Online poker sites not on Gamstop are quickly transitioning from a niche to the mainstream as restrictions increase on UK-licensed sites. They feature higher traffic, daily freerolls, anonymous sign-ups, and cryptocurrency payouts. Learn all the benefits of these platforms and the key steps to stay safe while enjoying cash games and poker tournaments.
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Non-Gamstop Poker Rooms: An Overview
💸 Highest Rakeback & Cashback Offer Up to 50% via Loyalty Programme 👥 Peak Player Traffic 10,000+ between 7 p.m. and 11 p.m. GMT 📊 Support for Heads-Up Display (HUD) Yes, including PokerTracker and Hold’em Manager 🔢 Average Poker Cash Game Rake 3% to 5% 💷 Minimum Buy-Ins - 25p for Multi-Table tournaments
- 50p – £2 for micro-stakes cash games
- £1 for Sit and Gos
🏆 Guaranteed (GTD) Tournament Prizes - £500 – £5,000 on low-stakes events
- £20,000 – £50,000 on mid-week events
- £100,000 – £1,000,000+ on special series and weekend events
💳 Top Cryptocurrencies and Credit Cards for Non Gamstop Poker - Bitcoin
- Ethereum
- Dogecoin
- Visa
- MasterCard
How to Choose a Reliable Non-Gamstop Poker Site
UK poker sites not on Gamstop vary in quality, so it’s important to know where you can play safely. It is equally important to know which sites to avoid. To help you identify secure platforms, we’ve created a checklist based on how we rate online casinos adapted specifically to online poker rooms.
🎯 Check the Licence: Only play at casino sites licensed by reputable offshore authorities like the Curacao eGaming or the Malta Gaming Authority. These bodies set minimum standards for fairness, player protection, and financial security that all licensees must follow.
🎯 Look for Game Variety and Traffic: A strong online poker site will have active cash tables and regular tournaments at all hours. Online poker sites not on Gamstop with steady traffic offer better matchmaking and prize pools.
🎯 Verify Rake and Rakeback Offers: Reliable rooms declare rake percentages and reward regular players with solid rakeback deals. Look for sites offering between 20% and 50% rakeback weekly, and remember to read the T&Cs.
🎯 Confirm Payment Options: Trusted poker sites not on Gamstop support secure banking methods like Visa, cryptocurrency, and sometimes, eWallets. Sites with payout speeds and fees mirroring those of the fastest withdrawal online casinos are likely to be reliable and efficient,
🎯 Ensure Fair Gameplay Tools: Check that the site supports tracking software, such as HUDs, and uses verifiable RNGs or blockchain-based fairness. Only play at sites that are certified fair and avoid any that don’t provide details of their ongoing fairness testing.
🎯 Test Customer Support Options: Before placing a deposit, get in touch with the platform’s customer care team with a simple enquiry. Evaluate the response time and quality of service, and avoid any platform offering poor support.
🎯 Check for Responsible Gambling Tools: Reputable platforms offer several voluntary tools designed to support responsible gambling. Casinos without any of these tools should be avoided, since player safety is not a priority for them.
What are Non-Gamstop Poker Sites?
Poker rooms not part of Gamstop are online casinos that operate outside the UK’s self-exclusion scheme known as Gamstop. It allows UK players to voluntarily block their access to gambling platforms licensed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). Exclusion stays active for a pre-defined period of between six months to five years.
Once activated, Gamstop is irreversible, and you won’t be able to join or play at any participating platform.
In contrast, non Gamstop online casinos and poker rooms are based offshore and aren’t bound by these restrictions. Although they aren’t licensed by the UKGC, top poker sites hold valid international licences and offer a full range of cash games and tournaments.
The best poker sites not on Gamstop appeal to players looking for fewer limitations, broader payment options, and access to platforms that aren’t part of the UK’s exclusion network. Importantly, you can join them even if you’ve activated Gamstop or self-excluded from other platforms.
