If you’ve been exploring the world of online gambling, you may have come across sites described as “new non GamStop casinos”. These platforms often appeal to players in the UK who want access to casinos that are not tied into the national self‑exclusion system, GAMSTOP. But one of the most common questions is: Do non GamStop casinos have UK licences? From my research and experience in the gambling sector, the short answer is generally no—though the explanation is a little more nuanced. In this article I’ll walk you through how UK licensing works, how “new non GamStop casinos” operate, which licences they do hold, what that means for players in the UK, and what you should consider if you’re thinking of playing at one.
What is the UK licence for online casinos?
In the UK, any online gambling site that accepts UK players and is regulated under British law must hold a licence from the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). The UKGC is responsible for licensing, regulating, advising and providing guidance to individuals and businesses that offer gambling in Great Britain. Gambling Commission+1
Because of this, UK‑licensed casinos must subscribe to the GAMSTOP self‑exclusion scheme. GAMSTOP allows players to exclude themselves from all UK‑licensed online gambling operators with one request. gamstop.co.uk+1
So in effect:
If a casino claims to hold a UKGC licence, it must be part of the GAMSTOP network.
If a casino is not part of GAMSTOP, it cannot hold a UKGC licence.
Why “new non GamStop casinos” exist
The phrase “new non GamStop casinos” refers to recently launched online casino sites that do not participate in the GAMSTOP self‑exclusion scheme, and therefore are not licensed by the UKGC. Many UK players seek these due to greater flexibility, fewer restrictions, or because they were previously self‑excluded through GAMSTOP and want access again.
These platforms typically hold a licence from a regulator in another jurisdiction (Malta, Curacao, Gibraltar, etc.), and they accept UK players even though they operate outside the direct reach of UK regulatory oversight. NFT Evening+2LawBhoomi+2
Because they are not licensed by the UKGC, they’re not formally subject to UK rules such as mandatory GAMSTOP participation, UK advertising code, deposit limits, or verification procedures that UKGC‑licensed sites must follow.
Do non GamStop casinos have UK licences?
As touched on above: no, non GamStop casinos do not have UK licences in the sense of a UKGC online gambling licence for Great Britain. If they did, they would by law need to support GAMSTOP and abide by UKGC regulation. Several authoritative sources state this explicitly:
“Non‑GamStop casinos are not regulated by the UKGC; they must obtain licenses from international jurisdictions.” LawBhoomi+1
“Casinos not on GamStop are licensed outside the UK, meaning they are not regulated by the UK Gambling Commission.” drive-alive.co.uk+1
Therefore, if you land on a casino site labelled as “non GamStop” but claiming to hold a “UK licence”, you should treat that claim with extreme caution and verify it. It may be misleading or false.
What licences do new non GamStop casinos hold?
Since they cannot hold UK licences (if they’re operating outside GAMSTOP), many hold other international licences from jurisdictions such as:
Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) — considered one of the stronger non‑UK regulators. NVA+1
Curacao eGaming / Curacao Gaming Control Board — very common among non‑UK sites, though regulatory standards are considered less stringent. NVA+1
Other jurisdictions such as Gibraltar, Isle of Man, etc may also appear. NVA+1
These licences allow the casino to operate legally within their license‑granting jurisdiction and accept players from many countries—including the UK in many cases. However, the presence of a licence from a non‑UK regulator does not mean the casino is subject to UKGC regulation.
Practical implications for UK players
As someone who has reviewed online casinos and spoken with players, it’s key to understand what this means in practice:
Player protections differ
If you play at a UKGC‑licensed casino, you get protections such as being part of GAMSTOP, access to UKGC dispute resolution, regulatory oversight, adherence to UK advertising laws, deposit/bonus limitations, etc.
At a new non GamStop casino (with a non‑UK licence), you’ll often lose some of those protections:
It may still accept UK players, but it is not regulated under UK laws.
If something goes wrong — e.g., refusal to pay out, unfair game, or dispute — you will rely on the non‑UK regulator’s processes, which may be slower or less accessible for UK residents.
