Reality checks in gambling explained
Reality checks in gambling are on-screen reminders that pause your play at an interval you choose and show how long your session has lasted, so time doesn't slip away unnoticed. UK-licensed online casinos must offer them, you must acknowledge each one before starting another game, and each pop-up has to give you a way to log out and see your account history.
By the Latest Casinos team. Last checked .
Key takeaways
- A reality check shows the time since your session began, at an interval you set.
- You must acknowledge it before you can stake on a new game.
- It must offer a log-out option and a link to your account history.
- If a casino sets a default interval, it must be the shortest on its list.
- Casino games must also show elapsed session time on screen throughout play.
- Rule
- RTS 13B, Gambling Commission
- Shows
- Time elapsed since the session began
- Interval
- Chosen by you from a pre-set list
- Default
- Must be the minimum on the list
- To dismiss
- You must acknowledge it
- Elapsed-time display
- Required on casino games (RTS 13C)
What a reality check is in online gambling
Think of it as a timed interruption. You choose how often it appears, for example every 15, 30 or 60 minutes, and when the time comes a message covers the game telling you how long you've been playing. You then decide whether to carry on, look at your account history or leave.
It exists because time is easy to lose track of. Online casino games are fast, full-screen apps can hide your phone's clock, and wins and losses blur together. A reality check gives you a fixed moment to step back. It doesn't stop you playing; for that, see time-outs or self-exclusion.
Reality checks and UK gambling rules: what casinos must do
Reality checks are set out in the Gambling Commission's remote technical standards, under RTS 13B. They apply to remote gaming, including casino games and bingo but not peer-to-peer games such as player-versus-player poker. The table summarises the requirements.
| Requirement | In practice |
|---|---|
| Easily accessible facility | You can find and set it from your account settings |
| You set the frequency | Chosen from a pre-set list with a reasonable range |
| Change it at any time | You can amend the interval whenever you want |
| Default must be the minimum | If the site pre-selects an interval, it's the shortest one |
| Shows elapsed session time | The pop-up states how long you've been playing |
| Must be acknowledged | It stays on screen until you respond |
| Exit and history options | Log-out button and link to account history |
| Blocks new stakes | No new game can start until you acknowledge it |
There's one sensible exception: if a reality check arrives mid-hand in a multi-stage game, such as deciding whether to split in blackjack, you can finish that decision. Your preferences should also carry over to future sessions where possible. The Commission's safer gambling hub (opens in a new tab) explains the wider set of tools, and our game design rules page covers related standards.
Session clocks and net position: the always-on reminders
Reality checks sit alongside two continuous displays. Under RTS 13C, casino games (except peer-to-peer poker) must show the elapsed time for the whole gaming session, counted from when the game is opened or play begins. Online slots have also had to show your net position, meaning how much you're up or down, since 31 October 2021, and from 17 January 2025 these session displays were extended to other online casino games. The Commission's summer 2023 consultation response (opens in a new tab) set out that extension.
Where a full-screen app hides your device clock, RTS 13A asks operators, wherever practicable, to show the time of day or how long the app has been open. See the net position display rule for the detail.
How to set up a reality check
- Log in and open your account or profile menu.
- Go to Safer Gambling, Responsible Gambling or Account Controls.
- Choose Reality Check, sometimes called Session Reminder.
- Pick an interval from the list; shorter is more protective.
- Save, then check the setting shows on both the app and website.
- Start a game and note the time, so you can see the first reminder arrive when expected.
Choosing a reality check interval: worked examples
The interval decides how many chances you get to stop. Because UK slots allow a spin every 2.5 seconds, a lot can happen between reminders.
| Interval | Reminders in a 2-hour session | Maximum spins between reminders | Stakes between reminders at 20p |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 minutes | 8 | 360 | Up to £72 |
| 30 minutes | 4 | 720 | Up to £144 |
| 60 minutes | 2 | 1,440 | Up to £288 |
Stakes figures are gross: wins are fed back into play along the way, so actual losses are usually smaller, but they show how much money can cycle through in one gap. Set the interval with your gambling budget in mind. If your session budget is £10, a reminder every 15 minutes gives far more chances to stop on time than one every hour. The spin speed limit and table game speed rules explain why the numbers look like this.
Getting the most from reality checks
The reminder only works if you treat it as a real decision point rather than a button to dismiss. A few habits help.
- Before your session, decide what you'll do at each reminder: for example, stop at the second one regardless.
- When it appears, look at the net position and the time, not just the current balance.
- Use the account history link occasionally to see your deposits over the month.
- If you dismiss reminders without reading them, shorten the interval or add a time-out.
- Don't play on several sites at once; each has its own clock, and the totals add up.
The gambler's fallacy is often what makes people ignore a reminder: the feeling that a win must be close after a long dry spell. Each spin is independent, as our RNG guide explains.
Reality checks compared with other safer gambling tools
| Tool | What it does | Stops play? | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reality check | Reminds you how long you've played | No | Keeping track of time |
| Deposit limit | Caps money paid in per period | Blocks deposits at the limit | Sticking to a budget |
| Time-out | Locks the account for 24 hours to 6 weeks | Yes | A short, enforced break |
| Self-exclusion | Closes access for months or years | Yes | Stopping for longer |
| GAMSTOP | Self-excludes from all UK-licensed sites | Yes | Blocking every site at once |
Many people combine a reality check with a deposit limit. For a full side-by-side, see safer gambling tools compared, and for multi-site blocking, how to use GAMSTOP.