Key Features of Poker Sites Not on Gamstop
Casinos offering online poker not on Gamstop have greater flexibility, so they can operate very differently from UK-licensed sites. These are the top features that define this gambling site category and explain its progressive rise in popularity.
Accessible with an Active Gamstop Account
You should find no trouble signing up, depositing, and playing online poker on these platforms, even if you’ve activated the Gamstop self-exclusion tool. Moreover, if you self-exclude from a poker site that’s not on Gamstop, you can still join and play on all others.
Offshore Licensing
The best poker sites not on Gamstop operate under licences from regulators outside the UK, such as Curacao, Malta, or Kahnawake. These licences are less restrictive, allowing operators to set their own rules on verification, payment methods, and game offerings.
Global Poker Networks
Non-Gamstop poker rooms are often part of larger international networks. This provides access to shared liquidity across multiple countries and regions. Higher traffic normally translates into more frequent tournaments and more generous casino bonuses.
Credit Card & Cryptocurrency Support
While the best online casinos in the UK are not allowed to accept credit cards and typically don’t take cryptocurrencies, non Gamstop sites continue to accept deposits and withdrawals via these banking methods. Like the top credit card casino sites, these platforms can support wide payment limits, catering to both casual players and high rollers.
Optional or Delayed KYC
Many UK poker sites not on Gamstop let you create your account, deposit funds, and start playing without verifying your identity. Similar to no ID verification online casinos, these platforms don’t delay the fun. Moreover, some of them only apply KYC checks on higher withdrawal values or with specific triggers.
No UKGC Advertising or Bonus Caps
International poker rooms are not subject to UK promotional restrictions. As a result, they can structure bonuses, rakeback, and loyalty schemes without limits imposed by the UKGC.
Why Do Players Look for Poker Rooms Outside of Gamstop?
The UKGC is the world’s top gambling site regulator, so traditionally, players flocked to its licensees as they were the best in the business. However, in recent years, restrictions on betting limits, bonuses, and other facets of the industry intensified. This led to a growing number of UK players looking for similarly safe alternatives offering greater freedoms.
✅ Access Without Waiting: You don’t need to wait for your Gamstop exclusion to end or go through the process of removing it to play online poker. Non Gamstop poker sites provide you with immediate access to real money poker rooms even when you self-exclude from our platforms.
✅ More Deposit Options: Non-UK-licensed sites accept payment methods that UKGC-regulated poker rooms can’t, including credit cards and major cryptocurrencies.
✅ Fewer Restrictions on Bonuses: Offshore poker sites can offer higher match percentages and creative rewards, including no deposit free chips and frequent freerolls. You’re also less likely to find capped wins or excluded deposit methods tied to promotions.
✅ No Mandatory KYC at Sign-Up: The best poker sites not on Gamstop don’t ask for documents during registration, and may only request verification above certain withdrawal thresholds.
✅ Higher Table Limits: Some UKGC sites restrict how many tables you can play on simultaneously or how much you can stake. Casinos offering poker not on Gamstop typically allow high-stakes play and unlimited multi-tabling.
✅ International Player Pools: Featured poker sites are part of global networks, so you can play with players from all over the world, including the US. That means more active tables, a greater mix of beginners and seasoned players, and better tournament liquidity.
✅ Availability Abroad: If you’re travelling or living outside the UK, UKGC sites may be blocked or restricted. Non Gamstop sites, however, remain accessible from more regions and have fewer geo-limitations.
What Are the Risks?
While sites offering poker not on Gamstop have several advantages, they also come with some disadvantages. It’s important to understand the risks before signing up.
⚠️ Fewer Responsible Gambling Tools: Unlike UKGC poker sites, these platforms may not offer the full range of safer gambling tools, requiring you to take a more proactive role to gamble responsibly.
