There are new rules on the horizon designed to make gambling safer for everyone. The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) is rolling out changes over the coming months and into 2025 to boost regulation and give you more control over your playing experience. We are here to run you through all four stages. Let’s dive in.
If you’ve been playing a while, you’ll have noticed how much the industry has changed over recent years. The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) is responding to a 2023 Government policy paper which highlighted the need for regulatory updates. The upcoming potential changes outlined by the UKGC include:
reducing the speed and intensity of online games
improving direct marketing materials choice
financial vulnerability checks
tightening age verification for premises
personal management licences for premises
Reducing Game Intensity and New Marketing Controls
The UKGC hopes new rules for the way games are designed will improve player understanding and elevate the online gaming experience. Changes include banning features that accelerate outcomes, such as turbo features and autoplay. Most significant for many players is the fact that casino games spin speeds of less than 5 seconds will also be banned, while games will have to display real-time information on consumers’ net spend and gambling duration.
It also wants to give players more control over receiving marketing materials, like opt-ins and the communication channels in which they receive them, like email, SMS, post etc. These changes will come into force on 17th January 2025 (stage 3).
Financial Vulnerability Checks
The UKGC is planning to implement two types of checks to protect overspending and gambling-related issues: frictionless financial risk assessments and light-touch financial vulnerability checks. They will only be put into place if the six month pilot period shows that they can be done without causing any unnecessary inconvenience or disruption. If the pilot proves that these checks can in fact be “frictionless”, the changes will be formally introduced.
Neither of the two checks will affect a player’s credit rating.
The potential light touch financial vulnerability checks would be to better identify anyone acutely financially vulnerable and support players subject to bankruptcy orders or a history of unpaid debts. This would be for players with a net deposit of £500 a month on 30th August 2024 (stage 1), then reducing to £150 a month from 28th February 2025 (stage 4).
These checks will be made through publicly available data only, without requiring personal details like employment to be taken into account.
The potential frictionless financial risk assessments are to evaluate the risk of harm for players who spend the most money.
After receiving feedback from consultations, the UKGC plans to conduct a pilot to see how this might be executed, involving working with credit reference agencies and gambling companies.
Tightening Age Verification and Extending Personal Management Licences
To ensure compliance with age restrictions, licensees of establishments will conduct ‘age verification test purchasing’, like mystery shopping, to test that staff are ID’ing customers. This is not relevant to online playing. It will also require staff to check the age of anyone who appears to be under 25, rather than under 21 years of age. These will take effect from 30th August 2024 (stage 1).
Additionally, from 30th November 2024 (stage 2), the UKGC is extending the types of roles required to have a personal management licence, meaning more people in management positions at gambling venues will need to have a licence, to ensure proper oversight and the following of regulations.
In the words of Andrew Rhodes, CEO of the Gambling Commission, “We must strike a balance between protecting individuals from the potential harms of gambling and respecting adults’ freedom to engage in a leisure activity safely.”
Through these measures, the UKGC aims to achieve precisely that – safeguarding players while ensuring a happy community and responsibly regulated gambling industry.
Stay tuned for further updates as we continue to follow this story.
From Bed to Bathroom: WILD Places Brits Are Playing Bingo Online
When you’ve gotta bingo, you’ve gotta bingo and this has made for some… interesting spots for people to play the classic game. The digital age has unleashed an online bingo revolution, and it’s happening in the most unexpected (and often hilarious) places. The 2025 WhichBingo Bingo Player Survey, polling 1,200 UK players, revealed a glimpse into the bizarre world of online bingo habits, proving that Brits will squeeze in a…
by
Nic McBride
3min
18. Jul 202509:48
Is this the UK’s Funniest Bingo Caller?
‘Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the funniest of them all?’ Well, you don’t need ask anymore, because Dabbers Bingo has answered the question. And the winner is… *drumroll* Ali Brice and his alter ego, Eric Meat! Dabbers Bingo put out the call for the UK’s funniest in their Bingo Comedy Caller Contest 2025 and it was answered in style this week in a Grand Final to remember. Ali…
by
Charles Shakespeare
3min
15. Jul 202508:43
Bingo's Youth Revolution: Millennials Reshape the Game in the UK
A seismic shift is underway in the world of UK bingo, latest data from the 2025 WhichBingo Bingo Players Survey has uncovered. Millennials are now the dominant force in bingo, breathing vibrant life into this beloved British pastime. For years, bingo has been synonymous with an older demographic. However, our comprehensive survey, polling 1,200 UK players, shows that the 29-44 age bracket – the millennials – are now leading the…
by
Nic McBride
3min
11. Jul 202509:12
TOWIE's Bobby Norris Dabs Out with Fanny Galore in Latest Series
Get ready for a fabulous dose of bingo, drag, and celebrity sparkle as WhichBingo’s highly anticipated “Dabbing Out” Series 3 returns. Episode one starts with a bang – featuring none other than The Only Way Is Essex legend Bobby Norris at drag bingo. “You gotta love a bit of drag and bingo,” Norris said, as he and Dabbing Out host Charlie Shakespeare play bingo at Fanny Galore’s Big Bingo Party….