What reality checks can't do
The tool is a prompt, not a barrier. It can't stop a session, limit spending, or work across different casinos. It only knows about your session at one operator, and some sites track sessions per product rather than per account. The optimum approach, according to the technical standards, is an account-level check that carries across products, but product-level and hybrid set-ups are allowed. If you play casino and bingo on the same account, check whether one reminder covers both.
If reminders aren't enough, the customer interaction rules mean operators should also be watching for signs of harm, including long sessions. That's their duty, but your own tools work faster.
Timeline of UK time-and-session rules
| Date | Change |
|---|---|
| 31 October 2021 | Slot design rules: net position and session time on screen, autoplay banned |
| 17 January 2025 | Displays and design rules extended to other online casino games |
| 31 October 2025 | Financial limit prompts before first deposit |
See the latest safer gambling updates for what's changing next, and our guides hub for related explainers.
If time spent gambling is a worry
If you often play much longer than planned, or lose sleep or work time to gambling, talk to someone. The National Gambling Helpline is free on 0808 8020 133 at any hour, run by GamCare (opens in a new tab), which also offers live chat. You can block every UK-licensed site with GAMSTOP (opens in a new tab). Our signs of problem gambling and gambling and mental health guides may help too.
18+. Gambling should be entertainment that costs money, not a way to make it. Set a deposit limit before you play: how to set deposit limits. Free, confidential help: National Gambling Helpline 0808 8020 133.
Frequently asked questions
What is a reality check in gambling?
A reality check is a pop-up reminder that interrupts online gambling at an interval you choose and shows how long your current session has lasted. You must acknowledge it before you can start another game, and it has to offer a log-out option and a link to your account history. UK-licensed casinos must provide the facility under the Gambling Commission's technical standards. It's a prompt rather than a block. Our safer gambling tools compared page shows how it fits with limits and time-outs.
Do UK online casinos have to offer reality checks?
Yes. The Gambling Commission's remote technical standards (RTS 13B) require operators offering remote gaming, including casino games and bingo, to give customers an easily accessible way to set a reality check. You choose the frequency from a pre-set list and can change it at any time. If the casino offers a default, it must be the shortest interval available. Peer-to-peer games such as player-versus-player poker are excluded. Our game design rules page covers the related speed and display standards.
How often should I set a reality check?
Shorter is more protective, and 15 to 30 minutes suits most people. At 2.5 seconds a spin, an online slot can run about 360 spins in 15 minutes and 1,440 in an hour, so a long interval leaves a lot of play between reminders. Match the interval to your session plan: if you intend to play for half an hour, a 15-minute check gives you a halfway point. You can change the setting at any time. Our gambling budget guide helps you plan both time and money.
Can I turn off reality checks?
The rules require casinos to offer reality checks and let you set and change the frequency, but whether you can switch the reminder off entirely, or only choose a long interval, depends on the site. If you're tempted to turn it off because it interrupts winning or losing runs, that's often a sign it's doing its job. Elapsed session time must still show on casino games regardless. Our net position display rule page explains the always-on displays.
What does a reality check show?
At minimum it shows the time elapsed since your session began. It must also give you an option to log out and a link to your account history, where you can see deposits, withdrawals and bets. Slots and casino games must also show your net position on screen throughout play. Read the figures properly before choosing to continue. Our RTP guide explains why net results tend to drift downwards the longer a session continues.
Does a reality check stop me playing?
No. It pauses play until you acknowledge it and gives you the chance to leave, but you can choose to continue. If you need something that actually stops play, use a time-out, which locks your account for between 24 hours and six weeks, or self-exclusion for longer periods. GAMSTOP covers all UK-licensed sites at once. Our guides on gambling time-outs and how to self-exclude explain the stronger options and how to set them up.
Do reality checks work across different casinos?
No. Each operator tracks only its own sessions, so a reminder at one casino knows nothing about time spent at another. If you play on several sites, your actual session time can be much longer than any single reminder suggests. Setting a phone alarm or a single overall time budget helps, and keeping fewer accounts makes tracking simpler. Our guide on multiple casino accounts and the safer gambling tools compared page suggest ways to manage this.
Does a reality check interrupt a hand of blackjack?
It can appear during play, but the rules allow you to finish a decision already in progress in a multi-stage game, such as splitting or doubling in blackjack. What you can't do is commit money to a new game until you've acknowledged the reminder. Slots work the same way: the current spin completes, then the reminder must be dealt with before the next stake. Our live blackjack guide explains game rounds and decisions in more detail.
Is a reality check the same as a session time limit?
No. The reminder is something you acknowledge and can play past, while a session time limit, where offered, ends your play when the time is up. Session limits aren't required by UK rules in the same way, so availability varies by casino. If a reminder alone doesn't keep your sessions short, look for a session limit in your settings or use a 24-hour time-out after each session. Our how to take a break from gambling guide covers practical options.
Related pages
Sources
- gamblingcommission.gov.uk/standards/remote-gambling-and-software-technical-standards/rts-13-time-requirements-and-reality-checks (opens in a new tab)
- Summer 2023 consultation response - Executive summary (opens in a new tab)
- Safer gambling (opens in a new tab)
- GamCare - Founder of the National Gambling Helpline (opens in a new tab)
- Control your gambling | Gamstop Online (opens in a new tab)