UK Gambling Commission restricts conjoined betting incentives, imposes conditions on turnover prerequisites
Updated Article:
UKGC Cracks Down on Bonus Offers: New Regulations Afoot!
By Tom Jones**Edited by Lily Smith**Published on: 27.03.2025. Updated on: 24.04.2025.*
- UK Gambling Commission takes a stand against combined casino bonus offers
- Mixed bonus offers for casino games and sports betting are prohibited from 19 December 2025
- Bonus turnover capped at a 10x rollover
UK Gambling Commission tightens the noose on combined bonus offers (Representation). © our website.com/DALL-E
Time's Up for Mixed Bonuses: UKGC Steps Up Player Protection
In a bid to improve player safety for the UK gambling scene, the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has announced sweeping changes to bonus offers, starting from 19 December of this year [Link in English].
As of that date, gambling providers will no longer be able to offer bonus offers that require wagers on both casino games and sports betting before a withdrawal. Bonus offers must now be exclusively granted for the casino area or the betting offer.
The UKGC highlighted the link between gambling addiction and the risk posed by mixed product promotions. Maintaining focus on a single product was seen as essential for players to manage their gaming behavior effectively [4].
In a statement, Tim Miller, Executive Director of Research and Policy at the UKGC, emphasized the importance of the change:
The European Landscape: Germany's Bonus Rules vs. the UK
Unlike the UKGC, the German market maintains a more permissive stance on mixed bonus actions for casino games and sports betting. Nevertheless, players engaging with legally licensed operators in Germany can expect a few caveats:
- Casino platforms can offer cashback bonuses, but these are prohibited in Germany.
- Prospective players can benefit from a welcome bonus, free spins for slots, or reload bonuses for existing customers.
However, the situation in Germany is evolving, with the German Gaming Authority leaning towards stricter regulations on bonus offers in line with their focus on consumer protection and minimizing gambling harm [5].
UKGC Puts a Bell on the Bonus Beast: Maximum Rollover Introduced
The UKGC's recent initiative extends beyond a ban on mixed bonus offers. To further enhance player protection, gambling providers will be required to abide by a maximum bonus turnover of 10x starting 19 December.
Currently, players commonly encounter higher turnover requirements of 30 to 50 times before being eligible for a withdrawal. The UKGC's new rule aims to curb excessive play and the risk of losing control over one's gaming behavior [1].
A New Guard for Players in the UK: Additional Regulations
In recent months, the UKGC has taken proactive measures to improve player protection. In February of this year, for instance, a rule was implemented requiring players who register with a new account at an online casino or betting provider to set their own deposit limits before their initial deposit [3]. However, this rule only applies to new accounts, not existing ones.
Last year, the UKGC also introduced an age-dependent stake limit for online slots, capping stakes at £2 (€2.40) for players under 25 and £5 (€6.01) for older players [2].
References within provided results:
- Germany’s regulatory framework (§3, [3][5]) and free spin guidelines[5].
- UK’s Gambling Commission standards[3][5].
- The UK Gambling Commission's new regulations, effective from December 19, 2025, prohibit combined bonus offers that involve wagers on both casino games and sports betting.
- The UKGC's decision to bar mixed product promotions is aimed at enhancing player safety and promoting effective management of gaming behavior.
- In contrast to the stricter UKGC rules, the German market maintains a more permissive stance on mixed bonus actions, but restricts cashback bonuses and imposes some limits on welcome bonuses, free spins, and reload bonuses.
- To curb excessive play and protect players, the UKGC has introduced a maximum bonus turnover of 10x, effectively lowering the traditional turnover requirements ranging from 30 to 50 times before a withdrawal.
