Slot Spin Speed Limits: How It Changes Your Playing Experience

3 Sept 2025

Those of you who follow the current situation in UK online slots should be familiar with the changes brought about by the 2025 amendments of the 2005 Gambling Act. These brought about limits in the stakes one can place on slots (£2 for players under 25 years of age, £5 for those of us older than 25) and the slowdown of the speed of slots.

This introduction of “speed of play limits” brings a few changes in slots, with the main one being that each “game cycle” or spin needs to be at least 2.5 seconds long. This puts online slots with land-based slot cabinets, who already have such measures in effect, and is paired with other slot control rules backed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). But how do these regulations affect the way we play? Find out as we analyse the situation in this blog post.

What the New Slot Speed Rules Say

First proposed in 2021 as the result of consultation on slot game design, the latest rules regarding the speed of slots state the following:

Spins need to be a minimum of 2.5 seconds long - regardless of game or developer, spins must take at least 2.5 seconds after the player presses the “Spin” button.
Autoplay is banned - Autoplay, or the means through which one can set the game to play automatically for a set number of spins, is not available in the UK.
Turbo spin is banned - players in the UK cannot speed up the reel spinning animations.
Slam-stop is removed - players cannot instantly stop the reels by pressing the Spin or space button.

As described by the UKGC, these rules are designed to “help reduce the intensity and potential for harm when playing online slot games.” In addition, survey correspondents said that features such as slam-stop give players a false sense of control, even as slots remain, as they always do, games of pure chance.

Note that the above restrictions on game speed do not apply for free spins or bonus rounds where the player does not need to wager an additional stake on the game.

Before and After: A Comparison

What has changed in slots from the old rules to the new? We went through the regulations and tabled the differences right here:

Feature	Before 2025	After 2025
Min. Spin Time	~0.5 seconds	2.5 seconds
Turbo Mode	Allowed	Banned
Autoplay	Available	Banned
Session Loss Rate	Higher	Lower (on average)

As you can see, the changes here relate primarily to game speed. Previously you could essentially slam the buttons to stop the reels immediately, not to mention set Autoplay on for any number of spins. That said, faster game speed does lead to more impulsive play, and as a result there’s a far higher chance of you simply losing all your money as you recklessly spin the reels.

Player Impact: What Changes and Why it Matters

The changes in game speed, together with the removal of previously popular features such as Turbo mode and slam-stop, instantly hit the way we played our favourite slots. Previously one could reach a rhythmic “flow” state with slots, where they could simply slam the button again and again in order to get instant results from their games. This isn’t possible any more in the UK, leading to a far slower pace of slot gameplay.

According to our calculations, whereas one could reach around 1,200 spins per hour when playing with Turbo mode or using the slam-stop feature, the 2.5 duration of each spin will reduce that to 600 at most. However, that’s not a negative - on the contrary. Instead the time of each spin, once coupled with the pauses between spins, leads to a more active experience where one can actually think before they play. You’re no longer an automaton pressing the button but an actual human being able to contemplate their choices as they spin the reels!

As such, what we’ve experienced is a whole shift in the psychology of slot play - less rapid spins in a slot machine rush, more of a considered rhythm of play. Of course, not all players like this, as some still prefer the flow state brought about by rapid spins but there’s no denying that the slower pace of play can lead to, at the very least, better management of one’s bankroll as they spin.

How to Adapt: Tips for New Session Strategies

Slower spins do not mean less enjoyable gaming sessions. If anything, you can create a far more fun experience by following our recommendations:

Set your goals based on time played, rather than the amount of spins you managed to get. For example, set your goal to play for 30 minutes instead of getting 500 spins. This fits better with the more relaxed style of play brought about by the new regulations, and bypasses any frustrations of not getting “enough spins.”
Pace your bankroll better. This ties with the above point of aiming to play for a set time, rather than a number of spins. Once you get a better handle of how much you can play during your timeframe you can better decide how to divide your bankroll. Remember that you can get no less than 100 spins if you stake £0.20 from a £20 budget!
Play less games, but engage more deeply with their mechanics. Such a state of mine is well suited for modern video slots, which add videogame-style elements such as collection features or progressive bonuses. Such mechanics give you a goal to work towards, and are well suited for the more strategic style of play brought about by the 2.5 second spin length.
Treat your slot sessions as entertainment! These games are meant to be fun and relaxing, and not a means to make a profit. Appreciate the efforts in art and sound put in the game by the creators, and experience the story elements you might have skipped when playing in Turbo mode.

The Long Term Benefits of Spin Speed Reform

The UKGC’s changes in spin speed have led to gameplay that’s as relaxed as it is responsible, and that’s a good thing! The speed might be slower but the game sessions are longer, with bankrolls that are better managed as games get more enjoyable. Want to further optimise your session under the new rules? Then check out our bankroll and pacing tips in our UK strategy guide!