by
Killian Morris
3min
7. Jul 202515:27
Behind the Numbers: The WhichBingo Awards 2025 Voting Revealed
What does your favourite bingo or casino site say about you? Well, we have analysed all 265,000 votes and data from the WhichBingo Awards 2025 – to reveal how your vote played a key role, which sites and games made an unseen impact, and what it might say about you… You can view all the WhichBingo Awards 2025 winners here. What Your Favourite Bingo Site Says About You: Your Voting: The Big Picture 2025…
by
Nic McBride
6min
4. Jul 202512:33
WhichBingo Wins Best Bingo Affiliate 2025
And the winner is… us! A panel of expert judges has officially crowned WhichBingo as the #1 guide to finding top bingo sites. WhichBingo won Best Bingo Affiliate at the iGB Affiliate Awards 2025 in London. “We’re incredibly proud to receive this award. It’s a clear sign that our commitment to connecting players with the best bingo sites is being recognised by the iGaming industry,” said WhichBingo Senior Director Lynsey…
by
Nic McBride
3min
15. May 202507:00
WhichBingo Awards 2025 – Gala Crowned the Best Bingo Site By You
The WhichBingo Awards are over for another year and what an exciting one it has been! Since first launching in 2014, the WhichBingo Awards have become one of the most coveted awards in the industry and our event this year held on May 14th was a huge success. Once again, the WhichBingo Awards 2025 took place on the beautiful Sunborn Yacht Hotel in Gibraltar, so really there are no losers for…
by
Jennifer McFadyen
3min
11. Mar 202516:42
200,000 Votes and Counting So Far in the 2025 WhichBingo Awards
WhichBingo, one of the UK’s best known and most trusted online bingo review and affiliate sites, owned and operated by Gambling.com Group, is delighted to reveal that more than 200,000 votes have so far been cast in the annual WhichBingo Awards. With just under a month to go, there is still plenty of time to vote, with the closing date for nominations being the 4th of April, 2025. Commenting on the…
by
Charles Shakespeare
3min
22. Jul 202515:49
From Bed to Bathroom: WILD Places Brits Are Playing Bingo Online
When you’ve gotta bingo, you’ve gotta bingo and this has made for some… interesting spots for people to play the classic game. The digital age has unleashed an online bingo revolution, and it’s happening in the most unexpected (and often hilarious) places. The 2025 WhichBingo Bingo Player Survey, polling 1,200 UK players, revealed a glimpse into the bizarre world of online bingo habits, proving that Brits will squeeze in a…
by
Nic McBride
3min
7. Jul 202515:27
Behind the Numbers: The WhichBingo Awards 2025 Voting Revealed
What does your favourite bingo or casino site say about you? Well, we have analysed all 265,000 votes and data from the WhichBingo Awards 2025 – to reveal how your vote played a key role, which sites and games made an unseen impact, and what it might say about you… You can view all the WhichBingo Awards 2025 winners here. What Your Favourite Bingo Site Says About You: Your Voting: The Big Picture 2025…
by
Nic McBride
6min
16. Apr 202512:35
Hook, Line & Winner: Fishin’ Frenzy Bingo Goes Live
Fishin’ Frenzy Bingo is a brand new bingo game, the latest innovation in the bingo world, offering players like yourself an exciting new twist on the classic 90-ball bingo game. This game combines the fun of bingo with the excitement of slot features, jackpots, and bonus rounds, all while staying true to the famous Fishin’ Frenzy brand. The game looks great and is totally in line with the brand’s design…
by
Esther Rubin
2min
17. Nov 202406:55
Safer Gambling Week 2024: An Important Conversation
For most people, gambling is a fun thing to do. A small deposit, a few wagers, or a cheeky flutter here and there can add a bit of thrill to your day. But for some, gambling can get out of control, creating financial and emotional challenges… or worse. That’s why Safer Gambling Week 2024 (SGW) which is running from Monday 18th of November to Sunday 24th of November is so…
by
Esther Rubin
3min
28. Nov 202415:45
Two Developments in UK Gambling Designed to Protect Players
The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has announced two measures to improve player protection designed to reduce the risks of gambling addiction while ensuring that more operators contribute to helping people affected. The changes involve new stake limits and a statutory levy. Let’s read more about it. 1. New Stake Limits While full details have yet to be outlined, based on the Gambling Review’s White Paper, the…
