Brits have access to some of the biggest gambling brands on the market. This is great if you love to bet and play casino games. For starters, these companies are highly regulated and adhere to strong consumer protection laws.
Additionally, casino gaming, sports betting, lottery, bingo, and online poker are all legal. Casinos support modern online gambling payment methods, which make them highly accessible.
Not to mention that operating within a competitive market usually means better user perks. However, are UK online casinos objectively the best option? We know that many players actively seek out hidden markets, even if they are fully aware of the potential dangers. Let’s discuss why it is so.
Advantages and Risks of Regulated Casinos
One of the biggest advantages of regulated casinos is that UK players who are at-risk gamblers are significantly safer. All UKGC casinos need to use games that don’t have auto-spin and turbo feature which prevents players from spending money fast. Moreover, customer support will follow up with you if you spend a few hundred pounds. Most importantly, players can apply for self-exclusion by using GamStop’s register. Once they do that, the only way to gamble is through Non UK licensed casinos or independent casinos that accept British players. Content-wise wise these operators aren’t any different from those regulated by UKGC, and they even have bigger match deposits.
Additionally, if you play on UKGC gambling sites, transactions via regular online casino payment methods are processed faster. After all, these won’t be cross-border payments, and therefore, processing fees will be lower, and players will have quicker access to their winnings. Not only that, but gambling sites are also obligated to comply with cashout requests. To clarify, players who don’t claim any bonuses aren’t obligated to fully wager their deposits. They can cash out their funds whenever they choose.
Unfortunately, even with such strong regulations, gambling sites overstep their bounds. UKGC regularly fines brands for failing to comply with and facilitate a safe gaming environment. So, no one can guarantee you are 100% secure when playing on a licensed site, but you are definitely safer compared to the alternatives.
Benefits and Concerns with Independent Casinos
One of the main reasons why gamblers seek out independent casinos is due to self-exclusion. Independent casinos also use different bookmakers, so it’s possible to find more competitive odds on those sites. Not only that, but unique betting markets that aren’t available in the UK can be found here. Similar logic applies to poker networks. Poker players who find it difficult to compete in the UK or are banned from certain sites will also look for sites that use other networks. This gives them access to a less competitive environment or simply access to a site that lets them play.
This is ideal for poker beginners, who just want to read about rules and start participating in low-stakes poker tournaments. Competing with people who are on a similar skill level makes things feel fair, and you are more likely to improve.
It’s also worth pointing out that Independent sites are also licensed and have tools or features players find useful:
- Compatible with the best casino payment methods – e-wallets, credit and debit cards, crypto, bank transfer
- Responsible gambling tools – Deposit limits, loss limit, reality check, internal self-exclusion register, and time out
- Tech that protects user accounts – 2FA, SSL encryption, AML tools, and KYC verification software
- Bonuses and freebies – Big deposit match, cashback offers, free spins, and free bets
Despite all of these features, players can’t really take legal action against these operators if they feel wronged. Because they don’t fall under the UKGC’s jurisdiction, consumer protection laws cannot be enforced.
Which Choice Offers Better Safety, Payouts, and Legal Protection
As far as overall gambling safety goes, local sites are a better choice. Furthemore, payment processing fees are lower and there are guarantees that operators can cover big wins. That said, crypto gamblers will always opt for independent casinos. These allow them to use bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies and even stay anonymous. This, on its own, addresses some of the big concerns when it comes to online safety.
Overall, if you wish to gamble casually, then local options are better, especially if you have to undergo account verification. The UK has better data protection laws, and if overseas operators sell your data, you might get caught in online scams that can do serious harm. If you are an experienced gambler and want to bet big, then independent operators are potentially a better choice. They don’t have the same spending limits and can handle big volume transfers through a blockchain payment network.
