The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) established Gamstop to address problem gambling. When activated, the self-exclusion service works by shutting gamblers out of all Gamstop casinos. And while this can protect the financial interest of compulsive gamblers, it can also prevent them from accessing their favorite casino games. This inconvenience is why non-Gamstop casinos are very popular in the UK. They are not regulated by the UKGC, which means players have more freedom. However, contrary to popular belief, this does not make them unsafe, and you can find safe and reliable non-gamstop casinos: the UK edition, if you consider the following factors.
Licensing and Regulation
While the UKGC does not regulate non-Gamstop casinos, several gambling authorities have taken up the responsibility of licensing these sites. The most popular body that performs this task is the Malta Gaming Authority. Before joining a non-Gamstop casino, you should check whether it has proper licenses and certifications. Most sites post their regulatory certificates at the bottom of their homepage. This license tells you that the site is operating fairly, responsibly, and within the laws of the area.
Security
Your second priority should be to determine the security measures the non-Gamstop casino has taken to protect your financial and personal data. At the very least, the site should employ digital encryptions like SSL or TSL. These technologies encrypt data as it is being transferred between the user, site owner, and server to limit access to unauthorized third parties. Additionally, other features to look out for include secure payment channels like MasterCard and PayPal and Random Number Generators (RNGs).
Reputation
The reputation of a casino comprises how it is perceived by the users and review sites. To determine if a site is safe and reliable, read several user reviews online. Make sure the reviews are posted by real people with an online presence and not bots. If you don’t think you can trust on-site reviews – they are almost always positive – you can get a more objective view of the provider on trusted non-Gamstop casino review sites. Alternatively, consult friends and family who have used the casino.
Payment Methods
In line with the increased freedoms provided by non-Gamstop casinos, these sites also often offer more payment methods for depositing and withdrawing your winnings. These include debit cards, credit cards, and digital currencies. A safe casino site should offer these payment methods through secure and reputable companies like Visa, PayPal, and MasterCard. If you see payment options you are not familiar with, avoid the non-Gamstop casino in question.
Bonuses and Promotions
Most non-Gamstop casinos use promotions and bonuses to attract new users and reward repeat players. However, scammer sites can also use these perks to steal your money. This is especially true of providers that offer bonuses with conditions that require you to spend a specific amount of money on the site to redeem them. In the end, you may lose more than you gain. This is why you should read the terms and conditions of a casino’s reward program to determine whether they are genuine.
Customer Support
Reliable non-Gamstop casinos should offer helpful customer support 24/7. This customer service should also be reachable through multiple avenues, including phone, live chat, and email. Through this, you can receive prompt answers to your questions or help when you encounter problems. You can test a site’s customer support system by asking them questions and gauging how long it takes them to respond.
Responsible Gambling Features
Finally, while non-Gamstop casinos do not use the UKGC-mandated exclusion system, they should promote responsible gambling. You know you can trust a non-Gamstop site if it restricts underage players from accessing its services and offers self-exclusion options to control your activity.
Conclusion
Many gamers mistakenly believe that non-Gamstop casinos are inherently unsafe because the UKGC does not regulate them. However, these sites can be just as safe and reliable as their Gamstop counterparts. The key is to do your due diligence before settling on a provider. Test the customer service, check the encryption measures, and, more importantly, confirm that the site is licensed.
Written by Jason Anderwood
