Does the UKGC's GamStop Membership Mandate Deter Non-GamStop Betting Operators in the UK?
The GamStop Self-exclusion scheme was developed by and has been heavily promoted by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). The program serves as the regulatory body's best attempt at helping UK online problem gamblers. The hope has always been that problem gamblers will voluntarily use the program as a means of taking a break from their online gambling activities.
More About the GamStop Scheme
When the GamStop program was placed in service in 2018, UK online gambling operators were given the opportunity to choose whether or not they would join the scheme. That lasted until 2020 when the UKGC decided to take that choice away. They decided to start mandating GamStop membership for UK online gambling operators that are licensed by the UKGC.
The program allows UK online gamblers to say when and for how long they want to be blocked from accessing UK online gambling sites. After registration, the self-exclusion immediately goes into effect with no turning back. That means the program does not allow registered gamblers to change their minds. At that point, gamblers only have two choices: accept their self-determined self-exclusion until it ends or look for other gambling alternatives.
Alternatives That Avoid GamStop Scrutiny
Even though licensed UK online sports betting sites are removed from the mix, it's important to note the GamStop program is not inclusive. There are, in fact, several ways GamStop blocked gamblers can resume their online gambling activities. Here are a few of those alternatives:
● Going with online gambling operators that are licensed in other countries/jurisdictions
● Crypto users are not required to provide personal information (anonymity)
● Retail sports betting establishments are not connected to the GamStop ONLINE self-exclusion scheme
● Gambling account partners can permit GamStop gamblers to use their accounts
● Many online sportsbooks in the UK are not members of GamStop
Of these options, UK betting sites not on GamStop would be the best alternative for sports bettors who want to remain loyal to the UK online gambling community. That begs the question, "does the GamStop scheme deter non_GamStop sportsbooks from providing UK sports bettors with sports betting access?"
How Non-GamStop Sportsbooks Feel About GamStop
It's worth noting that there are three types of sportsbooks operating out of the UK. There are licensed sportsbooks that are also GamStop subscribed. There are licensed sportsbooks that are not on GamStop. There are unlicensed sportsbooks that cannot participate in GamStop.
First, let's address the reasons why a UK sportsbook might want to avoid being licensed by the UKGC. Yes, there are some operators that have less than honourable intentions. The last thing they want is the UKGC interfering with nefarious business practices. Not to worry. These sites are rare, and the UKGC usually finds them and shuts them down quickly.
Otherwise, the primary reason most sportsbook operators avoid the licensing process has to do with the lack of financial resources. The licensing process and other mandates by the UKGC cost money, money that smaller online sportsbooks don't have. As an alternative to licensing, they try to fly below the UKGC's radar by providing reliable sports betting services on a smaller scale.
Since GamStop membership requires the payment of subscription fees, money is also the reason non-GamStop sportsbooks avoid GamStop. There are also some of them that just want more freedom to operate responsibly without too many rules restricting their business activities.
To answer the titled question, it doesn't seem that the existence of the GamStop program, along with the UKGC's mandate, acts at all as a deterrent. Most of these UK online sports betting operators are hellbent on avoiding GamStop while still serving sports bettors in the UK.
How You Can Benefit From Using a Non-GamStop Sportsbook
If you are blocked by GamStop, but change your mind, a UK non-GamStop sportsbook option would check many of the right boxes if you wanted to use a UK-based operator.
You would certainly benefit from the fact these operators don't have access to the GamStop database. Without that access, they have no way of knowing you might be a problem gambler. Even if they were to subsequently find out you are registered with GamStop, it's very unlikely it would matter to them.
Another way you would benefit from this alternative is because many of these sportsbooks are very reliable and safe. They are operating with good intentions in spite of not being licensed by the UKGC or subscribed to GamStop.
Finally, most of these sports betting sites run standard sports betting operations. They offer the same betting markets, the same betting options, and many times, the same betting limits as those being offered by licensed UK sportsbooks.
If anything is extraordinary, you might find some of these non-GamStop sportsbooks are more aggressive with their bonuses. They will often do this to compensate sports bettors who are being asked to accept a little more risk. For these reasons, you should not be afraid to use UK sportsbooks that are not on GamStop.