The wagering cap is the UK rule that limits bonus wagering requirements to a maximum of 10 times the bonus, in force since 19 January 2026. It means a £20 casino bonus can require no more than £200 of bets before it turns into cash. The same rule change also banned promotions that mix different gambling products.
Since 19 January 2026, bonus wagering can't exceed 10x the bonus in Great Britain.
The cap sits in the Gambling Commission's social responsibility code 5.1.1.
Mixed-product promotions, such as bet-and-spin bundles, were banned at the same time.
Wagering itself wasn't banned, and there's no new ban on time-based offers.
The rule covers Great Britain; Northern Ireland has a separate legal system.
Limit
10x the bonus
In force
19 January 2026
Rule
LCCP social responsibility code 5.1.1
Set by
Gambling Commission
Introduced with
Ban on mixed-product promotions
What the wagering cap is
A wagering cap is a ceiling on how many times you can be asked to play bonus money through before it becomes withdrawable. In Great Britain the ceiling is 10 times, set in the Gambling Commission's social responsibility code 5.1.1 (opens in a new tab), which every licensed operator must follow.
If you're new to the idea of wagering, start with our wagering requirement entry, which explains how a playthrough target works. This page covers the limit on that target. Both sit in our casino app glossary, and the full rule is set out on our 10x wagering cap page.
What the wagering cap changed
When the Commission announced the change (opens in a new tab), it gave an example: a £10 bonus with 50x wagering would have needed £500 of play before any winnings could be withdrawn. Under the cap, the most that £10 bonus can require is £100.
A £10 bonus before and after the wagering cap
Point
50x (allowed before)
10x (current maximum)
Stakes needed
£500
£100
Expected cost at a 4% house edge
£20
£4
Expected cost compared with the bonus
Twice the bonus
Less than half the bonus
Spins needed at 20p
2,500
500
The expected-cost row is the key one. At 50x, simply playing through the bonus on a 96% RTP slot was expected to cost more than the bonus was worth. At 10x, the maths is far kinder, though the house edge still applies and losses are likely over time.
Wagering cap timeline
How the UK wagering cap came in
Date
What happened
29 November 2023
Commission consultation opens, running to 21 February 2024
26 March 2025
Commission confirms the 10x cap and the mixed-product ban
July 2025
Start date moved from 19 December 2025 to 19 January 2026
19 January 2026
Both rules in force for all licensed operators
An outright ban on wagering requirements was consulted on but not adopted. The cap was the middle path: bonuses can still carry wagering, but within a limit.
What the wagering cap covers and what it doesn't
The rule is narrower than some headlines suggested. Here's what it does and doesn't do:
It does limit wagering on bonus funds to a maximum of 10 times.
It does come with a ban on incentives that mix product types, such as betting and casino in one offer. Our page on the mixed-product bonus ban explains this.
It doesn't ban wagering outright; 10x or less is still allowed.
It doesn't ban offers based on how long or how often you play. The rewritten code keeps an older rule that an offer can't be changed or increased because you reach the qualifying spend faster.
It doesn't let operators put wagering on your own deposit; separate guidance says your deposit balance is withdrawable at any time.
It doesn't extend to Northern Ireland, where the Gambling Act 2005 and the Commission's rules don't apply in the same way.
Other bonus terms still matter: time limits, maximum bet sizes, game restrictions and caps on winnings. Our guide to reading casino app bonus terms shows how to check them.
How the wagering cap shows up in casino apps
In practice you'll see it in the significant terms shown with an offer. A bonus with wagering now states a multiple of 10x or lower, and some casino apps run offers with no wagering at all. Among our partners, Casumo (18+, terms apply) asks for 10x on its 50% bonus up to £100, wagered within 7 days with a £5 maximum bet, while Coral, Ladbrokes and PlayOJO's free spins carry no wagering on winnings.
If you're checking an offer in an app, these steps help:
Open the offer and find its significant terms or full terms link.
Look for the wagering multiple and confirm it's 10x or less, and whether it applies to the bonus only.
Check the time limit, maximum bet and which games count.
Make sure the offer covers one product type only, such as casino.
If anything looks out of line with UK rules, raise it with the operator and keep a screenshot.
Welcome bonus: the offers most affected by wagering terms.
Partner apps whose spin offers sit well inside the cap
All three offers featured here are well inside the 10x cap, because winnings from their free spins carry no wagering. They remain conditional slot offers for new customers aged 18+, and terms apply.
Coral: running 1 October 2026 to 1 February 2027. After a qualifying deposit (Neteller, PayPal, Paysafe, Skrill, prepaid cards and certain debit cards excluded), bet £10 or more on slots for 100 free spins valued at 10p on selected games. 48 hours to accept, 7 days to use.
