The Gambling Act of 2005 has regulated betting in the United Kingdom and has created a safe environment for the players. On the other hand, the operators weren’t willing to accept all those restrictions and limitations set on operating. The above situation led some of the operators to reject the possibility of being regulated by the UKGC. They turned their sights on having no license at all, following an unconventional path. For the above reasons, these bookmakers are described as independent online bookmakers.
Non-licensed bookmakers come with many unique perks, like better and more offers, high stakes betting, and more relaxed KYC. Undoubtedly, the benefits mentioned above and many others can change the punters’ betting experience for better or worse. Keep reading this article to find out the best independent bookmakers, how they operate online and all the benefits you will get from choosing them over the UKGC betting sites.
List of Independent Bookmakers Online
It makes sense for a punter to choose independent betting sites over the UK bookies since the latter has fewer restrictions and limitations. Before choosing your next independent bookie, you should consider what the betting community says and carefully read our expert betting reviews. You will find the most reliable bookies on the following list.
How do independent bookmakers operate online
When referring to an offline independent bookmaker, we talk about a small or family betting business not affiliated with a global brand or under the latter’s umbrella, like 1 Commercial Street or 125 Sherlock Street. Those businesses tend to run and operate a couple of betting shops while also offering services online.
As independent betting sites, when the talk turns to online betting, we define the Non UK betting sites that don’t hold operating licenses and take UK players. While the terminology genuinely covers the above type of sportsbooks, punters often also search offshore bookies as independent betting sites. So we will cover them all.
The independent betting sites come with a more relaxed approach to operating, which benefits the players. They will not impose taxes on winnings, offering higher limits and more types of betting (e.g. Asian bets and spread betting). All the above comes from the fact that the licensing fees on the offshore regulators are lower, even down to zero. The same stands for corporate taxes. Moreover, an independent bookie tends not to follow the rules of the European regulators, as they don’t want to comply with all those strict restrictions. Let’s see the types of independent bookmakers you can find worldwide, which will also help you learn how to remove Gamstop.
No license Betting Sites
This type of bookmaker refers to the online gaming operators choosing to target players from every country, like the United Kingdom, without having a license. You will also find non-regulated bookmakers and casinos not on Gamban within the British territory. Due to the lack of UKGC restrictions will offer higher odds, better bonuses and promotions, credit card and crypto payments, among other exciting features.
Curacao betting sites
In other words, we are talking about the “gray” sportsbooks. Thanks to a Curacao Gaming Control Board license, Curacao betting sites can operate anywhere globally, with just a few exceptions, but not under a regulated environment. You may find high odds, great bonuses and other intriguing features, but you should always check out which sportsbooks are worth your time and money.
Other offshore territories
In this category will fall the independent online bookmakers licensed in Panama, Antigua or Costa Rica, also known as offshore betting sites. Those are mainly addressed to the punters who love betting on an American style, in the US sports, and using the US types of bets, like parlays, futures, teasers and pleasers. You should be careful on which site you will put your money on since scams are lurking around all the time.
Benefits of betting on independent bookmakers in the UK
If you have been fed up with the restrictions imposed by the UKGC on the high-rated UK bookmakers, then independent online bookmakers are the perfect way to get rid of all those, as mentioned above. You can expect to find a more relaxed KYC procedure, less strict rules and better odds, among other intriguing perks. Let’s break down all the benefits you can get on this type of non Gamstop betting sites.
Relaxed KYC
Forget about credit checks, extra proof of residence, video calls to double-check your documents’ legitimacy, or complete the KYC procedure as soon as you sign up. You can create your new account, make your first deposit and start placing your bets. As soon as you request your first withdrawal, you will have to send your ID or passport and a utility bill. That would be all.
Higher Odds
Offshore betting sites, like Mystake and Goldenbet, may offer the players a payout of 97%+ on US sports. Combined with the reduced juice promo, this rate will go up to even 98% or 99%. The same will be the case on many gray bookies, on sports like football or basketball.
Credit card and crypto payments
Punters will have the chance to top up accounts and request withdrawals through credit and debit cards. Even AMEX will be available at selected sites. Additionally, bettors enjoying using cryptocurrencies will have the chance to complete transactions through Bitcoin, Ethereum and Litecoin, among others.
No tax on winnings
It is great for players that winnings will not be taxed on an independent bookmaker such as Rolletto. First of all, it is located outside the United Kingdom, and secondly, the UKGC laws do not apply to this site. No matter the size of the betting earnings, no taxation will be imposed.
Self-excluded bettors from the UK are welcome
If you have registered with the Gamstop scheme but have regretted it, the independent bookies are the escape the punters have been looking for. Whether the bettors have been excluded from the UK bookies, they are still welcome on such betting sites, like Mr Sloty and Freshbet.
Quicker withdrawals
Fewer KYC procedures and the use of internet-based payment methods bring a result of quicker payouts. Especially if the players choose cryptocurrencies or wallets to complete transactions, the money will be available to accounts within a couple of hours.
Drawbacks of using an independent bookie
As with anything in this life, placing your bets on an independent bookmaker bears many advantages and disadvantages. The reliability of these sportsbooks is in doubt, while the terms might be controversial and not transparent. But let’s see in detail the drawbacks of using independent bookies.
Non-trustworthy at times
These sites either have no licenses at all or are regulated by over-relaxed authorities. So you can’t rely on licensing but instead on the betting community’s approval. Even the best of them might not deliver what they have promised to the punters regarding withdrawal times or bonus terms, among others. In the worst-case scenario, punters will face a scam site and lose money, so they have to be careful about which operator they will choose.
Gamstop self-exclusion doesn’t apply
If you have registered to Gamstop due to a gambling addiction, you should better know that the self-exclusion scheme does not apply to offshore betting sites. That means that you might slip down once more, and this time you might lose more money and go to an even darker place.
Non-transparent terms
That is an extension of the site’s reliability since most of the terms are created. Operators will have the chance to “translate” them the way it suits them the best, leaving the players baffled by what each term might mean.
PayPal is excluded
While players will have the chance to complete transactions through credit cards and cryptocurrencies, they will lose the chance to top up accounts through PayPal. The latter is not available on independent bookies.
Problematic complaints resolution policy
The fact that independent bookmakers online are licensed by over-relaxed regulators or not licensed at all will possibly result in anti-professional ways of treating the players and resolving complaints. The procedure might take a long time to be completed, and the betting company will try to turn the tides around in its favor, leaving the players dissatisfied on many occasions.
Independent bookies mainly refer to small or family businesses owning a couple of betting shops, but the term has also passed to online betting in recent years. You will find a small number of online independent bookmakers in the UK. They are betting sites that have decided to run under no licenses, especially from the UKGC. However, this expression has been more generic the last few years since UK punters are searching for offshore sportsbooks, calling them “independent bookmakers.”
As soon as you choose only from the independent bookies in the UK approved by the community and reviewed by betting experts, it is undoubtedly safe to place your wagers with them. You will get many benefits like no taxes on winnings, better bonuses/promotions, and a more relaxed KYC procedure, among other perks, making the betting activity with them not only safe but also attractive.
