What exactly does the rule say?
Social responsibility code 5.1.1 tells licensees they must not «apply wagering requirements, which requires a customer to play through bonus funds, over a maximum of 10 times». A wagering requirement, in the code's definition, is where a customer must make wagers totalling a particular value for funds to become withdrawable. The same code also:
- requires terms that are clear, transparent, fair and readily accessible;
- forbids raising the value of an incentive when the qualifying spend is reached faster;
- requires VIP and high-value schemes to be consistent with the licensing objectives.
The Commission announced the change on 26 March 2025; it was first set for 19 December 2025 and then moved to 19 January 2026.
What does 10x mean in pounds?
The Commission's own illustration was a £10 bonus with a 50 times requirement, which meant £500 of play before winnings could be withdrawn. Under the cap:
| Bonus | At 50x, as in the Commission's example | Most a licensed casino may ask now |
|---|---|---|
| £10 | £500 | £100 |
| £50 | £2,500 | £500 |
| £100 | £5,000 | £1,000 |
A requirement below ten times, or none at all, remains allowed. Because the cap is a licence condition, it does not reach sites without a British licence; see how to check a UKGC licence.
Why are mixed-product offers gone?
Because the Commission found people are more at risk when they gamble on several products than on one, and that offers tied to more than one product confuse customers with complex terms. Since 19 January 2026 an incentive may include only one type of gambling product: betting, casino, bingo or lottery. A bet that unlocks free spins on slots is the kind of offer the ban targets. Spins on slots remain subject to the £5 stake cap, and any dispute over bonus terms goes to the complaints route.
