A deposit limit is a cap on the total amount of money you can pay into your gambling account during a fixed period. Withdrawals and winnings do not reduce the total.

This definition has been fixed by the Gambling Commission's technical standard RTS 12B since 30 September 2026. From that date, an online operator may use the words "deposit limit" only for a limit of this kind. Before that date, operators used the same label for net deposit limits and loss limits as well, and these work differently. You will meet the term at registration, at your first deposit and in the limit settings of any online casino licensed by the Commission.

How a gross deposit limit works

The Commission calls this a "gross deposit limit". It counts every deposit you make in the period. It does not subtract money you withdraw.

The full wording is in the Commission's RTS 12 text in force from 30 September 2026. It sets these rules:

  • Minimum offer. Every operator must offer gross deposit limits as a minimum.
  • Label. Only a gross deposit limit may be described to customers as a "deposit limit".
  • Time frames. You must be able to choose at least 24 hours, 7 days and one calendar month.
  • Fixed periods. The period must be fixed, not rolling. The Commission considers a rolling period too unclear to meet the requirement for a "clearly defined period of time".
  • Overlapping limits. If you set limits for more than one period, the most restrictive limit applies.
  • Prominence. If other limit types are offered, the gross deposit limit must be shown with equal or greater prominence.

When the limit is reached, the operator must block further deposits until the period ends. Bird & Bird's analysis of the rules describes this as a technical block.

Gross and net limits on the same day

Say you set a limit of £100 for 24 hours. During that period you deposit £50, withdraw £40 of winnings, then deposit £50 again.

First deposit£50
Withdrawal£40
Second deposit£50
Counted under a gross deposit limit£100
Counted under a net deposit limit£60

Under a gross deposit limit of £100, you cannot deposit again until the period ends. Under a net deposit limit of £100, you could deposit a further £40.

Changing a limit

RTS 12D sets different rules for raising and lowering a limit.

  • If you lower a limit, the change applies immediately, unless there is a technical failure.
  • If you raise a limit, the change takes effect only after a 24-hour cooling-off period. You must then confirm that you still want the increase.

If you have a £10 daily limit and a £100 weekly limit, the £10 daily limit stops you first. This example is given by the law firm Harris Hagan.

Where you see it

At sign-up. Under RTS 12A, the operator must prompt you to set a limit at registration or first deposit. Under RTS 12E, setting a limit is the default option. You must take an explicit action to decline it.

On the homepage and deposit pages. Under RTS 12C, the limit settings must be visible from these pages and reachable in a minimal number of clicks. These access rules took effect in the first phase of the reforms, on 31 October 2025.

On sites that had dropped gross limits. Some operators had replaced gross deposit limits with net deposit limits or other tools. From 30 September 2026, they must offer gross deposit limits again.

Limits it is often confused with

Operators may still offer the tools below. They must not label them "deposit limit". Apart from the gross deposit limit, these tools may use rolling or fixed periods.

Tool What it counts Can be called a deposit limit?
Gross deposit limit All money deposited in a fixed period Yes
Net deposit limit Deposits minus withdrawals No
Loss limit Net losses No
Stake limit Amounts wagered No
Financial risk assessment Net deposits, checked against Commission thresholds No. It is a check run by the operator, not a limit you set

Financial risk assessments are the Commission's checks on high-spending customers. They are separate from RTS 12B. Stage One is triggered by net deposits of £5,000 in a rolling 24 hours for customers aged 25 and over, and £2,500 for those under 25. The Commission had not confirmed the exact Stage One timetable when it announced the scheme.

What it means for you

If a site offers you a "deposit limit", it counts every pound you pay in. Withdrawals do not create extra room.

If you want withdrawals to count, look for a limit labeled "net deposit limit". If you want to cap what you lose or what you stake, look for a loss limit or a stake limit. Each must carry its own name.

If you set more than one limit, the tightest one stops you first. If you lower a limit, it applies at once. If you raise one, wait 24 hours and confirm it.

If you need help with gambling, the National Gambling Helpline is free and confidential on 0808 8020 133.