Last Updated on December 23, 2024
What Are Online Casinos Not On Gamstop?
Gamstop is a force for good, but it’s not perfect. In fact, there are plenty of players who initially enroll in it, but then decide they don’t want to be a part of it anymore — whether it was an impulsive decision in the first place or they’ve solved their gambling problem.
Unfortunately, this action is irreversible for the duration of the self-exclusion period.
Not to mention, the most exciting and dramatic growth in the online casino world over the last few years has happened with casinos not found on Gamstop. From a casino’s standpoint, when Gamstop restrictions don’t apply, you have a lot more freedom to operate as you please.
In this article we’re going to dive into what it means to be a non-Gamstop casino and, more importantly, why non-Gamstop sites are important for you and all other UK casino players.
Let’s get right into it.
What is a non-GamStop Casino?
Non-Gamstop casinos are exactly what they sound like: online casinos that are not a part of the Gamstop self-exclusion scheme. These casinos operate independently from UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) regulations and do not participate in the Gamstop program.
Once someone registers for Gamstop, they cannot reverse the exclusion until the selected time frame has passed. Depending on what you’ve chosen, this period lasts either 6 months, 1 year, or 5 years.
Since non-Gamstop casinos aren’t bound by Gamstop’s self-exclusion mechanisms, you can still access these sites even if you’ve previously self-excluded through Gamstop.
Casinos that aren’t on Gamstop are licensed outside of the UK in jurisdictions like Curaçao and Malta. This is what allows them to offer services to UK players without adhering to the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) regulations.
UKGC Licensed Alternatives to Non GamStop Casinos
It’s a legal requirement for any online casino licensed in the UK to participate in the Gamstop program. And there are no exceptions.
This means, if you’re currently signed up to Gamstop and are ready to return to online gaming, it is simply impossible to do so at any UKGC-licensed premises. You can’t even create a new account with a new email address or fake information.
Why?
Because UKGC accounts do their ID verification up front, and they require you to submit valid ID. Since your ID is linked to the Gamstop register, your account setup will instantly be rejected.
So, your only two options in this case are:
- Physical casinos (which have their own separate exclusion programs and may still be accessible to you depending on your self-exclusion agreement)
- Non-Gamstop casinos
We’re going to assume you want the convenience of playing casino games online, here. So we’ll focus on the latter option.
Reasons to play on a non-Gamstop casino
Whether it’s due to a change in their gambling habits or simply wanting more options, there are many reasons why someone might look for non-Gamstop casinos.
Let’s dive into the reasons for choosing a non-Gamstop casino.
1. Access to more games and bonuses
Since every online casino that’s licensed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) is automatically a Gamstop partner, in practice this means that self-exclusion with Gamstop prevents you from logging in, depositing or wagering at any of the thousands of UKGC casinos. That’s a huge chunk of the online casino market.
Playing games on non-Gamstop casinos means you get access to different games and bonuses that may not be available on UKGC-licensed sites. Plus, with fewer restrictions and regulations, these casinos tend to pass those benefits on to their players in the form of more exciting and higher-value bonuses.
2. Better (and more abundant) casino options.
The UKGC is one of the strictest and most bureaucratic gambling regulators in the world. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, as it has helped to regulate and improve the online gambling industry in the UK.
However, it’s driven a significant number of online casino platforms to set up shop in Curaçao, Malta and other places with a more relaxed licensing environment.
When you broaden your search to casinos not on Gamstop, you’re dramatically increasing the number of options available to you. You can access the newest, most innovative online gaming platforms on Earth, irrespective of their Gamstop status.
3. No wait period
Gamstop imposes a minimum exclusion period of 6 months, with options for 1 year or 5 years. This means that once you self-exclude, you have to wait for at least 6 months before even considering returning to online gaming.
With non-Gamstop casinos, there is no wait period. You can start playing again immediately if you choose to do so.
