Casinos not on Gamstop make it possible to continue gambling even when you’ve self-excluded from a licensed UK betting site. This is possible because these non-Gamstop casinos typically operate outside the UK jurisdiction. They provide broader game selections, bigger bonuses, fewer limits, and cryptocurrency use. However, there are both pros and cons to using these casinos, which we’ll discuss in more detail.
What is a Non-GamStop Casino?
A non-Gamstop casino is a gambling site that isn’t registered with Gamstop, the self-exclusion program for UK gambling and betting platforms. Gamstop was launched in the UK in April 2018 as a way for the United Kingdom Gambling Commission to help players control their gambling habits. However, it wasn’t until March 31, 2020, that it became mandatory for licensed UK casinos to integrate the Gamstop program on their platforms. Consequently, if you self-exclude on a licensed Gamstop casino, you won’t be able to register or gamble on any other licensed UK gambling site till your self-exclusion period elapses. And this is where non-Gamstop casinos come into play.
Since all licensed UK casinos are a part of the Gamstop scheme, a non-Gamstop casino is basically an offshore betting site licensed by a regulatory body outside the UK. These offshore casinos operate outside the jurisdiction of the UKGC, so they are not mandated to be part of or uphold Gamstop self-exclusion restrictions. As a result, non-Gamstop casinos have become a popular alternative for players looking to continue gambling while self-excluded from UK-licensed casinos.
That said, while non-Gamstop casinos typically provide a gambling platform for those looking to gamble during self-exclusion, you should exercise caution when registering on these sites. The lack of UKGC regulatory oversight typically comes with dispute resolution problems, fair play concerns, and weaker responsible gambling policies. But you can stay still safe when gambling at a non-Gamstop casino by using sites that are licensed by top offshore gambling regulators like Curacao eGaming and Panama Gaming Control Board.
Main Licensing Authorities for Non-GamStop Casinos
Here’s an overview of the top licensing authorities responsible for keeping non-Gamstop casinos in check:
Curacao
The Curacao Gaming Control Board has been issuing gambling licenses since 1996 and is widely regarded as the top offshore licensing authority for casinos worldwide. Non-Gamstop Curacao casinos typically have less regulatory oversight compared to UKGC Gamstop platforms. Regardless, these casinos still provide basic fairness standards and offer more flexibility and variety when it comes to game offerings and bonuses, making them good alternatives to Gamstop casinos.
Kahnawake
Like Curacao, the Kahnawake Gaming Commission has been in the business of licensing online gambling sites since 1996 and has become a popular choice for non-Gamstop casinos. Users of non-Gamstop casinos with a Kahnawake license have the safety of a dispute resolution service that allows them to report issues with the casino directly to the casino.
Malta
Malta is a favorable destination for non-Gamstop casinos, due to a favorable tax structure that ensures gambling sites can remain profitable and provide an excellent variety of casino games from top providers. That said, the Malta Gaming Authority is one of the top gambling regulatory authorities worldwide, with some top UK online casinos holding a dual license from both the MGA and UKGC. Non-Gamstop casinos licensed by the MGA typically have to undergo rigorous background checks, financial audits, and fairness tests to ensure that they can provide a reliable and credible gambling experience.
Panama
The Panama Gaming Control Board offers a common licensing alternative for non-Gamstop UK casinos due to the cheaper licensing fees and minimal tax on foreign income in Panama. Additionally, Panama-licensed casinos are mostly favorable towards crypto payments, which makes the PGCB license an attractive option for non-Gamstop casinos looking to incorporate crypto banking.
Why Use Casinos Not on GamStop?
Here are some of the reasons why you might consider gambling on a non-Gamstop casino:
Avoid Self-Exclusion Bans
Once you’ve activated self-exclusion on a Gamstop casino, you’re unable to sign up with any other licensed UK casino that is registered with Gamstop till the self-exclusion period elapses. If, however, you feel like you’re ready to resume gambling after a significant period of self-exclusion, registering with an offshore casino not on Gamstop ensures you can immediately return to gaming.
Less Stringent Verification Process
Most times, the registration process at a non-Gamstop casino simply requires you to enter personal details and provide an email address to verify your account. This is considerably easier than with UKGC casinos, where you need to provide a government-issued ID document, bank statement, or utility bill and a valid UK phone number for identity verification.
Avoid Betting Restrictions and Limitations
Casinos licensed by the UKGC are known to have stricter betting restrictions due to responsible gambling measures. This means you often have to deal with lower payment and betting limits on these licensed UK casinos. However, non-Gamstop casinos generally offer higher payment limits and fewer gambling restrictions, which makes them more attractive, especially if you’re a high roller.
Cryptocurrency Support
Due to government regulations and concerns over the link between crypto investments and problem gambling, crypto is generally unavailable as a payment method on Gamstop casinos licensed by the UKGC. But the good news is that offshore casinos offer a way out. Non-Gamstop casinos are primarily licensed in regions with widespread crypto adoption so that you can make payments with Bitcoin and top altcoins on these sites. Also, due to the crypto support provided by these casinos, you can enjoy anonymous gambling transactions, faster payments, and even exclusive crypto bonuses.
What to Check on a Non-Gamstop Casino?
We’ve already discussed why you might need to gamble at a non-Gamstop casino. However, to ensure a safe and enjoyable gambling experience, there are some factors you must consider when choosing a platform that isn’t registered with Gamstop. Some of these factors of a non-Gamstop gambling site are discussed below:
Security and Safety
One of the first things you should look out for when choosing a non-Gamstop casino is whether a reputable regulatory body licenses such a site. You can often find a casino’s license number or certification at the bottom of their website, so this is one of the first places you should be looking at.
