Gambling Commission Proposes Cap on Wagering Requirements for Casino Welcome Bonuses
21 October 2026
The UK Gambling Commission has proposed capping the maximum wagering requirements attached to casino welcome bonuses at 10 times the bonus amount, with the rule set to come into force from 19 January 2026. The change aims to reduce gambling-related harm by limiting excessive playthrough conditions that can lead to problematic gambling behaviors.
Wagering Limits and Bonus Playthrough
In its autumn 2023 consultation, the Gambling Commission considered several options for reforming the use of wagering requirements in promotional offers. After evaluating responses and evidence, it opted for a maximum cap of 10 times, which it determined could help mitigate risks while preserving consumer choice.
Many casino welcome bonuses currently come with wagering requirements that far exceed 10 times the bonus. For example, a £100 bonus might demand £2,000 to be wagered before withdrawals can be made. This often involves rewagering bonus winnings multiple times in order to meet the stipulated amount, encouraging intensive gambling.
"There can be no valid justification for some operators imposing wagering conditions that are based on the customer making the equivalent of thousands, if not tens of thousands, of pounds worth of bets in order to access the credited rewards," the Commission explained. "Such behaviour is inherently high risk."
Data on Harm and Intensity
The Commission's findings were backed by evidence showing high wagering multiples contribute to the intensity of gambling, increased risk of gambling-related harm, and a greater likelihood of problem gambling behaviors arising.
Figures from a recent study by the Royal Society for Public Health correlated the highest wagering multiples (20-29x) with the highest incidence of loss of control (49.0%), financial consequences (35.4%), and mental health impacts (33.6%).
Even lower wagering levels were linked to elevated risks - the 11-19x bracket showed a 42.8% loss of control rate, 26.4% financial consequence rate, and 25.0% mental health impact rate. This points to a significant jump in harm accompanying multiples at the higher end.
Final Rule and Implementation
The new wagering limit for bonus incentives will be enshrined in the Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice (LCCP). The rule wording states: "A licence holder must not attach wagering requirements to any bonus incentive or reward offered to a customer which exceeds a maximum of 10 times the net value of the bonus or a pound value of £100, whichever is lower."
The change will apply to both new and existing bonuses from 19 January 2026. Updated gambling license requirements on bonus playthrough will take effect that same day, as announced in a 26 March 2025 press release.
Changes to Promotional Offer Structures
Alongside the wagering limit, the Commission's consultation also proposed a major overhaul of promotional offer structures to further reduce harm and improve transparency. One key suggestion was a ban on mixed-product incentives - promotional offers that bundle different games together.
For example, a typical casino welcome bonus today might include games from slots, table games, live casino, and even sports betting to meet the required multiplier. The Commission decided to prohibit this mix, partly because it can obscure the true gamble involved.
"The evidence we considered indicated that mixed product bonuses can be more harmful to the customer, encourage gamblers to play more than they would in a single product context, and make it more difficult for customers to accurately know the odds of winning and losing," it stated in the executive summary of its decision.
This ban on mixed-product incentives and limit on wagering will reshape the landscape of casino promotions over the coming months, encouraging simpler, more transparent offers from operators that are less likely to increasingly drive more intense gambling.