UK Gambling Commission Issues Bettimg Bonus Ban to Operators

The UK Gambling Commission will no longer allow operators to offer bonuses that require players to participate in multiple types of gaming, including sports betting and slots, to unlock bonuses.

Harmful marketing practices were mentioned as a primary concern of the UKGC, whose new rules and regulations will go into effect on Dec. 19, 2025. The UKGC also cited research projects that indicated certain customers are more vulnerable when gambling across different platforms.

Additionally, promotional offers that combine different gambling formats were found to be more difficult to understand and potentially misleading to customers. This is just another of the many crackdowns on bonuses as a whole, happening across the industry worldwide.

A 2023 study by the gambling commission revealed that a majority of those consulted agreed with the ban, especially charities, academics and public health advocates. A majority of the supporters said that simplified offers would help avoid confusion.

“Most respondents agreed with the need to make changes to the structure, wording and the policy intent,” the consultation said.

Added the consultation: “There is a diverse range of incentives available in the market which makes it challenging to develop further principles that … better reflects what is, or is not, acceptable, distinguishing between the innocuous and harmful incentives.”

Additional changes include a limit on online bonus wagering to be capped at 10 times the bonus amount. Not to be confused with wagering limits, talked of by lawmakers in Connecticut.

Gambling licensees who objected to the ban downplayed concerns about the studies, saying customers have the power to make their own choices. Others expressed worries over the impact it would have on day-to-day business operations.

The Gambling Commission later clarified that the ban would apply only to bonuses where terms are linked across different products.

“These changes will better protect consumers from gambling harm and give consumers much better clarity on, and certainty of, offers before they decide to sign up,” Tim Miller, executive director for research and policy at the Gambling Commission, said in a statement.

The Gambling Commission said that higher wagering thresholds make it more difficult for users to understand the conditions of certain offers. That often leads to a higher volume of risk.

It is expected to update the rewards and bonuses section of the License Conditions and Codes of Practice (LCCP) to clarify changes to the policy.