Daily Junction.mobi portalThis inconsistency drove the 2024 gambling white paper, which introduced:
However, critics argue the £5 online stake limit is still too high compared to FOBTs' £2, and that affordability checks (which only apply to 3-5% of gamblers) are insufficient to prevent harm among the remaining 95%.
The Campaign for Fairer Gambling has called for parity between online and offline gambling, with the same £2 stake limit applied to online slots. The Betting and Gaming Council argues this would destroy the online casino sector and drive customers to unregulated offshore sites.
The UK's FOBT reform was more aggressive than most countries but less aggressive than some:
The UK's £2 stake limit is now among the strictest globally for betting shop machines, though the £5 online slot limit (introduced in 2024) is more permissive than some European countries (e.g., Sweden's SEK 50 / £3.85 limit).
The 2019 FOBT stake cut from £100 to £2 led to a 60% decline in FOBT losses (from £1.8 billion in 2018 to £720 million in 2023) and a 35% decline in FOBT-related harm cases. However, online casino revenue grew 47% in the same period (from £5.3 billion to £7.8 billion), and problem gambling rates remained stable at 0.4% of adults, suggesting harm was displaced rather than eliminated. Around 18% of heavy FOBT users increased online gambling, while 60% reduced or stopped gambling entirely. Betting shop closures (3,000 shops, 15,000 jobs lost) were concentrated in deprived areas, with mixed effects on communities. The reform exposed the inconsistency between strict betting shop regulation and permissive online regulation, driving the 2024 white paper's introduction of a £5 online slot stake limit and mandatory affordability checks. Five years on, the FOBT stake cut reduced FOBT-specific harm but did not reduce overall gambling harm, highlighting the need for comprehensive regulation across all gambling products.