- 10× wagering cap on bonus funds — players can only be required to wager up to 10× the bonus amount before withdrawing winnings.
- Ban on mixed-product promotions — bonuses can no longer force players to use multiple types of gambling (e.g., sports + casino).
- Changes take effect 19 January 2026 — operators must update their bonus terms and promotional structures before this deadline.
UK Gambling Commission to Cap Bonus Wagering at 10×
The UK Gambling Commission has unveiled one of the most consequential reforms to online gambling promotions in recent years. As part of a revamp of its Social Responsibility Code, the regulator will impose a 10-times wagering cap on bonus funds and ban mixed-product promotions. The changes are scheduled to take effect on 19 January 2026.
The move is part of a broader push by UK regulators to make gambling safer, simpler, and more transparent — responding to concerns about complex offers and steep wagering requirements.
What’s Changing — Key Gambling Reforms
From 19 January 2026, all operators licensed by the UKGC will need to comply with the following new rules:
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Bonus wagering capped at 10×
Any offer that provides bonus funds (e.g. “free spins,” bonus credits, match bonuses) will now be limited such that players must wager no more than ten times the bonus amount before any winnings become withdrawable. For example: a £10 bonus can require at most £100 of bets (rather than 30×, 40× or even 50× as commonly seen today). -
Ban on “mixed-product” promotions
Operators will no longer be allowed to link promotions across different gambling verticals. That means offers such as “place a sports bet and get casino free spins” or “bet on bingo to unlock a poker bonus” are disallowed. Incentives must be tied to a single product type (e.g. sports betting or casino, but not both). -
Simplified and clearer regulatory wording
The UKGC has rewritten the relevant part of the LCCP (Social Responsibility Code 5.1.1) — clarifying what kinds of incentives are acceptable, streamlining how wagering requirements and bonus conditions should be defined and communicated, and improving clarity for both operators and players.
Why It Matters — Impacts on Players and the Industry
For players:
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The 10× wagering cap dramatically improves the transparency and real-world fairness of bonuses. Previously, many bonuses required dozens of times the bonus amount to be bet before winnings could be withdrawn. Under the new rules, players have a far clearer sense of the “real” cost or requirement to unlock and cash out bonus winnings.
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Overall, bonuses should become simpler to understand: one product, one incentive, one wagering cap.
For operators (casinos, sportsbooks):
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The changes will require substantial reworking of bonus and promotional strategy. Cross-sell promotions and cross-product incentive funnels — a staple for many operators aiming to attract or convert users — will no longer be possible in their current form.
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Many existing “generous” bonuses will become unsustainable under the 10× cap; operators may shift toward smaller bonuses, deposit-match offers, or non-wagering incentives (free bets, odds boosts, loyalty points) that don’t trigger the wagering requirement.
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The revisions to the LCCP wording and the requirement for clarity mean operators must update terms & conditions, marketing materials, and internal compliance procedures.
Implementation & What Happens Next
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The changes will formally come into effect (for most operators) on 19 January 2026, when the revised LCCP SR 5.1.1 becomes binding.
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Operators have until then to update bonus offers, marketing materials, and compliance procedures. Some reports suggest the original rollout date was December 2025, but the official UKGC notice now states January 2026.
Broader Significance: A Turning Point in UK Gambling Regulation
The latest reforms by the UKGC mark perhaps the most significant regulatory shift in the UK gambling market’s approach to bonuses and cross-product marketing in decades. By clamping down on complex multi-vertical promotions and limiting wagering requirements, the regulator is signalling a move away from aggressive marketing tactics toward a model prioritising transparency, fairness, and consumer protection.
For players, especially casual ones, the rules promise clearer and safer bonus experiences. For operators, it will likely mean a complete overhaul of promotion strategies and marketing mechanics. Ultimately, this could reshape how casinos and sportsbooks attract and retain customers — shifting away from large bonus enticements toward simpler, potentially less intrusive offers.