TLDR The UK plans a finance bill to clarify how freeplay gambling promotions are taxed. The move follows Jumpman Gaming’s court win against HMRC over its Mega Reel promotion. The Upper Tribunal ruled that free spins from the promotion are not taxable. The ruling saved Jumpman Gaming about £13.2 million ($17.5 million) in duties. The bill would rename freeplays as “restricted plays” and update rules for prizes and tournaments.
The UK government plans to introduce a new law that would clarify how gambling freeplay promotions are taxed. The move follows a court case that gambling operator Jumpman Gaming won against HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
The proposed changes were outlined in the 2026 Budget. They would update the rules for freeplay promotions, prizes, and tournaments under the UK’s remote gaming duty.
Jumpman Gaming Wins Freeplay Tax Case
Jumpman Gaming is owned by Super Group and describes itself as a leading innovator in iGaming. The company challenged an HMRC ruling tied to its Mega Reel promotion.
Under the promotion, customers who made a qualifying deposit received a free Mega Reel spin. That spin could win them free spins on a range of games.
HMRC argued that the free spins won from the first spin should count as gaming payments. It said they should be subject to remote gaming duty.
The tax authority sought to recover duty on promotional bets placed between July 2018 and December 2022.
The Upper Tribunal sided with Jumpman Gaming. It ruled that the exclusion for freeplay promotions, such as the Mega Reel spin, also covers any extra spins the promotion generates.
The tribunal concluded that the spins granted through the promotion are not taxable. The decision saved Jumpman Gaming about £13.2 million ($17.5 million) in duties.
HMRC says it will replace the