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Major Regulatory Changes Set for December 19 Implementation
Time is running short for UK gambling operators as the industry faces a critical deadline on December 19, 2025, when sweeping new promotional restrictions from the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) officially take effect. With just 15 days left to comply, operators are racing to restructure their bonus systems to meet the new regulatory framework.
The changes represent two fundamental shifts in how UK-licensed operators can structure promotional offers: a complete ban on mixed-product bonuses and a strict cap on wagering requirements at 10 times the bonus amount.
Cross-Product Promotions Banned
Under the new rules, operators will no longer be permitted to offer promotional incentives that require players to engage with multiple gambling products. This means promotions requiring customers to place both a sports bet and play a slot game to qualify for a bonus will be prohibited when the December 19 deadline arrives.
The ban targets what the UKGC describes as “bonus mixing”—promotional offers that combine casino, bingo, sports, or lottery products with linked terms across product types. The regulator cited evidence showing consumers face higher risk of harm when gambling across multiple product verticals, and that such mixed-product offers often involve complex terms that confuse or mislead users.
However, operators will still be allowed to combine incentives within the same vertical category. For example, mixing a lottery scratchcard with a raffle would remain permissible. General credit bonuses that can be freely applied across any product without conditional wagering requirements will also remain unaffected by the ban.
Wagering Requirements Capped at 10x
The second major change arriving on December 19 will limit online bonus wagering requirements to a maximum of 10 times the bonus amount. Under this cap, a £10 bonus cannot require more than £100 in bets before any winnings can be withdrawn.
This represents a dramatic reduction from current industry practices, where some promotions have required wagering as high as 50 times the bonus amount. The UKGC used the example of a £10 bonus with a 50x wagering requirement, which would force consumers to play through £500 before accessing their winnings—a practice the regulator criticized as confusing and potentially harmful.
The Commission determined that high wagering thresholds lead to faster, riskier gaming patterns and make it difficult for consumers to understand the true conditions of promotional offers. By capping requirements at 10x, the UKGC aims to reduce the likelihood of excessive gambling while maintaining commercial viability for operators.
Industry Split on Regulatory Changes
The upcoming December 19 implementation follows a 2023 consultation that revealed significant division within the industry. Consultation responses showed roughly 50 percent of respondents supported the mixed-product ban, while opinions on the wagering cap were similarly split.
Just over half of respondents favored the 10x limit, while nearly half pushed for a complete ban on wagering requirements. Consumer advocates argued that even moderate wagering requirements are harmful and confusing, potentially tricking players into gambling longer than intended.
Industry participants largely opposed a complete ban on wagering requirements, citing the need for some form of play-through condition to prevent bonus fraud and abuse through bot use or coordinated exploitation. Several operators indicated that the 10x cap represented the only commercially sustainable solution, with any lower threshold essentially functioning as a prohibition.
With the December 19 enforcement date now just 15 days away, operators are finalizing compliance measures across their promotional systems. The changes also include revisions to the structure and wording of Social Responsibility Code 5.1.1 (Rewards and Bonuses) within the Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice (LCCP), designed to clarify the Commission’s expectations and minimize ambiguity for licensees.
The regulatory updates align with the government’s 2023 White Paper “High stakes: gambling reform for the digital age” and represent part of a broader program of gambling industry reforms.
“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.”
Tim Miller, Executive Director for Research and Policy at the Gambling Commission, emphasized that the December 19 implementation will mark a turning point in UK gambling promotion standards. The UKGC acknowledged that the changes will impact operators but determined that any costs are proportionate and justifiable given the consumer protection benefits and policy intent to ensure incentives are constructed in a socially responsible manner.
As the 15-day countdown continues, UK gambling operators are working to ensure all promotional structures, bonus terms, and marketing materials comply with the new framework before the December 19 deadline passes.
Source: UK Gambling Commission
