Poker sites not on Gamstop make a popular choice among UK poker players for several reasons. Not only do these platforms offer a way around stringent Gamstop restrictions, but they also offer some of the most diverse poker gaming options, exciting tournaments, and some of the meatiest promotions in the industry.
You can learn everything you need to know about finding the best non-Gamstop poker sites here, including the advantages and disadvantages of these sites, the poker games they provide, and the bonuses available.
What is Gamstop?
Gamstop is an independent service that allows you to sign up for a period of self-exclusion, prohibiting you from using online poker sites and casinos.
This self-imposed self-exclusion period offered by Gamstop ranges anywhere from six months to two years. Once you are under a period of self-exclusion, you must complete it. During this period, it is against the law for online casinos and poker sites regulated by the UK Gambling Commission to accept your money or bets.
However, there is a way around this—by visiting poker sites not on Gamstop. These sites are based elsewhere in the world than the UK, which means UK gambling laws and restrictions do not apply to them. As such, these poker platforms may accept UK players under a Gamstop ban and take their bets without breaking the law.
However, it is essential only to visit sites offering poker that are not on Gamstop, which have licences from top international gaming authorities. These licenced platforms offer safe, secure online gambling and safe and rapid withdrawals.
Why Choose Poker Sites Not on Gamstop?
Poker is a unique card game, which, unlike other casino card games like online blackjack, is not played against the house. The top poker sites not on Gamstop provide extensive variations of these games, so you always have a new option to try while allowing you to play against hundreds of other online players.
Top sites offering poker that are not on Gamstop also offer more flexible gambling options. They are known for providing some of the most exhilarating promotions, making it easier to participate in more of the poker offerings available.
Advantages of Non-Gamstop Poker Sites
You may not realise it, but there are plenty of advantages to playing at poker sites that are not on Gamstop. These platforms allow UK players a more flexible online poker experience and provide several other top advantages, which we discuss below:
Cater to Banned/Excluded Customers
While online casinos and poker sites regulated by the UKGC may not accept bets from players under a Gamstop ban, these offshore non-Gamstop poker sites are not governed by the same restrictions and, as such, may take real money poker bets from players under a period of Gamstop self-exclusion.
Latest Trends and Promotions
Since these poker sites are new, they provide the latest technology, trends, and features. Additionally, these sites offer the newest payment options, like cryptocurrencies, which allow them to provide far more generous promotions than regulated poker platforms. Further, these sites are not governed by the UKGC and can set their own promotions, allowing for more competitive options.
European Licenses
The top poker sites not on Gamstop have European licences from international gaming authorities like the Malta Gaming Authority. These licenced casinos offer some of the safest online poker gaming, as they are required to uphold a high standard of gaming and regularly undergo audits to maintain their licences.
Simplified KYC Procedures
Offshore poker sites require you to submit KYC documentation if you opt to use fiat currencies like bank transfers or credit cards to fund your accounts. However, suppose you choose to use one of the cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Shiba Inu, or Litecoin instead. In that case, you won’t need to submit KYC documentation and can receive your payouts instantly.
Disadvantages of Non-Gamstop Poker Sites
While there are certainly many benefits to playing at non-Gamstop poker sites, there are also a few downsides. We will walk you through these in more detail below.
Lack of UKGC Regulation
Since these online poker sites are not based within the UK, they are not licenced or regulated by the UK Gambling Commission. While they have licences from their local gaming authorities, these sites do not have the same recourse standards in place should a UK player have a dispute.
Limited Support Programs
Although non-Gamstop casinos and poker sites are not required to adhere to Gamstop stipulations, these sites do provide alternative problem gambling support options. However, these are nowhere near as comprehensive as the options offered by UK problem gambling entities such as Gamstop, GamCare, and GambleAware.
Payment Method Restrictions
Offshore poker sites may offer more diverse payment methods, but these are often restricted. According to UK gambling laws, regulated online casinos may not accept payments made using credit cards. As such, many UK-based financial institutions automatically decline to authorise any payments made to online gambling institutions.
