Playtech Protect
Playtech People
Playtech Planet
Playtech Partners
The research analysed what happened when Germany introduced a 1 Euro online slot stake limit and 5 second minimum spin speed in 2020.
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The research explores the impact of Germany’s introduction of a €1 stake limit and 5-second minimum spin speed on online slot games, offering rare real-world insights into how players respond to partial market regulation. Key findings:
• Short-Term Churn Increase: Among players who regularly bet over €1 per spin, daily churn rose by 3–6 percentage points around the policy change, then returned to normal after 10–14 days.
• Migration to Non-Limited Operators: In the days before the policy took effect, over 1,000 new players joined operators that did not implement the stake limit, suggesting player migration.
• Reduced Betting and Play: For players who continued playing under the new limits, average bet per spin dropped by ~40%, with no compensatory increase in spin volume. Total spend and spin volume declined, indicating reduced engagement.
• Increased Losses Elsewhere: At operators that did not implement the limit, average daily losses rose by 20–30 Euros post-policy, and declined deposit attempts increased by 5–15%, possibly reflecting overspending or player migration.
• Mixed Player Reactions: Some players appeared frustrated by the new limits, reducing or shifting their play. Others may have increased risk-taking on non-limited platforms.
Implications for industry and policy:
• Stake limits can reduce spend but may also reduce enjoyment and drive players to unregulated markets.
• High-risk and high-spending players are more likely to bypass limits.
• Policy changes should be introduced cautiously, with robust evaluation and player education.
• Personalized, risk-based player protection may be more effective than blanket limits.
These insights highlight the complexity of implementing stake limits and the importance of balancing harm reduction with player experience and market integrity. For full details, please refer to the complete document.
