With an increasing number of restrictions at UK betting sites over the last few years, non-GamStop casinos have grown in popularity with British punters. After the UKGC clamped down on the industry, UK gamers found new rules emerge such as bet size limits, limited bonuses, and funding restrictions.
Casino sites in other jurisdictions can offer you freedom from these restrictions, but they can also be used as a loophole to escape the GamStop regulations. In this article, we’ll discuss the advantages and disadvantages of betting at sites, not on GamStop.
How Does GamStop Work?
The UK Gambling Commission was tasked with regulating all gambling services in Great Britain and Northern Ireland in 2005. The group adopted a lighter tough regulatory approach in the early years, but a boom in online gambling has changed that. The regulator has also come under further pressure from social groups and the government over the last few years, to tackle the problem of gambling.
The rise of online gaming has unfortunately brought a rise in problem gambling. Changes in technology have also meant that punters could bet from the comfort of their bedroom or mobile device. That removes some of the obstacles that were present in the physical casino experience, such as gaming staff or peer groups.
The UKGC has since been working with a non-profit enterprise called GamStop to assist in the fight against problem gambling. UK punters can sign up to the service for free and ask for a GamStop self-exclusion to be applied at all UK gaming sites for a period of 6 months, 1 year, or even 5 years.
Bettors simply need to provide the email addresses and contact details that were used to set up the gaming accounts. This allows betting providers to stop you from placing bets at any of their outlets.
Alongside the GamStop rules, the UKGC has applied further restrictions to license holders in the country, with lower stake sizes, spin timers, and limits on marketing.
How Sites Not on GamStop Work
Casinos not on GamStop are simply those sites abroad that are regulated by different bodies.
While technology brought a rise in gambling opportunities, it has also given gaming businesses the opportunity to move from a physical location to an online environment where sites can set up their operations in foreign countries. These usually offer a more suitable business environment and a warmer climate.
Examples of this trend are seen in Malta and Cyprus, which both have vibrant betting industries. Malta Is regulated by the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) and is a member of the European Union, so companies on the island are required to adhere to rules on compliance and other directives. The sites also provide a professional environment as you would expect in the UK casinos. These sites are expected to meet similar directives as UKGC companies with regards to money laundering and segregation of client funds.
More recently, new gaming jurisdictions in South America have become a popular option. Curacao and Costa Rica are two examples of countries seeing a rise in new sites. Costa Rica is a popular retirement destination for US citizens and was given the title of “The Switzerland of Central America”.
One issue that consumers must consider when using sites abroad is a lack of third-party support for dispute resolution. If this is a problem, then punters should consider reading online forums to get advice on the best sites.
Are Non-GamStop Casinos Legal?
It is 100% legal for British citizens to gamble at the casinos, not on GamStop. The UKGC does not allow foreign sites to market in the UK, leaving many punters unaware of their options outside of the standard casino brands. However, the overseas sites are regularly discussed in online forums, listed on review platforms like non-gamstop-casinos.com, or can also be found in Google searches.
It is the responsibility of gaming providers to follow the correct rules when offering services to UK consumers and punters are not liable for any infringement. Consumers are still free to choose the services that they wish to use online, but these sites should not be seen as loopholes to escape the GamStop regulations. Problem gambling is a serious issue and only punters that are comfortable with their betting habits should try casinos with a lighter regulatory environment than the UK.
Should You Try Non-GamStop Casinos?
It is up to each consumer whether they wish to gamble within the confines of the UKGC clampdown and we share a brief summary of some of the key pros and cons below:
Pros of Using Casinos Not on GamStop
- Larger welcome bonuses and rewards
- Fewer limits on stake size, no spin timers
- Larger game libraries than many UKGC sites
- Self-exclusion is still an option
- Range of funding options, including cryptocurrencies
Cons of Using Casinos Not on GamStop
- Sites can be seen as a GamStop loophole
- May not offer GBP deposits
- Different game titles
- Separate regulatory body to the UK
- Limited support for third-party disputes
GamStop Sites vs Non-GamStop Casinos
The Non-GamsStop casinos did not set out to attract customers from countries such as the UK, but the regulations at home are driving some overseas.
The UKGC added a blanket ban on using credit cards at UK casinos and that was a favored funding option for some who wanted to separate transactions from their bank account. The sites not on GamStop are also offering crypto funding options that provide the same effect.
The actual gameplay experience is the next problem with the UKGC limiting the marketing of betting, so welcome bonuses and rewards can be lower. Punters also have to deal with stake size limits and spin timers, but those rules would be better applied on a per-person basis. These are the types of rules and regulations that are hurting UK sites and driving punters to broaden their horizons.
Conclusion
Non-GamStop casinos are simply filling a gap in the market after some countries have taken a strict approach to gamble. British punters signing up can experience something similar to the British sites in the early years of the online gambling boom.
It is fair that the regulators should do what they can to stop problem gambling, but the “one size fits all” approach doesn’t always work. For those who are more comfortable with their gambling, a self-exclusion of 1 or 5- years is unnecessary, and the restrictions on gameplay are a hindrance to the enjoyment factor.
If you don’t have to suffer from problem gambling and are feeling restricted by the GamStop rules, consider trying casinos, not on GamStop.
