What counts as irregular play?

What counts as irregular play in casino bonus terms?

‘Irregular play’ is a label casinos use in their terms for bonus play they don't allow. The phrase has no fixed legal meaning. What it covers at any given casino is whatever that casino's terms list, and nothing more.

The Gambling Commission's own glossary uses the term ‘play restrictions’, defined as actions that are not permitted when playing a game on its own or in association with a promotion. Its guidance names irregular, illegal or fraudulent play, multiple accounts and third-party use or funding of accounts as areas where terms commonly apply. The short irregular play glossary entry has a one-line definition, and the casino bonus questions hub links related topics.

Common examples of irregular play at UK casinos

Terms differ, but the same categories appear again and again. The examples below show what each typically means, with partner terms where they apply.

Several of these are simply conditions of the offer rather than anything sinister. Our pages on the casino bonus max bet, which games are excluded from bonuses and how payment exclusions work cover them individually.

What UK rules say about irregular play terms

The Commission's guidance on promotional play restrictions (opens in a new tab) sets out four principles that apply to every licensed casino:

1. Terms must clearly specify all prohibited types or patterns of play.
2. A form of play that wasn't clearly set out in advance can't be banned.
3. Where winnings are lost, the customer must get a full explanation of the breach; where a withdrawal is refused, the reason should be given.
4. Operators must not reserve sole discretion to decide when and what play breaches the terms.

The Commission's page on terms giving licensees undue discretion (opens in a new tab) adds that terms shouldn't say the operator ‘may’ or ‘reserves the right’ to void winnings for irregular play: customers are entitled to know what action will be taken. Under LCCP 7.1.1, terms must be fair and transparent within the meaning of the Consumer Rights Act 2015. Our bonus terms must be clear and CMA bonus principles pages explain the background.

Fair and unfair irregular play wording compared

Here's how the same idea can be written in a way that meets the guidance, or in a way that doesn't. These are illustrative examples we've written, not quotes from any casino.

If you see the left-hand style, the term may not be enforceable as written: section 62 of the Consumer Rights Act 2015 (opens in a new tab) says an unfair term isn't binding on the consumer. Our how to spot unfair bonus terms guide and unfair terms under the Consumer Rights Act page explain why.

Irregular play example: how one oversized bet works out

Take Casumo's welcome offer. Deposit £200 and you get the maximum £100 bonus at 50%. You must wager the bonus 10x, or £1,000, within 7 days, and you can't stake more than £5 per bet while the bonus is active. Clearing £1,000 at the £5 maximum takes at least 200 bets.

Suppose that, partway through, one spin is placed at £6. Under the terms, that bet breaches the max bet rule, and the casino can apply the consequence the terms describe, typically removing the bonus and winnings derived from it. Your own deposit balance is treated separately; Commission guidance says you can withdraw it at any time. The Casumo max bet page covers that clause in detail.

The UK slot stake limits sit underneath bonus rules: £5 per spin for players aged 25 and over since 9 April 2025, and £2 for 18 to 24-year-olds since 21 May 2025. A younger player can't reach a £5 bonus max bet on slots at all. See online slot stake limits.

At a 4% house edge, £1,000 of wagering costs about £40 on average, against a £100 bonus. That's an average; individual results vary widely, and the bonus doesn't change the odds of any game.

How to find the irregular play rules before you play

1. Open the offer's full terms from the promotion page; significant terms should be no more than one click away.
2. Search the page for ‘irregular’, ‘prohibited’, ‘abuse’ and ‘maximum bet’.
3. Note the max bet, eligible games, time limits and excluded payment methods.
4. Check eligibility: new customers only, location, and any per-household or group-wide limit.
5. Look for what happens on a breach; clear terms say exactly what will be removed.
6. If any clause is unclear, ask support in writing and keep the reply.

Our how to read a significant terms box guide shows where key conditions sit, and is it worth reading bonus terms? makes the case for doing it every time.

Does irregular play apply to no-wagering free spins?

Far less. Most irregular play clauses exist to protect wagering requirements: max bet caps and game restrictions stop bonus funds being played through in ways the casino didn't intend. With no-wagering spins, the stake per spin is fixed (10p at all three of our closest partners) and winnings are paid as cash, so there's little to break during play.

The rules that still apply are the eligibility ones: one account per person, your own payment method, the right deposit type and, for PlayOJO, not combining the offer with others. See how no-wagering spins pay out and free spins winnings for how cash winnings are credited.

What to do if a casino says you played irregularly

Ask for the exact term, the bets or actions it relates to, and what has been removed. Guidance says you're owed a full explanation. Compare that with the terms as they stood when you opted in, since operators shouldn't change a promotion for someone already opted in except to prevent fraud or similar unlawful behaviour.

If you disagree, use the casino's complaints procedure. It has eight weeks to respond; after that you can go to its approved ADR provider, which is free. Our where to complain about a casino page explains each step, and what happens if I break bonus terms? sets out typical outcomes.

Partner offers with the fewest play restrictions

If irregular play clauses worry you, no-wagering spins remove most of them. All three below are for new customers aged 18+, with full terms applying.

Coral: after a qualifying deposit, bet £10 on slots and receive 100 free spins at 10p (£10 of spins) on the offer's selected games; accept within 48 hours, use within 7 days, no wagering on winnings. Neteller, PayPal, Paysafe, Skrill, prepaid cards and certain debit cards don't qualify. Our Coral eligible games page explains how to find the listed slots.

Ladbrokes: spend £10 on slots for 50 free spins a day for 10 days, up to 500 at 10p (£50 of spins), on selected games; claim before 23:59 each day, valid 7 days, no wagering. Prepaid cards, PayPal, Paysafe, Neteller, Skrill and Moneybookers are excluded.

PlayOJO: a first deposit of £10 or more brings 80 free spins on Big Bass Bonanza at 10p (£8 of spins), paid as cash winnings with no wagering, for new UK customers excluding Northern Ireland, via the designated link only and not with other offers. Casumo and 10bet offer deposit-match bonuses with 10x wagering, where max bet and game rules matter more; compare them on our Casumo vs 10bet 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.