Upcoming changes for online games design – what you need to know
New requirements that apply to online game design come into effect on 17 January 2025. These changes are part of the Gambling Commission's wider Gambling White Paper Review, which aims to adapt British gambling legislation for the modern age.
The latest changes are the result of consultations which took place in mid-2023, and are primarily concerned with Remote Gambling and Software Technical Standards (RTS).
Aims
Their main objective is “reducing intensity and increasing consumer understanding”. Broadly, the new requirements for game design include:
- A 5 second minimum speed for all games
- Autoplay to be prohibited on all online products
- Features allowing multiple games to be played simultaneously will be banned
- Celebrations for wins below a certain value will be banned – ie no sound affects when your ‘win’ is less than your stake
- Net spend and time data must be displayed for all casino games
Spin speed limits
The minimum spin speed for online games will be 5 seconds, with the exception of peer-to-peer poker. Speed features such as 'turbo' or 'slam stops’ will be banned, as they have been found to encourage rapid betting.
A minimum spin speed has been in place for slots since 2021, when a 2.5 second limit was introduced. The new rules will see that limit doubled.
The Gambling Commission (UKGC) says that “slowing games down may reduce the desire for those experiencing problems to continue gambling”. However, it acknowledges that “reducing game speed too much may affect consumer enjoyment and potentially increase displacement to other products”. It has nevertheless elected to introduce the 5 second minimum.
Autoplay
According to a number of studies, autoplay functions are “widely regarded to be a source of increased risk”. Autoplay bans will be applied to all online games. This won’t affect functions such as auto dabbing in bingo, however. It will only apply when automatically opting into a new round of betting.
Simultaneous play
Simultaneous play features are operator-led. This function allows players to engage with several games at the same time. These were banned for slots a couple of years ago.
The UKGC stance is clear:
“Playing multiple games of roulette, blackjack or other similar casino games increases the gambling intensity [and] could also be seen as a way to circumvent restrictions on speed of play. Given the high loss rate associated with even short sessions of casino games it seems entirely inappropriate to permit such functionality.”
Enhancing player insights
Certain elements of games can be misleading, and some of the Commission’s upcoming changes hope to address this. For instance, celebratory animations or sound effects will be banned for ’wins’ lower than the original stake.
Also, it will become mandatory for operators to display the net session time and spending data clearly. The intention here is to promote informed and responsible decision making.
Summary; what this means for slot players
Following consultations, it was determined that efforts should be made to reduce the intensity of games and promote player awareness. Both of these initiatives are intended to help reduce harmful gambling behaviour.
In an effort to limit the intensity, and therefore lessen the addictive elements, of online games, certain features will no longer be permitted. These restrictions aim to reduce the potential of online games causing harm, and to reduce the likelihood of excessive gambling.
A few of these new requirements bring other casino products in line with slots. For example, some speed limits were already in place for slot games, and autoplay was prohibited on slots in 2021. There are still a few differences between regulations for slots and other casino products. One such discrepancy concerns stake limits. The UKGC’s position is that “the evidence does not currently support stake limits on non-slot gaming”.
Some features, like autoplay, were already prohibited for slots, while others, such as the new spin speed limit, represent fresh updates. Any slots players who use operator-led simultaneous play functions are likely to miss them. Also, the minimum spin speed has doubled, which is likely to have an adverse effect on the entertainment value of slots for more experienced players.
These changes have been in the works for some time now, and it remains to be seen how players will react to them.