Non UK casinos offer some great benefits for UK players including a wider range of games, better bonuses, and more promotions. And since they’re governed by overseas regulators, restrictions on bets or activity aren’t as tough as they are with locally-licensed sites.
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What is a Non UK Casino?
To put it simply, a non UK casino is an online casino that is licensed by an international gambling authority such as the Curaçao Gaming Control Board (GCB) or the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA). These are legal sites that you can access from the UK with no legal restrictions on doing so.
Since non UK casinos are not regulated by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), they are not subject to local gambling rules and regulations, which are some of the strictest in the world when it comes to limits on betting stakes and bonuses.
It’s worth noting that these sites must follow rules and offer certain protections for customers according to their licences. However, there is no support from UK legislation or the UKGC for any issues.
Benefits of Using Non UK Casinos
Like we said earlier, non UK casino sites come with quite a lot of benefits. Below, we’ve outlined the main reasons why you might choose these over UK-licensed sites.
1. No Limits Imposed by UKGC Regulations
The UK Gambling Commission is infamous for being overly strict. There’s a lot of red tape around regulations and even legitimate sites can have issues gaining licenses as a result.
Non UK licensed casinos can choose who they get their licenses from, which makes them easier to set up while still having to stick to the most important rules and regulations that keep you safe. It also removes any limits around payment options and bonuses, which the UKGC restricts.
2. Less Demanding Verification Process
The verification process for non UK regulated casinos is much quicker than those based in the UK. European casinos will generally allow you to create an account within seconds with just an email address and password.
Long, drawn-out verification processes like those required by the UKGC are time-consuming and sometimes difficult to complete. But with non UK casinos, the only verification you may need to complete is when cashing out so they know you’re a real person.
3. Bigger Bonuses
Most non UK based online casinos have a massive range of promotions and bonuses to claim. And yes, this is often much bigger than those within the UK. Welcome offers can often jump into the five-figure range and there are dozens of existing player promotions, such as reload bonuses and cashback offers.
4. Access to More Game Developers
Casinos in the UK can only use game developers who have a licence with the UKGC. Non UK based casinos accepting UK players can use developers from around the world. And this means more games for you to choose from.
Game developers at non UK casinos are still required to have licences, but they can be from offshore gambling jurisdictions. Games are tested to be true and fair, without the limitations on their location.
Are Non UK Casinos Legal to Play?
Yes. Non UK based online casinos are legal to play in the UK. You’re not prohibited from playing at offshore casinos or independent UK casinos, but be aware that they aren’t regulated by the UK’s governing body. Support comes from the licence issuer of the casino. These will be based overseas, and they often include hundreds of online casinos that have worked safely and fairly for decades.
How to Choose a Non UK Casino
There are hundreds of non UK casino sites to choose from, so picking one can be a bit confusing. Do you look for one with the most games or the biggest bonuses?
Well, there’s a little more to it than that, so we’ve listed a few things to look out for when getting started.
There are plenty of authorities that license overseas casinos accepting UK players. Along with the advantages listed above, these are also casinos not on Gamstop, the UK’s voluntary self-exclusion programme.
Here’s a brief summary of the most reputable gambling authorities around the world.
- Curaçao eGaming: Curaçao is one of the most popular licences for non UK casinos accepting UK players and covers various digital gaming forms, focusing on responsible gaming and player data protection.
- Malta Gaming Authority (MGA): Known for its stringent regulatory standards and a focus on player safety, game fairness, and preventing criminal activities.
- Gibraltar Betting and Gaming Association: Sets high customer service standards, and differs significantly from UKGC regulations. This is a popular option given the high number of gambling corporations based out of Gibraltar.
- Antigua and Barbuda: The Financial Services Regulation Commission of Antigua and Barbuda requires casinos to consistently demonstrate their ability to pay out rewards and ensures frequent testing for games and payment processes.
- Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission: Ensures compliance with strict regulations, promoting fair play and player protection. It has issued hundreds of licences over the last two decades.
Bonuses Available at Non UK Casino Sites
One of the best features of non UK license casinos is the range of available bonuses. They are generally much higher than those based in the UK and have fewer restrictions on how you can claim them.
