If you bet on sport in the UK, the rules around your account, your deposits and the offers you can claim have changed a lot since 2024. Some changes show up when you sign up, some when you claim a free bet and some only once you deposit larger amounts. This guide sets out each rule that matters to bettors, when it started and what it means in practice.
The changes at a glance
- 30 August 2024: financial vulnerability checks begin, triggered at £500 of net deposits in 30 days.
- 28 February 2025: that threshold falls to £150 of net deposits in a rolling 30 days.
- 31 October 2025: sites must prompt you to set a deposit limit before your first deposit.
- 19 January 2026: bonus wagering is capped at 10 times, and offers that combine sports betting with other gambling products are banned.
- July 2026: the Gambling Commission confirms financial risk assessments will be phased in for high spenders.
Financial vulnerability checks
Since 30 August 2024, online operators have had to run a light-touch check on customers whose net deposits pass a set level in a rolling 30-day period. The threshold started at £500 and dropped to £150 on 28 February 2025. Net deposits means what you paid in minus what you withdrew.
These checks use public records, such as bankruptcies and county court judgments, to look for signs of serious financial difficulty, and the Gambling Commission reports that the vast majority happen without the customer noticing. They aren’t the same as being asked for payslips or bank statements, which some bookmakers still request from bigger spenders.
Deposit limits at sign-up
From 31 October 2025, the Gambling Commission requires sites to prompt you to set a deposit limit before your first deposit and to make that limit easy to review later. It is worth setting one that matches your betting budget. Our bankroll management guide explains how to choose it.
Bonus wagering capped at 10 times
From 19 January 2026, any wagering requirement on a UK bonus can be no more than 10 times the bonus. Most sports free bets carry no wagering at all, but where an offer does, the cap keeps it manageable. Lower is still better, and our free bet value guide shows how to work out what an offer is really worth.
Combined offers banned
Also from 19 January 2026, operators can no longer offer a bonus that requires you to use more than one type of gambling. An offer such as “bet £10 on football, get free spins” is no longer allowed, so sports welcome offers now give sports rewards only. That makes offers simpler to compare, and our offers page lists the current sports deals ranked by estimated value.
Financial risk checks for high spenders
In July 2026 the Gambling Commission confirmed that financial risk assessments will be phased in. The first stage covers the largest operators and customers who deposit more than £5,000 in 24 hours (£2,500 for under-25s). At the final stage, the triggers fall to £1,000 in 24 hours or £3,000 in 90 days. The checks use credit reference data and, the Commission says, won’t affect your credit score. The Commission said it would confirm the stage one timetable after working with the industry, so check its news pages for the latest date.
Read our full guide to financial risk checks, and our guide to betting account restrictions, which bookmakers can apply for commercial reasons.
What this means for you
- Judge each offer on its own terms. With wagering capped and no cross-product conditions, offers are easier to compare, but still check the minimum odds, the markets the free bets can be used on and the expiry.
- Keep your ID and address up to date. Checks are quicker when your account details match public records.
- Use the deposit limit prompt. Set a limit that fits your budget when you open an account, and review it regularly.
- Track your deposits. Knowing your net deposits helps you see if a check is likely. The free Bet Tracker and our betting records guide help.
What hasn’t changed
You still have to be 18 or over to bet, credit cards have been banned for gambling since April 2020, and GAMSTOP still lets you exclude yourself from every UK-licensed gambling site at once. Unsure about any term on this page? Our betting glossary explains it in plain English.
18+ only. Betting should stay fun. Set a budget before you start, only bet what you can comfortably afford, and take a break whenever you need one. For free, confidential support, visit BeGambleAware.org or call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133.