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Casinos not on Gamstop in the
UK
The Current Legal Situation |
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The topic of gambling in the
UK can a tricky one, where the principles of personal freedom clash with the
desire to protect the vulnerable. Some believe all gambling should be banned,
but most believe a balanced approach is the key to success. After all, you
don't need to be a compulsive – or even a regular – gambler to enjoy
the occasional flutter, but no one likes seeing the damage that addiction can
do.
Online gamblers in the United Kingdom are protected by Gamstop, a
voluntary scheme which allows users to self-exclude from all online gambling
platforms licensed in the UK. This works because any online operator which is
regulated by the United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC) is bound by the
terms of its licence to adhere to the Gamstop self-exclusion
program.
But not all gambling platforms available in the UK are licensed
here, so where does that leave the country's online gamblers? Is Gamstop the
solution that it claims to be, or is there more to it than first
appears?
What is the
Current Situation with Online Casino?
The UKGC licenses the
majority of online gambling platforms available to UK players, but it is not
the only such licensing body in the world. Across the globe a number of
different industry bodies are able to effectively regulate online gambling
sites, including those in Curacao, Malta, the Isle of Man and more, where UK
players are welcome.
There are many reasons players choose a non-UK
casino, including:
- They generally impose few
to no restrictions on deposits, with any limits likely to be in place from your
payment provider rather than the site itself.
- They are often able to
offer more generous welcome bonuses, due to their significantly lower
overheads.
- UKGC sites very often
feature all the same games, slots and providers, while sites licensed elsewhere
in the world may offer new and different opportunities to cater to a worldwide
audience.
- A previous or current
Gamstop exclusion will not prevent you from using the site.
Casinos not on Gamstop are on the
Rise
Casinos not on
Gamstop are not difficult to find online, and it seems more and more are
being launched each month. This rapid growth can perhaps be attributed to the
negative effects of the UKGC's hardline approach to gambling regulation.
In addition to unlimited deposits and the opportunities for new games,
slots and features, non-Gamstop casinos competing in this crowded market need
to be aggressive in attracting new customers. To this end they tend to offer
extremely attractive packages to new players making their first cash deposits.
These usually take the form of matched bonus funds, giving players more to
gamble with.
Is it Legal to
Play at non Gamstop Casinos?
An online casino licensed by the
UKGC is legally bound to adhere to the Gamstop scheme, and will not accept
wagers from individuals who have self-excluded. Other online casinos exist all
across the globe, however, and there is no legal impediment to players in the
UK exercising their right to choose to play elsewhere.
Therefore it is
possible – and completely legal – for gamblers in the UK to play at
non-UK casino sites, even if they have previously self-excluded using
Gamstop.
Responsible Gaming
is Always Important
Gambling can be a thrill, but it's important
to acknowledge that for some it can become an addiction.
As with many
different addictions, attitudes towards a remedy vary wildly throughout
society, from those who would see it banned altogether to those who would
prefer more assistance, understanding and support for those suffering from
addiction problems. Again, we see this clash of viewpoints where personal
freedom and wider governmental involvement collide, and the UKGC's policies and
preventative measures can be divisive.
Wherever you stand on the
spectrum of opinion, you should be aware that responsible gaming is the duty of
any gambler: a duty to themself.
What Will People Choose? Casinos not on Gamstop or Licensed
Casinos
With a choice of licensed UKGC casino sites, those
licensed abroad and then sites which are not licensed at all, punters in the UK
now have a lot of options when it comes to choosing a place to play online. It
all comes down to personal choice, and weighing up the risks and
rewards.
With an operator holding a UKGC licence, you can be sure they
are regulated to the very highest standard possible, and that any issues you
raise will be dealt with in the UK. Casinos licensed abroad, while legal and
generally safe, may carry greater risks due to less stringent regulations from
their non-UK licensors, plus any issues will be dealt with in their own
geographic region (which may not be convenient for UK customers).
As for
unlicensed casino sites, the rewards can be great if you read all the fine
print and get lucky, but gamblers need to be aware of the potential problems
that can arise if they breach the sites' terms and conditions, as they would
have very little legal recourse without a regulator involved.
It's also
worth noting that gambling winnings from non-UK casino sites may be taxable, in
contrast to winnings from UKGC-licensed sites.
Summary and Future
Non-Gamstop casino
sites are out there right now, accepting players from the UK even if they have
a Gamstop ban. How long will this last? It's difficult to say, given the
borderless freedom offered by the internet, but with the legal situation
involving multiple territories, countries and industry bodies, we can't see
things changing any time soon. |
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