4. International player pool
Since non-Gamstop casinos operate outside of the UKGC’s restrictions and regulations, they are not limited to only UK players. You’ll be playing with a more diverse player pool, potentially leading to bigger jackpots and more exciting (and social) gameplay.
5. Freedom from Gamstop restrictions
The reality is that a lot of people are unhappy with Gamstop. It does an excellent job of keeping those who genuinely need self-exclusion away from a potentially dangerous addiction. But it causes problems for those who used to have gambling issues and, in rare cases, for people who signed up to Gamstop without their consent.
Non-Gamstop casinos offer a way to bypass Gamstop’s restrictions and play at your leisure. However, it is important to remember that responsible gambling should always be a top priority, even when playing on non-Gamstop sites.
6. Crypto payments accepted
If you value privacy and autonomy when it comes to your financial transactions, you’ll appreciate the fact that many non-Gamstop casinos accept cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin as payment. This allows you to make deposits and withdrawals without having to provide any personal or banking information (and potentially no KYC at all).
Are non-Gamstop casinos safe?
Generally, non-Gamstop casinos are equally as safe as their UKGC-licensed counterparts.
The biggest red flag waved around by UKGC proponents is that non-Gamstop casinos are inherently unsafe.
But remember: Gamstop is nothing more than a website-blocking technology — it has zero bearing on whether a site is safe or not.
More importantly, the UKGC is just one of dozens of casino licensing companies. Licenses from overseas territories like Curacao and Gibraltar aren’t limited by Gamstop, but they’re also not even remotely unsafe.
- Casinos not on Gamstop still have to do their due diligence.
- They still need to guarantee payments, randomise games and protect player data.
- And they still have to get licensed by a respectable authority if they want to be taken seriously.
The only risk you should be aware of as a UK gambler is the lack of player protection. Responsible gambling tools, dispute resolution processes, and regulatory oversight may be less robust compared to UKGC-licensed platforms simply because of the UK’s strict player protection standards.
Non-Gamstop Casinos At A Glance
- Not licensed by the UKGC and therefore not required to participate in Gamstop
- Instead hold licenses issued by overseas territories such as Curacao, Malta or Gibraltar
- Not all of them allow access to UK players, but the vast majority do
- Accessible to players who signed up to Gamstop, even if they are self-excluding
- Still maintain excellent security standards by using SSL encryption and audit games for fairness
Gamstop vs. non-Gamstop casinos
Alright…that was a lot of information.
Let’s take a minute to compare the specific differences between Gamstop casinos (not to be confused with casinos not on Gamban) and UKGC-licensed casinos.
| Gamstop casinos | Non-Gamstop casinos | |
|---|---|---|
| Licensing | UKGC license issued by the UK Gambling Commission. | License issued elsewhere, such as a Curaçao E-Gaming License. |
| Problem Gambling Protection | Automatically signed up to the Gamstop program and offer voluntary self-exclusion service lasting a minimum of 6 months. | Not signed up to the Gamstop program, and may or may not offer voluntary self-exclusion on request from the customer. |
| Site Security | Typically feature 128-bit SSL encryption to protect payment details and other sensitive information. All games are independently tested for fairness by a third-party auditor. | Feature the same security measures as a typical Gamstop casino, including 128-bit SSL encryption and independently audited games that have been verified fair and random. |
| Games | Slots, table games and live casino titles supplied by the industry’s biggest software providers. Some casinos also offer bingo, poker and sports books. | Slots, table games, live casino titles and more from many of the industry’s biggest software providers. |
| Payment Methods | Visa/Mastercard debit cards, eWallets like PayPal, Neteller, Skrill, pay-by-phone service, Boku, direct bank transfer. | American Express, Visa, Mastercard, credit cards, cryptocurrency. |
The biggest advantage of Gamstop is, naturally, its ability to keep addicted gamblers safe from destructive behaviour. For those who need it, it really is a fantastic tool.
