Sports betting is very popular among people who enjoy watching sports. For many of them, this is a way to boost the excitement while getting another opportunity to earn cash. Unfortunately, the latest changes in the UK’s gambling regulation has disturbed the niche. As far as I can tell, the UK gambling authority, the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) is doing everything they can to restrict the players.
The perks and features of sports betting are slowly disappearing, as well as attractive bonuses and promotions. More and more bookmakers become part of the Gamstop program every day. That’s why I wanted to see what the deal was with Gamstop and whether there are still any British bookies not on Gamstop.
My list of the best non Gamstop Casino sites that I have reviewed and tested:
| Rank | Rooms | Bonus | Licensed by | Features | Review... |
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100% up to £1000 (T&C apply. 18+) |
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| 2 |
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800% up to €3000 (T&C apply. 18+) |
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| 3 |
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100% up to £2000 (T&C apply. 18+) |
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| 4 |
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100% up to £100 (T&C apply. 18+) |
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What is Gamstop Exactly?
Gamstop is Britan’s national self-exclusion scheme. It is the UK Gambling Commission initiative. Its goal is to protect the players and give them more control over the urge to spend extra cash on gambling. Whenever players feel that they have a problem with gambling, they can use Gamestop to self-exclude from online casinos and bookies as well.
Players that choose to do this usually do so because they are worried about spending too much time and money at Bookmakers or Casinos. Nevertheless, even if they are excluded, there are ways for them to keep on betting online, thanks to bookmakers not on Gamstop.
The process of registering at Gamstop is quite easy. Once players create their accounts and register, they can be excluded from all betting sites and casinos in the Gamstop network.
There are many betting sites and casinos in the Gamstop network already. UKGC keeps the Gamstop initiative within voluntary borders, but it is expected that it will become obligatory for all casinos and bookmakers under the UKGC jurisdiction.
If you want to take a look at a list of bookies registered on Gamstop, you can do it here. Gamstop keeps the list of participating companies regularly updated.
Bookmakers, as well as non gamstop casinos, also prefer to communicate to players who are in the Gamstop program. If you start paying attention, you will be able to see the Gamestop logo on bookmakers and casino websites. It is usually located at the very bottom of the homepage.
Gamstop In The Media
Gamstop has been in the media even from its early stages. When it was nothing more than just an idea on the paper, the media praised it as a perfect way to help players control their betting urges online. Gamstop is still present in the media today; it appears that interest has no intention of dying down.
One of the latest articles on BCC talks about customers and the trend of circumventing Gamstop altogether. Apparently, even people with Gamstop accounts find ways to work around self-exclusion and place bets with bookmakers; even the ones in the Gamstop network.
At this point, I can only take guesses. There can be several reasons for this trend. Maybe it is because players with a Gamstop account are being rejected by bookmakers. Or maybe they are just being tempted to place bets even with the exclusion active. After all, people can change their minds, and removing self-exclusion is rather complicated.
It is very easy to go around Gamstop exclusion. All you need to do is create a new email address by using different information and details. This allows players to go back to placing bets even with an exclusion active on their main account.
This is a rather simple workaround that doesn’t require any technical knowledge. Nevertheless, UKGC’s efforts are aimed at making gambling a little bit harder, which is important, especially for people with a gambling problem.
Non-Gamstop Bookies Offer Attractive Features
Bookies not on Gamstop provide a variety of betting options. This is very important from my point of view because, not only does it provide you with more opportunities to win big, but it also diversifies betting, making it more fun and engaging. Here are all the betting options you can find at British Bookies not on Gamstop.
Live & Regular Bets
Live & regular bets are the standard features found on a majority of sports bookmakers. Many people think that bookmakers outside the Gamstop program don’t offer live and regular bets to bettors. This couldn’t be further from the truth.
Non-Gamstop bookmakers also allow players to place both live and regular bets. On top of that, the majority of these websites have their own exclusion tools bettors can use to restrict their game time. Bettors can also enjoy live streaming and benefit from cash-outs. And, as you will see, fat bonuses and promotions are also there to make the offer irresistible.
Many Sports Events to Bet On
Bettors are also under the impression that Bookies in the Gamstop scheme have more betting options than those that are not in it. It is important to understand that not all bookmakers outside Gamstop are bad and unreliable sportsbooks.
Websites outside Gamstop have plenty of betting opportunities. In fact, there are as many sports games to bet on as on any other bookmakers’ website with a Gamstop membership. They feature games and matches from virtually all sports categories and work with different betting options as well. When it comes to market coverage, bookmakers not on Gamstop cover sports events from all around the world.
