UKGC Confirms New Rules on Deposit and Fund Rules

UKGC Confirms New Rules on Deposit and Fund Rules

The British Gambling Commission has confirmed that new measures will take effect from 31 October 2025, requiring operators to introduce clearer systems for setting deposit limits and explaining the status of customer funds. The regulator says the changes are intended to strengthen player choice and transparency across the industry, building on practices already adopted by some companies but not applied universally.

Under the new framework, operators licensed in Great Britain will need to prompt customers to set a financial cap before their first deposit is made. The rule does not impose a mandatory ceiling, but it obliges businesses to allow customers to decide how much they are prepared to commit before engaging in play. These limits will not be static; customers must be able to adjust or review them at any point through their account settings.

The Commission has also added a requirement for reminders. Every six months, operators will be expected to prompt customers to look back at their transaction records and consider whether their current limits remain appropriate. The intention is to create regular points of reflection, encouraging customers to keep track of their activity rather than treating limits as a one-time setting.

Although some businesses already follow similar steps, the Commission noted that practices differ across the market and in some cases have caused confusion. To address this, the regulator will open a short consultation aimed at ensuring consistency in how limits are presented. The goal is to prevent rules from being applied unevenly or in ways that may mislead customers about how restrictions work.

The new measures are not confined to deposits. They also cover transparency in the protection of customer funds, an issue that the regulator has been highlighting for several years. Operators already have to disclose whether customer deposits are protected in the event of insolvency, and if so, to what extent. These levels are defined as “not protected,” “segregated but not protected,” “medium protection,” or “high protection.” The information must be clearly stated in the terms and conditions and displayed at the first deposit stage.

From October 2025, operators that offer no protection at all will face an additional duty. They will need to issue reminders every six months to make customers aware that their funds would not be safeguarded if the company failed. The Commission has emphasized that, although there is no legal obligation for operators to protect deposits, many do so voluntarily, and the revised rules are intended to clarify these differences.

Tim Miller, executive director for research and policy at the Commission, described the changes as part of a broader programme of reforms. He said the new rules were designed to give customers more tools to manage their spending and greater clarity about what happens to their money if an operator were to collapse. He added that the Commission would continue its work to deliver commitments made in the government’s White Paper, including evaluation of existing measures and further regulatory steps.

Alongside these regulatory updates, the Commission confirmed that it has been working with Greater Manchester Police on an investigation into alleged betting irregularities in horse racing. A 42-year-old man was arrested in Hawkshaw, Bury, on suspicion of offences under section 42 of the Gambling Act 2005, which covers cheating. The arrest followed reports of suspicious activity earlier in the year, and inquiries are continuing.

The introduction of new deposit and fund transparency rules reflects the regulator’s ongoing shift toward measures that encourage customers to take a more active role in managing their gambling. By obliging operators to prompt limit-setting and issue regular reminders, the Commission is attempting to build accountability into the structure of online gambling accounts. At the same time, clearer disclosures on fund protection are expected to make customers more aware of the differences between operators, giving them the information needed to make informed choices about where to play.

The October 2025 deadline gives operators just over a year to prepare. The industry is likely to face both technical and communication challenges in adapting to the requirements, particularly in ensuring that reminders are effective without becoming disruptive. For customers, however, the new rules should provide more straightforward access to financial management tools and clearer knowledge of the risks attached to deposits.