Deposit limits, time-outs and self-exclusion: what each does.

Match the control to what you need

A deposit limit restricts money going into an account. A time-out pauses gambling with an operator for a shorter period. Self-exclusion is a commitment to stop gambling and can cover several participating businesses. These tools serve different purposes; none makes gambling free of risk.

If you want help now, visit our safer-gambling and support page. You do not need to finish this guide before contacting support. This explanation is for adults and focuses on online casinos and bookmakers licensed by the Gambling Commission in Great Britain. Check service coverage separately for Northern Ireland or elsewhere.

Check what a financial limit actually counts

Read the definition beside the setting, not just the amount. A gross deposit limit counts money paid into an account without subtracting withdrawals. A net deposit limit takes withdrawals into account. A loss limit measures something different again: losses rather than deposits. Ask support if the label or calculation is unclear.

For example, with a hypothetical £40 gross deposit limit for a stated period, deposits of £15 and £10 use £25 of the allowance, leaving £15. A later £5 withdrawal does not restore room under that gross limit. This is an explanation of the calculation, not a suggested gambling budget.

A deposit limit does not by itself limit the time you spend gambling or guarantee that an existing balance cannot be lost. Do not treat unused allowance as money you should spend.

Deposit-limit rules from 30 September 2026

The Gambling Commission's current RTS 12, updated on 30 September 2026, includes the second phase of the financial-limit changes. Its May implementation notice moved the start from 30 June to 30 September; this is now the effective date, rather than a future change.

Operators within scope must offer gross deposit limits and use “deposit limit” for that type. If other financial limits are offered, gross deposit limits must be at least as prominent. The implementation notice specifies fixed periods for gross deposit limits; other types may use fixed or rolling periods. Check the reset time shown in your account rather than assuming that “daily” means the same period everywhere.

Read the reset and remaining allowance together

A fixed period has a stated beginning and end. A rolling period looks backwards over a moving window. The difference matters when a past transaction stops counting. Save the period shown beside the control and ask the operator to explain any unclear wording before depositing.

As a hypothetical example, suppose an account shows a £40 gross limit for a fixed week and £30 already deposited in that week. Only £10 remains for that period, even if money has since been withdrawn. A new daily period does not by itself reset the weekly allowance. These amounts illustrate the calculation; they are not recommended spending levels.

When daily and longer limits overlap, RTS 12 says the most restrictive must apply. If an account permits £15 for the current day but only £5 remains under its weekly limit, the remaining deposit allowance is £5. Check all active periods before interpreting a single “remaining” figure. Reaching a reset time is not a reason to make another deposit.

The updated standard also requires account-level limits as a minimum. A product-specific control may sit alongside them, so record both scopes. If the displayed allowance appears inconsistent with your saved settings, stop depositing and ask support to reconcile the dates and transactions. Keep the response with your confirmation; do not send a test payment to find out which calculation is used.

Save the settings and their scope

Before confirming a limit, record:

• The amount and whether it measures deposits, net deposits or losses.
• The start, end and reset time for the period.
• Whether it applies across the account or to a particular product.
• How several limits interact if you set daily and longer periods.
• When the setting takes effect and where you can see confirmation.

The current RTS 12 requires customer-requested increases to wait at least 24 hours and be positively confirmed after that period. Reductions must take effect immediately unless a system or technical failure prevents this. If confirmation is missing, contact the operator and stop depositing while you clarify the setting.

Do not raise a limit to chase a loss, finish a promotion or compensate for spending elsewhere. A control on one account should not be assumed to cover accounts with other businesses.

Use a time-out for a shorter break

The Commission's remote time-out rule for operators within its scope includes 24 hours, one week, one month and another reasonably requested period up to six weeks. Check the operator's confirmation for the exact end time and accounts or products covered.

A time-out with one business is not the same as registering for a multi-operator exclusion. If you find yourself wanting to switch sites during the break, speak to a support service about stronger barriers. Do not open another account to get around the pause.

Understand self-exclusion and GAMSTOP Online

The Commission describes self-exclusion as a tool for people who want support to stop gambling. Operators have their own arrangements, and multi-operator schemes offer wider coverage. Online arrangements and schemes for gambling premises have different scopes.

GAMSTOP Online is a free service covering participating operators. Its current registration choices are six months, one year, five years, or five years with auto-renewal. Once registration is completed, exclusion cannot be deactivated during the minimum period. Reaching the end of that minimum period does not automatically mean exclusion has stopped.

Read the current terms and keep your registration information accurate. GAMSTOP says activation generally happens within 24 hours but does not guarantee that timeframe. If you need immediate help, contact the operator and a support service while the arrangement takes effect. A single scheme is not a guarantee that every gambling opportunity is blocked.

Add bank and device barriers

A bank gambling block is a separate payment control. GamCare explains that blocks depend on how transactions are categorised and may not cover every payment route. Ask your bank what its tool covers, how to enable it and whether there is a delay before removal. If it fails unexpectedly, report the payment to the bank; do not make another payment to test it.

Blocking software works on devices rather than setting an operator account limit. Check supported devices, installation requirements and any costs. Use it alongside other barriers and support where appropriate, rather than expecting one setting to solve every difficulty.

Keep a record if a control does not work

Save the setting confirmation, date, affected account or service and a brief description of what happened. Contact the operator, bank or software provider responsible for that control through its official support route. You should not need to place another bet to demonstrate a problem.

For an operator exclusion, the Commission's guidance explains what to report if gambling occurred while you were excluded. It also says the business must return money held in the account when self-exclusion is agreed. For an unresolved payment, our withdrawal checks guide helps you identify the stage and records needed. Do not delay seeking support while an account issue is being investigated.

Does a limit make a gambling amount safe?

No. An amount accepted by an account setting is not a personal affordability assessment or a recommendation to spend it. You can choose not to gamble. If gambling is causing worry, use the support contacts rather than trying to find a better limit through further play.

Can I get support about someone else's gambling?

Yes. GamCare offers support for people affected by a friend or family member's gambling as well as their own. Its National Gambling Helpline is free on 0808 8020 133 and available 24/7; online support options are also listed on its website. Ask about services appropriate to your location and circumstances.

For the money and transaction records when ending an account, use our account-closure guide. Clarify the balance through support alongside any request to stop; do not delay seeking help while a payment is unresolved.