The UK gambling industry is one of the strictest there is and it keeps getting more so. In January 2025, the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), yet again, added new regulations affecting some key gambling areas such as financial oversight, game mechanics, advertising practices, and age verification. Also this year, it has increased its effort in cracking down on casino operators that do not abide by its rules. With all this going on, more UK gamers are beginning to feel the pressure in the industry which is affecting their gaming behaviour. For many players, this means looking at alternative platforms that the UK does not regulate. 

Stricter Gambling Regulations and Their Impact

According to the UKGC, the purpose of having such strict gambling regulations is to protect gamers and ensure that games are fair. Its most notable initiative is the introduction of gamstop back in 2018. Gamstop is a self-exclusion scheme that allows gamers to temporarily ban themselves from playing on UK-registered casino sites. So if a gamer participating in the scheme changes their mind and wishes to resume playing, they have to visit non-Gamstop casino sites, which are located outside the UK. 

All UK-registered casinos have to abide by UKGC regulations with one of them being that they must offer gamstop options on their platform. So this is inescapable. If they don’t, the regulators will find out eventually and shut down or fine the operator like it did with Merkur Slots UK Limited. The company was fined £95,450 for violating responsibly gambling policies. 

Such strict regulations have led to the popularity of non-Gamstop casinos because they represent freedom from prying eyes. Since they are registered in places like Malta or Curacao, they are outside the jurisdiction of the UK. From a business standpoint, these casinos recognize the opportunity presented and take advantage of it by targeting UK gamers and offering them juicy welcome bonuses. They also do what they can to offer more gaming options and a wide variety of payment options including cryptocurrencies. This is their way of bridging a gap in the market to fulfil customers’ needs. 

However, because they are not regulated in the UK, some critics have raised concerns over gaming fairness and player safety of these non-Gamstop casinos. It is the loophole in the UK system that can let them get away with lapses. If, for example, a gamer gets scammed or has their data stolen, they cannot run to the UKGC to complain. Choosing this option is at their own risk. 

Black Market Betting

The UKGC is also going hard at cracking down on black market betting sites. It recently discovered that UK visits to these sites have increased by a staggering 522%. In response to this discovery, the UKGC issued 770 cease-and-desist orders to operators and advertisers.

The main challenge here is that many of these sites operate outside the UK so stopping it completely is virtually impractical. For players determined to get around UK restrictions, they can simply use a VPN tool from their mobile device or computer. 

So What Next?

UK gamers are adapting in various ways. For many, the main priority is entertainment, while for others, it is safety. For the safety group, they would rather stick to UK-registered casinos than risk it elsewhere. These casinos adhere to the UK’s strict gambling policies that help to protect gamers from unfair gaming practices and security features. They also adhere to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which is the European Union’s standard for data protection and security despite leaving the union. The GDPR is considered to be the toughest standard in the world. 

For the group that prioritize entertainment, international platforms are the way. They include non-gamstop casinos and offshore betting sites. With fewer restrictions, they can get all the entertainment options available. 

For gamers who wish to take a break, whether completely or temporarily, participating in the UK’s gamstop scheme is the way forward. Over the years, the UKGC has ramped up awareness about the scheme, and so far, so good. According to the regulator, over 532,000 gamers have registered since inception, with some opting for auto-renewal every five years. This is more than 1% of the UK’s adult population. 

Conclusion

The UKGC’s priority will always be to protect its gamers so it will keep updating its regulations in their best interest. However, increased restrictions mean increased pressures that make people respond differently. Determined players will rather look elsewhere for freedom if they feel caged. Some others will rather stay in the safety of UK-registered casinos and betting sites and endure regulator discomfort if it means they will be safe and protected. 

Feature image by Beata Dudová on Pexels