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If you accidentally signed up to GamStop or someone registered you without your consent, do not panic, here is how to get sorted.
We will show you how to bypass it by playing at the best non-GamStop casinos. GamStop is the United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC) self-exclusion program for players who lack self-control during gambling.
GamStop was introduced in a bid to reduce gambling addiction in the UK, with the Gambling Commission estimating that up to 1.3 million Brits suffer from problem gambling, and over 400,000 lose £2,000 or more per year.
Prior to GamStop, all UKGC-licenced casinos had to offer responsible gaming tools like self-exclusion. However, the problem was that players were self-excluding on one site, and then immediately signing up to another. As the UK has 100+ online casinos, the responsible gaming tools were failing to protect problem gamblers.
By creating a centralised platform where players can self-exclude once, GamStop hopes to prevent gambling addicts from relapsing. While the scheme is not perfect, it has reportedly helped 400,000 players stop gambling online.
GamStop was launched in 2018 in the UK and is an online gambling self-exclusion scheme. When you register at GamStop, you are self-excluded from all online casinos and bookies in the UK.
It is mandatory for all UKGC licenced casinos to be connected to GamStop. Operators must also check their customer base every 24 hours to ensure players who’ve signed up to the program are not playing at their site.
How it works is you fill out a form, GamStop checks your identity, and you select a self-exclusion period (6 months, 1 year or 5 years). All UKGC operators then ban you from signing up or block your account if you’ve already registered.
During the GamStop self-exclusion, you cannot have it lifted. Once the period expires, you need to contact GamStop, and then they’ll remove the self-exclusion.
Responsible authority |
The National Online Self-Exclusion Scheme Limited |
Website |
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Telephone Stay informed. Subscribe to our newsletter |
0800 138 6518 |
Office hours |
10 am to 8 pm, 7 days a week. |
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Goal |
Protection for players with gambling addiction |
? Best non-GamStop Casino |
NineWin Casino |
If you want to put your crypto to good use, play anonymously or simply want a bigger welcome bonus, non-GamStop casinos are a great option. However, there are a few cons to look out for, too.
Pros:
Cons:
Drawing on our experience, non-GamStop casinos offer bigger bonuses, more games, and you can deposit/withdraw crypto, here are the key differences:
Based on our observations throughout testing, these non-GamStop online casinos offer the best gaming experience when it comes to bonuses, games, payouts, and mobile play:
Never be blocked from gambling online again. After our testing, these non-GamStop casinos received the highest scores:
GamStop casinos come in all shapes and sizes, from crypto-powered sites with unlimited betting limits to mobile-optimised platforms to play on the go. Here are the common types of non-GamStop casinos:
It is no secret that online gambling is rapidly growing, with up to 26% of Brits playing. To meet this demand, new non-GamStop casinos are launching every month and tend to offer the best welcome bonuses as they spend big to attract players.
According to the UKGC, over 50% of Brits gamble online via their mobile phone. To keep these punters happy, non-GamStop casinos have a fast and easy-to-navigate mobile site that works on all devices. They also create dedicated apps and partner with software providers specialising in mobile games.
One of the biggest trends in online gambling over the last decade has been the emergence of live casino games which bring together the best of online and offline play. The best non-GamStop casinos have teamed up with leading live game providers like Evolution, Ezugi and Pragmatic and offer hundreds of games, such as live blackjack, roulette, baccarat, game shows like Monopoly, and even live slot machines.
Crypto is one of the most popular payment methods at non-GamStop casinos. You can deposit and withdraw anonymously via 30+ tokens like Bitcoin, Ethereum, Tether and Litecoin. Sites will even give you extra bonuses if you top up your account using crypto.
GamStop casinos are subject to incredibly restrictive regulations that are negatively affecting the gaming experience. So it is not surprising that UK players are looking to non-GamStop sites that offer the following benefits:
After a bad session, it is easy to make a rash decision and sign up to GamStop. Unfortunately, once you do this, you will immediately be blocked from every UKGC casino, and the self-exclusion cannot be lifted. If you want to keep playing, your only option is to register at offshore casinos which aren’t a part of the GamStop program.
For years, the UKGC has threatened to implement betting limits, but operators and players thought they were bluffing. However, now players under 25 can bet a maximum of £2 per spin on slots, while if you are 25 years or older, you can bet up to £5 per spin. This is in sharp contrast to non-GamStop casinos, where you can bet £100+ per spin. With such low betting limits, it is almost not worth playing because even if you hit a 1,000x jackpot, it’s hardly life-changing money.
The UKGC has such strict anti-money laundering conditions that online casinos cannot accept cryptocurrency. It is a totally different story at non-GamStop gambling sites, where you can deposit and withdraw via BTC, ETH, USDT, LTC and more. Non-GamStop casinos actively encourage crypto payments and will give you special bonuses.
