New rules increasing the safety and simplicity of consumer
promotional offers are to be introduced by the Gambling
Commission.
Gambling businesses will be banned from offering potentially
harmful offers involving consumers having to carry out two or
more types of gambling, such as betting and playing slots.
Operators will also be limited on the number of times bonus funds
must be re-staked before the consumer can withdraw winnings from
the bonus.
The changes follow a consultation and are consistent with the
2023 White Paper High stakes: gambling
reform for the digital age (opens in new tab).
Mixed product promotion ban
Mixed product promotional offers provide bonuses on the condition
the consumer plays different products, such as betting and
playing slots.
But evidence shows consumers are more at risk of harm when they
gamble on multiple products rather than a single product. There
is also the risk that mixed product promotions confuse consumers
because of complex terms and conditions.
The ban is aimed at reducing harm and boosting fairness and
openness.
Bonus wagering requirements limited to ten
Some promotional offers provide bonus funds to consumers on the
condition the consumer re-stakes any winnings multiple times
before being allowed to withdraw winnings from the bonus.
For example, a £10 bonus with a 50 times wagering requirement
requires the consumer to play through £500 before the winnings
can be withdrawn.
Such high wagering requirements could confuse consumers and lead
them to gamble for longer, and faster, than they are used to.
Capping the wagering requirement to ten decreases the likelihood
of harm, reduces complexity, and improves transparency while
maintaining consumer choice.
Rewording the rewards and bonus section of Licence
Conditions and Codes of Practice (LCCP)
To ensure increased clarity of the Commission's current
expectations of operators it will alter the structure and wording
of Social Responsibility Code 5.1.1 (Rewards and Bonuses). Full
details of these changes can be found in the response document.
All changes will come into force on 19 December 2025.
Tim Miller, Executive Director for Research and Policy, said:
“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.”
Read the full consultation response.
