There are hundreds of licensed casinos in the UK and there are new brands opening their digital doors for new players every month. Is there really a reason to play on a non-licensed casino? Not really – the licensed casino brands give you higher security and the UKGC is working for the players right.
Some players, however, miss the days when the bonuses were huge and gamification natural part of casinos. The strict rules from UKGC have limited this opportunity for many UK licensed casinos and this is very the offshore casinos fills a gap in the market.
| Casino | Free Spins | Bonus | Info | Play |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| – | €800 | Play Now | ||
| 200 | €2000 | Play Now | ||
| 150 | €1500 | Play Now | ||
| 120 | €1800 | Play Now | ||
| – | €3000 | Play Now |
- Online Gambling & Online Casinos. Any operator wishing to provide online gambling services in the UK needs to acquire the right license. The only accepted way to apply is online by submitting the application tom Gambling Commission System.
- The Isle of Man is a well-established licensing jurisdiction for online betting and gaming companies. Licenses are issued by the Gambling Supervision Commission, and the requirements for a company to be licensed are very strict.
Non UK Casino Sites – What does it mean?
If you have been playing a lot at online casinos throughout the years you have most likely already played on non-UK casinos. The truth is that basically all casinos operating online in the UK is based offshore. Many casinos have their base in other countries than the United Kingdom. This is mainly due to tax reasons or because of the original origin of the company. To operate in the UK however, they must have a valid UK license.
Normally, when people talking about a non-UK casino they don’t mean the actual base of the company which is behind the casino. Normally they mean casinos that are not licensed by the UK Gambling Commission. It is very important to understand the difference between casinos not based in the UK and casinos with a non-UK license.
Casinos not based in the UK
- Normally based off-shore for tax reasons
- Almost all operating casinos in the UK is based outside of the UK
- Normally holds a UKGC license
- Is tax-free as long as they have a UKGC license
Non UK licensed casinos
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The UK license is a prized one, so the online casinos are incentivized to do everything they can to hold onto them. It is not worth it for the casino to engage in improper conduct as the cost of losing the license would outweigh any short-term benefits.
- Some casinos are operating without a UK license
- Bigger freedom to the casino to act outside the UKGC guidelines
- Non UK casino operators are not on Gamstop. This means less security for players
- Normally bigger bonuses due to bigger margin than a licensed casino
So, as a casino player, we always recommend playing on the UKGC licensed casinos but there is still a demand for online casinos not in the UK from many players. If you are choosing between a non-licensed and a licensed casino you should be aware of risks with playing on a non-licensed casino.
Frequently Asked Questions about non-uk Casinos
Is it legal to play on a non-uk casino?Almost all online casinos operating in the UK is based offshore. What you should look for is however the casino has a UK license or not. For you as a player though, it is not illegal to play on a non-UK licensed casino.
Why play at a non-UK casino?If the casino doesn’t hold a UK license, you should preferably go for a casino that has one. However, some players don’t want to play under the UK Gambling Act and there could be numerous reasons for this.
How do I know if the casino has a UK license?Normally, the casino itself states on their website if they have a UK license or not. There is normally a banner in the footer. To be 100% sure, you can however search on the website of the Gambling Commission for valid licenses.
Can casinos loose a license?Yes. The UKGC has a lot of rules the casinos must follow to operate in the UK. Normally, there is a fine if they don’t but if it happens a number of times, the casino can lose their license. Search on the Gambling Commission website to make sure a casino’s license is valid.
Why doesn’t all casinos just have a UK license?The UKGC is extremely strict with their license. The UKGC is created both to generate tax money (to benefit UK citizens) and to keep the players safe. This means a lot of rules and strict KYC’s. Some casinos aren’t granted a license and some choose to operate without one to have larger opportunities for basically anything.
Is my rights limited when playing on a casino without UK license?Yes. Normally these casinos are based in Curacao and the Gambling Act of Curacao is less focused on the safety of the player and more focused on the benefit of the casino. This is a very important thing to know when playing on an offshore casino.
Foreign Casinos that accept UK Players
As mentioned above, the main part of all casinos in the UK is actually based abroad. The taxes are still paid in the UK by all the licensed casinos but normally the lower company taxes in places like Malta, Curacao, Gibraltar, and Isle of Man attract companies operating online to have their base somewhere else.
