What is Reality check?
A reality check is an on-screen reminder that interrupts online play to show how long a session has lasted and, often, the net amount won or lost.
In Great Britain, the Remote Technical Standards require operators to offer reality checks at intervals the customer can choose, and the player must acknowledge the message before continuing. Common intervals are 15, 30, 60 or 90 minutes.
Some jurisdictions make reality checks mandatory, or require them to show net position as well as time played. The idea is to counter the loss of track of time and money that can occur during continuous play.
Reality checks sit alongside other game design rules, such as the UK's 2021 ban on autoplay and minimum spin time of 2.5 seconds for online slots. Research on the effect of reality checks is mixed. Studies suggest that pop-up messages showing time and spending can prompt some players to stop, while others dismiss them quickly. Regulators have therefore combined them with other measures rather than relying on them alone.