UKGC publishes new guide on bonusing rules

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UKGC publishes new guide on bonusing rules

The United Kingdom Gambling Commission’s (UKGC) new regulations on promotions and offers that will come into effect on January 19, 2026, warn operators not to mix two types of gambling within one offer.

The reform, which aims to ban cross-selling promotions, was initially announced in March 2025 and was planned to be implemented in December 2025; however, the commission has announced it will come into effect in January 2026.

The commission stated in a blog post on December 12, 2025, that the initial customer activity and any reward or prize in a promotion must refer to the same type of gambling. Additionally, some offers have to be product-specific rather than left to player choice.

The UKGC has stressed:

“The important point to note is that the customer must have full freedom of choice in which product category (betting, bingo, casino, lottery) to use their credits or bonus money – it must not be restricted in any way by the operator.”

In order to guide operators and users, the regulator explained that, for example, betting money on sports to receive free spins would be in violation of the new laws.

Free-to-play games will also be limited, and operators won’t be allowed to offer free games that let players win bonuses across different verticals.

Alla Basentsyan
Alla Basentsyan Content Writer

With a degree in politics & governance, research and writing has always been a strong side of mine. With AffPapa, I use my skills to present to the reader the latest news, articles, as well as interviews with industry representatives from the iGaming sphere in the most exciting but at the same time informative manner.

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