what non gamstop actually means and what it doesn't

[greenfeltgaz]

Putting this up because the same questions keep coming round and people get the wrong end of it.

GAMSTOP is the UK self exclusion scheme. Every UKGC licensed site has to check it, so if you're registered, those sites won't let you in. That's the whole point of it.

Non GAMSTOP sites are offshore, usually Curacao or similar. They aren't part of the UK scheme so they don't run that check. What that actually means is they sit outside UKGC rules entirely. No UKGC recourse, no UK complaints route, your deposit protections aren't the same.

What it does NOT mean, and I want this clear, is that it's a clever way round a self exclusion. If you've excluded yourself, that decision was for a reason and these sites are not a workaround. If gambling's causing you grief, GamCare's there, free, 0808 8020 133.

This board is for talking about new and offshore sites informationally, payouts, terms, licences. Higher limits and fewer protections, both true. Just go in knowing the trade.

Questions, stick them below and I'll keep this updated.

[cold_caller_clive]

Glad this is pinned somewhere clear. The number of times someone turns up asking how to get on one after excluding, and the honest answer is don't.

The bit people underrate is the recourse one. On a UKGC site if they void your winnings unfairly you've got somewhere to go. Offshore, you've got a contact form and a prayer. That's not scaremongering, that's just the structure of it. mah, people only learn it when a withdrawal goes sideways.

[ruby_reels]

Thanks for laying it out plain. I did wonder what the actual difference was beyond the limits.

So just to check I've got it, the higher deposit limits are because they're not bound by the UK affordability rules? That's the main practical pull for people I assume. Not for me really, the limits aren't my problem, but good to understand why they exist.

[northern_neil]

Good post. One thing I'd add for anyone reading, the Curacao licence itself has changed a fair bit recently, they've split it into actual individual licences rather than the old master/sublicence fudge. Still nowhere near UKGC for player protection though, don't read that as them being equivalent.

Know the trade, like you said. Higher ceiling, thinner floor.