For this reason, many non-Gamstop poker sites don’t offer fiat payment options like debit or credit cards, cheques, or bank transfers, as these are often declined.
Pros of non-Gamstop poker sites
- Offer poker gaming to those under a Gamstop ban
- Provide a broad selection of online poker games
- Feature generous poker promotions and bonuses
- Limited KYC verification requirements for quick payouts
Cons of non-Gamstop poker sites
- Lack of UKGC regulation
- Several traditional payment options restricted
- Lacking in support options for gambling addiction
How to Choose the Best Non-Gamstop Poker Site
To find the best sites for poker not on Gamstop, you’ll need to consider several aspects of the site you’re considering joining. This will ensure a safe, secure, well-rounded online gambling experience. To help you know what to look for when finding the best poker sites for UK players, we walk you through some of the top criteria to consider.
License & Regulation
The first and most important part of finding poker sites that are not on Gamstop is to make sure that the site you have chosen has a licence from a reputable international gaming authority, like Curaçao eGaming. Like casinos and poker sites licenced by the UKGC, these platforms must maintain stringent standards regarding player security and fair play. Unlicenced sites have no regulations and can do as they please, making them less reliable and not very safe.
Reputation
It is always worthwhile examining the poker site’s reputation. Reading reviews on your chosen site and even looking on forums like Reddit to see what other players have to say will give a good indication as to whether the platform is reputable and safe to play at.
Traffic on Non-Gamstop Poker Sites
Non-Gamstop poker sites with high traffic highlight that the platform is popular and offers excellent poker betting options as more players are visiting and using the site. Additionally, the more traffic there is on the platform, the more chances you have of playing for bigger pots. For these reasons, finding a high-traffic poker site is your best bet.
Variety of Poker Games
You’ll also want to look at the variety of poker games your chosen site provides. The top sites feature several variations, including Texas Hold’em, Stud, Omaha, Five-Card Draw, and Caribbean poker.
Poker Game Developers
Although having a large number of poker variations is great, if none of these are quality games, you won’t have the best experience. For that reason, it is essential to find poker sites not on Gamstop that curate their games from leading poker software developers, like Pokerscript, Pragmatic Play, and Artoon.
Promotions on Non-Gamstop Poker Sites
One of the key features of non-Gamstop poker platforms is that these sites offer some of the juiciest promotions. However, it is always a good option to review the terms and conditions attached to these promotions to ensure they are fair and attainable before you claim them.
Deposit & Withdrawal Options
Poker sites not on Gamstop should offer a broad selection of safe, recognisable payment methods. These may include fiat currencies like credit and debit cards, e-wallets, and cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum. It is also worth checking the transaction fees the casino applies, the maximum and minimum deposit and withdrawal values applied, and the payout times.
Mobile Poker Games
The top sites for poker not on Gamstop also offer mobile poker gaming, either via downloadable poker apps or a mobile-optimised website. Either way, the option provided for your chosen platform should offer seamless mobile poker gaming, be available on iOS and Android devices, and be user-friendly.
Non-Gamstop Poker Sites vs. Gamstop Registered UK Sites
Poker sites not on Gamstop provide far more flexible online gambling and advanced features than sites regulated within the UK. You can compare the two types of poker sites available in the table below:
| Gamstop-Compliant Poker Sites | Poker Sites Not on Gamstop | |
| Required to Comply with Gamstop Restrictions | ✅ | ❌ |
| Responsible Gambling Measures Provided | ✅ | ✅ |
| Offer Self-Exclusion | ✅ | ✅ |
| Poker Betting Limit Restrictions | £10 stakes per player per game | None |
| VIP Programs | Poker VIP programs are prohibited | Offer exciting VIP and loyalty programs that offer unique perks and bonuses |
| Banking Options | Only debit cards, bank transfers, PayPal | Varied options including credit cards, debit cards, gift cards, vouchers, e-wallets, bank transfers, e-cheques, cryptocurrencies |
| Instant Deposits | ✅ | ✅ |
| Instant Withdrawals | ❌ | ✅ |
| KYC Requirements | Yes | No, provided you fund your account using cryptocurrencies |
| Cryptocurrencies Accepted for Deposits/Withdrawals | ❌ | ✅ |
| Poker Bonus Offerings | Limited poker bonuses with stringent terms and conditions | Generous offerings with more flexible terms and conditions |
Types of Games Available at Non-Gamstop Poker Sites
Primarily, poker sites not on Gamstop focus on poker games. As such, you can find several variations of the game available. We discuss the most popular non-Gamstop poker games available.