Welcome Offer
The welcome offer can be claimed by new accounts only. These usually come in the form of a deposit bonus, where the casino will match your first deposit based on a percentage and then up to a certain amount.
For example, a 100% deposit match up to £1,000 will see you get an additional £100 on a deposit of £100. To get the full benefit of the deal, you’d need to deposit £1,000 for £1,000 in bonus credit.
No Deposit Bonus
A non UK casino no deposit bonus is where the casino applies a bonus without needing you to make a deposit. This promotion offers incredible value so as you can imagine, it’s extremely rare.
No deposit offers will usually be quite low value and could be in the form or £10 free casino credit or even 20 free spins on a slot. Whatever the deal is, it will have some strict terms and conditions that you’ll need to stick to if you want to withdraw any winnings.
Free Spins
Free spins are, just as the name suggests, free spins offered by the non UK casino site on a nominated game of their choice. The idea here is to promote a certain game or developer. Either way, it’s a great way to test out a slot before using your own cash.
Winnings from free spins will come as cash or as a bonus and they will always have some wagering requirements attached. This means you’ll need to wager a specific amount before any cash can be withdrawn.
Cashback
Cashback offers are applied to any losses you make over a set period. The casino will refund a percentage of those losses up to a maximum amount. Most of the time any refund will be in the form of a bonus with wagering requirements attached, but some cashback promos will pay as direct cash.
This is a particularly good type of ongoing promotion if you play a lot of games over the course of a week.
Loyalty Bonuses
Loyalty bonuses are applied to existing player accounts. These offers vary in who can claim them and how they are earned. Some casinos will give them based on how long someone has been a member, and others base on an accumulation of points.
The most common loyalty bonuses are part of a loyalty programme. Programmes are often tiered and you move up by placing more bets. The rewards and bonuses also get better as you move up those tiers.
Popular Games on Non UK Regulated Casinos
The best non UK casinos can have thousands of games to choose from. We’ve outlined the most sought-after game types below.
Non UK Casino Payment Methods
One of the many benefits that comes with using a non UK casino accepting UK players is the increased range of payment methods, including the following:
Credit Cards and Debit Cards
Credit and debit cards are the most popular way to deposit for most non UK casino sites and major brands include Visa, MasterCard and American Express. The only thing to note with these is that most don’t allow you to withdraw and those that do, will usually incur fees.
Cryptocurrencies
Cryptocurrencies are the fastest-growing banking option right now. Popular methods include Bitcoin, Litecoin, and Ethereum. Withdrawals are processed instantly, making it the fastest way to get a hold of your money. Some UK crypto casinos will even have dedicated crypto welcome offers which are usually high value.
eWallets
eWallets can be used with some sites and even though these aren’t as popular as they once were, it’s good to still have access. Major brands include Neteller and Skrill, but PayPal won’t be accepted. Promotions often can’t be claimed using eWallets due to sites not being able to link accounts to specific players.
Pros and Cons of Non UK Casinos Accepting UK Players
When considering non UK casinos accepting UK players, it’s important to weight the benefits and any potential drawbacks. Considering these pros and cons will help you make an informed decision about whether to play at an online casino outside the UK.
Pros
- Broader range of games, including titles not available in the UK
- Attractive bonuses, sometimes with less stringent wagering requirements
- Diverse payment methods and cryptocurrency options
Cons
- Lack of UKGC protection
- Some non UK online casinos might not offer the same level or responsible gambling tools
Are Non UK Casino Sites Safe?
Non UK casinos are perfectly legal to use for British players. But most importantly, they are safe and secure once they are licensed by a reputable gaming authority like those listed above.
Ensuring an online casino outside the UK is fully licensed by a trustworthy gambling regulator is crucial for the safety of both your data and your money.
Regulators such as the Malta Gaming Authority or the Gibraltar Regulatory Authority enforce strict standards for fairness, security and responsible gambling, giving you peace of mind when enjoying your gaming experience.
So yes, both you and your money are safe if you choose non UK online casinos that are fully licensed by a trustworthy gambling regulator.
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FAQs
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