The Limits score is a number out of 10 that tells you how well a gambling site helps you stay in control. It’s built from nine tools, each worth a set number of points. The weights add up to 100, and we divide by 10.
The nine tools and their weights
| Tool | Points | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit limits | 18 | The single most effective tool: it caps how much money can go in, before you play. |
| Self-exclusion | 15 | Lets you close your account for six months or more when you need a proper break. |
| Loss limits | 12 | Caps how much you can lose over a day, week or month, even if you’ve won along the way. |
| Session time limits | 12 | Logs you out after the time you choose — useful because time flies when you’re playing. |
| Reality checks | 10 | Regular reminders of how long you’ve played and how much you’ve spent. |
| Time-out | 10 | A short break, from 24 hours to a few weeks, with one click. |
| Wager limits | 8 | Limits the total you can stake over a period. |
| Support & helplines | 8 | A clear safer-gambling page with links to free, independent help. |
| Activity statement | 7 | A clear, downloadable history of your deposits, wins and losses. |
Ease-of-use adjustment
A tool only helps if you can find it and it does what it says. Our editors can add or remove up to 10 points to reflect how easy the tools are to use — for example, taking points off if a limit is hidden or slow to apply, or adding points if limits can be set during sign-up. Any adjustment is shown on the review, so you can always see where every point came from.
What the scores mean
- 8.5 – 10: Excellent. All the main tools, easy to find and quick to apply.
- 7 – 8.4: Good. Strong tools with one or two gaps.
- 5 – 6.9: Fair. The basics are there, but you’ll need to look for them.
- Below 5: Weak. Important tools are missing. We’d suggest looking elsewhere.
What we don’t score
The size of a welcome bonus, the number of games and the look of the site don’t change the Limits score. We mention them in reviews because they matter to players, but they don’t make gambling any safer. And commercial agreements never affect a score — read our affiliate disclosure.
Keeping scores up to date
Sites change their tools and menus. We re-check every review regularly and show the date of the last check at the top. If you spot something that has changed, let us know.