Promotion meaning, at a casino: a promotion is a special offer that adds a bonus, such as free spins or matched funds, to your account once you accept it, under that offer's own terms and conditions. In the UK, promotions must be opted into, show their significant terms up front, cap wagering at 10x and can't be changed against you once you have signed up.
A promotion is the offer; the bonus is what it adds to your account.
UK players must opt in: promotions can't be applied automatically.
Significant terms such as deposit, wagering and time limits must be shown up front.
Since 19 January 2026: wagering capped at 10x and no mixed-product promotions.
Operators can't vary a promotion after you opt in, except to prevent fraud.
Means
An offer adding a bonus under its terms
Opt-in
Required
Wagering cap
10x bonus since 19 January 2026
Mixed products
Banned in one promotion
Changing terms after opt-in
Not allowed (except fraud)
Promotion meaning in UK casino rules
In everyday speech a promotion is any special offer. The Gambling Commission's glossary of terms (opens in a new tab) is more precise: it describes a promotion as a special online gaming offer made up of a bonus that, once accepted, is added to your account under the promotion's terms and conditions. So the promotion is the package, and the bonus is the value inside it.
You will also see the word incentive, which the licence conditions use for rewards and bonuses more broadly. Our casino bonus glossary treats promotion, offer and incentive as close cousins, and this entry focuses on the rules that apply to all of them.
One product only. Since the same date, a promotion can't mix gambling products, such as a sports bet that earns casino spins; see the mixed-product promotion ban.
No moving the goalposts. The Commission's guidance on the right to vary a promotion (opens in a new tab) says operators must not vary or withdraw a promotion for someone who has opted in, unless it is needed to prevent fraud or similar unlawful behaviour.
Marketing consent. Since 1 May 2025, you choose by product and channel whether to receive promotional messages; see marketing consent rules.
Harm. Operators must stop marketing and new bonus take-up for customers showing strong signs of harm.
How promotions must be advertised
Advertising rules add another layer. The ASA's guidance on promotional marketing terms and conditions (opens in a new tab) says significant conditions must be stated clearly where leaving them out would mislead. For gambling, that typically means eligibility, deposit or wagering requirements and time limits. An offer can't be called free if you must risk your own money to get it, which is why honest headlines read "bet £10, get 100 free spins" rather than "100 free spins". Our page on free in gambling ads explains the wording rules.
How to read a casino promotion in five steps
Check you are eligible: age, new or existing customer, country (some exclude Northern Ireland).
Note the qualifying action: deposit, bet or opt-in, and which payment methods are excluded.
Work out the value: spins × stake, or the match percentage up to its cap.
Find the conditions on winnings: wagering multiple, max bet, max win and eligible games.
Write down the deadlines: time to claim, time to use and time to complete wagering.
Casumo's welcome promotion shows how the pieces fit. It is for new customers aged 18+, needs an opt-in, and gives a 50% bonus up to £100 on the first deposit, with a £20 minimum. A £20 deposit brings £10; a £200 deposit brings the full £100. The bonus must be wagered 10x within 7 days, so £100 of bonus means £1,000 of play, which at a 4% edge costs about £40 on average. Bets are capped at £5 while it is active, and game, play and payment restrictions apply. Every one of those numbers is a significant term.
The promotions we list and how they compare
Our three spin partners run simple promotions with no wagering on spin winnings. Coral: deposit and bet £10 on slots for 100 free spins at 10p (accept within 48 hours, valid 7 days), running 1 October 2026 to 1 February 2027. Ladbrokes: play £10 on slots for 50 free spins a day for 10 days, up to 500 at 10p. PlayOJO: 80 free spins on Big Bass Bonanza at 10p with a first deposit of £10 or more, not available in Northern Ireland. Coral and Ladbrokes exclude PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, Paysafe and prepaid cards. All 18+, new customers, terms apply. Compare them on casino bonuses.
Coral and Ladbrokes are both run by LC International Limited (Entain). If you already hold an account with one Entain brand, you may not be able to open a new account with another; check the terms before signing up.
Significant terms: 18+. New players only. Offer runs 01/10/2026 to 01/02/2027. Deposit (certain types excluded) and bet £10+ on slot games to get 100 free spins (selected games, £0.10 each, 48 hrs to accept, valid 7 days). No wagering on free spin winnings. Deposits by Neteller, PayPal, Paysafe, Skrill, prepaid cards and certain debit cards do not qualify. Restrictions and T&Cs apply. GamCare.org.uk
Read the Coral reviewLicence: LC International Limited, UKGC account 54743. Offer checked 5 October 2026.