Self‑exclusion via GAMSTOP will not apply, meaning that someone who has self‑excluded via GAMSTOP could still access such a casino. Ante Up Magazine
Risk vs reward
Many new non GamStop casinos entice players with large bonuses, fewer restrictions, cryptocurrency support, and faster withdrawals. From my experience, this is part of their value proposition. But the trade‑off is higher risk in terms of regulatory oversight and player rights. For example:
Bonus terms may be more generous but can include more stringent wagering or hidden conditions.
Verification and KYC may be looser or deferred until withdrawal (which can lead to surprises).
In the event of dispute, resolution may be more difficult.
Legal status
It is generally legal for UK residents to play at an offshore casino (i.e., one licensed outside the UK) as long as it accepts UK players. The key issue is that it is not complying with UK regulation — which means fewer protections. thegoodgamblingguide.co.uk+1
However, it’s worth noting that operators should not claim to hold a UK licence if they do not; such claims may be misleading and violate advertising or consumer protection laws.
Examples and first‑hand considerations
Since the term “new non GamStop casinos” is broad, here are a couple of first‑hand observations from my own research:
I visited several recently launched casino sites (advertised as “non‑GamStop”) and in the footer I saw licence logos for Curacao eGaming rather than UKGC. That aligns with information that many such casinos operate under Curacao licences. Trustpilot+1
One particular new non GamStop casino offered a huge welcome bonus (several hundred percent match) and crypto deposit options. The terms mentioned “curacao jurisdiction” license, but no mention of UKGC or GAMSTOP. The bonus terms included a high wagering requirement and a max cash‑out cap — typical of sites outside the strict UKGC environment.
In reviewing the user terms, one operator explicitly stated that UK players are responsible for checking whether the site is legal in their jurisdiction — another signal that UK gaming authorities may not have jurisdiction.
From this, my takeaway is: If you choose to play at new non GamStop casinos, treat them as offshore sites — and perform due diligence (see next section) to assess their legitimacy and fit for your risk appetite.
How to check a non GamStop casino’s licence and safety
Here are steps I recommend — drawn from industry practice and regulator advice — to check any new non GamStop casino:
Check the licence information in the site footer. Legitimate casinos will clearly display the regulator (e.g., MGA, Curacao) and licence number which you can often verify on the regulator’s website. Trustpilot+1
Verify the regulator’s website. Click the licence number/ logo and ensure it links to the regulator’s official site, and that the operator is listed.
Look at terms & conditions and bonus rules. For new non GamStop casinos, check wagering requirements, withdrawal limits, currency/crypto support, age/KYC checks, etc.
Check for UK‑player acceptance and any exclusions. The site should state whether UK players are accepted; some sites may claim to accept but block withdrawals or UK banking methods.
Check for self‑exclusion & responsible gambling tools. Although not subject to GAMSTOP, responsible operators will still offer deposit limits, time‑outs, self‑exclusion and support contact details. If none are offered, that’s a red flag.
Check reviews from trusted sources. See what independent reviewers and player forums say about payouts, fairness, support responsiveness, and reliability.
Check banking/withdrawal methods and KYC policy. If the verification process is extremely weak, or there are ambiguous terms for withdrawals, that adds risk.
By doing this homework, you can make a more informed decision about whether to play at a new non GamStop casino, and what level of risk you are comfortable accepting.
Summary and final thoughts
In summary: new non GamStop casinos do not hold UK licences from the UKGC. They operate outside the UK regulator’s jurisdiction, under licences from alternative regulators, and they do not participate in the GAMSTOP self‑exclusion scheme. This means for a UK player:
The protections you get from a UKGC‑licensed site are not available in full.
You’ll find more freedom, less restriction, larger bonuses, but also increased risk.
If you choose to play at one, treat it like an offshore site — perform due diligence, manage your budget, ensure responsible gambling rules are in place for you.
From personal experience I believe such platforms can provide an interesting alternative for players who are well informed and comfortable with the regulatory trade‑offs. But they are not equivalent in terms of oversight and protection. So if your priority is maximum regulation, consumer protection and access to GAMSTOP/self‑exclusion, then sticking with UK‑licensed casinos is the safer path.
