Cryptocurrencies have emerged as an ideal alternative to fiat money because of their benefits. Thanks to their technology, users can easily deposit and withdraw without revealing sensitive information on a platform. This makes it possible to enjoy secure payments while keeping your identity private. The online gambling market quickly picked up on new trends and adopted these virtual assets for transactions. Unfortunately, UK players can’t enjoy this privilege because the Gambling Commission doesn’t permit cryptocurrency use on its licensed sites.
Thankfully, there are non Gamstop betting sites that don’t operate under the UKGC; hence, they have the freedom to support payment options like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other digital currencies. You’re on the right page if you’re curious to learn more about these platforms. Here, we discuss the UK’s regulated market and its limitations, the benefits of independent operators, and the downsides to note.
Do Crypto Betting Sites Accept UK Players?
In the regulated gambling landscape of the United Kingdom, cryptocurrencies are not an accepted payment method. That’s because the Gambling Commission imposed regulations that excluded cryptocurrencies from the official list of transaction gateways used by its licensed operators. This limitation is largely due to concerns regarding the anonymous nature of crypto transactions and the volatile nature of these currencies. The authority also took this cautious approach to prevent players with gambling problems from overspending.
However, this regulatory gap has increased demand for crypto betting sites among UK punters. Cryptocurrencies offer a degree of anonymity and autonomy that traditional payment methods do not provide. With them, punters can enjoy private gaming sessions without revealing personal or financial information that could be jeopardized in the wrong hands. They also allow shallow and large deposits, making them suitable for casual players and high rollers.
One of the best parts of these assets is the fast payment process. With options like Bitcoin, the popular Ethereum, Litecoin, Dogecoin, and others, deposits are instant, and withdrawals take only a few hours. UK punters turn to independent betting platforms to enjoy these benefits and more. These sites operate outside the authority’s jurisdiction and have more diverse offerings, including innovative payment methods like cryptocurrencies.
Top Advantages of Using Independent Sites
The perks of using independent bookmakers and online casinos are numerous. Here are the top five:
Credit Score
Gambling activities don’t affect your creditworthiness directly, but your financial transactions on gambling platforms do. When players use methods like debit cards and bank transfers, the deposit or withdrawal to an online bookie or casino goes on your bank record, and this is one of the documents you might need when applying for loans. Cryptocurrencies eliminate this concern. Since their transactions are recorded on the blockchain, there is no chance playing with digital currency will indirectly affect your credit score.
Greater Bonuses
One of the highlights of entertainment when betting at a bookmaker or casino is claiming bonuses and non-Gamstop sites have the best ones. Since there are no restrictions on their bonus approach, they use creative promotions to reward their players. The most common packages are welcome deals for new players, which could be matched deposit bonuses, free spins, or free bets. Some offer cashback based on your losses or real money wagers you place within a specific time. Others include odd boosts and crypto-specific deals.
Regular Promotions
The best platforms don’t offer you promotions only once; they ensure there’s something to claim regularly. As such, they have occasional offers, like bonuses tailored to specific events. For instance, an online casino could offer promotions to celebrate holidays like Easter, while bookmakers might have boosted odds for the NFL season. They also include tournaments where you participate with other players to win better rewards. Some have tiered loyalty and VIP programs that offer exclusive promotions like free tickets to an upcoming event.
Payments
Independent platforms support safe and secure payment networks that you won’t find on their UKGC-licensed counterparts. Besides cryptocurrencies, players can use credit cards to protect their credit scores. Additionally, these betting sites have less stringent regulations regarding deposits and withdrawals. The top platforms still mandate that users verify their accounts, but this process is less vigorous and time-consuming. As a result, these operators process withdrawals faster, allowing punters to get their winnings within a shorter time frame.
No Stake Limitations
At UKGC casinos, there’s a limit on slot stakes, which prevents punters from betting as much as they’d like when playing these games. The regulatory body also banned certain slot features, limiting the thrill you get from your favorite titles. Independent casinos don’t have such restrictions. They allow users to wager as little or as much as the game provider permits. All features are also enabled on their slot, including autoplay, quick spins, and the bonus buy option.
Any Downsides to These Sites?
There are downsides to these online platforms, and they include:
Unclear T&C’s
Some platforms have terms and conditions with catchphrases that might be difficult to understand. Contacting customer support is the best way to clarify such confusing terms, but unfortunately, some sites don’t have adequate support services. This red flag could signify that the operator isn’t unreliable. That’s why keeping up with the latest news and learning more about the site before registering is recommended.
High Wagering on Bonuses
Always read the promotional requirements before accepting bonuses. The fine text details are the criteria for getting the offer and cashing out your wins. Some promotions have very high playthrough conditions, preventing players from reaching their earnings quickly. Other attached requirements, like the bonus validity and maximum cash-out amount, might not be favorable as well.
Many Scam Sites
The major downside to these platforms is that many are unregulated, making it hard to distinguish the trustworthy ones. In other words, there’s a higher possibility of falling victim to fraudulent sites. To avoid this, thoroughly evaluate a bookmaker or casino. Even if the site isn’t regulated, ensure it has appropriate security features to protect user information. Also, check the payment methods it supports, its privacy policies, game selections, and sports markets. A faster approach will be to use review websites like nongamstopsites.bet, which list the best betting sites for UK punters.
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