplay for slots is not permitted. That applied from 31 October 2021.

The second step came with the 2025 rules. From 17 January 2025, the ban applies to all online gaming products, which brought in roulette, blackjack, baccarat, game shows and every other casino game. It's one part of the wider online game design rules set out in our UK rules section.

How the autoplay ban arrived in two stages

The first stage was announced in the Commission's package of changes to make online games safer (opens in a new tab), which applied only to slots. The extension followed the summer 2023 consultation, and the Commission's list of previous RTS changes (opens in a new tab) records the 17 January 2025 changes.

Why the Gambling Commission banned autoplay

Autoplay separates you from each decision to stake. Once a batch of spins is running, money leaves your balance without you choosing each bet, and it's easy to stop paying attention to what's being spent.

The arithmetic shows how quickly that can add up. A 100-spin autoplay at £1 a spin commits £100 of stakes from one tap. On a slot with a 96% RTP, that batch has an expected cost of £100 × 4% = £4, but the real result could be far worse, and nothing in the process asks you to pause.

Taken with the speed rules and the ban on turbo features, the aim is to keep gambling at a pace where each stake is a choice. See our game speed rules page for the timing side.

Autoplay ban on live casino and game shows

Live games were considered closely. In its decision on autoplay (opens in a new tab), the Commission said it saw no convincing reason to exclude live casino games from the ban. So since January 2025 you can't set a live roulette or game-show bet to repeat by itself across rounds.

The same decision accepted that a re-bet feature isn't autoplay. Re-bet places the same chips as last round when you tap it, and the Commission noted it can help in live games where the betting window is short. The difference is that you still act every round.

That matters on a phone, where live betting windows can feel tight. Our pages on live roulette on mobile and live casino apps explain how rounds run on a small screen.

What's still allowed under the autoplay ban

On slots, the release-and-press rule in RTS 14D closes the obvious workaround: you can't hold your thumb on the button to keep spins coming. Each spin needs a fresh tap. Our autoplay glossary entry has a one-paragraph definition.

What the autoplay ban means on your phone

In a licensed app, you'll find a spin or deal button and stake controls, but no auto option. That's true of the iPhone and Android apps alike, since the rule follows the game and the licence, not the device.

One practical effect is that a session can't run in your pocket. If you lock your phone or switch apps, nothing keeps spinning on your behalf. What happens to a round that's already in progress is a separate question, covered in what happens if your app crashes mid-game.

How to check an app is bound by the autoplay ban

1. Open the app's footer or 'About' page and note the operator's name and Gambling Commission account number.
2. Search for that name or number on the Gambling Commission's public register.
3. Check that the licence status reads Active and that the app's brand appears among the trading names or domains.
4. Open any slot and confirm there's no auto-spin option in the controls.
5. If you see autoplay in a UK-licensed app, report it to the operator first, then to the Commission.

For more detail, see how to know a casino app is licensed and our guide to how casino apps are licensed in the UK.

What the autoplay ban doesn't do

• It doesn't limit stakes. Stakes on slots are capped separately at £5, or £2 for 18 to 24-year-olds; see online slot stake limits.
• It doesn't set a minimum speed by itself. That's RTS 14D (2.5 seconds for slots) and RTS 14G (5 seconds for other casino games).
• It doesn't change odds. The house edge is the same whether you tap once or a hundred times.
• It doesn't cover the Commission's rules outside Great Britain. Northern Ireland has its own law.

Autoplay ban timeline

Casino apps without autoplay: partner offers

These three apps are Gambling Commission-licensed, so there's no autoplay in any of their games; every offer spin below is one you start yourself. Each offer is slot-only.

18+, terms apply. With Coral, new players who deposit (some methods excluded) and bet £10 or more on slots between 1 October 2026 and 1 February 2027 get 100 free spins on selected games at 10p each. Accept them within 48 hours and use them within 7 days; spin winnings have no wagering. Deposits through Neteller, PayPal, Paysafe, Skrill, prepaid cards or certain debit cards won't count.

With Ladbrokes, new customers who deposit and spend £10 or more on slots receive 50 free spins a day for 10 days (up to 500), each worth 10p on selected games, claimable until 23:59 daily and valid for 7 days, no wagering. Deposits by prepaid card, PayPal, Paysafe, Neteller, Skrill or Moneybookers are excluded.

With PlayOJO, new UK customers (not Northern Ireland) get 80 free spins on Big Bass Bonanza at 10p each on a first deposit of £10+, with no wagering and winnings paid in cash. It can't be combined and needs the designated offer link. Coral and Ladbrokes share a licence holder, so one person may not be able to open new accounts at both. If gambling is causing harm, the NHS gambling support page (opens in a new tab) and the National Gambling Helpline (0808 8020 133) can help.

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.