When someone is experiencing gambling problems that are affecting their life, taking a break from gambling is a good idea. Unfortunately, problem gamblers are problem gamblers. They often lack the discipline they will need to stay away from gambling for a while. That is exactly why the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) introduced the GamStop Self-Exclusion program back in 2018.
About GamStop
In 2018, online gambling operators in the UK were encouraged to participate in the GamStop scheme for the benefit of any customers they might have who were struggling with online gambling issues. While many UK online operators acquiesced, there were still far too many that didn’t initially participate. That changed two years later when the UKGC stated GamStop membership was mandatory with revocation of licensing offered for noncompliance.
The result was most licensed UK online gambling operators subscribed, giving customers a way to get help for online gambling problems. All any customer needs to do is find the GamStop link, voluntarily fill out the GamStop online registration form, and await approval. During that registration process, gamblers have to provide key personal information and decide how long they want to be self-excluded.
Once a gambler’s registration application has been processed and approved, that gambler will immediately be blocked from accessing any online gambling sites that are licensed with the UKGC and subscribed to GamStop.
What happens if a gambler changes their mind and wants to resume their online gambling activities? First, the GamStop scheme offers no flexibility. Therefore, they won’t be able to use UK operators that verify GamStop status. However, there are ways a highly motivated online gambler can get around their GamStop self-exclusion. The main options include:
- Offshore online gambling in other jurisdictions with a VPN
- Locating UK operators that have weak account verification processes
- Use Crypto-only online gambling sites (crypto offers anonymity)
- Using UK gambling sites that belong to a friend or relative
- Go with a UK online operator that has not yet subscribed to the GamStop scheme
For UK online gamblers who want to remain loyal to the UK online gambling community, the last option on this list would be preferable. Information about no GamStop casino operators at NonGamStopOdds is easily accessible.
New Trendy Payment Options for Non-GamStop Customers
One of the concerns GamStop-blocked gamblers has when they choose a non-GamStop operator is that they will have issues finding reliable banking options. To be honest, those concerns are largely unfounded. For the most part, GamStop-blocked gamblers will face very few restrictions in terms of finding reliable funding methods.
Generally, credit card companies are supposed to restrict gamblers from funding their gambling accounts with credit cards and debit cards. With that said, enforcement of this mandate has been somewhat negligible.
Beyond using credit and debit cards, GamStop-blocked gamblers won’t encounter problems if they use crypto or popular eWallet options like Skrill, Paysafecard, Neteller, or even PayPal in some cases.
There is more good news on the gambling account funding horizon with the introduction of some new and trendy banking options. Let’s take a look at some of these options.
Binance Pay
Binance Pay is an eWallet option that is tied to the Binance cryptocurrency exchange. The Binance cryptocurrency exchange is one of the world’s largest exchanges.
As a funding method, online gamblers would need to maintain some kind of a balance in their Binance crypto account. While they would still be able to invest in their crypto coins of choice, they would need to maintain a fiat currency balance that they could access with their Binance Pay Wallet account for the funding of their gambling account or accounts.
Tether
Tether is a digital currency option that offers stable pricing as opposed to what happens with traditional cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin or Ethereum. Tether works something like this.
The gambler would open a Tether account and purchase Tether tokens. The price of the tokens is pegged to the prevailing fiat currency rate in a given country. The good news is the value of Tether coins is calculated based on a one-to-one ratio when compared to the underlying fiat currency.
For online gamblers, Tether serves as a quasi-eWallet option where Tether tokens are exchanged instead of a fiat currency at the same value. The even better news is Tether tokens are tracked on a blockchain, which gives online gamblers a higher level of anonymity.
QR codes
QR codes have gained in popularity as a tracking mechanism for people and places of business. Also, charities in the UK have devised ways to use QR codes to allow for contactless donations to go quickly and easily from donors into a charity’s bank account. Individuals can now take advantage of this new technology by generating their own QR codes tied to a bank account or eWallet account. If online gambling sites will accept such transactions, the gambling account funding process becomes quick and anonymous.
PayPal
PayPal already got mentioned above. However, it is worth noting that PayPal is quickly becoming a viable gambling account funding alternative for UK online gamblers. This has been prompted by PayPal’s recent decision to allow for the funding of gambling accounts in jurisdictions where such activities are permissible by law. Given the overall popularity of PayPal as a payment module, it could soon take the place of credit/debit card transactions that are being restricted as a gambling account funding option.
If you are GamStop-blocked but want to resume your gambling activities, any of these trendy banking options should suit your needs.