European casinos are online gambling sites licensed in countries within Europe. Their licenses are typically issued by renowned regulators in the continent. If you’re thinking of signing up to a European brand, you should know there are several benefits available, especially when compared to UKGC-licensed casinos.
For starters, due to differences in legislation, European operators are not required to partake in the Gamstop self-exclusion scheme. Gamstop only applies to UKGC-licensed casinos. That’s precisely what makes them some of the best non Gamstop casinos UK has to offer. They accept British players, including self-excluded ones and have a more international approach when it comes to games and bonuses.
Lastly, European casinos not on Gamstop often have independent games certification, which ensures fairness and security for players. If you’re intrigued to learn more about these top-level gambling sites, then keep reading our detailed guide.
Tested European Casinos that accept UK Players
Not all European casinos that accept UK players are trustworthy and safe. To make your journey easier, we have tested and approved the top ones for you right below. As such, you’ll be guaranteed to enjoy fair gameplay and great bonuses.
Overview of European Casinos for UK Players
European casinos for UK players keep things exciting by offering a myriad of perks. These include access to VIP clubs, new game types and variations such as Roulette Macao and, last but not least, a diverse bonus structure.
Crypto bonuses, cashbacks, reload bonuses, free spins and loyalty bonuses are frequently thrown in the mix. You can find all of the above on our recommended brands. We’ve analyzed them in-depth in our dedicated Freshbet casino review and Platinum VIP Club review.
Benefits of Choosing European Online Casinos
Casinos that operate in the European market can be an excellent alternative to their UK-licensed counterparts for a few good reasons. If you want to learn the most important benefits you’ll find at EU casinos that accept UK players, keep reading.
✔️ Not part of Gamstop
Gamstop is a self-exclusion scheme created to help you gamble responsibly. But, even when you overcome problem gambling, you can’t access any Gamstop-regulated casino sites before the self-exclusion time expires. EU casinos are not part of Gamstop. Consequently, they are a convenient solution for UK gamblers looking to bypass the renowned scheme.
✔️ More diverse game selection
An online casino is only as good as the games it offers. Casino lobbies with incredible game selection are a crucial selling point in attracting new members. However, the number of games is not the only benefit. European casinos should offer casino games free of Gamstop rules, delivering a complete gambling experience without limitations.
✔️ Flexible betting options
EU casinos offer an end-to-end gaming experience with all sorts of gambling, including sports betting. British punters will be happy to learn that European betting sites offer a wide range of sports, various betting markets and international leagues. Moreover, EU sportsbooks have better odds and allow you to place higher wagers too.
✔️ Higher payouts
On average, European brands offer a higher payout potential compared to UKGC-licensed brands. They usually host bigger welcome packages and access to games from hundreds of international providers. This ensures you’re bound to find slots and table games with high RTPs and innovative features (e.g. cascading reels, multipliers, sticky wilds).
✔️ More relaxed rules & regulations
The UK Gambling Commission is known for its very strict rules, which may be perceived as limitative by some players. This isn’t the case with European brands. Here, you can play slots with celebratory sounds and animations, activate features like Autoplay or Bonus Buy and enjoy alternative payment methods like cryptocurrencies.
Drawbacks of Playing at European Casinos
If you’ve researched how long does Gamstop last, you’re probably aware it depends on the period you initially set and that you need to contact customer support to officially get out of the scheme. Whilst EU casinos for UK players are a viable option; in the meantime, do keep in mind that they may also come with a set of drawbacks.
❌ No License from reputable authorities
Some European brands either function independently, have owners that you can’t verify, or their license is not issued by a reputable authority. This usually comes with high security risks for players, such as stolen funds, bonuses that don’t get credited, or no resolution from customer support on their queries.
❌ Low Protection Level
Certain European casino sites offer low protection levels on your real money deposits and withdrawals. They may work with unverified payment processors or not encrypt transactions properly. This puts you at risk of data theft and may make you a target for hackers.
❌ High Processing Time on Withdrawals
It is common to experience some delays on casino withdrawals, particularly if you’re newly registered and need to verify your identity or any payment methods used. However, if the processing time extends past the normal amount of 36-72 hours, it is usually a red flag.
❌ Hard to self-exclude
We’ve already mentioned that some Euro sites have self-exclusion programs. But not all of them. Even if you select an operator offering tools that support responsible gambling, these measures are valid only on that particular site. Moreover, many EU casinos don’t have such services; so, if you have a gambling problem, you won’t be able to self-exclude.
Are there any alternatives to EU casinos for UK players?
EU casinos accepting UK players are not the only solution if you want to avoid UKGC and Gamstop restrictions. Check out below gambling sites licensed in other jurisdictions or those operating independently.
Independent Online Casinos
Not all online casino venues have gambling licenses. Some run on their proprietary platforms without any official regulatory body supervising their operations. Independent casino sites are not illegal and can deliver high-quality services. Still, be careful when opting for these sites. Check their reputation and read other players’ reviews before depositing funds.
Malta Online Casinos
If you wish to avoid UKGC-licensed casinos but don’t easily trust other brands, the best alternatives are gambling sites with the MGA seal of approval. The Malta Gaming Authority stands shoulder to shoulder with the Gambling Commission regarding industry standards and security. Moreover, the best European casinos feature an MGA license, so picking Malta-licensed casinos is a win-win decision.
Curacao Online Casino Sites
Curacao casinos not on Gamstop are popular among British gamblers. They offer multiple advantages to them. These include crypto deposits and withdrawals, hassle-free KYC, higher betting limits and attractive bonuses. Some Curacao-licensed casinos will even allow you to play anonymously without verifying your age and identity.
Yes. At least those we have reviewed and listed on this page. Many European gambling sites are certified in key regulated markets like Malta. Or they have a license issued by another jurisdiction within Europe. Anyhow, most of them are regulated. However, we can’t claim that all of them are 100% legit. We, therefore, advise you to stick to our list of reputable EU gambling operators.
Yes, they can. Gamstop is a self-exclusion program exclusively for the British gambling market. Local casinos licensed by the UKGC are obliged to participate. If you’ve signed up with Gamstop, you can’t play at UKGC casinos until you master responsible online gambling. However, even if your Gamstop exclusion period hasn’t ended yet, you can sign up with EU casinos.
European casinos are brimming with online slots from top-tier software providers. Slots sites not part of Gamstop offer a broader range of titles that allow you to use features banned by the UKGC. You can play slots with various innovative mechanics and engaging themes, use the autoplay and quick spin features and celebrate wins with thrilling sounds and visuals.
