In 2016, the UK Gambling Commission has introduced regulations that have already changed how online bingo sites must operate. From now on, UK bingo sites are legally required to present more in-depth terms and conditions on their banner adverts, while exact odds must be shown for spin the wheel promotions.
What Has Changed?
- Terms and conditions: Transparency is the main theme of the Gambling Commission’s changes, with players now given clearer and more accessible promotional information than they had previously. Moving forward, the commission demands that sites share “significant” details on their terms and conditions, with information now presented on all UK bingo promotional banners.
- Spin the wheel: Typically, spin the wheel promos have displayed multiple prizes to point of complexity. Well, the commission has chosen to simplify matters by forcing bingo sites to only provide prizes that can be won, with the exact odds of winning communicated to players.
Wink Bingo Abandons Spin the Wheel
Wink Bingo used to be one of the best-known examples of introducing new players with a spin the wheel promotion. However, Wink Bingo has already abandoned this format in favour of a welcome package where new players can deposit £10 for a 300% bonus and then receive scratch card gifts daily for their first seven days with the site.
888 Ladies Displays Ts & Cs
888 Ladies did not have to make as significant a change as Wink Bingo. For 888 Ladies to meet legislation, the bingo site merely had to show a defined selection of terms and conditions on its banner adverts. Now players will be shown minimum deposit value, breakdown of the bonus funds, maximum bonus value, wagering requirements for bingo, and play-through requirements for instant games.
Lucky Cow Changes Welcome Details
New players who view Lucky Cow Bingo’s welcome offer will see that all major terms and conditions are clearly listed below. This is an update on the bingo site’s previous approach of providing a link for players to read the Ts & Cs elsewhere. Ultimately, this will ensure that these details are more accessible for players.
How Spin and Win Promos Will Change
For a welcome offer, it is an achievable change to add Ts and Cs at the bottom of a banner and to list in-depth information directly on the page of a promotion. However, there is much more complexity to adhere to if sites want to continue with spinning wheels that can unlock prizes.
Ultimately, there are likely to be fewer of these promos, and the sites that do have them will have to simplify them. There will no longer be UK-licensed promos where players are looking at 20 or more outcomes. The entire system will take too much time to calculate all of the odds, while presenting them clearly just isn’t feasible. Expect for spinning wheels to decline.
Clarity can only be a good thing for players, who are being looked after well by the UK Gambling Commission. Moving forward, you can now expect offers that are fairer and more honest than ever before.