You Can Place A Bet From Wherever You Are
Independence is possible in the gambling industry. This doesn’t apply to any of the bookmakers registered on Gamstop. All of these are regulated and licensed by UKGC. This explains geo-restrictions that many of these websites carry, forbidding bettors from other parts of the world to place their bets.
The situation with non Gamstop bookmakers is completely different.
These companies are completely independent. This allows them to deliver custom-tailored offers and target whomever they like. They are not exclusive only to players coming from the UK. Their players are from all around the world, including Asia, North & Sout America, Australia, and Africa.
Big Welcome Bonuses & Attractive Promotions
Welcome bonuses and promotions are on the top of the list of bettors who are on the lookout for a new bookmaker website. Again, these are not reserved for bookmakers listed in the Gamstop directory. There is one key difference, though. Bonuses and promotions on non-Gamstop bookmakers’ websites are not always shaped in GBP.
Bookmakers not on Gamstop feature very big welcome bonuses & attractive promotions. But they are usually shaped to suit their target international bettors. Don’t let the bonuses & promotions shaped in foreign currencies surprise you. You will often see them shaped in Euros, CAD, NZD, and even AUD.
The Downsides Of Sticking With Non-Gamstop Bookmakers
UKGC didn’t come up with the Gamstop exclusion-scheme out of the whim. UKGC continuously works on protecting UK citizens from gambling problems. The Gamstop scheme is not only protective in its nature, but it’s also preventive. If you choose to go outside of the Gamestop network and place bets with any non-Gamstop bookmakers, you should be well aware of the following downsides and risks.
No Protection From Overexcessive Gambling
Some bettors are more addictive than others. Without any means to control their urges, these bettors can spend a lot of cash in one go, and still be unable to protect themselves from spending even more. UKGC’s Gamstop scheme is an excellent option for these people as it protects them. If you are a highly addictive bettor, you should definitely stay away from these websites.
Bookmakers not on Gamestop have very mild self-excluding policies if any. These websites do not use Gamestop at all. Without this protection, highly addictive players are exposed to riks of overspending when chasing losses and exhibiting other similar behaviors.
Few Deposit Options
British banks have very strict Terms of Service & Conduct. Some of them may not even support transfers to companies outside of the jurisdiction of very specific bodies. Bookmakers not on Gamstop are not under the UKGC jurisdiction; thus they don’t feature any payment methods commonly used in the UK. On the other hand, bookmakers operating under the UKGC jurisdiction have all local payment methods.
The lack of payment methods makes placing bets at bookmakers not only inconvenient but also less secure. If you live in the UK and want to place bets on these websites, forget about using PayPal. There are other international payment methods available though. Always choose the most secure one.
Operating Outside The UKGC Jurisdiction
I’ve already stated that bookmakers not on Gamstop are not licensed and regulated by UKGC. This is an important thing to know because, when you stick only to bookmakers with a Gamstop membership, you have certain rights. For instance, if you experience any trouble or don’t get paid, you can place a complaint at UKGC.
This dispute process is only available to Brits who are using bookmakers licensed and regulated by UKGC. If you choose to go outside of this safe zone, you will depend on the customer support and whatever dispute process is available in the jurisdiction zone of your chosen bookmaker.
What Betting Options Non-Gamstop Sites Offer?
Have you ever heard of the Big 7 in the bookmakers’ world? This refers to the 7 most popular sports among the betting population. The question is whether non-Gamstop bookmakers offer the same betting options as their counterparts in the Gamstop network.
Long story short, they do. Everything you can find at bookmakers who have become members of the UKGC scheme, you can find at those who are outside the UKGC jurisdiction.
There are many options to choose from out there. They range from football to modern eSports games. Here are the types of online non-Gamstop bookmakers.
Football
Football is definitely the most favorite sport among players of all ages. This is quite logical, given the fact that it is also the most popular group sport on the planet. Bookmakers outside of Gamstop provide an abundance of betting opportunities for football matches. All popular and less popular world leagues are covered, including Premier League, Serie A, Bundesliga, La Liga, and France Ligue 1.
Basketball
Basketball is another great opportunity for bookmakers to make money. As a matter of fact, the quality of basketball betting offers at non-Gamstop bookmakers is the same as the one with bookmakers in the UKGC program. Not only do they cover leagues, but they also cover all popular events in the world of basketball.
