Players looking to have some fun online must consider their options beforehand. Misconceptions about online casinos can cause players to make a wrong decision, and by familiarizing yourself with your options, you can make an informed decision about what’s best for you. Both sides of the coin have benefits going in their favor, but a decision must be made at one point, so here’s what to keep in mind:
1. GamStop
Playing at licensed, registered, and protected casinos offers the benefit of allowing you to restrict yourself from playing if you feel the need to do so. GamStop offers registered users the option to self-exclude from playing and take proactive curing steps should they feel they need a break from gambling.
Sometimes, the sheer willpower of a player is not enough, and that’s when GamStop comes in handy. The UK also has an active gambling prevention system to protect its players. If a player has made an impulsive decision, no matter how much they appeal, the ban remains until the restricted time has passed. This means that the player cannot play at UK-licensed casinos until the specified time is up.
2. Non-GamStop Casinos
On the other hand, playing on non-GamStop casinos offers players the freedom to enjoy a game before their time on the register is up. These sites are usually licensed out with the UK, but will generally still accept UK players, including those who have signed themselves up for GamStop. As these platforms’ licenses may vary, with some not holding one at all, it’s always wise to choose the most trusted ones available if you choose to go down this route. Some signs like SSL & HTTPS protocols are good indicators of a reliable site, too.
Casinos not licensed in the UK offer a variety of bonuses, where the amount, type, and benefits vary, often more generous than those available within the UK. With more bonuses and casinos to choose from, players have more freedom to find the perfect one for them. And we cannot forget the variety of games available, since there is often a bigger pool to pick from. Most non-GamStop casinos also have the autoplay feature, which has been excluded from their UK-registered counterparts for the last few years.
3. Tax and support
When playing at any licensed casino from the UK, the player is exempt from paying taxes on any winnings made. They also do not have to make a statement about this to the tax authorities (HMRC), which makes the entire experience streamlined and easy.
Furthermore, the UK Gambling Commission plays an active role in market regulation, and should any disputes arise, the player is fully covered and can reach out to licensing committees to resolve the situation.
4. Number of functions
Stricter regulations for the online gambling industry also require casinos to enable a playing limit option. Each player that registers and wishes to play must set a limit on their account for daily, weekly, or monthly spending.
Because licensed sites in the UK prevent autoplay features, you can not automatically indicate how many times you wish to spin the slot machine, for example. This is because the licensing committees who enforce this rule believe that a player must be conscious when making a decision, and with autoplay, that is not the case. In this scenario, looking for a recommended non-UK online casino may be the solution for players who are looking for more options to play games with minimal effort.
5. The terms for bonuses
Both UK-licensed and non-UK-licensed online casinos offer bonuses so that players are in an almost risk-free environment. That way, they can try out an online casino and their assortment of games and make unbiased decisions. However, to be safe when gambling placing bets, players should always go through the terms and conditions, and also understand what they are betting on. These will explain some specific nuances regarding bonuses, what they can be used on, and how much players have to spend to qualify. They can get used up after a certain period, or there can be additional underlying conditions. Both types of casinos will have terms for their bonuses. Although at non-UK sites they can be more generous, they could also come with stricter terms that you’ll need to be aware of before playing.