Getting around Gamstop and its ukcasinosnotgamstop.com exemption system is not as difficult as you might think. For example, if a site is not licensed by the UKGC, then it doesn’t have to participate in Gamstop. Read on to find out more about how to bypass Gamstop.
Casino registration without Gamstop
The internet is full of gambling sites that are not UKGC licensed (not subscribed to the Gamstop programme) and therefore accept new players who might be excluded from other sites. Just because these sites are not UKGC licensed doesn’t mean they have nothing to offer the discerning player: many of them offer exactly the same games, odds and markets as their established competitors, as well as other gambling features you may not have come across before.
Registering at an online casino without verification
Not every online casino requires verification, especially when creating a new account. This is required when withdrawing funds in order to combat fraud and money laundering, so always read and check the fine print when registering for a new service. It’s better to be prepared than to experience an unexpected shock! Choose gambling platforms without verification – they are definitely not participating in Gamstop.
Visit a physical casino
We know that there are reasons why many gamblers prefer to play online: convenience, lower limits, and the ability to play their favourite games anywhere and anytime. Land-based casinos do not have these advantages, but can be very interesting in other ways. They do not participate in the Gamstop exclusion scheme, but instead have their own similar voluntary scheme known as “SENSE”. So the Gamstop exclusion does not affect your ability to gamble in a physical casino, and depending on where you live, it may be the easiest and quickest way to play.
Wait until the self-exclusion period has passed
Gamstop’s voluntary self-exclusion scheme gives users a choice of three time frames:
- 6 months;
- 1 year;
- 5 years.
Once you have signed up, there is no option to cancel before the expiry of the self-exclusion period, so many players look for other ways to play, such as those on this list. After this period, you will be able to use all the sites you previously used, although you will have to make an official request to be removed from Gamstop in order to do so.
Use a VPN to play casino games in any jurisdiction in the world
Virtual private networks, or VPNs, allow users to change the geographical location where the internet thinks they are. You may have heard of people using VPNs to view streaming TV sites from other countries, such as Netflix. This way, you can give the impression that you’re gaming from another location, so casinos and gaming sites that are traditionally blocked for UK users will be available to you. However, some sites can apply penalties to users they suspect of using a VPN, especially UKGC-licensed sites, which could well ban your account and confiscate your funds, so always have all the information you need before making such a decision.
Registering with a bitcoin or cryptocasino
The question of how to bypass Gamstop revolves around your identity, as it is your name and address that is used to restrict your access. Therefore, anonymous accounts, such as those popular at cryptocurrency casinos, are not subject to the same restrictions. Cryptocurrency casinos often use bitcoin as their primary currency, but many accept other cryptocurrencies as well, and you’ll likely find that these ‘no ID casino sites’ usually offer the same features and options as everyone else. Before making a deposit, it’s worth making sure that anonymous withdrawals are possible, as this is not always the case.
Gamstop provides a useful service for many gamblers looking to control their behaviour. But for many others, it can be an overly restrictive scheme. If you are an experienced gambler who knows your limits and seeks unrestricted access to the games and entertainment you enjoy, it is worth weighing up the pros and cons of using a voluntary service or taking steps to avoid Gamstop altogether.