Net position display rule

The net position display rule requires every UK-licensed online slot to show, throughout a session, your total winnings minus your total losses since the session began, in pounds. It has applied since 31 October 2021, alongside a rule that the elapsed session time must also stay on screen, and was extended to most online casino games in January 2025.

By the Slot Machines team. Last checked 21 October 2026.

Key takeaways

Since 31 October 2021 UK slots must display your net position for the whole session (RTS 2E).
Net position is total winnings minus total losses since the session started, shown in your account currency.
Elapsed time must also be shown in hours, minutes and seconds (RTS 13C).
Net position is not the same as your balance: deposits and earlier sessions don't count.

Rule: RTS 2E (net position), RTS 13C (time)
In force for slots: 31 October 2021
Extended to casino games: 17 January 2025
Formula: Winnings minus losses since session start
Currency: Account currency, e.g. £

What the net position display rule says

Requirement 2E of the Gambling Commission's Remote Technical Standards states that all gaming sessions must clearly display a customer's net position, in the currency of their account or product. The Commission's guidance defines net position as the total of all winnings minus the sum of all losses since the start of the session. The rule has applied to every online slot at a UK-licensed casino since 31 October 2021.

A second requirement, RTS 13C, says the elapsed time should be displayed for the duration of the gaming session, in seconds, minutes and hours. Both are quoted in the Commission's summary of RTS changes (opens in a new tab). Together they mean that, at any moment, a UK slot tells you how long you have been playing and whether you are up or down.

This rule is one of the UK slot game design rules introduced in 2021, and our UK slot rules hub links to the others, from stake limits to bonus wagering.

How net position is calculated

The calculation is simple: add up everything the game has paid you in the session, add up everything you have staked, and subtract the second from the first. The result is negative when you are down and positive when you are ahead.

Say you play 40 spins at 50p, so £20 is staked. Along the way the game pays out a 75p win, a £2 win, a 40p return and a £6 bonus, which is £9.15 in total. Your net position is £9.15 minus £20, which is −£10.85. That figure is what the slot must show. It doesn't matter that four of those spins paid something; overall the session has cost £10.85.

The Commission's wording is winnings minus losses. In practice that comes to the same thing as returns minus stakes, because each losing stake is a loss and each return is a winning. However a game words it, the number answers the same question: how much have I won or lost since I started?

Net position across a session: a worked example

This illustrative session shows how the display moves spin by spin on a £1 stake. Notice that the balance and the net position move together, but they start from different points.

Ten £1 spins: balance and net position
Spin	Stake	Returned	Balance (started at £50)	Net position shown
1	£1	£0	£49.00	−£1.00
2	£1	£0.40	£48.40	−£1.60
3	£1	£0	£47.40	−£2.60
4	£1	£2.50	£48.90	−£1.10
5	£1	£0	£47.90	−£2.10
6	£1	£0	£46.90	−£3.10
7	£1	£1.00	£46.90	−£3.10
8	£1	£0	£45.90	−£4.10
9	£1	£12.00	£56.90	+£6.90
10	£1	£0	£55.90	+£5.90

Spin 9 shows why the figure is useful. A £12 return feels large, but the net position tells you the session is only £5.90 ahead after ten spins. Equally, spin 7 returned £1 on a £1 stake, which looks like a win but left the net position unchanged; the losses disguised as wins rule stops the game celebrating results like that. Over longer sessions the house edge pulls the average net position below zero, and our page on the slot house edge explains why.

Net position, balance and deposits: what is the difference?

Three numbers can appear on or around a slot screen, and they answer different questions. The credits meter or balance shows what you have available now. The net position shows what this session has done to that balance. Your account history shows deposits and withdrawals over days or months.