Tennis
Tennis is one of the few sports with few and short breaks. One of the reasons Tennis fans love it is because they can enjoy it during the entire year. Bookmakers outside the Gamstop network offer high-quality tennis betting offers to international players. Ranging from Master 1000 to Grandslams, bettors can place their bets as well as handicap bets. The variety of staking options will definitely keep you busy for a while.
Baseball
If you love to watch baseball, you will be happy to find out that non-Gamstop bookmakers have it listed in their offer. You will be able to enjoy in-play baseball betting and live specials. Yes, the majority of baseball leagues are covered, but also the most popular betting options – The American League Outright and The World Series.
Cricket
Non-Gamstop bookmakers also offer quality cricket betting opportunities. There are great offers as well, such as free bets. The most common betting options include tournament specials, outrights, and match betting.
Rugby
Whether you are a Rugby Union or Rugby League fan, you will be able to enjoy rugby betting at bookmakers not on Gamstop. The offer ranges from common betting options to handicap betting.
eSports
High-quality eSports betting opportunities are hard to find. Well, that’s not true when you know where to look. Non-Gamstop bookmakers offer plenty of betting options ranging from Dota 2 and Fortnite to Counter-Strike: Go and League of Legends.
How Gamstop Disrupts the Industry
Whether the authorities want to admit or not, Gamstop is a rather strict regulation update. The regulation demands from all UK bookmakers to register with Gamstop and thus allow the players to have more control of their gambling habits. While, on paper, this regulation seems fine, you can already see its implications in the gambling industry.
The first repercussion is the number of UK bookmakers not on Gamstop. The UK betting site offer is now significantly lower than before the Gamstop initiative. At the same time, bookmakers in the Gamstop program have updated their terms and condition and other documents. They now have serious rules to control the self-exclusion process and streamline the prevention of problems related to gambling.
What happens to gamblers outside the UK and all the cash they were spending on UK betting sites? It’s completely illogical for them to come and spend their hard-earned buck on heavily regulated bookmakers with lower bonuses.
There is another trend that I have to mention to paint the picture for you completely. I’ve noticed that some operators tend to reject players and bettors once they start to use self-exclusion. You can’t blame them for doing it. Why would they want to provide top-notch services and opportunities to win big to anyone with a finger on the kill switch?
As a direct consequence of this, I’ve seen players completely avoiding bookmakers registered with Gamstop and aiming for non-Gamstop bookmakers. This exposes bettors to all kinds of risks, such as fraud and scam. Since online privacy and your credit cards are not something to be played with, you should definitely exercise caution when choosing bookmakers outside the Gamstop network.
Bookmakers and Gamstop in the News
Irish bookmakers to reopen three weeks after racing hits its stride again
Betting has biggest weekend since coronavirus struck
Bookmakers rise on hopes that football will return
Regular gamblers up the stakes during UK lockdown
Gamstop urges problem gamblers to self-exclude during lockdown
UK credit card gambling ban takes effect; sketchy online casino affiliates still gaming GAMSTOP
Large rise in number of problem gamblers seeking help for addiction in lockdown
GamStop to become mandatory for GB licensees
UK minister urges betting firms to do more for problem gamblers
Frequent gamblers betting more despite coronavirus sports lockdown, study says
Trustworthy Bookmakers Not On Gamstop
Bet Swagger
Bet Swaggers is owned by Usoftgaming N.V. and operates under Curacao eGaming license. Its customers are international and it has been on the market for quite some time now.
It has high-quality sports betting opportunities. Players can place their bets on their favorite teams and players coming from the worlds of football, basketball, volleyball, ice hockey, baseball, and E-Football.
Bet Swagger offers several deposit options: VISA, Skrill, Neteller, Entropay, bitcoin, Paysafecard, PayPal, AstoPay, Neosurf, and Qiwi Wallet.
Play Hub Casino
Pay Hub Casino operates under the Curacao eGaming license. It is owned by Usoftgaming N.V.
Players from all around the world can bet on several sports, ranging from football and basketball, tennis, and ice hockey.
Players at Pay Hub Casino can make a deposit via VISA, Skrill, Neteller, Entropay, bitcoin, Paysafecard, PayPal, AstroPay, Neosurf, and Qiwi Wallet.
PH Casino
Operating under eGaming Curacao License, PH Casino stands as a reliable bookmaker for players around the globe.
PH Casino offers plenty of betting options. Available sports include football, tennis, basketball, volleyball, ice hockey, baseball, and E-Football.
Bettors have several deposit options at their disposal: VISA, Skrill, Entropay, Neteller, Paysafecard, Bitcoin, PayPal, AstroPay, and Qiwi Wallet.
