The Gambling Commission has introduced a 10x cap on wagering requirements and banned mixed-product incentives

01 November 2026

In a significant move to make gambling promotions safer and simpler for consumers, the UK Gambling Commission has introduced tighter rules on free bets and welcome bonuses. The regulator made the changes after consulting players on socially responsible incentives over a 12-week period that ended in February 2024.

Why the changes matter

The Gambling Commission has expressed concerns that overly complex and confusing incentive structures can increase the risk of harm to vulnerable players. The regulator argued that high wagering requirements and product-mixed promotions can lead to excessive gambling intensity and potential negative consequences for consumers.

The consultation focused on three key areas: wagering requirements, the mixing of gambling product types within incentives, and revisions to the wording of the relevant Licence Condition and Code of Practice (LCCP) provision.

Wagering requirements

In its consultation response, the Gambling Commission made clear that a high volume of free bet play-through can heighten "chasing behaviour" and increase the likelihood that players are gambling at a level that is harmful to them. Specifically, the Commission stated that high wagering requirements "can increase both the intensity of gambling (by encouraging more frequent play) and the element of chance that determines the outcome."

The regulator proposed to introduce a maximum wagering requirement of 10 times the incentive's value before bonuses could be withdrawn as cash.

Under the new rules, which come into force on 19 January 2026, licensees will not be able to attach any wagering requirement to a free bet. For welcome offers, the new maximum allowable wager on each incentive period is ten times the bonus amount. Closing any account to enforce wagering requirements without net losses could be seen as an unfair practice.

Product mixing

The Gambling Commission conducted a literature review of academic and regulatory reports, seeking to understand the player protections that could be compromised by mixed products. The regulator found that the potential combination of products can pose a heightened risk to consumers who may find it more difficult to understand how their money is being spent. Besides the disposal of funds in markets with inherently higher staking levels, mixed rewards blur distinctions between them.

"Harm can be further enhanced by combining components with differing rules and risk profiles, such as a multiple free bet, or cash prize, alongside free spin games," said the Gambling Commission.

When introducing the new ban on mixing, the Commission was explicit that a mixed product session commences "at the point of customer opting into the promotion and continues until the end of the respective wagering period, regardless of whether the casino activity takes place before the sports betting activity."

Other safeguards for players

The regulator continues to require that licensees tell consumers how much they must risk to convert a bonus into a cashable amount. The regulator has also decided to remove existing safeguards in the LCCP, which suggest that bonuses are not tied to pre-selected conditions about the duration of gambling or its frequency.

How the rules apply

The new elements of the Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice from the Socially Responsive Incentives package will come into effect on 19 January 2026. After that date, all incentive deals will be required to have a wager not exceeding 10 times the bonus value, without any wager on a free bet. Furthermore, operators are no longer allowed to combine different gamble product types in incentives.

These changes offer a streamlined and safer solution for many operators, but require them to revise their bonus terms and account restrictions rules.