A comprehensive look at every alternative available to UK punters registered with GamStop — from offshore bookmakers and land-based betting to exchanges, lotteries, and social betting platforms.
If you have registered with GamStop and are looking for alternatives to GamStop, you are far from alone. Tens of thousands of UK residents have signed up to the self-exclusion scheme, and a significant proportion find themselves searching for ways to continue gambling — whether through offshore bookmakers, land-based betting, or other channels.
This guide is the most thorough resource available on GamStop alternatives in the UK. We cover every major option, explain the pros and cons of each, and provide honest assessments of the risks involved. Our goal is not to encourage anyone to circumvent a self-exclusion they genuinely need, but rather to inform those who have made a considered decision that they want to continue gambling responsibly.
Before we begin, a word of caution. If you registered with GamStop because you were experiencing genuine gambling harm — financial difficulties, relationship problems, mental health issues related to gambling — please consider whether seeking alternatives is truly in your best interest. The National Gambling Helpline (0808 8020 133) and GamCare offer free, confidential support.
Non GamStop gambling options do not carry UKGC consumer protections. If you are struggling with problem gambling, please contact BeGambleAware on 0808 8020 133 or visit our responsible gambling page before proceeding.
GamStop is specifically an online self-exclusion scheme for UKGC-licensed gambling operators. This means there are several categories of gambling activity that fall entirely outside its scope. Understanding what GamStop does and does not cover is the first step to identifying which alternatives may be suitable for you.
| Alternative | Type | Sports Betting | Casino | Accessibility | Risk Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Offshore Bookmakers | Online | ✅ Full | ✅ Full | High | Medium |
| Land-Based Shops | In-person | ✅ Limited | ❌ No | Medium | Low |
| Land-Based Casinos | In-person | ❌ No | ✅ Full | Low | Low |
| Betting Exchanges | Online | ✅ Full | ❌ No | Low | Medium |
| International Lotteries | Online | ❌ No | ❌ No | Medium | Low |
| Spread Betting | Online | ✅ Limited | ❌ No | Medium | High |
For the vast majority of UK punters seeking GamStop alternatives, offshore bookmakers represent the most comprehensive option. These are online betting sites licensed by gambling authorities outside the UK — typically Curaçao eGaming, the Malta Gaming Authority, or the Gibraltar Gambling Commissioner — that accept UK customers but are not required to participate in the GamStop scheme.
Offshore betting sites offer the closest experience to what you would find at a UKGC-licensed bookmaker. The best ones provide:
The offshore gambling market includes both excellent and terrible operators. To find safe, reliable sites, prioritise the following:
For a detailed walkthrough of the process, read our guide on how to bet without GamStop. For an in-depth look at offshore licensing and regulation, see our offshore betting sites UK guide.
These are our top-rated betting sites not on gamstop, each tested with real-money deposits, bets, and withdrawals.
| # | Bookmaker | Welcome Bonus | Licence | Payout Speed | Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tenobet | 100% up to £500 | Curaçao | 2-18 hours | 4.9 | Visit Site |
| 2 | MyStake | 150% up to £1,000 | Curaçao | 1-24 hours | 4.8 | Visit Site |
| 3 | Rolletto | 100% up to £500 | Curaçao | Under 30 min (crypto) | 4.7 | Visit Site |
| 4 | Kingdom Casino | 100% up to £500 | Curaçao | 1-48 hours | 4.6 | Visit Site |
| 5 | Goldenbet | 100% up to £500 | Curaçao | 2-24 hours | 4.7 | Visit Site |
| 6 | Freshbet | 100% up to £500 | Curaçao | 2-24 hours | 4.5 | Visit Site |
| 7 | Donbet | 100% up to £500 | Curaçao | 1-24 hours | 4.5 | Visit Site |
One of the most overlooked GamStop alternatives is the humble high street betting shop. GamStop is exclusively an online self-exclusion scheme, which means it has absolutely no effect on land-based gambling. If you are registered with GamStop, you can still legally walk into any high street bookmaker and place a bet over the counter.
Major UK high street bookmakers include Ladbrokes, William Hill, Coral, Paddy Power, Betfred, and numerous independent operators. These shops offer:
While high street shops are a valid GamStop alternative, they come with significant limitations compared to online betting:
The UK has over 120 land-based casinos, operated by companies such as Grosvenor, Genting, and Aspers. These offer roulette, blackjack, poker, baccarat, and slot machines. GamStop does not cover land-based casinos, though separate self-exclusion schemes do exist (such as the Multi-Operator Self-Exclusion Scheme, or MOSES). If you have not registered with MOSES, you can visit land-based casinos freely.
While GamStop covers online gambling only, other self-exclusion schemes exist for land-based gambling. MOSES covers betting shops, and individual casino chains operate their own exclusion schemes. These are separate from GamStop and require separate registration. If you have only registered with GamStop, you are not excluded from land-based venues.
