Since the start of 2026, online casinos in the UK are no longer allowed to offer bonuses with wagering requirements above 10x the bonus amount. This marks a drastic change from the previous 50x to 60x requirements that players had to endure for years. The new cap, introduced by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) as part of its consumer protection reforms, makes bonuses significantly more achievable for players.
What Are Wagering Requirements?
A wagering requirement, also known as a playthrough requirement, is the number of times you must bet through a bonus amount before you can withdraw any winnings from it. For example, under the old rules, a 30x wagering requirement on a £10 bonus meant you had to place £300 worth of bets before cashing out. These restrictions allow operators to reduce the risk of players depositing, claiming a bonus, and immediately withdrawing.
Wagering requirements apply only to bonus funds and promotional offers, not to your own deposited cash.
How Wagering Requirements Work: A Step-by-Step Example
You sign up to a casino and claim a 100% match bonus on your first deposit. You deposit £50 and receive £50 in bonus funds, giving a total balance of £100 (£50 real cash plus £50 bonus). The bonus comes with a 10x wagering requirement, the new maximum allowed by the UKGC. You must wager £50 ten times (a total of £500) before the bonus funds convert to withdrawable cash. Each eligible bet counts toward the £500 total. Once you have wagered £500, the remaining bonus balance becomes real money you can withdraw.
Under the old rules, this same scenario could have required bets totalling £1,500 (30x) or even £2,500 (50x). The contrast is striking, with the updated rules benefiting punters.
The UKGC 10x Cap: What Changed in January 2026
In January 2026, the UKGC introduced new rules as part of its consumer protection reforms, capping wagering requirements on casino bonuses at a maximum of 10x the bonus amount. These reforms were part of the broader implementation of the UK Government's Gambling Act white paper, published in 2023. The white paper identified high wagering requirements as a key form of consumer harm.
Before the updated rules, wagering requirements of 30x to 60x were standard across the UK market, meaning most players could never realistically complete them and withdraw their winnings. The 10x cap applies to all licensed UK casino operators, meaning any casino offering higher wagering requirements to UK-based players is in breach of its UKGC licence. The cap applies only to the bonus amount, not the bonus plus the initial deposit combined. For example, a £50 bonus at 10x requires £500 in wagering, not £1,000. Free spins winnings are also subject to the cap, with winnings from free spins not subject to more than 10x wagering before withdrawal as cash.
What This Means for Players
The updated rules mean bonuses are significantly more achievable, as the 10x requirement can be completed within a normal session for some players. It also allows punters to more easily identify poor-value bonuses, as operators could previously hide behind inflated wagering requirements. However, customers should still read the terms and conditions, as other bonus conditions such as time limits, game restrictions, and max bet rules still apply. If you see a UK-licensed casino offering a bonus with a wagering requirement above 10x, report it to the UKGC.
Bonus Types and How Wagering Requirements Apply
Different bonus types have different wagering structures. Welcome or deposit match bonuses apply wagering to the bonus amount, with players watching out for whether the requirement is on bonus only or bonus plus deposit. No-deposit bonuses apply wagering to the bonus credit received, but often come with low maximum withdrawal caps of £5 to £20. Free spins apply wagering to winnings from the spins, and wagering may only be completed on specific slots. Reload bonuses have similar rules to deposit match but with shorter time windows. Cashback bonuses sometimes have no wagering, while others apply a 1x to 3x requirement; always check, as 'cashback' is not always wager-free.
Game Contribution Rates
Operators can still stretch out wagering requirements by setting contribution rates by game type. Online slots typically contribute 100%, meaning every £1 wagered counts as £1 toward the requirement. Table games such as blackjack, roulette, and baccarat often contribute 10% or less, and sometimes 0%. Live dealer games may be excluded entirely from wagering, even under the new rules. Contribution rates for video poker and other games vary widely, so always check the specific terms. For example, if you only play blackjack with a 10% contribution rate, a 10x requirement effectively becomes 100x, requiring £5,000 in bets on a £50 bonus.
What Does 'No Wagering' Mean?
A no-wagering bonus, sometimes called a wager-free bonus, means any winnings can be immediately withdrawn without any wagering or playthrough requirement. No-wagering free spins operate similarly, with winnings going straight to your withdrawable balance. These bonuses are more valuable than equivalently sized bonuses with wagering requirements, but operators tend to offer lower amounts or attach other restrictions. Since the 10x cap, no-wagering offers are less of a standout, as the gap between wagering and no-wagering bonuses has narrowed considerably.
How to Assess a Casino Bonus
When weighing up a casino bonus, prioritise six checks each time. First, check the wagering requirement: is it at or below 10x? If above 10x and you are a UK player, do not claim it and consider reporting the operator. Second, check what the requirement applies to: bonus amount only, or bonus plus deposit? Bonus-only is more favourable. Third, check game contribution rates: if you prefer table games or live casino, a slots-only contribution structure makes the bonus useless. Fourth, check the time limit: most bonuses expire within 7 to 30 days; a short window combined with a 10x requirement may still be difficult. Fifth, check the maximum bet rule: many bonuses impose a maximum bet per spin or hand, typically £5, and exceeding it can void the bonus. Sixth, check the maximum withdrawal from bonus winnings: some bonuses cap how much you can actually withdraw. If all six checks are satisfactory, the bonus is likely worth taking.
Wagering Requirements Glossary
- Wagering requirement/playthrough requirement: The number of times you must bet the bonus amount before withdrawing.
- Rollover: Another term for wagering requirement.
- Bonus funds: Money credited as a bonus, distinct from real money until wagering is complete.
- Sticky bonus: A bonus that can never be withdrawn; only winnings generated from it are withdrawable.
- No wagering / wager-free: Bonus winnings immediately withdrawable.
- Contribution rate: The percentage by which a game type counts toward clearing a wagering requirement.
- Time limit: The window in which wagering must be completed.
- Max bet rule: The maximum stake allowed per bet while a bonus is active.
- Game restriction: Specific games excluded from wagering or play while a bonus is active.
Conclusion
Wagering requirements are conditions attached to casino bonuses that determine when funds become withdrawable. If a UK casino is still advertising wagering requirements above 10x, it is breaking its licence conditions. However, even with the new cap, punters should always check contribution rates, time limits, and max bet rules before claiming any bonus, as they can dilute the value of an offer.
FAQs
What is a wagering requirement? The wagering requirement is the number of times you must bet through your bonus before you can withdraw it. For example, the new max of 10x on a £50 bonus equals £500 in total wagers.
What is the maximum wagering requirement UK casinos can set? Since January 2026, the UKGC caps wagering requirements at 10x the bonus amount for all UK-licensed operators.
What does a 10x wagering requirement mean? You must wager 10 times the value of your bonus. For example, a £20 bonus with 10x wagering requires £200 in bets before you can withdraw.
What does no wagering mean on free spins? Any winnings from free spins are credited directly to your withdrawable balance, with no playthrough required.
Do wagering requirements apply to my own deposit? No. Wagering requirements only apply to bonus funds, not to your own real-money deposit.
Can I play any game to clear wagering requirements? No. Most casinos assign contribution rates by game type. Slots typically count at 100%, while table games may count as little as 10% or nothing.
What happens if I do not complete the wagering requirement? Uncleared bonus funds and any associated winnings are forfeited when the bonus expires.
Are wagering requirements the same as rollover requirements? Yes, rollover is another term for wagering requirement, more common in sportsbook promotions.
