UK Gambling Bonuses: New Rules Come into Effect

New rules introduced by the UK Gambling Commission will come into effect tomorrow (19 January 2026), placing tighter limits on how gambling bonuses can be structured and promoted by UK-licensed operators.

Key points

What is changing

A wagering requirement is the amount a player must bet before any bonus winnings can be withdrawn. Under the new rules, operators will be limited to a maximum wagering requirement of 10 times the bonus value. For example, a £50 bonus cannot require more than £500 of wagering before withdrawals are permitted.

In addition to the wagering cap, operators will no longer be permitted to offer cross-product / mixed-vertical bonuses. This means a single promotion cannot combine incentives from different gambling products, such as sports betting and online casino, within the same offer.

Examples of promotions that will no longer be permitted include offers such as “Bet £10 on sports and get £30 in free bets plus 50 free spins”. Bonuses must instead be product-specific or clearly separated by gambling vertical.

What this means for players

The Gambling Commission has stated that the changes are intended to make bonuses simpler, clearer and easier to understand, while preventing promotions that encourage players to engage with multiple gambling products through a single incentive.

Players should continue to check full bonus terms and conditions before participating, as wagering requirements and other restrictions may still apply within the new regulatory limits.

Before you gamble, GamCheck.