by
Esther Rubin
3min
20. Nov 202415:49
Safer Gambling Week 2024: Promoting Positive Play and Industry Support
Safer gambling week is upon us once again but what does that mean for the gambling industry and those who play? For gambling companies it is an opportunity to engage with their customers and promote the various tools that are on offer to help players manage their gambling spend, their time spent gambling and their access to gambling. For consumers it is a chance to have open and honest conversations…
by
Rob Mabbett
3min
17. Nov 202406:55
Safer Gambling Week 2024: An Important Conversation
For most people, gambling is a fun thing to do. A small deposit, a few wagers, or a cheeky flutter here and there can add a bit of thrill to your day. But for some, gambling can get out of control, creating financial and emotional challenges… or worse. That’s why Safer Gambling Week 2024 (SGW) which is running from Monday 18th of November to Sunday 24th of November is so…
by
Esther Rubin
3min
13. Jun 202410:59
Rise in Safer Gambling Tools Use During Safer Gambling Week
New figures released have shown a substantial uptake in the use of safer gambling tools during last year’s Safer Gambling Week. 2023’s Safer Gambling Week was held from November 13th to November 19th and promoted an exciting campaign on the use of safer gambling tools when gambling. Safer Gambling Week is organised by the Betting and Gaming Council and is in its 7th year. It brings together many different areas…
by
Jennifer McFadyen
1min
18. Jul 202509:48
Is this the UK’s Funniest Bingo Caller?
‘Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the funniest of them all?’ Well, you don’t need ask anymore, because Dabbers Bingo has answered the question. And the winner is… *drumroll* Ali Brice and his alter ego, Eric Meat! Dabbers Bingo put out the call for the UK’s funniest in their Bingo Comedy Caller Contest 2025 and it was answered in style this week in a Grand Final to remember. Ali…
by
Charles Shakespeare
3min
11. Jul 202509:12
TOWIE's Bobby Norris Dabs Out with Fanny Galore in Latest Series
Get ready for a fabulous dose of bingo, drag, and celebrity sparkle as WhichBingo’s highly anticipated “Dabbing Out” Series 3 returns. Episode one starts with a bang – featuring none other than The Only Way Is Essex legend Bobby Norris at drag bingo. “You gotta love a bit of drag and bingo,” Norris said, as he and Dabbing Out host Charlie Shakespeare play bingo at Fanny Galore’s Big Bingo Party….
by
Killian Morris
3min
20. Jun 202509:43
Anna Vakili on Love Island Drama, Dating Show Rumours and Life After the Villa
Fresh from a whirlwind few months, Anna Vakili sat down with WhichBingo to talk all things Love Island from the fiery new season and dating show rumours to life post-villa and her rollercoaster love life. The reality star opened up about future TV ambitions, fertility struggles, and what’s next for Sisters in the City, her hugely popular podcast with sister Mandi. Speaking to WhichBingo, the home of the best bingo…
by
Killian Morris
8min
6. Jun 202513:45
Love Island Through the Ages
What the Cast Would’ve Looked Like in the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90’s and predictions for 2050 With Love Island returning to our screens next week, it’s time to pop on the lip gloss, top up the fake tan, and get ready for another summer of slow-burn romance, bombshell drama, and recoupling chaos. But what if the villa had opened its doors in another decade? What if the Islanders strutted their…
by
Killian Morris
4min
Updated October 15, 2024
Esther Rubin
iGaming Writer
Esther Rubin is a bingo and slots specialist with years of hands-on experience in the online gaming industry. Having worked as a bingo chat host, VIP manager, and promotions strategist, she has a deep understanding of online bingo platforms, community engagement, and player rewards. At WhichBingo, Esther reviews bingo sites, game variations, and promotions, helping players find the best platforms for a fun and fair gaming experience. She also analyzes slot games, offering insights tailored for bingo players exploring slots. With a player-first approach, Esther’s reviews break down bonuses, jackpots, and game mechanics in a way that’s clear, engaging, and community-focused.
Reader comments