How To Choose a Non-Gamstop Casino
Over the years, online gambling’s popularity has skyrocketed. When looking at the advantages they offer, it is easy to understand why. People enjoy having the benefit of playing their favourite casino games from anywhere. In addition, they also have the added perk of not needing to wait for a machine to open up.
However, in the UK, Gamstop restrictions, while there for a noble reason, tend to make platforms more restrictive and difficult for ordinary players to navigate. It’s therefore no surprise that for some players, non-Gamstop casinos offer a more enjoyable experience than their counterparts. This is due to them having fewer restrictions, better privacy, and a larger gaming selection on offer. For anyone looking for such a platform, here are some tips on how to find a good non-Gamstop casino.
The Licensing Surrounding The Platform
Before players even choose sites like those featured in this non-Gamstop guide, there are a few things they should keep in mind. Unlike when choosing a local site, there are a few additional things bettors should pay attention to before they join a new gambling platform that is not part of Gamstop. According to iGaming editor Tim Mirroman, it’s well-known that some players cannot resist the urge to play and this is why the Gamstop self-exclusion process was added to the UKGC’s regulatory regime.
As a free service that helps anyone who needs it to voluntarily exclude themselves from all licensed online gambling sites in Great Britain, it’s become a mandatory requirement for any online casino that wants to hold a valid licence in the UK. However, many players find themselves wanting to explore online casinos outside Gamstop’s reach and this is where non-Gamstop casinos come in.
In simple terms, non-Gamstop casinos are platforms that are not part of the Gamstop self-exclusion program. So, before players join any online casino, it is always crucial that they first ensure the platform is licensed by some proper authority. In the UK, most casinos are licensed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC).
However, in the case of non-Gamstop casinos, they will likely be licensed by other institutions such as the Curacao Gaming Control Board or the Malta Gambling Authority since UKGC casinos cannot opt out of Gamstop exclusions. That said, these offshore authorities are often just as strict as the UKGC and ensure the platforms they licence are safe, secure, and follow fair gaming practices.
Due to these licensing badges inspiring trust, most platforms display them in such a way that it is easy for players to find and confirm. If you are having trouble locating an online casino’s licensing information, you could try speaking to customer service. However, if they can’t help you either, it’s usually a red flag. In this case, it is better to look for a different non-Gamstop platform that has the proper licensing badges.
Security and Privacy
After ensuring your non-Gamstop casino of choice is licensed, it’s time to check what security and privacy features the platform has. While the chances are that most licensed gambling platforms employ the necessary security features to keep user’s sensitive information safe, it’s always a good idea to verify them anyway.
To do this, users should look for SSL/TLS encryption certificates on the platform. An easy indication that a platform uses this type of encryption is that they will have HTTPS in their URL instead of the normal HTTP.
In simple words, TLS encryption protects the sensitive data that users enter. The way it works is that even if threat actors intercept this data, they are left with a string of characters that are essentially impossible to solve.
With many non-Gamstop platforms, the sign-up process requires a lot less private information from the user to get started. For users looking to have the most privacy on their chosen platform, they should consider a non-Gamstop platform that offers anonymous play. The anonymous play feature has become incredibly popular with sites that support crypto gambling.
These are platforms where users can place bets using various cryptocurrencies as a payment method. Anonymous casinos allow bettors to skip the standard Know-Your-Customer (KYC) procedures and get right into playing their favourite games, while transactions and payout times are generally faster, recorded semi-anonymously, and more secure too.
Gaming Libraries
The next factor to keep in mind when choosing a non-Gamstop casino platform is the gaming library they have. One of the major benefits of playing at one of these casinos is that they usually have a larger gaming selection to choose from.
This is due to the UKGC restricting many game developers from operating in the UK. Firstly, players should ensure that the games they are interested in playing are available on the platform. While most platforms will have classic gaming genres such as poker, slots, and roulette, people should still check that the platform has the ones they want to play.
If they prefer to spend their time on games such as slots, they should verify that the platform has a large selection of them. The same goes for newer genres such as Crash games. By keeping game selection at the forefront, users can ensure they don’t join a platform with games that don’t interest them.
Casino Bonuses and Promotions
After ensuring your non-Gamstop platform of choice is licensed, secured and has the game selection you want, you should consider looking at the bonuses they have available. Most non-Gamstop casinos offer generous promotions to attract new players.
The reason is that they want to stand out from more mainstream platforms like their Gamstop competitors. For example, the promotions could include receiving extra funds when they make their first deposit or the casino providing them with free spins when they sign up.
One thing to pay attention to is the requirements players need to meet before they can receive these rewards. After all, nobody wants to join a platform based on the exceptional promotions they offer, only to realise it’s incredibly difficult to obtain these rewards.
Customer Support
The last two factors to keep in mind are customer support and withdrawal speeds. Exceptional customer support is a key component that can make or break a business. This is no different for the gambling sector. Thus, it’s essential that users choose a non-Gamstop platform that puts this factor at the forefront. If players encounter a problem, they can rest easy knowing their chosen casino is more than capable of solving the issue promptly.