You will be forgiven for thinking you are applying for a job at MI6 rather than just trying to play a few hands of blackjack. UKGC-licenced betting sites have become so strict that they demand proof of ID and residency before you can play. And if you deposit even a modest sum, they want proof of the source of funds. Luckily, this is not the case at non-GamStop online casinos, where you can register, deposit, play and cash out anonymously without uploading your ID.
Just because a tiny percentage of players suffer from problem gambling does not mean everyone should have their casino experience ruined. UKGC casinos are now prevented from offering certain bonuses and promotions, and the amount of free play has been greatly reduced. Also, many software providers are unable to get a UKGC licence, so their games are not allowed in UKGC casinos.
This is not the case at non-GamStop casinos, where you will find huge welcome and reload bonuses and great ongoing promotions like cashback. There are also far more games and software providers available.
GamStop blocks only apply to UKGC-licenced casinos. You can register and play at any non-UKGC licenced site even if your GamStop self-exclusion is active. For example, casinos licenced under the MGA or Curacao Gaming Control Board are not a part of the GamStop scheme.
A player recently was able to bypass the GamStop block. This is how he did it. “Someone decided to sign me up to GamStop without my knowledge and instantly I was barred from accounts. That’s when I tried a non-GAMESTOP casino, NineWin. I had no issues signing up and even got a much bigger welcome bonus than I’m used to!”
You only remove a GamStop self-exclusion once the period you selected has expired. Under no circumstances will GamStop lift the ban early. However, you can start playing again by simply registering at a non-GamStop casino, all you need to do is:
Our experts have created a rating methodology which we use to assess all of the top non-GamStop casinos. When personally registering, depositing, playing and withdrawing, we look at these factors:
We only recommend licenced non-GamStop casinos. These betting sites have demonstrated to legit gaming authorities like the MGA and Curacao Gaming Control Board that they have enough funds to pay players, a tested RNG, fair games from top providers and that their site is secure.
Only non-GamStop casinos where we feel safe and comfortable playing make our list. To assess a casino’s security, we check if it is using SSL encryption, reach out to customer support and see if the platform has had security issues in the past.
Bonuses allow you to win real money by playing casino games without touching your wallet. To ensure you get as much free play as possible, we look for non-GamStop casinos with generous welcome offers, VIP programs and regular reload bonuses. We also scour through the terms and conditions looking for promos with low wagering requirements.
When assessing a non-GamStop casino game selection, we look at the number of titles, the variety of games, betting limits and the number of software providers. Our favourite non-GamStop casinos have 5,000+ games, including everything from slots to blackjack to roulette to live dealer games. You will find 30+ software providers and be able to bet anywhere from £0.10 to £100+ per spin!
To analyse a non-GamStop casino’s payment methods, our experts look at the number of options, processing speed, deposit and withdrawal limits and fees. We play at non-GamStop casinos that offer instant deposits and withdrawals via credit and debit cards like Mastercard, e-wallets like Skrill, bank transfers and every cryptocurrency imaginable. You also never have to pay fees and can deposit/withdraw £5,000+ in a single transaction.
As we have seen, return to players (RTPs) can differ significantly between non-GamStop casinos. To give you the best chance of winning, our team recommends non-GamStop gambling sites with the highest RTP possible and checks that they have low house edge games like slots with 97%+ RTPs, blackjack, craps, video poker and baccarat.
If you are like us, then you probably enjoy sneaking in a few spins on your favourite slot on the go. There is nothing worse than dealing with some clunky casino site that is straight out of the 2000s or playing a slot that does not even adjust to your screen size where you cannot see the reels. That is why we thoroughly check that the non-GamStop has a lightweight modern site and that all games follow mobile-first design principles.
Non-GamStop casinos are not licenced by the UKGC but are still under the control of gaming authorities. These gaming authorities do the exact same tasks as the UKGC, including doing background checks on the owners, checking that the casino has enough funds and ensuring the site’s random number generator (RNG) has been audited. These are the best non-GamStop casino regulatory licences:
The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) was established in 2001 and is famous for being one of the strictest regulators in the world. They were also the first European Union (EU) members to offer an iGaming licence. To get a coveted MGA licence, casinos need to establish a company in Malta, partner with licenced software providers, show proof of funds and more.
The Curacao Gaming Control Board has put this little Caribbean island on the map. A Curacao licence is extremely popular with non-GamStop casinos because it’s affordable, allows operators to accept crypto and comes with limited restrictions.
Online gambling in this British overseas territory is regulated under the Gibraltar Gambling Act 2005. A Gibraltar licence is not as difficult to obtain as a UKGC licence and offers great tax advantages - remote licence holders pay just 0.15%.
