Wagering requirements were capped in January, the tax on remote gaming profits roughly doubled in April, and a new definition of deposit limits took effect on 30 September. Taken together, the changes alter what customers see when they sign up and what operators can offer.
A market still growing under tighter rules
The regulated market has kept growing through the changes. The Gambling Commission’s industry statistics for 2025 to 2026, published in September, put gross gambling yield from remote casino, betting and bingo at £8.3bn, up 6.9%, within a total British market of £17.5bn.
For a customer weighing up a casino bonus, the most visible difference is the ceiling on playthrough. Multiples far higher than today’s limit were previously permitted, and the new rules remove them. What follows covers the regulator’s rules and the research behind them.
What the wagering cap says
A new version of the Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice took effect on 19 January 2026. Under Social Responsibility Code Provision 5.1.1, licensed operators must not apply wagering requirements of more than 10 times the bonus funds. The same provision bans combining more than one type of gambling product, such as casino and betting, within a single incentive, and requires terms that are clear, transparent and fair.
The Commission defines a wagering requirement as a requirement to place bets totalling a particular value before funds become withdrawable. As an illustration of the arithmetic, a £10 bonus with a 50 times requirement would mean £500 of betting before withdrawal. At the new maximum of 10 times, the same bonus would need £100.
The research behind the rule
The evidence base included a trial run by the Behavioural Insights Team, whose Gambling Policy and Research Unit tested adverts and sign-up pages on 4,012 UK adults who gamble. It found that seven in ten could not calculate how much they would need to bet to meet a wagering requirement, rising to almost nine in ten when the requirement applied to the bonus and deposit combined. Three in five did not realise a requirement applied at the point of choice.
The team proposed capping bonus-only requirements at 1 times and banning bonus-plus-deposit requirements. The cap the Commission adopted is 10 times, well above that proposal, though it addresses the same concern about customers underestimating what an offer demands.
Tax and customer controls
The cost side changed too. HM Revenue & Customs confirms that Remote Gaming Duty rose from 21% to 40% on profits from remote gaming for accounting periods beginning on or after 1 April 2026. Operators therefore face a higher cost base alongside the tighter marketing rules.
Customer controls also changed. After an extension to the original June timetable, the Commission required operators from 30 September 2026 to offer gross deposit limits, to label only that type of limit a “deposit limit”, and to give it at least equal prominence with other financial limits. Gross deposit limits must be offered over fixed time frames. The requirement standardises how limits are described and presented across licensed sites. It does not dictate the amount a customer chooses to set.
What the changes mean
The direction of regulation in Britain is towards plainer terms and consistent tools. Customers should find fewer extreme conditions attached to offers and a clearer description of the limits available on their accounts. Operators face higher taxes and less room to differentiate through headline promotions.
Readers who want to follow how these rules develop can find the Commission’s published guidance and consultation responses on its own website. For further money and consumer coverage, see our Money section.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational and entertainment purposes only. It does not constitute legal, financial, or gambling advice. Online gambling carries risks, and statistically players stand a higher chance of losing their stake. You should only gamble what you can afford to lose, and participate if you are over the legal age in your jurisdiction. Always gamble responsibly and within your means. If you or someone you know is experiencing problems with gambling, seek help from a professional support service such as GamCare or BeGambleAware.