UK-licensed operators have started reducing bonus offers following the jump in Remote Gaming Duty to 40% on 1 April. The effects are now visible several weeks into the new tax regime.
What Happened
Remote Gaming Duty on online casino and slots profits rose from 21% to 40%. The change formed part of the government’s wider package that also introduced tighter bonus rules earlier in the year.
From January, wagering requirements on bonuses were capped at 10x. Mixed-product promotions, which required players to bet across sports and casino to unlock offers, were banned. These moves arrived ahead of the tax increase.
Why It Matters for Bettors
You are seeing the impact in smaller welcome bonuses and fewer ongoing promotions. Operators facing much higher tax on the same revenue have less room to spend on player incentives.
Some brands had already started pulling back on marketing and customer acquisition months before the tax rise. A few even signalled plans to reduce or exit UK-facing activity. This trend has continued after April.
The Industry Angle
The Betting and Gaming Council warned about this outcome before the changes landed. Chief Executive Grainne Hurst said the only winner from the Budget would be the black market.
Higher tax and stricter bonus rules increase the cost of operating inside the regulated market. This gives offshore sites a clearer advantage on speed, bonus size, and fewer restrictions.
The Catch
The tax rise was always going to squeeze margins. What matters more is how operators respond over the next few months. Some will cut bonus values quietly. Others may focus spending on retention rather than new player acquisition.
Players who chase bonuses will feel the difference first. Those who focus on odds and value will notice less change, but the overall generosity of the regulated market has taken a step back.
Betfinder Take
The 40% duty is now in force and the early effects are clear. Bonus offers inside the UK-licensed market are getting smaller and harder to find.
If you still bet mainly for promotions, check current terms carefully before depositing. For most serious players, this environment makes sharp odds and disciplined bankroll management more important than chasing bonuses. The gap between what regulated sites can offer and what some offshore platforms deliver has widened.
