In April 2020, the UK Gambling Commission made a series of decisions that shook the entire gambling fraternity. First, they banned UK-based casinos (online and offline) from accepting credit card payments from users. Further, Gamstop was launched. Gambling companies under the UK Gambling Commission, such as; WilliamHill, Ladbrokes, Coral, and Betway, were asked to sign-up with Gamstop.
What is Gamstop?
Gamstop is a self-exclusion program introduced by the UK Gambling Commission. This new scheme was launched with an intention to help gamblers who are addicted to gambling. Chronic gamblers who couldn’t stop themselves from placing their hard-earned money on wagers for bets can now sign-up with Gamstop.
Once they sign-up, they will be barred from accessing any of the online casino sites registered under the UK Gambling Commission. The list included almost all popular gambling sites in the UK. The idea is to let the chronic gambler focus on rehabilitation. When they feel the need to follow their impulse to gamble, Gamstop will set them back on track.
Furthermore, the UK Gambling Commission has also put restrictions on the sign-up bonuses offered to new customers by the gambling sites. Now, online casinos have to take the old-fashioned televisions advertising route—no more clickbaity internet ads.
New players are also restricted to how much money they can deposit.
A limit is set by the UK Gambling Commission to prevent new players from losing money due to ignorance or neglect. Once a gambler registers on Gamstop, the legal and licensed gambling companies in the UK will be notified. They will be asked to close down that particular player’s gambling accounts. The player is not allowed to re-register.
Why Are Some Betting Sites Not on Gamstop?
Unlicenced (or illegal) UK-based gambling sites and offshore online casinos are not obligated to register their name with Gamstop. While the licensed online casinos suffer a substantial loss, the bookies not on Gamstop can grab the opportunity and attract new customers. Offshore gambling sites operate under the ordinance of the gambling commission in their respective countries.
UK-based gamblers who are registered with Gamstop can enjoy the services of these offshore new betting sites not on Gamstop 2022. There is no law preventing them from doing so. They can also use a credit card to place wagers, bet, or deposit money on an offshore gambling site. Hence, to cater to the Gamstop-registered gamblers, some UK-based online casinos have remained unlicensed, and are not on Gamstop.
List of Casinos Not on Gamstop
Leo Monaco
Leo Monaco is a physical casino based in Monaco. It offers the same luxurious experience online on its website. A Gamstop-registered gambler can enjoy games like roulette and blackjack. The website has an English version. And the user-interface is quite friendly and easy-to-use. You can place wagers with your credit card, debit card, or even a crypto account.
Crazy Star
Crazy Start is another gambling site not on Gamestop. It is a legal online casino registered with the gambling commission of Curacao (an island nation). It supports English, Spanish, and French. This website is newly-launched, and hence you can expect high0 sign-up bonus (up to £2000).
Lionel Bets
Lionel Bets is an international casino for beginner and experienced betters. This site is dedicated to sports betters. The team at Lionel Bets is cautious not to disclose your personal information to anyone. The terms and conditions clearly state that no one except you and Lionel Bets will know about your whereabouts online. Moreover, you can also enjoy fabulous offers and deals, all round the year.
Fortune Clock
Fortune Clock is a relatively smaller company with a massive selection of slots, table games, and sports betting events. The company was founded in March 2020 and has already formed quite a reputation among the UK gambling community. They offer 24×7 customer support in English. Currently, Fortune Clock is competing with the likes of sports betting companies like Sports Lounge Casino and Crazyno.
Summary
Gamstop is an excellent step taken by the UK Gambling Commission. When someone is unemployed and has nothing to do all day, gambling can occupy their mind and make their situation even worse. Gamstop helps them stay on track. However, for players with a mild addiction, it does not hurt to place a wager once in a while.
