The UK Gambling Commission is set to implement new rules that will reshape how online casino bonuses work. These changes target two key areas: wagering requirements and the types of promotions operators can offer.
Whether you claim bonuses regularly or just take the occasional offer, these updates will affect what you see when you log into your favourite casino. The rules apply across the board, covering both new sign-up offers and promotions for existing players.
So what exactly is changing, and how will it impact your experience? Let’s break it down.
The new rules explained
There are two major changes coming into effect on 19th January 2026, as confirmed on GamblingCommission.gov.uk.
First, wagering requirements will be capped at x10. If you’ve ever claimed a casino bonus, you’ll know that wagering requirements determine how many times you need to play through bonus funds before you can withdraw any winnings. Until now, these requirements have varied wildly between casinos, with some setting them as high as 30x, 40x, or even 50x. Under the new rules, no operator will be allowed to set wagering above x10.
Second, mixed product promotions are being banned. These are offers that require you to gamble across different product types to unlock or use a bonus. For example, a promotion might ask you to place a sports bet and then play slots before you can access your bonus funds. These types of offers will no longer be permitted.
Both changes apply to new and existing customers alike.
The Gambling Commission’s reasoning ties into a broader push for responsible gambling across the UK. The regulator has pointed out that high wagering requirements can be confusing for players, making it difficult to understand what’s actually needed to withdraw winnings. Similarly, mixed product promotions often come with complicated terms and conditions that aren’t always easy to follow.
The new rules aim to simplify things and make bonus offers more transparent overall.
How reduced wagering will affect players
Like most regulatory changes, the new wagering cap brings a mix of benefits and potential drawbacks for players. Here’s what you can expect on both sides.
Positives
The biggest benefit is that bonuses should become much easier to convert into real, withdrawable cash. A x10 wagering requirement is significantly lower than what most casinos currently offer, and the difference is substantial.
For example:
- Say a casino offers a £20 bonus with x10 wagering
- You’ll need to play through £200 (£20 x 10) before you can cash out
- Compare that to a x40 requirement on the same bonus, which would mean playing through £800.
This also makes the maths far simpler. Players will have a clearer picture of what they need to do to actually benefit from a bonus, rather than wading through complicated calculations.
There’s also a growing trend towards no wagering bonuses – where any wins are paid out as cash straight away – and the new rules could accelerate this.
According to NoWageringCasinos.co.uk, a site dedicated to listing online casinos with no wagering in the UK, there has already been a major surge in casinos switching their offers to no wager terms. For players looking for fairer and more straightforward deals, this means there are more options than ever before.
Negatives
On the flip side, bonus amounts are likely to shrink. The UK market has already been scaling back the size of bonuses compared to what’s offered in other countries, and this trend will probably continue. With tighter wagering rules in place, don’t expect to see many offers exceeding £50 in bonus funds.
Maximum win caps are also becoming more common. Because x10 wagering is far easier to reach than higher requirements, casinos are introducing limits on how much you can actually withdraw from a bonus.
For example, you might see terms stating that winnings from a bonus are capped at £100. So even if you get lucky and win big, you’ll only be able to keep a portion of it.
Previously, these kinds of caps were far less common, so this represents a notable downside to the new framework.
What the mixed product ban means
The second rule change, the ban on mixed product promotions, will have less of an impact on most players.
Mixed product offers are those that require you to gamble across different types of products to use or unlock a bonus, such as betting on sports and playing casino games. Under the new rules, operators won’t be able to tie bonuses to multiple product types like this.
In reality, plenty of online casinos only offer slots and table games anyway, so they won’t be affected at all. And even among operators that do offer a mix of products, such as those with sportsbooks, bingo rooms, and poker alongside their casino, many have already been moving away from mixed promotions in recent years.
So in many ways, this rule simply formalises a trend that was already underway. The main benefit for players is simpler, clearer terms on whatever promotions are available. You’ll know exactly what product a bonus applies to without having to dig through lengthy conditions.
Making the most of bonuses under the new rules
With the bonus framework changing, it’s worth taking a fresh look at how you approach casino offers. The new rules are designed to make things fairer and more transparent, but that doesn’t mean you can skip the fine print.
Before claiming any bonus, take a moment to check the full terms and conditions. Look out for things like maximum win caps and compare wagering requirements across different sites.
The landscape is shifting, and staying informed is still the best way to get genuine value from any UK casino bonus you claim.