Autoplay, Turbo Mode & Quick Spins: Which Settings Should UK Players Avoid?

2 Sept 2025

Do you remember activating auto play or quick spins in online slots?

These settings increased the speed of a slot’s gameplay to deliver a faster outcome. However, these settings are no longer available in slots at licensed online casinos in the UK.

Any site that carries a licence to operate from the Gambling Commission must not host UK online slots that include auto play, quick spins, turbo mode, or slam stops.

But why are these settings unavailable now?

In this guide, we’ll explain what caused this major regulatory change at UK online casinos.

What the UKGC Banned and Why

The Gambling Commission (UKGC) licenses and regulates businesses offering gambling services across Great Britain. It plays a crucial role in keeping operators in line and holding them accountable.

As a result, the UKGC has strict standards for responsible product design, and software providers must follow these when developing slots. The authority has also made various changes to the gambling scene, including the removal of the following settings at online casinos in the UK.

Auto play
Turbo mode
Quick spins

The UKGC announced this safety measure in a press release in February 2021, but it gave operators until 31 October of that year to implement the necessary adjustments. It had consulted with players, members of the public, and businesses in the gambling industry before reaching its decision.

Specifically, the UKGC placed an outright ban on:

Features that increase the speed of play or create the illusion of control over outcomes
Spin speeds faster than 2.5 seconds
Auto play
Sounds or imagery that suggest a player has won when the return is equal to the stake or lower

Why were auto play and turbo spin banned in online slots in the UK? According to its 2021 press release, the aim was to:

Make games at online casinos in the UK “less intensive” and “safer”, providing gamblers with greater control
Prevent players from losing track of the time and money they had put into a game
Help keep players from suffering harm that could result from the intensity and pace of slots with spin speeds faster than 2.5 seconds

However, the rules still allow players to skip in-game animations once the result of a spin has been revealed. But the next game cycle (i.e., spin) cannot start until 2.5 seconds or more have elapsed.

Additionally, with the autoplay ban on UK slots, 2025 rules prevent players from automatically wagering on spins. They must manually press the ‘spin’ button each time they want to place a bet. This requires a conscious effort on their part.

The UKGC has stated that the new rules were not intended to take any “genuine choice elements” from games. These include choosing boxes to open during pick-and-click games or deciding which actions to take in bonus rounds.

Psychology of Speed in Slots

The impact on player psychology was a key motivator for the Gambling Commission to change the slot game speed settings UK regulations. The faster a game moves, the easier it may be for players to get caught up in the moment and place bets without considering responsible bankroll management.

With turbo spin banned in online slots at UK casino sites, games provide players with more space to consider their actions. However, Paddy Power co-founder Stewart Kenny has expressed concern that the UKGC’s rules on slot gameplay don’t go far enough.

In a BBC Radio 4 interview, Kenny stated that the speed of slots can make games addictive to players. He claimed that having a gap of “only seconds” allows players to “repeat the dose” almost immediately. Under current rules, slots at UK online casinos may allow players to spin at intervals of 2.6 seconds.

Additionally, the charity Gambling with Lives (GwL) has criticised the rules on slot speed. In a comprehensive white paper, GwL stated that there was “no evidence” to demonstrate that the maximum 2.5-second speed limit was safe. It commented that it was “clearly too fast” based on its underpinning of the “current levels of addiction and harms”.

However, the UKGC originally stated that introducing the 2.5-second rule “should not be seen as an indication that [this time] is perceived as ‘safe’ or ‘unsafe’”. Instead, the intention was to “create parity” between online and offline slots, establishing a “baseline” for further evaluations.

Safe and Legal Slot Features Still Available

Along with enforcing the quick spin and autoplay ban in UK slots, 2025 regulations also require operators to offer various safe slot settings for UK players.

Manual spin spacing: Players can influence the spin speed in games to suit their own gambling preferences. This could help reduce the risk of rash decisions or losing track of losses.
Session timers/reality checks: Reality checks remind players when they have spent a certain amount of time on a slot. They can then make an informed decision about continuing or exiting the game.
Loss limits: Implementing loss limits enables players to take control over the amount of money they lose. Limits can apply to a day, week, month, or year.

These safe slot settings for UK players can encourage responsible gambling and prevent bettors from losing sight of their online spending.

Tips for Adapting Your Settings

The current status of quick spin setting online slot legality at UK sites is clear. The UKGC requires all licensed operators to follow its rules and give players control. But even with auto play and turbo spin banned in online slots, UK bettors can still take action to minimise their risk.

Here are three tips to help you stay safe:

Play slots with lower volatility: Slots with low and medium volatility tend to award smaller, more frequent wins than highly volatile titles. These carry less risk and can make bankrolls last longer.

Avoid software that reactivates banned features: Third-party software may offer players a way to bypass slot game speed settings UK regulations. But installing these on a device could put players at risk of irresponsible betting.

Use casino tools to manage sessions: Use the player protection tools at UK online casinos to your advantage. Deposit limits, loss limits, and other options can all improve gambling safety.

Conclusion

With the turbo mode, quick spin, and autoplay ban in UK slots for 2025 and beyond, online casino operators are required to help players stay safe. These rules, and those likely to be introduced in the future, encourage bettors to play responsibly.

But there are various safe slot settings for UK players that can minimise risk at online casinos. From deposit limits to self-exclusion periods, players have more flexibility to stay in control than ever before.

Need help adjusting your strategy? See our UK slot bankroll and pacing tips in the following Slingo guides: