UK operators must remove auto-play, speed up gaming options and withdrawal reverse.
The UK Gambling Commission will introduce new rules on online slots games. The idea is to improve the player protection.
According to the UKGC some online slots features are misleading and can reduce the control of the players over their gambling. This may lead to customers gambling on various platforms and games at the same time, and eventually to a bigger loss rate.
What measures will the UK Gambling Commission take?
The measures will include a permanent ban on some famous online slots games features for UK operators. One of them is the popular auto-play option. According to the UKGC, the auto-play leads to players losing track of time. It also gives the opportunity to play at various games and even various platforms at the same time.
All other features that speed up the game and lead to a lack of control will also be banned. Additional measures will ban reverse withdrawals. This option allows the players to reverse a withdrawal request and to keep playing with the money. According to the UKGC, this might increase the chance of risky gambling behaviors.
This is another important step in making gambling safer and where the evidence shows that there are other opportunities to do that we are determined to take them.
Neil McArthur, UKGC Chief Executive
All UK-licensed operators must remove these features by October 31, 2021.
The UK Gambling Commission is constantly working on safe and fair online gambling. Moreover, player protection measures have significantly improved, with mandatory identity checks and a ban on gambling with credit cards.
Recently, the UKGC launched new measures to fight wrongful VIP practices. Any player should now be approved according to a set of rules by the UKGC in order to become a VIP. The rules include an evaluation of the player’s gambling habits according to his/her budget, evaluating problem-gambling behaviors and risks, updating the player data information, etc.