However, there are pretty significant weaknesses when it comes to UKGC-licensed casinos. For a start, they have to work within strict rules. But what if another jurisdiction’s license has advantages?
There is also some debate about the quality of games between the two options, but non-Gamstop casinos are typically less constrained and are able to offer a more diverse lobby.
The big issue is payment methods.
As of 2020, absolutely zero Gamstop casinos allow players to use credit cards and very, very few are on board with crypto. By contrast, AmEx, Bitcoin, and altcoins are quite common among non-Gamstop casinos.
However, you won’t be able to use PayPal or any of the UK’s preferred payment methods (e.g., Skrill, pay-by-phone, etc.) at non-Gamstop casinos.In a nutshell: Choose Gamstop-registered casinos if you want player protection and are happy being limited in the games and payment methods you can use. Choose non-Gamstop casinos if you want ultimate freedom and diversity in gaming, but don’t expect the same level of player protection.
How we choose the best non-Gamstop casinos
When we evaluate non-Gamstop casinos, we consider a few key criteria:
- Licensing, security and data protection: We only recommend casinos that hold valid licenses from reputable jurisdictions, such as Malta or Curacao. This is especially important without the player protections afforded to you by the UKGC.
- Payment options: We look for sites that offer a diverse range of payment methods, including credit cards and cryptocurrencies.
- Game selection: The best non-Gamstop casinos should have a wide variety, with thousands of different games from reputable providers to choose from.
- Game providers: We love casinos that offer games from top-tier providers like NetEnt, Microgaming, and Playtech. But it’s best if they also have lesser-known providers and indie developers to diversify the gaming experience.
- Bonuses and promotions: We look for casinos that offer generous bonuses and promotions, with reasonable terms and conditions. If the wagering requirements are too high (30x or more), we don’t view them as favourably.
- Customer support: It’s important for a casino to have reliable customer support available via multiple channels. At a minimum, we expect live chat and email support. But phone support is a huge bonus.
Which gambling sites are not on Gamstop?
There are hundreds of non-Gamstop casinos available to UK players. Some are excellent, some are terrible and some are downright sketchy. This makes it important for players to exercise caution and carefully evaluate the trustworthiness of the site before playing.
A full list would make this page too long, but we’ll pop a shortlist of our current favourites, vetted for quality and reliability, down below:
Let’s dive into Non Gamstop casinos in more detail:
FAQs
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Is it safe to play at online casinos?
Yes. Whether you’re playing at a UKGC-licensed Gamstop casino or an off-shore licensed non-Gamstop casino, you can do so safely. In order to gain their respective certifications, each casino will have had to pass numerous checks to prove the safety of their site and the fairness of their games.
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Can I win money playing casino games not on Gamstop?
While taxes on gambling winnings vary from country to country, in the UK online casino games are not considered to be games of skill and are therefore exempt from any form of tax. If you are using an offshore non-Gamstop casino from the UK, you won’t be taxed on any profit you make.
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Is Curacao a serious gambling jurisdiction?
Yes. Curaçao is a long-standing and highly respected provider of e-gaming licenses. Any casino displaying a Curaçao e-gaming license will have been subject to a number of strict security checks.
Kith Brown is a seasoned online gambling expert with over a decade of experience in poker, casino, and sports betting. He earned a 1st Class Honours degree in Sport Journalism in 2006, and his work has been featured in top industry publications such as Poker Player, Bluff Europe, Gambling Online Magazine, and Gambling Insider.
Kith recently completed a four-year stint as a Senior Copywriter and Copy Team Lead at Entain, where he led the production of written content for renowned brands like bwin, PartyCasino, and Sportingbet. His extensive experience writing for and about the biggest names in online gambling gives him a unique perspective on the industry. He looks forward to sharing his insights with readers on NonStopCasinos.com. For questions, comments, or topic suggestions, please reach out to him through the contact form.