Ladbrokes: after depositing and spending £10 or more on slots, new customers get 50 free spins a day for 10 days, 500 at most, at 10p each on selected games. Claim by 23:59 each day; valid for 7 days.
PlayOJO: a first deposit of £10 or more brings new UK customers (Northern Ireland excluded) 80 free spins on Big Bass Bonanza, 10p each, winnings paid in cash. Can't be combined with other offers; designated link only.
Because LC International Limited (Entain) runs both Coral and Ladbrokes, a new account at one may rule out a new account at the other. Our casino apps with free spins list compares more options.
Coral and Ladbrokes are both run by LC International Limited (Entain). If you already hold an account with one Entain brand, you may not be able to open another; check the terms first.
Significant terms: 18+. New players only. Offer runs 01/10/2026 to 01/02/2027. Deposit (certain types excluded) and bet £10+ on slot games to get 100 free spins (selected games, £0.10 each, 48 hrs to accept, valid 7 days). No wagering on free spin winnings. Deposits by Neteller, PayPal, Paysafe, Skrill, prepaid cards and certain debit cards do not qualify. Restrictions and T&Cs apply. GamCare.org.uk
Read our Coral app reviewLicence: LC International Limited, Gambling Commission account 54743. Offer checked 5 October 2026.
Time limitClaim daily for 10 days; each batch valid 7 days
Worked valueUp to 500 spins at £0.10 (up to £50 in spins)
Significant terms: 18+. New customers only, from 14/11/25 until further notice. Certain deposit methods excluded. Deposit and spend £10+ on slots for 50 free spins a day during the first 10 days after first deposit and registration (max 500, £0.10 each, selected games, claim before 23:59 each day, valid 7 days). No wagering. Prepaid cards, PayPal, Paysafe, Neteller, Skrill and Moneybookers deposits do not qualify. Restrictions and T&Cs apply. GamCare.org.uk
Read our Ladbrokes app reviewLicence: LC International Limited, Gambling Commission account 54743. Offer checked 5 October 2026.
Significant terms: 18+. New UK customers (excluding Northern Ireland). First deposit only. Minimum deposit £10. 80 free spins on Big Bass Bonanza, £0.10 each. No wagering requirements; winnings paid in cash. Cannot be used with any other offer. Only available to players who arrive through the designated offer link. Full T&Cs apply. GamCare.org.uk
Read our PlayOJO app reviewLicence: Skill On Net Limited, Gambling Commission account 39326. Offer checked 5 October 2026.
18+. Every casino game has a built-in house edge, so over time you should expect to lose what you stake. Set a budget before you play and stop when it’s gone: safer gambling tools and support. Free, confidential help: National Gambling Helpline 0808 8020 133.
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum wagering requirement in the UK?
Ten times the bonus. Since 19 January 2026, the Gambling Commission's social responsibility code 5.1.1 has said bonus funds can't be required to be played through more than 10 times. So a £25 bonus can require at most £250 of stakes. Offers with lower multiples, or no wagering at all, are allowed. Our UK rules hub lists the other 2025 and 2026 changes that affect casino apps.
When did the 10x wagering cap start?
It came into force on 19 January 2026. The Commission confirmed the rule in March 2025 with a start date of 19 December 2025, then moved it to 19 January 2026 in July 2025. The ban on mixed-product promotions started on the same day. Offers from UK-licensed operators should now show a multiple of 10x or less. Our 10x wagering cap page has the full background.
Does the wagering cap apply to free spins?
It applies to bonus funds that carry wagering, which includes winnings from free spins when an offer attaches wagering to them. In that case the requirement can't exceed 10 times. Many spin offers now have no wagering, so winnings are paid as cash. Spin offers still have other conditions, such as eligible games, spin value and expiry. Our guide to free spins in casino apps explains those terms.
Did the UK ban time-based casino offers in 2026?
No. The January 2026 changes introduced the 10x cap and the mixed-product ban, but there's no new ban on offers linked to how long or how often you play. An older rule continues: an operator can't change or increase an offer because you reach the qualifying spend faster than the full period. Our mixed-product bonus ban page covers the other half of the change.
Does the wagering cap apply in Northern Ireland?
Not in the same way. The Gambling Act 2005 and the Gambling Commission's rules cover Great Britain, while Northern Ireland has its own gambling law, which doesn't yet include a full online framework. Some offers exclude Northern Ireland altogether; PlayOJO's welcome offer is one example. Our page on Northern Ireland gambling law explains the position.
Why did the Commission introduce a wagering cap?
Because high multiples made bonuses confusing and expensive to clear, and could keep people gambling to release money. The Commission's own example was a £10 bonus with 50x wagering needing £500 of play. At a 4% house edge that much play is expected to cost £20, twice the bonus. The cap brings the target to £100 at most. Our wagering requirement entry shows how to work out that cost.
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