Texas Hold’em
The most popular variation of poker is Texas Hold’em, and you can find several iterations of the game at top UK non-Gamstop poker sites and casinos. You can play one-on-one against the dealer or against several other online players in exciting tournaments, leaderboards, and online games.
Omaha
Omaha is a “flop” poker game that uses community cards. Each player is dealt four cards and must use two of these and three of the five community cards to make up their hand. There are several variations of Omaha, including Omaha High, Six-Card Omaha, and Omaha HiLo.
Hi/Lo
Traditionally, in poker games, the pot goes to the player with the highest value hand. However, in split games like Hi/Lo, the pot is divided among the player with the highest value hand and the player with the lowest value hand.
5 Card Draw
Considered the simplest variation of poker, a five-card draw sees each player being dealt five cards face-down. There are no community cards in this game, and at the end of the first betting round, you may opt to discard cards and pick up new ones before the second betting round commences.
7 Card Stud
Also known as “Seven-Toed Pete” or “Down the River” poker, seven-card stud is a poker game where players receive seven cards in total. At first, players receive two face-down hole cards and one up card. After the first round of betting, each player receives another up card, followed by another round of betting. This continues until the seventh card is dealt, but this is dealt face-down. Unlike Texas Hold’em and Omaha, Stud is played with a limit betting structure.
Caribbean Poker
This unique game is derived from five-card stud. However, unlike most other poker games, Caribbean poker is not played against other online players but against the house.
Other
There are plenty of other poker variations available for play at non-Gamstop poker sites. These include:
- Courchevel
- Razz
- 2-7 Triple Draw
- 2-7 Single Draw
- HORSE
- Badugi
- Showtime Hold’em
- Split Hold’em
- Pot-Limit Omaha
Bonuses and Promotions Available when Playing Poker Not on Gamstop
The top poker sites not on Gamstop offer a varied selection of generous and impressive bonuses and promotions. Below, we introduce you to some of the most exciting bonuses at poker sites and casinos.
Deposit Match Welcome Bonuses
Online poker sites often offer generous deposit match bonuses to new players to encourage new poker fanatics to sign up. These bonuses are generally only available on your first deposit, with the poker site offering to match your deposit up to a specific value.
Reloads
In addition to offering promotions to new players, non-Gamstop poker sites also offer promos for regular players who visit the site often. These come in various forms, including deposit matches, rakebacks, and free bets.
Rakeback
A rakeback bonus is a refund or rebate of the rake taken by the online poker site, which is paid back to the player. These rarely pay back all of the rake and often offer a percentage back instead.
No Deposit Poker Bonus
A no-deposit bonus is a promotion the poker site offers to a player who has just set up an account with the platform but has yet to fund their account. The casino gives the player bonus funds to use to play the poker games provided in the hopes that they will eventually deposit funds of their own.
VIP Bonus Offers
Players who have signed up with the poker site’s VIP program have the chance to earn points by playing games and tournaments. The more points they collect, the more bonuses and promotions they can unlock.
Referral Bonuses
Some sites offering poker that are not on Gamstop encourage you to get others you know to sign up and join by providing referral bonuses. In this case, for each new player you recruit using your special code, you can earn a bonus.
Payment Methods Available on Poker Sites Not on Gamstop
Poker sites not on Gamstop offer a varied selection of payment methods. These sites are not regulated by UK gambling laws, which means they have more leeway in the payment methods they offer. You can learn more about the most popular banking methods these sites offer below:
Standard Payment Methods
Most non-Gamstop poker sites offer traditional or fiat payment methods. These are payment options overseen by financial institutions like banks.