Three figures compared
Figure	What it shows	Includes deposits?	Resets?
Balance	Money available to play or withdraw now	Yes	No; carries over between sessions
Net position	Winnings minus losses since the session started	No	Yes, at the start of a new session
Account history	Deposits, withdrawals and transactions over time	Yes	No; kept as a record

A deposit in the middle of a session raises your balance but doesn't change your net position, because no gambling result has happened. That is one reason the net position is a more honest guide to how a session is going. For spending over weeks or months, your account's transaction history and deposit limits are the right tools.

The elapsed time display that goes with net position

Under RTS 13C, a UK slot must show how long the session has been running, in hours, minutes and seconds. The Commission's guidance allows the clock to start either when the game is opened or when play begins. Games often place the clock and the net position side by side, often in a strip at the top or bottom of the screen.

Time matters because slots compress it. At the 2.5-second minimum spin speed, a 20-minute session can hold up to 480 spins. At 20p each that is £96 staked, with a long-run average cost of £3.84 at 96% RTP, though any real session can lose much more. The 2.5 second spin rule page shows how pace and cost link together.

What counts as a session under the net position display rule

The Commission's rules refer to a gaming session but don't define one. In practice, each casino and game supplier decides when a session starts and ends, and it may be tied to opening a game. If so, the figure may go back to zero when you close one slot and open another, even if you haven't logged out. Check how your casino handles it.

Because of that, the on-screen figure is best used for the game in front of you. To see the bigger picture across several games or a whole evening, keep a note of your balance when you start, or look at your account history. The session glossary entry explains how the term is used more widely, and our page on what a session budget for slots is shows how to plan one.

The land-based machine standards published in September 2026 are reported to introduce a formal session definition for machines from 30 March 2027. That is separate from the online rules described here.

Why the Gambling Commission requires a net position display

The 2021 package was designed to reduce the intensity of online slots. A balance alone can hide how a session is going, particularly when small returns and occasional wins keep topping it up. A running net position replaces that impression with a single honest figure.

This was among the best-supported proposals. The consultation response (opens in a new tab) records 76 respondents agreeing and 23 disagreeing with the net position display, and 72 agreeing and 20 disagreeing with displaying time played.

Net position on other casino games and on machines

From 17 January 2025 the Commission extended the net position and elapsed time displays to other online casino games, such as roulette and blackjack. Peer-to-peer poker is excluded. The same update brought in a five-second minimum game cycle for non-slot games and extended the autoplay ban to almost all online gaming products.

Land-based machines follow separate standards. The Commission published finalised Gaming Machine Technical Standards on 30 September 2026, due to apply from 30 June 2027. Trade press reports say new Category B machines will need to show elapsed time and net position and offer player limit-setting, while existing machines are exempt. Those details are reported rather than checked against the full decision. The changes are tracked on the gaming machine technical standards page.

Timeline of net position and time displays
Date	What happened
2 February 2021	Commission confirms net position and time displays for online slots
31 October 2021	RTS 2E and 13C in force for UK-licensed online slots
17 January 2025	Displays extended to other online casino games, excluding peer-to-peer poker
30 September 2026	Finalised land-based machine standards published
30 March 2027	Interim land-based session standard due
30 June 2027	Final machine standards due, reported to include net position on new Category B machines

How to use the net position display to stay in control

The display only helps if you decide in advance what it should trigger. A simple loss limit for each session turns it into a stop sign.

Before you start, decide the most you are willing to lose this session, for example £20.
Note the time and set a reality check for 15 or 30 minutes.
Glance at the net position every few spins rather than at the balance.
If it reaches −£20, stop, even if a bonus feels close; slots have no memory and nothing is due.
If you finish ahead, decide whether to withdraw rather than play the gain back.
Use a deposit limit so the session budget can't be topped up on impulse.

This approach is sometimes called a stop loss. It can't change the odds, but it caps what one session can cost. Our guide on how to set a limit on slots shows where to find deposit limits, and the slot safer gambling tools guide covers time-outs and self-exclusion. The Commission's standard on financial limits (opens in a new tab) explains that decreases to a limit take effect immediately, while increases need at least 24 hours.

