Promotional restriction meaning

Promotional restriction meaning: two senses of one phrase

Casino staff and help pages usually use “promotional restriction” to describe an account-level decision: the customer can log in, deposit, play and withdraw, but is no longer offered or allowed to claim bonuses. You might see it described as being “bonus restricted”, “promo blocked” or “excluded from promotions”. It is narrower than a full account restriction, which can affect deposits, play or withdrawals.

Regulators use a related phrase differently. The Gambling Commission’s guidance on promotional play restrictions (opens in a new tab) is about the rules that apply while you play with a promotion, and its glossary of terms (opens in a new tab) defines play restrictions as actions not permitted when playing a game on its own or with a promotion. Those rules are what our bonus restriction entry covers in detail.

Why an account gets a promotional restriction

• Safer gambling: under LCCP 3.4.3, operators must stop marketing and new bonus take-up for customers with strong indicators of harm. Our page on bonuses and harm indicators explains the rule.
• Suspected breaches: the terms may bar offers after multi accounting, shared payment details or other prohibited behaviour.
• Household or sister-brand rules: a one offer per household clause, or a shared operator such as LC International Limited for Coral and Ladbrokes, can block a second welcome offer.
• Your own choice: you can ask to opt out of bonuses entirely, as our guide on how to opt out of bonuses describes.
• Commercial decisions: some operators limit offers on accounts at their discretion, though terms giving undue discretion can be unfair.

Opting out of marketing emails is not the same as a promotional restriction. Since 1 May 2025 you choose marketing consent per product and channel, and you can usually still claim offers shown on the site.

Worked example: a promotional play restriction in pounds

Casumo’s 50% match up to £100 carries a £5 maximum bet while a bonus is active. Imagine a £100 deposit bringing a £50 bonus, so 10x wagering means £500 of bets within 7 days. At £1 a spin that is 500 spins; at the £5 maximum it is 100 spins. A single £6 spin would break the restriction, and the terms set out what happens next, which may include losing bonus winnings. The casino bonus max bet page explains why operators set these caps.

The law adds its own ceiling on top. Online slots are limited to £5 a spin for players aged 25 and over and £2 for those aged 18 to 24, so a player aged 22 couldn’t stake more than £2 a spin on slots whatever the bonus allows. Our online slot stake limits page covers those rules. Either way, a bigger stake doesn’t change the house edge: the £500 of wagering costs about £20 on average at 4%.

UK rules on promotional restrictions

Commission guidance says terms must specify all prohibited types or patterns of play, operators can’t ban a form of play that wasn’t set out in advance, and they mustn’t reserve sole discretion to decide what counts as a breach. Where winnings are lost, the customer must receive a full explanation. Wording that an operator “may” or “reserves the right to” void winnings is the kind of term the Commission flags as unfair, because customers are entitled to know what action will be taken.

For account-level blocks, the duty to stop bonuses for customers at risk overrides any commercial preference. The 10x wagering cap and ban on mixed-product promotions from 19 January 2026 apply to the offers themselves. Our guide on how bonus terms are enforced shows how these rules play out.

How to find out if you have a promotional restriction

1. Look at the promotions page while logged in; restricted accounts often see no offers or a notice.
2. Check whether you previously opted out of bonuses or changed your marketing preferences.
3. Ask support directly whether your account is excluded from promotions and on what basis.
4. If the reason relates to safer gambling, consider using limits, a time-out or support services rather than looking elsewhere for offers.
5. If you think the block is based on an unfair or unclear term, use the formal complaints route.

Glossary terms around promotional restriction

• Bonus ban: a stronger, usually permanent exclusion from offers.
• Bonus suspension: a temporary pause on a bonus already in play.
• Irregular play: the kind of pattern that can trigger a restriction.
• The full list is in our casino bonus glossary.

Partner offers and promotional restrictions

All three offers below are for new customers aged 18+ with no account-level restriction, and terms apply. Each pays spin winnings without wagering, so the only play rules are the eligible games, spin value and time limits. Coral: deposit and bet £10 on slots for 100 spins at 10p (£10 of spins), accept within 48 hours, valid 7 days; PayPal, Paysafe, Neteller, Skrill, prepaid cards and certain debit cards don’t qualify.

Ladbrokes: spend £10 on slots for 50 spins a day over 10 days at 10p, up to 500 spins (£50 of spins), claimed by 23:59 daily and valid 7 days, with similar payment exclusions. PlayOJO: a £10 first deposit brings 80 spins at 10p on Big Bass Bonanza (£8 of spins) for new UK customers outside Northern Ireland, and it can’t be combined with other offers. Compare them on our no wagering bonus page.

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.