Gambling Commission's Latest Consultation Focuses on Customer-Led Tools, Not In-Play Betting Stake Limits

28 October 2026

The Gambling Commission has not launched a consultation on mandatory stake limits for in-play football and tennis bets following its recent consultation on customer-led tools and financial limits as part of its remote gambling and software technical standards. The consultation, published on 29 November 2023, focused on socially responsible incentives, transparency of customer funds protection, and regulatory data, not specifying stake limits for real-time sports betting.

The government's gambling white paper, High Stakes: Gambling Reform for the Digital Age, published in April 2023, did propose a new online slots stake limit of between £2 and £15 per spin. Online slots were identified as a high-risk gambling product, linked to large losses, long sessions, and bingo play, with no statutory stake limits in Great Britain.

In contrast, the Gambling Commission has focused its latest consultation efforts on customer-led tools and financial limits. The Commission's consultation framework, published on its website, makes no mention of stake limits for in-play football or tennis bets.

Granular Financial Limits Take Priority

At the heart of the latest consultation is a push for more granular financial limits. The Commission's RTS framework specifies that all gambling systems must offer gross deposit limits as a minimum, and customers must be able to set limits at account level. These deposit limits are distinct from stake limits, which cap the amount a customer can wager on a specific bet or set of bets.

The white paper's stake-limit proposals followed an 8-week public consultation, launched in July 2023. Online slot games were identified as having an 8.5% problem-gambling rate among players, nearly 20 times higher than the general adult population.

The final policy outcome, published in January 2024, was a statutory maximum stake limit of £5 per spin for adults aged 25 and over, and £2 per spin for those aged 18 to 24. This represents a significant tightening of online slot wagers.

While in-play betting is covered by the Gambling Commission's RTS 15, the evidence from the Commission suggests that mandatory stake limits for in-play sports betting, particularly in football and tennis, have not been discussed in the same way as online slots stake limits. The Commission's guidance on stake restrictions notes differing views on the impact of these limits, with some supporting them for preventing large losses, while others warn of reduced win potential and enjoyment.

The Commission has also clarified that it does not regulate how operators manage commercial liabilities, and that stake factoring can refer to varied levels of restriction. This nuance suggests a degree of flexibility in how limits might be applied, if they were to be proposed.

In summary, while the Gambling Commission has been active in consulting on gambling reforms, particularly in relation to online slots, there is no evidence of a consultation specifically on mandatory stake limits for in-play football and tennis bets. Current policy focuses on customer-led financial controls, with discretion left to operators on stake limits.

The £5/£2 online slots stake limit, effective since January 2024, remains the most immediate policy outcome in the gambling reform agenda. Football and tennis bettors interested in stake limits will need to watch ongoing consultations, as regulatory positions may shift substantially.