Have you noticed casino bonuses UK casino bonuses could have a big change this year – but there is some good news for bingo players.
A major tax just came into effect that we expect will impact the bonuses you get at UK casino sites. We unpack what this all means for UK casino and bingo players.
- So what’s actually changed?
- How big is the tax increase?
- What will happen to bonuses?
- What can you do?
- Good news for bingo players
- What this means for new casino sites
- The bigger picture
So What’s Actually Changed?
The government has significantly increased the Remote Gaming Duty with the aim of raising money for public finances and nudging operators away from pushing players towards the products considered most harmful.
Remote Gaming Duty is a tax that UK online casino operators pay on profits. It covers everything you play over the internet, from slots and live casino games to online poker.
Why that matters to you: As a result there is a chance that the increased costs get reflected in what bonuses are offered to UK players.
How Big Is the Tax Increase?
The tax rate has gone from 21% to 40% as of 1 April 2026. Almost double.
The government deliberately aimed the biggest increase at online gaming specifically, viewing it as having lower running costs and more potential for harm than other types of gambling.
The government’s own paperwork flags that the duty rise will affect players if operators pass the cost on through their products and promotions.
What Will Happen To Bonuses?
That could mean welcome offers become less generous or the ongoing promotions you’re used to seeing get a bit thinner. It could also mean higher minimum deposit amounts for welcome bonuses.
It’s worth paying closer attention to bonus terms when comparing sites. We’ll be keeping a close eye on this too.
What Can You Do?
Look out for the good casino bonuses, and know what they are.
We’ll continue to rate and review sites and point you in the direction of great offers. Check our casino reviews where we break down the T&Cs of welcome offers and share details on other promotions.
Some people may want to look for unregulated sites, but we’d urge you not to go with any nongamstop or other dodgy websites in pursuit of a deal. In all likelihood you’ll risk losing money and having no legal backing to get it back.
The question to ask yourself is; “is an average deal better than getting ripped off?“
Good News for Bingo Players
Genuinely good news, this one.
Bingo Duty has been scrapped entirely. The government said it wants to support lower-risk activities, back bingo clubs, and simplify a tax system that previously had seven different gambling duties in it.
With that cost removed from operators, there’s at least a chance of better value and more competitive offers in the bingo world. We’ll be watching to see if that filters through.
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What This Means for New Casino Sites
Running an online casino in the UK just got a lot more expensive overnight.
That’s likely to shape which new casino sites bother launching in the UK.
The good news is that low-effort, fly-by-night operators are probably going to think twice. The sites that do launch will be the ones serious about the UK market for the long haul.
The trade-off is that even those well-funded newcomers will be working with tighter margins, which may mean leaner welcome offers than we’ve seen in recent years.
As always, we test and review every new UK casino before it appears on our pages, so you can trust that anything we recommend has earned its place.
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The Bigger Picture
The government expects to raise over £800 million in the first year of these changes, rising to over £1 billion annually from 2028 onwards. It also acknowledges, in its own words, that some players may choose to gamble less or switch to other activities if what operators offer starts to change.
People can be quick to forget that taxes pay for a lot of good things and £800 million can go a long way to helping fund public services.
Whatever you decide, sticking to fully licensed sites and understanding what you’re signing up for remains the smartest move. And that’s exactly what WhichBingo is here to help you do.
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