EU Casinos that Accept UK Players
Basically all casino sites with a UKGC license are based within the EU. This means that countries within the EU can offer their services (including the casino) to any other EU citizen. When you’re playing on an EU casino there are some benefits, but the biggest one is that you’re not eligible to pay taxes on your winnings. Imagine spending a lot of money on the casino, eventually, win some and then have to pay taxes on these winnings? This is the reality if you play on a non-EU casino.
There are still casinos within the EU operating in the UK without a license, but these casinos are rare.
Non-EU Casinos that Accept UK Players
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When playing on a non-EU casino there are some things to take into the aspect. If the casino has a UKGC-license, you’re fine, but if they don’t have you must be aware of some things. For example, you’re eligible to pay taxes on your winnings which means you have to report your winnings to the government and let them know about this, then pay the taxes needed for this amount.
Normally these casinos are based in Curacao and they still have a license – but a Curacao license. This gives you as a player less security than casinos operating under the UKGC gambling act.
USA Casinos that accept UK Players
The USA Casinos that accept UK Players are very rare. It is illegal to offer online casino services in many states in the US but in some states, New Jersey, for example, there is a license for online casinos. To operate an online casino in the US you must, however, have a land-based casino, which makes it very hard and very expensive. There are casinos offering US players illegal casino alternatives but these casinos are not recommended to play at.
Non UK Casinos Accepting UK Players
UK players are able to access a huge number of top quality casinos. However, while there are many options, players might be looking for something a little bit more. In fact, many players find it exciting to be able to search for, and find, a range of non-UK casinos to play at as these sites will often have a wider game choice and huge bonuses available.
However, there are some things players need to be aware of when making this move. For instance, it’s important to check whether the non UK casinos accepting UK platers are still licenced, whether they offer no account sign ups and even whether Brexit could be affecting players’ ability to play on the site at all. That’s why we take a look at all these aspects.
- Non-UK casinos should still hold a licence
- They often have big bonuses and thousands of games
Players should also note that there are two different types of non-UK casinos. One type of non UK registestered casinos are those not based or even owned by UK companies, though these can have UKGC licences. The other type are those without a UKGC licence, which should hold a licence from a different jurisdiction instead. These sites are often not allowed to host UK players at all.
Best Overseas Casinos Accepting UK Players
When it comes to finding the best non-UK casinos out there, there are a number of different features that we take into consideration before we make our final recommendations. While players may know of some features that are important, they may overlook others. As we review and compare non-UK sites we look at a variety of different aspects to offer fully-rounded casino recommendations to our readers.
One of the key points to remember at this point is that often non-UK casinos will not hold a UKGC licence. We strongly suggest that players should always be looking for a site that is licenced with an authority body, even if it isn’t from the UK. The different jurisdictions offer different levels of safety and security though. Some of the other licences include:
- Malta Gaming Authority
- Curacao
- Gibraltar
Security, safety and trust
At this point it’s important to consider security aspects outside of the licencing. For example, we will always check to see if the casino has security protocols in place to protect private player data. If the site is licenced, this usually comes as part and parcel of getting the licence in the first place. Players will be able to check this on the website itself.
Players should also check whether any information provided on the casino’s page is actually correct with regards to the licensing it holds. It’s relatively easy to check that the company’s name and brand match and whether the registration number is actually found on the licensors page. In this way it is possible to ensure the casino is offering exactly what it says it will to its players.
Can UK players join?
However, players should bear in mind that it’s all very well to choose a non-UK site with a licence, but if it doesn’t accept UK players there is no point in trying to sign up. Players often think they can get around such restrictions through using a VPN but players found doing so will get their account blocked and removed from the casino later down the line.
How good is the non-UK licence?
When it comes to non-UK licences, there are a number of jurisdictions that offer standards similar to the UKGC. Malta is one of them, offering stringent rules and regulations for operators so that players can have a fun, secure time. Other licences, such as Curacao or Gibraltar, are not so strict so players should bear this in mind if they choose a site licensed by either of these jurisdictions.
