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Should the autoplay feature for online slots be banned?

19 Apr 2022

Daniel van der Merwe 19 Apr 2022

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The Gambling Commission has already banned the autoplay feature for online slots.
Kansspelautoriteit warns operators about offering the slot feature to players.
What are the dangers of letting players use the autoplay feature while spinning?

Around the world, online casino regulators and operators are working to make the industry safer for players. One of the ways in which this is being done is by looking at the type of features available to players.

One feature that has been cut from online slots by both the UK Gambling Commission and the Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) is the autoplay function.

But is removing a single feature from an online slot worth it? Does it make any difference? And what harm does a feature such as autoplay cause?

What is the autoplay feature?

Found on most modern online slots, the autoplay feature is a simple addition. It allows players to set a specific number of spins (often up to 100+) that will automatically play for them.

The spins use the set bet amount and will only pause when meeting certain criteria, such as when landing a win or when a bonus game is triggered.

The autoplay feature has been known to burn through bankrolls, especially if the bet amount is high.

Cutting the autoplay function

In 2021, the UKGC announced that licensed operators within the UK could no longer offer online slots that used the autoplay function. This decision caused quite an uproar as software providers were forced to release new versions of their games created specifically for casinos within Great Britain.

When the Dutch online gambling market launched later in 2021, the ban on slots featuring the autoplay function was already in place. Recently, the KSA had to remind operators of this fact when an online gambler reported that he had access to the feature while playing at a licensed online casino.

The KSA commented on the reasoning for banning the feature, saying:

“A player must make a conscious choice for each subsequent game to continue playing.”

While many may not agree with this statement, the fact remains that the autoplay feature can cause problems for those who don’t use it wisely. Playing through an entire bankroll without paying attention to any of the spins is not safe for any player.

Should the feature be banned?

While the UKGC and the KSA have taken a stand against the autoplay function, many regions still allow players to make use of the feature.

But should it be banned across the board and disappear from online slots entirely? This is by no means an easy decision.

On the one hand, players can set high bets and spend more by not paying attention to the reels as they spin. Once the spins end, the player may not feel as if they’ve really “experienced” the slot and opt to play again.

However, on the other hand, setting 100 autoplay spins at $1 per spin is an easy way to keep track of exactly how much you’re spending.

The use of features such as autoplay will differ based on the person using them. Instead, making sure that betting, loss, and deposit limits are being utilized at online casinos may be much smarter in the long run.

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