If your net position is regularly far below what you planned, or you find yourself chasing losses, free help is available 24/7 from the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133, run by GamCare (opens in a new tab). The guide to signs slot play is a problem lists common warning signs.

Myths about the net position figure

Myth: a negative net position means a win is due. Every spin is independent; see do slot machines remember past spins.
Myth: a positive net position means the slot is running hot. Short-term swings are normal variance, explained in our page on slot standard deviation.
Myth: net position shows how much you have lost this month. It covers only the current session.
Myth: the figure includes bonus money you haven't wagered yet. How bonus funds appear depends on the casino; check your account's balance breakdown.

Where to play slots with a net position display

All UK-licensed casinos must show net position and session time on their slots, so the display is the same wherever you play legally. The two casinos below are both run by LC International Limited (Entain); one person may not be able to hold new accounts at both, so check the terms.

Coral Casino offers new players aged 18+ 100 free spins worth 10p each after a deposit and £10 or more of slot bets, on selected games; they must be accepted within 48 hours, last 7 days and have no wagering on winnings, and PayPal, prepaid cards and some other methods don't qualify. Ladbrokes Casino gives new customers aged 18+ who deposit and stake £10 on slots a daily batch of 50 free spins for 10 days, to a maximum of 500; each 10p spin must be claimed before 23:59 and lasts 7 days, with no wagering. Terms apply to both. The £10 qualifying stake shows up in your net position like any other stake.

Ad 18+ only. We may earn commission from these links. Advertiser disclosure

Coral and Ladbrokes are both run by LC International Limited (Entain). If you already hold an account with one Entain brand, you may not be able to open a new account with another; check the terms before signing up.

Coral Casino 4.3 out of 5

Bet £10 on slots, get 100 free spins

No wageringFree spins

Claim at Coral (advert, opens in a new tab)18+. New customers. T&Cs apply.

Wagering: None
Minimum: £10
Time limit: 48 hours to accept, then 7 days
Worked value: 100 spins at £0.10 (£10 in spins)

Significant terms: 18+. New players only. Offer runs 01/10/2026 to 01/02/2027. Deposit (certain types excluded) and bet £10+ on slot games to get 100 free spins (selected games, £0.10 each, 48 hrs to accept, valid 7 days). No wagering on free spin winnings. Deposits by Neteller, PayPal, Paysafe, Skrill, prepaid cards and certain debit cards do not qualify. Restrictions and T&Cs apply. GamCare.org.uk

Read the Coral review Licence: LC International Limited, UKGC account 54743. Offer checked 5 October 2026.

Ladbrokes Casino 4.2 out of 5

Play £10 on slots, get up to 500 free spins

No wageringFree spins

Claim at Ladbrokes (advert, opens in a new tab)18+. New customers. T&Cs apply.

Wagering: None
Minimum: £10
Time limit: Claim daily for 10 days; each batch valid 7 days
Worked value: Up to 500 spins at £0.10 (up to £50 in spins)

Significant terms: 18+. New customers only, from 14/11/25 until further notice. Certain deposit methods excluded. Deposit and spend £10+ on slots for 50 free spins a day during the first 10 days after first deposit and registration (max 500, £0.10 each, selected games, claim before 23:59 each day, valid 7 days). No wagering. Prepaid cards, PayPal, Paysafe, Neteller, Skrill and Moneybookers deposits do not qualify. Restrictions and T&Cs apply. GamCare.org.uk

Read the Ladbrokes review Licence: LC International Limited, UKGC account 54743. Offer checked 5 October 2026.

18+. Gambling should be entertainment that costs money, not a way to make it. Decide a budget before you play: plan a slot budget. Free, confidential help: National Gambling Helpline 0808 8020 133.

Frequently asked questions

What does net position mean on a slot?

Net position is your total winnings minus your total losses since the current session started, shown in pounds. If you have staked £30 and the game has paid back £22, your net position is −£8. UK-licensed online slots must display it throughout every session under RTS 2E, in force since 31 October 2021. It differs from your balance because it ignores deposits and anything that happened before the session began. Our slot bankroll guide explains how to plan a budget that the figure can be measured against.