Betting exchanges operate differently from traditional bookmakers. Rather than betting against the house, you bet against other punters. The exchange takes a commission on winning bets (typically 2-5%) but offers the ability to both back and lay outcomes, providing unique betting opportunities not available at standard bookmakers.
On a betting exchange, you can:
The major UKGC-licensed exchanges (Betfair Exchange, Smarkets, Betdaq) are all covered by GamStop. However, some smaller exchanges operate under non-UK licences. Availability of non-GamStop exchanges is limited compared to traditional bookmakers, and liquidity (the amount of money available to match bets) tends to be significantly lower.
If you specifically want an exchange-style experience, some non-GamStop bookmakers offer features that approximate exchange betting, such as the ability to cash out early or bet on spread markets. However, for a true peer-to-peer exchange experience, options outside GamStop are currently limited. For most punters, a traditional non gamstop bookmaker will provide a better overall experience.
International lottery sites allow you to purchase tickets for lotteries around the world, including EuroMillions, US Powerball, US Mega Millions, Italian SuperEnalotto, and many more. Most international lottery sites operate under non-UK licences and are therefore not part of the GamStop scheme.
These platforms typically operate in one of two ways:
International lottery sites are a niche GamStop alternative. They are suitable if you specifically enjoy lottery-style gambling, but they do not offer sports betting, casino games, or the variety of a full bookmaker. The odds of winning major lottery prizes are extremely low, and you should only spend what you can afford to lose.
Spread betting on financial markets (forex, indices, commodities, shares) is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) rather than the Gambling Commission. This means FCA-regulated spread betting platforms are not part of the GamStop scheme.
Platforms such as IG, Spreadex, and City Index allow you to speculate on financial market movements. Spreadex is particularly noteworthy as it also offers sports spread betting alongside financial markets, making it the only platform that combines both under FCA regulation.
Spread betting on financial markets carries significantly higher risk than traditional sports betting. Your losses can exceed your deposit, and the leverage available means positions can move against you rapidly. Approximately 70-80% of retail investors lose money trading CFDs and spread bets. This is not a casual alternative to sports betting and should only be considered by those who understand financial markets.
The best alternative to GamStop depends on what you are looking for. Here is a quick summary to help you decide:
Whatever you choose, the most important factor is exercising self-control and betting responsibly. Without GamStop as a safety net, you are relying entirely on your own discipline and any self-imposed limits you set at your chosen platform.
If you feel that gambling is becoming a problem, please contact one of the following organisations for free, confidential support:
Gambling should always be treated as entertainment, not as a way to make money. Set a budget, stick to it, and never chase losses.
The main alternatives to GamStop are offshore betting sites licensed outside the UK (e.g., Curaçao, MGA), land-based betting shops and casinos (GamStop only covers online gambling), betting exchanges not on GamStop, international lottery sites, and social or peer-to-peer betting platforms. For most punters, offshore bookmakers offer the most comprehensive alternative.
No. GamStop is an online-only self-exclusion scheme. It does not cover high street betting shops, land-based casinos, bingo halls, or the National Lottery. If you are registered with GamStop, you can still walk into any Ladbrokes, William Hill, or Coral shop and place a bet in person. Separate self-exclusion schemes (such as MOSES) exist for land-based gambling.
Reputable offshore bookmakers licensed by recognised authorities such as Curaçao eGaming or the Malta Gaming Authority are generally safe to use. They employ SSL encryption, fair gaming practices, and process withdrawals reliably. However, they do not offer the same consumer protections as UKGC-licensed sites. Always stick to established, independently reviewed operators.
We do not recommend this approach. UKGC-licensed operators use identity verification (not just IP-based checks) to enforce GamStop exclusions, so a VPN alone will not bypass the system. Even if you could circumvent the block, doing so may violate the operator's terms and conditions, putting your funds at risk. Using legitimately non-GamStop offshore sites is a legal and more reliable alternative.
For sports betting, offshore bookmakers are the most comprehensive GamStop alternative. Sites like Tenobet, MyStake, and Goldenbet offer full sportsbooks with thousands of markets covering football, horse racing, cricket, tennis, and more. They accept UK customers, support GBP deposits, and offer competitive odds comparable to UKGC-licensed bookmakers.
Look for sites with valid offshore licences (Curaçao, MGA, Gibraltar), a track record of at least 2-3 years, positive player reviews on independent forums, responsive 24/7 customer support, SSL encryption, and clear bonus terms. Avoid sites with no licensing information, unrealistic bonuses, or reports of withheld withdrawals. Independent review sites like Bookmaker100 test every recommended site with real money.
Social & Peer-to-Peer Betting
Social betting refers to informal betting arrangements between individuals, often facilitated through social media, messaging apps, or dedicated platforms. This can include bet-with-friends apps, prediction competitions, and fantasy sports leagues with entry fees and prizes.
Types of Social Betting
Social betting is the most informal GamStop alternative. The main advantage is that it is entirely outside any regulatory framework, but this also means there are no protections if a private bet goes wrong. For anything beyond casual wagers with trusted friends, a reputable offshore bookmaker is a more reliable option.