Casinos with licenses from Malta are generally safer to bet at because they offer multiple safety measures, including data encryption, responsible gambling tools, and anti-fraud protection. The absence of a reputable gambling license on a non-Gamstop casino is a significant red flag, and you should avoid gambling on such sites for your safety.
Bonuses and Promotions
Offshore gambling sites typically offer several bonuses to reward consistent users and promote their platforms to new users. Promotions you will typically find on a non-Gamstop casino include welcome bonuses, reload offers, free spins, and deposit match bonuses. Regardless of the bonus type, one thing is common among these casino bonuses – they have specific terms and conditions you must comply with.
Important Casino Bonus Terms to be Aware of
Here are some of the bonus terms that you’ll commonly find at the top non-Gamstop UK gambling sites:
Qualification Requirements
You will usually be required to make an initial qualifying deposit to receive a bonus at a non-Gamstop casino. So before activating that welcome offer or reload bonus, read through the terms to confirm if a qualifying deposit is needed and how much you would have to pay to receive the bonus.
Wagering Requirements
Before you can withdraw winnings from a casino bonus, you are usually required to gamble with the bonus funds a specific number of times. This means that if the bonus amount is £10 and the wagering requirement is 40x, you must gamble a total of £400 in bonus funds before you can access your winnings. Wagering requirements are added to bonuses to prevent players from taking undue advantage of bonuses without gambling, and you can typically get info about the requirements by reading the terms.
Eligible Games
Sometimes, non-Gamstop casinos exclude certain games from bonus eligibility to protect their profit margins or prevent players from clearing wagering requirements with low-risk games. It is also common for these offshore casinos to tie their bonuses to new games to promote them to their users.
Time Limit
Casino bonuses aren’t usually available for long after you’ve claimed them. Non-Gamstop casinos usually require users to gamble with their bonuses within 30 days after claiming the offer. However, this isn’t always the case, and there are some platforms where you must use bonuses within 7 days of receiving them!
Range of Casino Games
The top non-Gamstop gambling sites usually have hundreds to thousands of casino games, including slots, table games, live dealer options, and specialty titles like crap and keno. Besides the number of games available on an online casino, you should confirm that these games are provided by top software developers like NetEnt, Microgaming, and Evoplay. The casino games produced by these reputable developers typically meet fairness standards through the use of Random Number Generators while providing quality and immersive gameplay.
Payment Methods
Another factor you should consider when choosing a non-Gamstop casino is the number of payment options available on this gambling site. Several non-Gamstop gambling sites offer traditional bank transfers. However, because these casinos aren’t subject to the strict regulatory measures of the UKGC, they can also support more modern banking methods like crypto, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, gift cards, and prepaid cards.
Deposit and Withdrawal Limits and Times
Offshore non-Gamstop casinos that provide crypto payments typically offer instant deposits and faster withdrawal times than gambling sites licensed by the UKGC. These casinos usually have a banking page that includes information on payment times, and you can get additional info on processing times by contacting customer support. Reputable online casinos are transparent about payment limits; if a casino isn’t forthcoming with this information, you should steer clear of the site. Additionally, since there is less emphasis on responsible gaming on these offshore gambling sites, you can deposit more, wager higher, and withdraw larger amounts at once.
User Experience
When using a non-Gamstop casino, the site should load without delays and have an intuitive design that makes it easy to navigate and find games, banking methods, and bonus information. You may also not always have access to a desktop, so you should check to see how well these casinos run on mobile browsers. A well-optimized mobile casino ensures you can spin the reels or play poker from your phone anywhere and anytime.
Are Non-GamStop Casinos Safe?
Non-Gamstop casinos are generally safe to gamble at. By signing up with a non-Gamstop casino, you’re not only avoiding strict self-exclusion regulations; you also won’t enjoy the safety net that comes with gambling on a UKGC-licensed casino. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean it’s unsafe to gamble at a non-Gamstop casino.
Non-Gamstop casinos that are licensed by reputable regulatory bodies, such as the Panama, Curacao, Malta, or Costa Rica commissions mostly offer a secure gambling experience. These non-Gamstop casinos usually have to meet certain standards for fairness, security, and player protection before they can get a license from these regulatory bodies, so they are mostly safe to gamble at.
Conclusion
While several casinos not on Gamstop allow you to gamble even if you’re self-excluded from Gamstop sites, it’s important to choose wisely. Many of these casinos are based outside the UK, but some still hold licenses from reputable regulatory bodies, offering a certain level of security.
That said, the absence of Gamstop’s oversight means fewer safeguards to help with problem gambling, so it’s crucial to be mindful of your limits while gambling on these non-Gamstop casinos. Always make use of whatever responsible gambling tools are available on these platforms, and remember to gamble within your limits.
FAQs
What UK Casino is not on Gamstop?
UK Casinos that are not on Gamstop are gambling sites licensed by offshore regulatory authorities, such as the Panama Gaming Control Board, Curacao eGaming, Malta Gaming Authority, and Kahnawake Gaming Commission.
Does Gamstop stop you from going to casinos?
While Gamstop prevents you from gambling at UK-licensed casinos, you can still enjoy your favorite casino games on non-Gamstop offshore gambling sites.
Is Gamstop only available in the UK?
Yes, the Gamstop service is only available to UK residents.
How long does Gamstop last?
Registering with Gamstop lets you choose the length of your self-exclusion period. There are usually three options. You can set it to 6 months, 1 year, or 5 years when self-excluding with Gamstop.
Is it safe to use a non-Gamstop casino?
Non-Gamstop casinos with a valid license from reputable offshore authorities are generally safe to play at due to their advanced security measures and the availability of games from top software providers.