⚠️ No Oversight by the UKGC: These sites are not regulated under UK law, so you won’t have access to dispute resolution services like IBAS. Player protection standards depend on the licensing body, which varies from one jurisdiction to another.
⚠️ Unverified Payout Speeds: While the best poker sites not on Gamstop offer fast withdrawals, unreliable platforms may delay or limit payouts. Since there’s no UK regulator, payment delays are harder to contest.
⚠️ Varying Customer Support: Customer care quality ranges from 24/7 live chat at the top platforms to slow, unresponsive email systems at unreliable operators. Without strict service standards, your issue might take longer to resolve or not be resolved at all.
⚠️ Reputation Varies Widely: With no central registry, it’s up to players to research each site’s track record. Not all non-Gamstop poker rooms are equally reliable or fair, so it’s best to stick to trusted names.
Types of Games Available at Non-Gamstop Online Poker Sites
While many poker game formats overlap with UKGC platforms, non-Gamstop gambling sites offer unique game types and variations not typically available on UK-regulated sites:
- Crypto-Based Poker Games: Play poker using Bitcoin, Ethereum, or other tokens with blockchain-powered fairness and no currency conversion.
- Anonymous Tables: Join tables where opponents can’t track your history or reads in a format that’s not supported by most UK-licensed poker sites.
- Jackpot Sit & Gos with Bigger Multipliers: Access jackpot SNGs with higher prize potential and fewer restrictions on buy-ins and prize caps.
- High-Stakes & Uncapped Tables: Play at cash tables or tournaments with fewer limits on stakes, player counts, or buy-in amounts.
- Mixed and Niche Variants: Try lesser-known formats like 6+ Hold’em, Razz, or mixed-game rotations that are often absent from UK-based online poker rooms.
Poker Tournaments outside of Gamstop Restrictions
There are stark differences between poker tournaments at UK-based platforms and those offered by offshore sites, including European casinos. Here are the key ways they differ from standard UK platforms:
- Higher Guaranteed Prize Pools: Offshore sites that are part of global networks, such as the Winning Poker Network and the Chico Poker Network, often host weekly and monthly events with six-figure GTDs.
- No Bonus Cap Restrictions: UKGC rules limit how bonuses can be promoted or tied to tournaments. Non Gamstop poker sites don’t face these restrictions. As a result, they can offer larger bonuses, freeroll entries, and flexible tournament promos without strict compliance limits.
- Broader Buy-In Range: From ultra-low micro buy-ins to uncapped high-roller events, tournaments in online poker not on Gamstop cater to every bankroll without compliance caps.
- Crypto-Only Tournaments: Some sites offer tournaments exclusively in Bitcoin or Altcoins, with instant crypto payouts and higher poker rake.
- International Player Fields: Non-Gamstop tournaments attract players from traditional and emerging markets, including Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
- Fewer Entry Restrictions: UK sites may limit entries based on deposit methods or player history. Offshore poker rooms typically allow re-entries, late registration, and participation in multiple satellites without similar barriers.
Banking Options for Playing Non-Gamstop Poker
When it comes to payments, top poker sites not on Gamstop give you more control. Whether you’re after speed, privacy, or high limits, these platforms support a range of flexible banking options tailored to different needs.
Credit Cards
Visa and Mastercard are accepted at most non-Gamstop poker sites, facilitating instant deposits and sometimes withdrawals without the need for third-party payment apps. Credit cards typically appeal to players who want fast and familiar payment methods. Traditionally, they were the most common option at the top casino sites in the UK, but are now no longer supported under UKGC rules.
Cryptocurrency
Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Litecoin, and Tether are widely accepted when playing poker outside Gamstop. Championed for their speed and security, they promote anonymity and respect your privacy. Deposits at the top crypto casino sites usually clear within minutes, and withdrawals are processed just as quickly, without involving banks or extra fees.
eWallets
eWallets such as Skrill, Neteller, and Jeton are supported at many non Gamstop poker sites. They’re easy to set up, ideal for keeping gambling funds separate, and often provide quick payouts at no extra cost. The best casinos for PayPal also include these payment methods for bonuses, in contrast to several UKGC-licensed sites, which exclude them.
