With the UK Gambling Commission clamping down on the betting industry in recent years, punters have been looking for new options. Non-GamStop casinos are one of the most common options, but should you try them?

The attraction for UK-based gamblers is built on a desire for gambling freedom. Ten years ago the British betting industry saw a boom with new technology and faster internet speeds, but the early freedoms have been curtailed by strict betting limits, limited bonuses, and an inability to make credit card deposits.

For punters seeking casino sites not on GamStop, this article will break down the key pros and cons versus the UK casino sites.

The GamStop and UKGC Relationship

GamStop is a non-profit self-exclusion service available in the United Kingdom (Great Britain and Northern Ireland). The organisation works in conjunction with the UKGC, and bettors can sign up to the GamStop service for free. Once they have selected an exclusion term, they will be blocked from using any gambling websites and apps in the UK for the full length of their chosen term, which can be up to five years.

With a huge number of sites in the United Kingdom, the scheme allows users to enforce a blanket restriction across the country during times when they may be emotionally struggling with losses.

Customers simply provide their current and former addresses, with any email addresses that were used to sign up for betting sites in the past. The UKGC oversees the GamStop scheme and ensures it fits with their regulations.

How Non-GamStop Casinos Work

Sites not on GamStop offered by casinonotongamstop.net are casino and gaming sites that have their business operations located outside of the UK and are not required to adhere to the GamStop database.

The sites are still regulated by a licensing authority in their own jurisdiction. Malta and Gibraltar were popular destinations for gambling sites over the last few years, with the companies overseen by the Malta Gaming Authority or the Gibraltar Gaming Division. Casino sites in these countries are still part of the EU and thus, are still held to a high standard of operations and KYC rules. Segregation of client funds from the business operations are usually the standard to protect the consumer from business failures. One of the most common drawbacks of using these sites can be a lack of third-party support for dispute resolution. It is up to the user to decide whether this is an issue as gamblers playing with small sized bets may have never required dispute resolution.

UK punters are still flocking to these sites because of the freedom that exists over the GamStop firms. Gaming companies in the UK are being asked to comply with extensive regulation, and it is rare that a ‘one size fits all’ approach benefits everyone. It is right that the UKGC tackles the issue of problem gambling but for those comfortable in their gaming habits, the in-game restrictions are watering down the fun factor of betting.

The sites not on GamStop will still have self-exclusion measures in place, but they will not be as extensive as the five year restrictions in the UK.

Is it Legal to Play at Sites Not on GamStop?

It is 100% legal for UK gamblers to sign up with non-GamStop casinos and place their bets. Consumers in the UK are still free to choose sites outside of the UK for their but the UKGC places restrictions on the ability of companies to market their services, so many do not know they exist.

It is important that these sites aren’t seen as an avenue to escape the GamStop rules. Gambling addictions are a serious issue in Britain and require professional help. Users can still contact the support staff of non-UK sites to apply self-exclusion rules and bet limits if they require

Should You Try Non-UK Casinos?

There are many advantages that can be gained from using sites that are not on GamStop. At the end of the day, the UKGC are trying to walk the tightrope of letting gambling businesses thrive and support the economy, but also to stop the spiral that problem gambling can create in the minority. It is up to the consumer how they spend their money and the non-UK sites should not be seen as a way to get around the restrictions.

Using sites not on GamStop usually offers access to a wider range of payment options, while the UK companies were forced to halt credit cards as a funding option. The non-UK sites will offer the credit card option, while they also provide digital wallets, and even cryptocurrencies to fund accounts.

GamStop Sites vs Casinos Not on GamStop

Every consumer choice comes with a unique set of pros and cons. Each punter will be able to weigh up the advantages and disadvantages depending on their needs. This is our round up of the important pros and cons:

GamStop Casinos

Pros

• Trusted brand name companies
• Extensive efforts to combat problem gambling
• GBP deposits as standard
• Enhanced consumer protection
• Third-party support for dispute resolution

Cons

• Limits on stake size
• Extensive KYC verification
• Credit card deposits banned
• No crypto payment support

Sites not on GamStop

Pros

• Generous bonuses and more frequent
• Fewer limits and restrictions
• Licensed by a gaming authority in their jurisdiction
• Access to self-exclusion
• Wide range of funding methods

Cons

• May not offer GBP deposits
• UK game titles may not be available
• Can be exploited to avoid GamStop rules

Our Conclusion on Non-GamStop Sites

For experienced gamblers that are comfortable with their betting habits, the opportunity to switch to non-UK casinos is appealing. These sites can offer the freedom that the UK gaming industry offered 5-10 years ago.

Bet sizes and deposits at non-UK sites free from restrictions, but there are other benefits in the form of regular bonuses. The game title libraries in these sites are also more extensive than UK sites, which have bene forced to tone down their marketing and promotion efforts.

There are pros and cons with any consumer choice, but if the advantages of using non-UK casinos, outweigh the disadvantages, punters can sign up and try them out. For many, the experience will likely be similar to the UK industry before the new regulations were applied.