The UK’s gambling landscape is about to change. From the 19th of January 2026, new regulations from the Gambling Commission will shake up how casino bonuses work. The rules are designed to make promotions simpler and safer for players, but they’ll also affect the types of offers you see on the market. Some bonuses will disappear entirely, while others will look quite different to what you might be used to.
If you prefer depositing by bank transfer, you might be wondering how all this applies to you. Will you still be able to claim bonuses? And if you win, how does withdrawing back to your bank account actually work? Here’s a breakdown of what’s coming and what it means for your bonus options going forward.
What’s changing with UK casino bonuses?
Two main changes are coming into effect under the new rules. First, there’s a ban on mixed product promotions. This means casinos will no longer be able to offer bonuses that require you to gamble across different product types.
So if you’ve ever seen an offer asking you to place a sports bet and then play slots to unlock your bonus, those kinds of deals are on the way out. The Gambling Commission found that these promotions were confusing and potentially harmful, so they’re being scrapped altogether.
The bigger change, though, is the cap on wagering requirements. If you’ve claimed a casino bonus before, you’ll know that wagering requirements determine how many times you need to play through bonus funds before you can withdraw any winnings. These have historically been set pretty high at many casinos, sometimes reaching 40x, 50x, or even higher.
To put it into perspective, a £10 bonus with 50x wagering would require you to stake £500 before you could cash out. That’s a lot of play from a fairly modest bonus, and many players never actually clear the requirement. Under the new rules, wagering requirements will be capped at 10x. That same £10 bonus would now only need £100 in wagers to clear, making it far more realistic to walk away with something.
It’s a significant shift, and it will likely change the types of bonuses casinos choose to offer. With tighter restrictions on bonus funds, many operators are expected to lean more heavily towards free spins promotions, including the chance to win real cash straight away.
Can you still claim bonuses with a bank transfer deposit?
Yes, and nothing in the new regulations changes this. The rules focus on how bonuses are structured, not which payment methods can trigger them. That side of things is still determined by each casino individually.
The good news is that bank transfer deposits are accepted for bonus offers at most UK casinos. It’s a trusted and familiar payment method, and casinos generally have no issue with it.
However, it’s always worth checking the terms before you deposit, as some sites do exclude certain payment methods from promotional eligibility. You don’t want to fund your account only to find out you’ve missed out on the welcome offer. To be sure, you can check Bank Transfer Casino UK for a range of online casinos with bank transfer bonuses available.
In terms of what you’ll need to qualify, most welcome offers require a minimum deposit of £10 or £20. The exact amount depends on the casino and the specific promotion.
There’s also an important restriction to keep in mind: casinos typically require you to use a personal UK banking account. Joint and business accounts are typically not accepted for deposits or withdrawals, so make sure you’re using an account in your own name.
What lower wagering means for withdrawals
The practical upside of lower wagering requirements is fairly straightforward. When you don’t have to play through bonus funds as many times, there’s a better chance you’ll actually have something left to withdraw at the end.
Previously, high wagering often meant bonus balances dwindled to nothing before players could cash out. With a 10x cap, the odds of finishing with real withdrawable funds are much improved. If you do clear a bonus and want to cash out to your bank account, the process is usually simple enough these days.
For players who have already deposited by bank transfer, your details will typically be saved to your account. When you’re ready to withdraw, you just select your bank as the payout method, confirm the amount, and wait for the casino to approve it. Once processed, the money will land in your account. Processing times vary between casinos, but you’ll usually see the funds within a few working days.
If you haven’t previously used your bank for deposits, you might still be able to request a manual bank transfer. This involves entering your details directly, including your account name, account number, and sort code. Not every casino offers this option, so it’s worth checking their cashier page first or asking customer support.
As for minimum withdrawals, most casinos set this at £10 or £20. Some do allow smaller amounts, but that varies from site to site.
With the new rules implemented, it’s worth keeping an eye on how your favourite casinos adjust their bonus offerings. The fundamentals of depositing and withdrawing by bank transfer won’t change, but the promotions themselves might look a bit different.
David Prior
David Prior is the editor of Today News, responsible for the overall editorial strategy. He is an NCTJ-qualified journalist with over 20 years’ experience, and is also editor of the award-winning hyperlocal news title Altrincham Today. His LinkedIn profile is here.