Bank Transfers
If you intend on transferring large sums or happen to win it big during a poker tournament, international bank transfers via SEPA or SWIFT are suitable options. Though sometimes slower than other methods, they offer straightforward and highly secure transactions with minimal third-party involvement.
Are UK Non Gamstop Poker Sites Safe to Play At?
Poker sites not on Gamstop aren’t licensed by the UK Gambling Commission, but that doesn’t mean they’re unsafe. Reputable ones are operated by experienced offshore companies and hold international licences from international regulators in Curacao, Malta, or Gibraltar.
These licences require operators to meet a set of minimum standards covering player protection, fair gaming, and data security. However, the level of oversight can vary, so it’s important to do your research and stick to trusted platforms.
Is It Legal to Play at Non-Gamstop Poker Rooms?
Yes, UK players are legally allowed to access and play at offshore poker sites that are not part of Gamstop. Trustworthy sites operate under foreign jurisdictions and aren’t bound by UKGC rules, but playing on them isn’t against the law for individuals. Just be aware that you won’t have the same regulatory protections you would under a UK-licensed site.
🤔 Did You Know? Poker winnings from non-Gamstop gambling sites are not taxable for UK residents. These rules apply as long as you’re playing casually and not playing poker as a profession. The UK doesn’t tax gambling winnings, even when they come from offshore platforms.
Responsible Gambling
Since poker sites not on Gamstop aren’t part of the UK’s self-exclusion network, they may not offer the same level of support tools. Some may include voluntary timeouts, deposit limits, and self-check questionnaires, but enforcement and access can vary.
If you’re struggling to stay in control or want professional support, here are a few UK-based charities that offer free assistance:
- National Gambling Helpline: Runs a 24/7 confidential helpline (0808 8020 133) offering immediate advice and emotional support for anyone experiencing gambling-related issues.
- TalkBanStop: Combines free blocking software, expert advice, and self-exclusion tools to help people take control of their gambling.
- Gordon Moody: Provides intensive residential programmes and therapy for individuals with severe gambling addiction.
A Final Word on Non Gamstop Poker Sites
Whether you’ve activated Gamstop, but changed your mind, or are looking for fewer restrictions and higher traffic, poker sites not on Gamstop may be the solution. These platforms offer greater freedom in how you play, with flexible banking, minimal verification, and a broader range of poker variants and tournaments. Moreover, to stay safe, you should always join reputable sites that are licensed by competent regulators.
FAQs
What are poker sites not on Gamstop?
Non Gamstop online poker sites are platforms that operate outside of the UK’s self-exclusion program, Gamstop. These casino sites often hold international licenses and provide UK players with access to poker games without the restrictions imposed by the UKGC.
Is it legal to play on non Gamstop poker sites from the UK?
Yes, UK residents can legally play on online poker sites that are not on Gamstop, provided they are based outside of the country. Moreover, winnings from these sites are exempt from tax, as is the case when playing poker on UK-licensed platforms.
Can I use cryptocurrencies on poker sites that are not on Gamstop?
Yes, several UK poker sites without Gamstop accept cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin Cash and Ethereum. These coins and tokens provide faster transactions and enhanced privacy compared to traditional payment methods.
Are there any UK poker sites not on Gamstop?
While UK-based online poker rooms are required to be part of Gamstop, offshore platforms which welcome UK players are typically not part of the Gamstop network. These casino sites give you access to real money poker games even if you’ve activated the national self-exclusion tool.
How do online poker sites not on Gamstop ensure fair play?
When you’re playing poker on these platforms, the cards are determined using Random Number Generators (RNGs). There’s no human influence whatsoever, ensuring fair play throughout. Moreover, RNGs undergo audits by independent agencies, such as eCogra.
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