Why does my net position reset when I open a new slot?

Because the Commission's rules require net position for each gaming session but don't define how long a session lasts, so casinos and game suppliers set their own approach. If a casino ties a session to the game you have open, switching games starts a new count at zero. To track a whole evening across several games, note your balance when you start or check your account history. The slot session limits guide suggests simple ways to keep track of time and money across games.

Does net position include my deposits?

No. Deposits add money to your balance but are not gambling results, so they don't change net position. If you deposit £20 halfway through a session, your balance goes up by £20 while your net position stays where it was. Withdrawals work the same way. This makes net position a cleaner measure of what the session itself has cost or returned. For deposits over time, use your account history and set a deposit limit; our guide on how to set a limit on slots shows where.

When did UK slots have to show net position?

From 31 October 2021. The Gambling Commission confirmed the requirement in February 2021 as part of its slot design package, which also banned autoplay, turbo and slam stops, set a 2.5-second minimum spin time and stopped slots celebrating returns at or below the stake. From 17 January 2025 the net position and time displays were extended to other online casino games, except peer-to-peer poker. The full set of changes is on our UK slot game design rules page.

Do pub and casino machines show net position?

Not under the online rule, which covers only remote gambling. Land-based machines follow the Gaming Machine Technical Standards. Finalised standards published on 30 September 2026 are due to apply from 30 June 2027, and trade press reports say new Category B machines, such as those in casinos and betting shops, will need to display elapsed time and net position. Existing machines are reported to be exempt. Our guide to UK slot machine categories explains which machines are Category B and where you find them.

Is a positive net position a sign to keep playing?

No. A positive figure means the session is ahead so far, not that the slot is in a winning phase. Every spin is independent and the house edge applies to each one, so over a longer session the expected net position drifts below zero. Some players use a positive figure as a cue to stop and withdraw some or all of it. The list of slot machine tips that are actually true covers sensible habits like this, alongside the myths to ignore.

How is elapsed time shown on UK slots?

RTS 13C requires the elapsed session time to be displayed for the whole session in seconds, minutes and hours. The Commission's guidance lets the clock start either when the game is opened or when play begins. It usually sits next to the net position on the game screen. The clock is passive, so pairing it with a reality check that pops up at a set interval gives a stronger reminder. Our page on what a reality check on slots is explains how reality checks work.

Does net position show bonus winnings?

Results from bonus rounds inside a slot, such as free spins triggered by a paid spin, are winnings like any other and count towards net position. Promotional bonus funds and offer spins can be handled differently from one casino to another, especially where wagering applies, so check how your account separates cash and bonus balances. Since 19 January 2026 bonus wagering at UK casinos is capped at 10 times. The 10x wagering cap page explains what that means for bonus money.

Can I turn off the net position display?

No. It is a requirement on the casino and game supplier under the Remote Technical Standards, so UK-licensed slots must show it for the whole session. Games can choose where to place it and how to label it, but they can't remove it. If a slot aimed at UK players doesn't show net position or a session clock, that suggests it isn't being offered under a UK licence. The Gambling Commission and slots page explains how to check whether a casino is licensed.

Why is net position more useful than my balance?

Because it answers a single question, whether this session has cost or made money, without being blurred by deposits or by money carried over from earlier play. A balance that started at £100 and now shows £85 could mean you lost £15, or lost £35 after a £20 top-up. A net position display would show the true figure. Comparing it with a planned loss limit gives you a clear point to stop. Our page on the slot house edge explains why the figure tends to fall over time.

UK slot machine rules explained A–ZUK slot machine rules explained A–Z UK slot game design rulesUK slot game design rules Losses disguised as wins ruleLosses disguised as wins rule What is a reality check on slots?What is a reality check on slots?Slot safer gambling toolsSlot safer gambling tools Session (glossary)Session (glossary)