What is a non-GamStop casino site? Sometimes called a casino not on GamStop, this is a type of gambling platform that exists beyond the realms of the UK’s national self-exclusion scheme. GamStop was launched in 2018 and was set up to provide players with a quick and easy way to exclude from multiple casinos in one go. Every casino registered in the United Kingdom is legally obliged to join this scheme, which means all UK casinos are blocked for players using GamStop.
A non-GamStop casino is not blocked by this program. It remains open to players using the scheme and they have full access to it. More and more of these sites have cropped up in recent times, with many of the most popular non-GamStop casinos listed on NonGamStopOdds.com. It’s still an emerging gambling market, meaning there are currently loads of myths circulating about sites like these. This article will debunk some of the most prominent ones to reveal the full truth!
Myth 1: Casinos outside GamStop are illegal
A website that avoids the GamStop scheme isn’t technically illegal. There are caveats, for sure, but the general rule is that the platform will be legal as long as it’s not registered in the UK. The UK Gambling Commission currently forces all British sites to cooperate with GamStop but holds no penalties or laws for operators outside the country.
With that in mind, if you join a non-GamStop casino that’s based away from Britain, you won’t be breaking any known gambling laws. Of course, you need to be sure you’re the legal gambling age for the country the casino is registered in. Wikipedia has a great list of worldwide gambling ages you should consult before joining an overseas site.
Myth 2: All casinos not on GamStop are unlicensed
This is a common belief amongst British players as they know these sites don’t have a UK gambling licence. However, this isn’t the only gambling licence available in the world! Many others exist and plenty of GamStop-free operators will be licensed and regulated by the following:
- Curacao eGaming Authority (CEG)
- Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR)
- Malta Gaming Authority (MGA)
- Kahnawake Gaming Commission (KGC)
Myth 3: Sports betting isn’t allowed on these sites
Initially, this seems like a strange myth. Why wouldn’t sports betting be allowed on these sites? When we look a bit closer, the reasoning behind it is down to where many of these platforms are located. Lots of them are registered in territories close to America where the online sports gambling laws are quite complex. Therefore, it makes sense to assume you can’t bet on sports based on the rules of foreign countries.
In reality, there’s nothing to worry about here. Players can bet on a range of sports at different casinos not under GamStop. It’s worth noting that some casinos won’t provide sports betting, but that’s a preference more than anything else. Some simply prefer to focus on casino games as it makes the site easier to manage and run. The bottom line is there are no laws or rules prohibiting sites outside GamStop from allowing sports betting markets.
Myth 4: Joining non-GamStop sites voids your self-exclusion
Many players join sites not connected to GamStop as a way of getting around the self-exclusion. This works fine, though some believe that joining these platforms will void their exclusion and remove them from GamStop.
That’s not true at all. Take a look at some of the key terms and conditions from GamStop’s website:
- Once you have completed your registration, you will not be able to deactivate your self-exclusion until the end of your minimum exclusion period
- We cannot guarantee that GamStop will always result in you being denied access to a specific gambling operator or gambling activity
Both of these terms mean nothing happens to your self-exclusion if you join a new online casino. GamStop admits it can’t stop you from seeing some sites and it also will never cancel an exclusion until the minimum endpoint. Using a casino website while you’re self-excluding will not remove your limitations from UK-based sites. You will still need to wait for the period to run out before you can join those websites again.
Myth 5: You can’t self-exclude from these platforms
It’s an obvious conclusion to make considering these online casinos exist beyond the realms of a self-exclusion scheme. The key point here is that they simply aren’t connected to GamStop – this doesn’t mean they don’t allow forms of self-exclusion on their platforms.
All gambling sites, regardless of where they’re located or registered, will give players different exclusion options. These are usually provided in two formats depending on your needs:
- Short-term cool-off periods – Casinos that don’t cooperate with GamStop let you “cool off” for a few days or weeks. You can do so by messaging the support teams on these websites and they’ll give you different options to enact.
- Long-term self-exclusions – Alternatively, you are allowed to fully exclude from a casino website even if it’s not connected to GamStop. It’s done via the platform itself and you’ll only be blocked from that specific website. The minimum exclusion is usually 6 months and can rise to multiple years.
We hope this has answered some key questions about non-GamStop casinos and dispelled the myths surrounding them. Knowing the truth about these sites doesn’t necessarily mean they’re right for you. If you joined the national self-exclusion scheme in the past, it could be a sign you need to avoid gambling. Only join these platforms if you know you can control your spending and won’t slip back into bad habits.
