As it’s February, we might have been a bit late to the ‘top 10 trends’ phenomena, but here are the top UK financial spread betting trends we are starting to see play out in early-2025 and we will have to wait and see how they end up changing the spread betting landscape in 2025-2026
Ok, with our further ado, let’s dig in and see what changes might impact the spread betting market this year.
1. Potential ban or major crackdown by the Labour government

Ever since the new Labour government hinted at tougher regulations on gambling, the spread betting community has been buzzing. While an outright ban on spread betting might sound extreme, some analysts believe it’s on the table—especially if public opinion continues to lump spread betting in with high-risk gambling. Even if it’s not a total ban, we could see much stricter rules on marketing, onboarding, and leverage limits as policymakers try to protect vulnerable consumers.
2. Tighter regulation and licensing requirements

Whether or not a ban comes to fruition, we’re almost certain to see stricter oversight. The UK Gambling Commission has been leaning in this direction for a while now, and a government fully on board with increased consumer protection could translate into more robust licensing requirements. This might include stricter “know your customer” (KYC) checks, mandatory affordability assessments, and caps on leverage (so traders can’t bet money they really don’t have).
3. Consolidation among big industry players

If new rules squeeze profit margins, expect some of the bigger names in spread betting to consider mergers or acquisitions. Why fight tooth and nail over the same pool of customers when they can join forces and reduce operational costs? This trend could mirror what’s happened in the broader online gambling world, where a few large conglomerates dominate. Smaller providers might struggle to keep up, leading to a potentially more oligopolistic landscape. I personally would find it super interesting to see how and if this happens as I think the industry is a bit overdue for a shake-up!
4. The rise of AI-powered spread betting platforms

Artificial intelligence is seeping into every corner of finance, and spread betting is no exception. From chatbots that answer basic queries (‘What is Spread Betting?’) to advanced AI that crunches real-time data for trading insights, 2025 might be the year we see widespread adoption of AI tools in spread betting platforms tools. Expect the best platforms to advertise AI-driven signals that help you “trade smarter” (though, as always, there’s no guaranteed profit). The big question: how effectively will regulators keep an eye on these often opaque algorithms?
5. New rules on advertising and marketing

Political pressure and public concern about gambling ads—especially those targeting young or vulnerable people—could lead to a crackdown on how spread betting is marketed. This might mean restrictions on TV ads, less celebrity endorsement, and clearer risk warnings. If you’re used to seeing flashy commercials promising big wins, be prepared for a more toned-down approach, with disclaimers front and centre.
6. Changes to leverage and margin requirements

High leverage can be a big draw for spread bettors, but it also significantly ups the risk. Regulators might decide to set lower maximum leverage ratios (for instance, 1:10 or 1:20) to prevent traders from getting in over their heads. If that happens, you’ll need a bigger deposit to open the same positions you do now, which could deter casual punters while pleasing consumer protection advocates.
7. Renewed interest due to US stock market optimism

Despite talk of bans and crackdowns, if the US stock market continues its predicted rise throughout 2025, we might see a surge in spread betting activity. More people (particularly those feeling more confident about a bull market) could be tempted to jump in and try riding the wave. Even with stricter rules in the UK, optimistic headlines from across the pond often lure in both new and returning traders.
8. Potential shift towards alternative markets

If mainstream indices become heavily regulated or leverage is capped, some traders might shift to alternative markets—such as commodities, forex, or even niche indices. The appeal? Potentially different rules or lower margin requirements, at least initially. This could lead to more diversification among spread bettors who want to keep their strategies profitable under new regulations.
9. Greater focus on responsible gambling tools

With stricter oversight likely, providers may be required to offer more robust responsible gambling (or responsible trading) tools. We’ve already seen companies like GamStop introduce this in the UK gaming space – you might expect mandatory cooldown periods, spending limit prompts, real-time risk warnings, and even integration with open-banking data to verify whether your level of trading is consistent with your actual income. While this might feel like “nannying,” it’s part of the broader push to protect individuals from financial harm.
10. A possible digital exodus and innovation spree

If the UK environment for spread betting becomes too restricted or uncertain, some companies might relocate their headquarters or licensing to more lenient jurisdictions (think Gibraltar or Malta)—though they’d still have to comply with UK rules to serve British customers. Alternatively, we could see a wave of innovation, with new platforms popping up to meet the demand for faster, more transparent, AI-friendly trading experiences. Where regulation tightens, creativity often flourishes.
Our final thoughts
Spread betting in 2025 could look radically different from the industry we know today. A (relatively) new Labour government might impose the toughest restrictions yet, while AI could transform everything from market analysis to how we place trades. We might see consolidation among the big providers, plus more protective measures aiming to weed out irresponsible gambling behaviour. But if the US markets keep climbing, don’t be surprised if new traders flock in—regulations or no regulations. It’ll certainly be a year to watch.
James is a former FTSE100 AI Director and trader with 10+ years trading his own capital. He is the Managing Director of SpreadBet.AI and currently trades his own capital through both CFD trading & spread betting as well as working with one of the leading prop firms in the world.