Significant terms: 18+. New customers only, from 14/11/25 until further notice. Certain deposit methods excluded. Deposit and spend £10+ on slots for 50 free spins a day during the first 10 days after first deposit and registration (max 500, £0.10 each, selected games, claim before 23:59 each day, valid 7 days). No wagering. Prepaid cards, PayPal, Paysafe, Neteller, Skrill and Moneybookers deposits do not qualify. Restrictions and T&Cs apply. GamCare.org.uk
Read the Ladbrokes reviewLicence: LC International Limited, UKGC account 54743. Offer checked 5 October 2026.
Significant terms: 18+. New UK customers (excluding Northern Ireland). First deposit only. Minimum deposit £10. 80 free spins on Big Bass Bonanza, £0.10 each. No wagering requirements; winnings paid in cash. Cannot be used with any other offer. Only available to players who arrive through the designated offer link. Full T&Cs apply. GamCare.org.uk
Read the PlayOJO reviewLicence: Skill On Net Limited, UKGC account 39326. Offer checked 5 October 2026.
18+. Gambling should be entertainment that costs money, not a way to make it. Decide a budget before you play: set a budget. Free, confidential help: National Gambling Helpline 0808 8020 133.
Frequently asked questions
What does promotion mean at a casino?
A promotion is a special offer that adds a bonus to your account, such as free spins or matched funds, once you accept it, under that offer's own terms. The Gambling Commission's glossary describes it in much the same way. The promotion is the package, with its eligibility, qualifying steps and conditions; the bonus is what you receive. Our types of casino bonus hub lists the main kinds of promotion in the UK.
Is a promotion the same as a bonus?
Not quite. The promotion is the offer and its rules; the bonus is the value it credits, such as 100 free spins or a £25 match. One promotion can include more than one bonus, for example spins over several days. In casual use the two words are often swapped, and terms may use either. What matters is reading the conditions that come with it. See how do casino bonuses work? for the mechanics.
Do I have to opt in to casino promotions?
Yes. UK guidance says players must opt into promotions rather than being enrolled automatically. You may opt in with a tick box, a button on the promotions page or by choosing the offer at sign-up, as 10bet asks you to do with its casino welcome bonus. Some welcome offers are triggered by making a qualifying deposit after you have chosen them. The common methods are shown step by step in how to opt in to a bonus.
Can a casino change a promotion after I have opted in?
Generally no. Gambling Commission guidance says operators must not use terms allowing them to vary or withdraw a promotion for a customer who has opted in, unless it is needed to prevent fraud or similar unlawful behaviour. Material changes to general terms must also be notified before they take effect. If a promotion changes against you, raise it with the casino and then an ADR service. Read can bonus terms change after I opt in?.
What are significant terms in a promotion?
They are the conditions most likely to affect whether you want the offer: who can claim, how to qualify, payment exclusions, wagering requirements, maximum stake, time limits and any cap on winnings. UK advertising rules require them to be shown clearly with the offer, not hidden in full terms. For example, 'bet £10 on slots, 10p spins, valid 7 days' are all significant. Our guide on how to read a significant terms box explains the layout.
Can a casino promotion combine sports and casino?
Not any more. Since 19 January 2026, a single promotion can't require you to use one gambling product, such as sports betting, to get a reward on another, such as casino spins. Each promotion must stick to one product. That is why many sites now ask you to choose a sports or a casino welcome offer. Read the mixed-product promotion ban page and sports or casino welcome offer for the detail.
How do I stop receiving casino promotions?
Change your marketing preferences in your account. Since 1 May 2025, UK operators must let you choose by product (casino, betting, bingo) and channel (email, text, phone) whether you get marketing, with opt-out as the default for new customers. You can also decline individual offers. If promotions are tempting you to play more than you want, consider a time-out or GAMSTOP. For the settings themselves, see how to stop bonus emails.
Gambling can be addictive. Free, confidential help is available 24 hours a day from the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133. Visit GamCare.org.uk and GamCare, or block yourself from all UK-licensed gambling sites with GAMSTOP.
This site contains adverts. We may earn commission when you sign up through our links. Advertiser disclosure.
We use no tracking cookies. We store one item in your browser to remember this notice. Casino sites may set their own cookies after you follow an advert link. Cookie policy
