Budgeting for slots
A slot session has a cost, and you can estimate it before you start. This guide shows how to set a budget, choose a stake that fits it and stop on your own terms.
By Ryan Jessop. Last checked .
Key takeaways
- Treat your budget as the price of the entertainment.
- Stake size decides how long a budget lasts.
- Average cost is roughly total stakes multiplied by the house edge.
- Set a deposit limit before the first spin.
Start with the budget, not the game
Decide what the session is worth to you in the way you would decide what to spend on a night out. That figure is spent the moment you deposit. Anything you leave with is a bonus. Never set a budget you would mind losing in full, because on any given night you might.
Choose a stake that fits
| Budget | At 10p | At 20p | At 50p | At £1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £10 | 100 | 50 | 20 | 10 |
| £20 | 200 | 100 | 40 | 20 |
| £50 | 500 | 250 | 100 | 50 |
| £100 | 1,000 | 500 | 200 | 100 |
These are the spins your deposit pays for directly. Wins along the way extend the session. For a high volatility slot, aim for at least 200 paid spins.
Estimate the cost
The long-run cost of slot play is total stakes multiplied by the house edge. On a 96% RTP slot the edge is 4%.
| Spins | Stake | Total staked | Average cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 200 | 10p | £20 | £0.80 |
| 200 | 50p | £100 | £4 |
| 500 | 20p | £100 | £4 |
| 500 | £1 | £500 | £20 |
Averages over the very long run. A single session can cost your whole budget or return several times it.
The average is small next to the swings, which is the point: over one session, luck dominates. Over many sessions, the edge does.
Time is part of the budget
At the UK minimum of 2.5 seconds a spin, 200 spins take a little over eight minutes of continuous play, and usually longer. Decide how long you want to play as well as how much, and set a reminder.
Use the tools
- Deposit limit. Set it when you register. It is the one control that works even when willpower does not.
- Reality check. A pop-up at an interval you choose.
- Loss or session limits. Offered by many licensed sites.
- Time-out. A break of a day to six weeks.
More on our safer gambling page.
Decide when to stop before you start
- Stop when the budget is gone. Do not deposit again in the same session.
- Pick a figure at which you will withdraw if you get ahead.
- Stop when the time is up, whatever the balance.
- Stop if you notice yourself raising the stake to recover losses.
Things that do not help
- Changing stake after wins or losses. It changes the size of results, not their likelihood.
- Switching games to find a 'hot' one. Spins are independent.
- Staking more to finish a bonus faster. It raises the risk of losing it.
To put the numbers to use, compare games on the high RTP page or read volatility explained.
Play safely
Slots are fast, and they are designed so the house wins over time. Decide what the session is worth to you before you open a game, set a deposit limit, and stop when the money is gone. Free, confidential help is available from the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133. Our safer gambling page lists the tools and services.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I spend on slots?
Only what you would be content to lose in full, treated as the cost of entertainment.
What stake should I use?
One that gives your budget plenty of spins; around 200 is a useful guide.
How much does a slot session cost on average?
Roughly total stakes multiplied by the house edge, though single sessions vary widely.
Can a betting system reduce my losses?
No. It changes how results are distributed, not the house edge.