Offshore iGaming among UK residents is on the rise, and it’s happening in tandem with the growing popularity of online gambling – an industry that seems to be growing by the minute. With a significant percentage of Brits engaging in this form of entertainment, the government placed a set of rules that serve in players’ best interest. Funnily enough, those same rules are now the ones driving players to offshore casinos, which are more lenient and relaxed. Here’s everything you need to know about the topic.
The GamStop scheme explained
GamStop is one of the biggest changes that took place in the UK’s online gambling landscape. This free program aims to boost consumer protection by introducing mandatory self-exclusion – a tool that is an integral part of all UKGC-licensed casinos. This makes the UK the first country to introduce this tool, which has since been used by more than 500,000 people, as per GamStop’s reports.
Apart from added player protection, GamStop’s appeal lies in its simplicity and ease of use – all a player has to do is enter their personal details and choose how long they want their ban to last. While the ban is in full effect, a player won’t be able to access any UKGC-licensed online casino, and there usually comes a point during that ban when a player starts doubting their motives for a self-exclusion. That’s when offshore casinos enter the scene.
Players are further motivated to look for them once they realise that these casinos also come with fewer, more relaxed rules.
All you need to know about non-GamStop casinos
A non-GamStop casino can be any casino that isn’t licensed by the UK regulatory body. Make no mistake – this doesn’t make them illegal or untrustworthy, as the majority of them have proper licenses from countries outside of the UK. This is oftentimes a source of confusion for many UK players, who need a bit of extra help understanding the circumstances surrounding these casinos.
Knowledge is key, so apart from doing their research about non-GamStop casinos, players are also encouraged to turn to a reliable guide to help them better understand the offshore online casino landscape. Reviews by trusted experts like Esports Insider’s UK team are ideal for this purpose as they provide a detailed list of the safest and most trusted options – consider that your shortcut to finding online casinos with the best terms and conditions.
Why are people gravitating towards non-GamStop casinos?
The growing popularity of offshore online casinos would make anyone wonder what it is that they offer that’s so appealing to players. Through our research, we’ve found out that, apart from having fewer rules, non-GamStop casinos also offer:
- A greater selection of games: Among thousands of games offered in game libraries, players can find unique and exclusive titles, many of which are not available on GamStop sites.
- Better bonuses: More attractive bonuses are an integral part of non-GamStop casinos, which offer some of the best online incentives, including higher welcome bonuses and loyalty rewards.
- A bigger selection of payment methods: Offshore online casinos usually feature more payment options—including cryptocurrency—giving players a chance for almost instant transactions and higher deposits.
- More flexibility: Players who want to enjoy full access to all sorts of games and payment methods, including higher deposit and withdrawal limits, will love exploring non-GamStop casinos.
From wagering almost without limits to enjoying a more personalised gambling experience, offshore casinos might seem like the be-all and end-all solution, which they might be for some players. However, that’s a decision one can make only after being informed about both the pros and cons of these casinos.
Cons of non-GamStop online casinos
The potential drawbacks are few and scarce, but they are still worth mentioning as they can make all the difference. If you are considering playing on these platforms, you should know that they:
- Don’t give you as many tools for responsible gambling as GamStop sites, which might be a big deal if you care about limiting the time and money you spend on this activity.
- Can provide only crypto transactions on some websites, and with only 12% of the UK adults owning cryptoassets as of August 2024, this might imply venturing into something unfamiliar.
- Might require a bit more research into their security, as having fewer rules, such as no-KYC checks, can be a source of trouble.
The bottom line
For players who believe they have enough self-discipline to stay within self-imposed time and money limits when playing, non-GamStop casinos are true gems. It’s worth mentioning that they also have built-in self-exclusion tools, along with different responsible gambling measures, but their system works on an entirely voluntary basis.
But if you want unprecedented safety and don’t mind sacrificing a few other things along the way, like a limited choice of games, then GamStop casinos are the way to go. UKGC-licensed online casinos will help you maintain healthy gambling habits, elevating your experience, as you won’t have to worry about your resources.