Advantages of non-UK casinos
There are a number of advantages for UK players at non-UK sites. Although it can be harder to find a non-UK site that accepts UK players, those that do often offer a lot of exciting features. Some of these include anonymous payment options, with non-UK casinos often offering players the chance to make payments through cryptocurrencies and other alternative payment methods that don’t require players to input sensitive financial details.
Further to this, signing up is often faster and smoother as many non-UK sites do not require players to provide verification when they make an account. One of the major reasons that British players are often enticed over to non-UK sites is the huge number of games these sites offer as well as some of the largest bonuses to be found at online casinos.
- Anonymous sign-ups
- Range of anonymous payment options
- Vast array of games
- Huge bonuses
Disadvantages of Non-UK Casinos
However, these pros come hand in hand with some cons. The biggest one of these is the level of security these sites provide. For many sites, there is not as much player protection in effect. Sites that are not licenced with the UKGC do not have to abide by UK gaming law and offer UK players no protection whatsoever, so if anything goes wrong, these players will be on their own.
In addition to this, UK players are unlikely to be able to make deposits in GBP. Players will have to use other methods that may be subject to various conversion fees. Finally, as there’s no player protection, features such as responsible gaming are not available. These sites also often use unknown software providers meaning the games may be biased and not offer players a fair gaming experience.
Bonuses on non UK licensed casinos
With bonuses being one of the main reasons UK players look for non-UK sites, we take a look at all the options available in order to be able to recommend the best sites. Non-UK sites often have much larger bonuses than UK-based casinos, partly because these sites do not have to adhere to the same licensing laws and partly because those other licenses are cheaper to obtain.
However, players will need to check that they are eligible for any bonuses offered by non-UK sites as often there will be further restrictions. UK players will usually have to choose a different currency in order to make the most of these bonuses. There are usually a number of bonus types offered, but players should be aware that they will come with wagering requirements.
- Welcome bonuses can be big
- Players need to check UK citizens can claim the bonus offers
- Players should check any wagering requirements
Gaming and accessibility options
There are a few final features to consider when looking at non-UK casinos. One of the other aspects that entices in new players is the game selection. Non-UK casinos are often able to utilise a wider range of game suppliers when compared to UKGC-licenced sites. This is because the UKGC sites can only use software providers that also hold a licence from the UKGC.
Non-UK sites often have thousands of games, especially slots, from a huge number of providers. This means players are given access to games of all types from those slots through to live games. It does mean that players are often able to play more unusual games or ones that they have never come across before. Sometimes these sites will also offer casino exclusive games, just to make things more exciting.
No verification accounts
Another draw for these sites is the fact that some will offer no verification sign-ups. Many other casino sites will require player verification upon sign-up. This can mean collecting together a lot of different documents and then having to wait for the verification process to be completed. Non-UK sites often skip this step entirely, enabling players to get playing right away and in an anonymous fashion.
Mobile compatibility
As with all online casinos, we also check out the accessibility of the non-UK sites that we recommend. We don’t just have a look to see if the site is user-friendly, but we also check out what mobile options are available. Some will have dedicated apps, although these are often harder to get hold of in the UK. Most will be modified for mobile browser use though.
Non-UK sites post Brexit
One thing that many Brits will be concerned about is whether their favourite non-UK site will still be accessible after Brexit. For those players that are enjoying playing at one of the UKGC licenced sites that is not based in the UK, it’s likely that nothing will change. It’s still best to beware though, as some sites might remove their business from the UK.
Many other sites are already operating outside both the UKGC and EU jurisdictions and can simply use other licences to get into the single market that way. The most popular of these is the Maltese licence with many companies simply relocating to this island in an effort to bring their casino sites to a wide range of players. Whatever happens though, players can stay informed with us.
Things to remember when picking a non-UK casino
Non-UK casinos do offer players the chance to experience something a little different. These sites often have a vast range of games that aren’t usually available at UK casinos. In addition to this, UK players can also find a wealth of exciting bonuses to enjoy and the ability to make payments in a variety of different ways – particularly popular is the option to use cryptocurrencies for complete anonymity.
Many of these sites will also offer players the chance to make a no verification account, further promoting anonymity on their site. However, players do need to be mindful that they choose a site that allows UK players and that they are aware that some of the player protection will not apply to them. That being said, check out our recommended non-UK sites for the best options.
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