Cyprus has taken inspiration from Malta and turned itself into an online gambling hub. To receive an online casino licence in Cyprus, non-GamStop casinos have to set up a branch on the island, have enough funds to pay players, offer secure payment methods and meet other conditions designed to protect players.
The best non-GamStop casinos are just as safe as UKGC-licenced casinos. They have tested games from world-famous providers like Microgaming, NetEnt and Playtech. They use the exact same levels of SSL encryption and state-of-the-art firewalls.
Non-GamStop casinos offer round-the-clock customer support and are monitored and audited by well-respected gaming authorities like the MGA that function just like the UKGC. Also, they have a wide range of responsible gambling tools, such as deposit, loss and time limits and self-exclusion.
Here are a couple of tips we use to stay safe when playing non-GamStop casinos:
Types of games you can play casinos not on GamStop
Non-GamStop casinos have a superior selection of games compared to UKGC-licenced casinos. It is common for non-GamStop to have 5,000 or even 10,000 games, while at UKGC sites, you are lucky to find 1,000. This is because UKGC casinos are only allowed to offer games from software providers with a UKGC licence. Many software providers either don’t qualify for a UKGC licence or find the costs too prohibitive.
The biggest progressive jackpot win at a non-GamStop was £32,879,565.40 on Wheel of Wishes, instantly granting the lucky player generational wealth!
While the bonuses at UKGC and non-GamStop casinos are similar, non-GamStop sites provide bigger and more frequent promotions. This is because they aren’t overregulated by the notoriously strict UKGC. Here are the bonuses we recommend claiming at non-GamStop casinos:
Non-GamStop casinos can offer more generous bonuses because they are not subject to heavy taxes or expensive licensing fees (UKGC-licenced casinos must pay a 21% tax on gross profits and yearly fees up to £793,729).
Non-GamStop casinos offer all of the payment options you’ll find at UKGC casinos, including credit/debit cards, bank transfers and e-wallets. However, they also accept cryptocurrencies, which you would not find at UKGC sites. Here are all of the payment options you can enjoy:
Payment method |
Type of Payment |
Processing time |
Max. Deposit |
Wallet |
Instant |
€5,000 |
|
Crypto |
5-10 minutes |
€100,000 |
|
Prepaid card |
Instant |
€300 |
|
Debit/Credit card |
Instant |
€5,000 |
|
Debit/Credit card |
Instant |
€5,000 |
|
Debit/Credit card |
Instant |
€5,000 |
|
Wallet |
Instant |
€10,000 |
|
Instant Banking |
Instant |
€5,000 |
|
Wallet |
Instant |
€700 |
|
Wallet |
Instant |
€5,000 |
|
Wallet |
Instant |
€5,000 |
|
Instant Banking |
Instant |
€5,000 |
|
Wallet |
Instant |
€5,000 |
|
Wallet |
Instant |
€10,000 |
|
Prepaid card |
Instant |
€5,000 |
Avoid the restrictive clutches of the UKGC and gamble online at a non-GamStop casino. You can play even if you're self-excluded via the GamStop program.
Our recommended non-GamStop casinos have been personally vetted by our team and are fully licenced, have thousands of games from top providers, high betting limits and huge welcome bonuses. Plus, they also have the traditional responsible gaming limit tools allowing you to set some limits and stay in control.
So what are you waiting for? Register at any of the non-GamStop casinos above and receive the casino gambling experience you deserve!
GamStop is an online gambling self-exclusion scheme which all UKGC casinos are a part of. When you sign up at GamStop, you’re self-excluded from all UKGC casinos for a minimum of six months.
You don’t have to use GamStop casinos. There are hundreds of casinos based off-shore that aren’t regulated by the UKGC, are not subject to GamStop and still accept British players.
Your GamStop block will automatically continue. To play again, you must contact GamStop and ask them to lift the self-exclusion. Remember GamStop can only remove the self-exclusion if the period you initially chose has finished.
Casinos without GamStop are not allowed to offer their services to UK-based players. However, it is legal for UK players to access non-GamStop casinos. The government only goes after the casinos, not the players. In some cases, you may have to use a VPN if the site uses geo-blocking software.
The majority of non-GamStop casino sites do accept cryptocurrencies. You can deposit and withdraw via popular cryptocurrencies like BTC, ETH, USDT, BNB, SOL, LTC, XRP, and DOGE. Deposits and withdrawals are processed within 15 minutes.
You have a better chance of winning at non-GamStop casinos because these sites offer bigger bonuses with superior terms and conditions. Non-GamStop casinos also have much higher betting limits, which is great for using the Martingale strategy.
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