The UK Gambling Commission is set to make a variety of changes to UK gambling rules in 2026, and some of them are actually surprisingly not too bad, and maybe some even a step in the right direction… This article will go through those changes and what they mean.
Effective from the 16th January 2026, operators must not
- Apply wagering requirements to bonus funds of anything higher than 10 times. This means the end of predatory 65x wagering requirements.
- Include more than one type of gambling product (betting, casino, bingo and lottery) within an incentive. This means no more free spins as a result of placing a sports bet. However, it is still allowed to give gambling bonuses that are unrestricted on what they can be played on, and free spins can still exist if you’re a slots player.
- Alter or increase the receipt or value, or amount of the incentive if the qualifying activity or spend is reached within a shorter time than the whole period over which the benefit is offered.
- Construct incentives where, if the benefit comprises of free or subsidised travel or accommodation which encourages the customer’s attendance at a particular licensed premises, it is offered on terms that directly relate to the level of the customer’s prospective gambling.
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Effective from 19th March 2026:
- Operators update financial key event reporting to reflect complex global structures, mergers, and acquisitions. This enhances the Gambling Commission’s oversight of ownership, financing, and governance.
From 30 June 2026:
- Operators must standardize “deposit limits” to gross amounts deposited (without netting withdrawals). They must offer these limits, block further deposits when reached, and introduce “net deposit limits” as an option. This provides clearer, consistent player spending controls.