New UKGC regulations to impact slots players
The latest instalment of regulation changes are on the verge of being implemented. The White Paper Review has so far given us the overwhelmingly unpopular stake limits and financial affordability checks, but the newest rule changes are uncharacteristically sensible, and make for a refreshing change.
The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) is implementing changes that will directly benefit players. The new rules limit wagering requirements, give customers more control over marketing preferences, and ban certain types of murky promotions.
We can be confident that this latest round of rule changes will be met with more positivity than some of the Commission’s recent announcements. Good news is always welcome, and, as far as players are concerned, this is good news.
10x wagering requirements cap
Wagering requirements are the bane of any slots enthusiast. They devalue the bonus and effectively give the casino chances to reclaim it. Bonuses are a real motivation for many players, and they’re a big part of online gambling. However, wagering requirements make the process of claiming them frustrating and unrewarding.
To illustrate, let’s say that you claimed some free spins, played through them, and found yourself with £20 worth of winnings. The bonus comes with a 35x wagering requirement, so you’ll need to keep playing through those winnings to a total value of £700 before whatever’s left, if anything, is converted into withdrawable cash.
It’s typical for free spins to come with 40x wagering, sometimes more. The UKGC has recognised that high wagering requirements allow casinos to present bonuses as being more valuable than they actually are. For this reason, the regulator is setting a very welcome 10x cap on wagering requirements.
As of 19 December, casinos with high wagering requirements will need to rethink their approach. There are a few great no wagering casinos already out there, and the list is likely to grow once this rule comes into place.
This new limit will benefit players in different ways, making bonuses easier to understand and assess the value of, as well as quicker to claim.
Ban on mixed product promotions
A mixed product promotion requires players to complete different types of wagering activities to qualify – for example, playing a certain number of games in the live casino, as well as wagering a specified amount on slots.
From 19 December, these will be banned completely. The UKGC’s justification for this move is that promos with more complex requirements such as these can confuse players. Furthermore, evidence suggests that people “are more at risk of harm when they gamble on multiple products rather than a single product”.
These bonuses aren’t that common, but they do crop up now and then. Whilst the idea of introducing outright bans might seem a bit sweeping, this one appears to be well-intended and for the greater good. Few players are likely to miss mixed product promotions, as other more straightforward bonuses will take their place.
Individual marketing preferences
Casinos operate in a competitive industry, and a strong marketing strategy is often required to stand out from the crowd. However, such marketing can become invasive , often with materials that aren’t relevant to the player’s interests.
From 1 May, the UKGC will force casinos to give players more control over what marketing they receive.
Rather than requiring players to opt out if they don’t want emails and text messages, they will need to opt in. Also, the specific messages can be tailored to the player’s interests, and the actual delivery channels of marketing materials can be customised too.
Existing customers will be prompted to update their preferences, and to confirm that they are happy to continue receiving marketing materials.
Players with clogged spam folders are likely to benefit a great deal from these new regulations. Hopefully people will make use of the new freedom this affords them, and set their preferences according to their tastes.
Even for the industry, this should ultimately serve to make gambling marketing more useful and more effective.
Conclusion
Credit where credit’s due. The UKGC has made a few clumsy moves in recent months, but we welcome changes across these three areas of regulation. Not only will they improve the player experience, but they’ll make the entire industry more transparent, fair and accessible.
Some casinos may resist these changes, especially those whose bonus strategies rely on high wagering requirements and mixed products promotions, or those who market aggressively. However, the UKGC acts on behalf of the public, and this means protecting the interests of players.