Credit & Debit Cards
While Gamstop-regulated sites are not permitted to accept credit card payments from players, offshore casinos can. As such, you can fund your account using Visa and MasterCard credit and debit cards. However, these are rarely offered as a means of withdrawal and come with high transaction fees.
Bank Wire Transfers
These transfers allow you to transfer money from your poker account directly to your bank account. However, these withdrawals have excessive transaction fees and can take up to 15 business days to pay out.
Cryptocurrencies
Cryptocurrencies are decentralised digital assets that don’t classify as legal tender. For this reason, cryptocurrencies are not required to follow the same regulations as fiat currencies, including the verification of KYC documentation. Since these payment options are instant and have zero fees, they are popular at poker sites not on Gamstop and crypto casinos in the UK, offering players a seamless and private gaming experience..
Bitcoin
This was the first-ever decentralised cryptocurrency. It operates on a blockchain network and records all transactions on a public ledger. Bitcoin is currently the most valuable cryptocurrency and is a top choice among online players and poker sites.
Ethereum
This cryptocurrency is second only to Bitcoin in value. It uses open-source software and was launched in 2013. This crypto’s popularity has made it a popular payment option at many online sites offering poker that are not on Gamstop.
Tether
Unlike Bitcoin and Ethereum, Tether is a stable coin. What this means is that the cryptocurrency is linked to a fiat currency (in this case, the US Dollar) or a commodity that stabilises its value. As such, Tether currently trades at the same value as the US Dollar. The stability of the coin makes it popular among online players.
Dogecoin
Dogecoin was the first meme coin and the first dog coin. However, this unique coin was initially launched as a joke, poking fun at cryptos like Bitcoin. Dogecoin became a popular trading coin and, as such, is accepted as a payment method by many online gambling sites.
Litecoin
Litecoin was one of the first Altcoins or crypto coins to compete with Bitcoin. This cryptocurrency uses the same blockchain technology as Bitcoin, making it widely trusted and popular among online players. However, it trades at a far lower value than Bitcoin.
E-wallets
Some sites offering poker that are not on Gamstop also provide e-wallets as a method of payment. These require you to set up a digital wallet, which acts as an intermediary between your casino and bank accounts. While this allows for faster, more secure transactions, there are sometimes fees involved. Popular e-wallet options include Skrill, Neteller, and Mifinity. Choosing e-wallets is especially beneficial if you prefer instant withdrawal online casinos, as they facilitate quick and seamless transfers, ensuring you get your winnings without delay.
Safety and Security at Non-Gamstop Poker Sites
The best poker sites not on Gamstop have licences from international regulatory and gaming authorities. Some of the more common online gaming licences come from these regions:
Malta
Many top European casinos and poker sites procure licences from the Malta Gaming Authority. This gaming authority is recognised as one of the best, thanks to the stringent regulations it applies and the regular audits it requires its casinos to undergo.
Curaçao
The Governor of Curaçao issues online gaming licences remotely and has done so since 1999. These licences are issued through the Curaçao eGaming Authority.
Panama
Panama is a tax haven, which means licences from the region are highly sought-after. However, licences from the Junta de Control de Juegos (Panama Gaming Control Board) are fairly simple to obtain.
The Final Word on Non-Gamstop Poker UK
Poker sites not on Gamstop offer UK players under a period of Gamstop self-exclusion the opportunity to play their favourite poker games for real money. However, these platforms offer so much more.
They stand out for offering the latest technology, the best selection of poker games, and some of the most outstanding promotions. Non-Gamstop poker sites and slots not on Gamstop, also provide unique payment methods, such as cryptocurrencies, that offer instant, secure, and fee-free transactions. Additionally, these platforms often include betting sites not on Gamstop, giving players a wider range of options for enjoying their favorite betting activities without the restrictions imposed by Gamstop.
FAQs
Is PokerStars on Gamstop?
Can I Use PayPal on non-Gamstop sites?
Are non-Gamstop poker sites safe?
Responsible Gambling
To enjoy a well-rounded and safe online poker experience, it is best always to practice responsible gambling. While the top poker sites not on Gamstop offer responsible gambling tools, you can also contact one of the following:
