We use a comprehensive approach to evaluate casinos not on Gamstop, ensuring they meet the highest standards of fairness, security, and player experience. Our team thoroughly examines every aspect, from licensing to game variety and customer support, so that players can find safe alternatives outside the Gamstop system. Since gambling sites not on Gamstop operate without UKGC licence oversight, it’s especially important to focus on key factors like international regulation, security measures, and overall service quality to ensure a trustworthy gaming environment.
Licensing and Regulation
Licensing and regulation are crucial factors when reviewing casinos not on Gamstop. Since these platforms don’t fall under the UKGC’s oversight, they often operate with licences from respected international regulators, with Curacao being the primary authority for many of these sites. For instance, Curacao licences popular casinos and sportsbooks from the Santeda group, which includes brands like MyStake, Velobet, and Goldenbet. We ensure that these licences are legitimate and that the casinos meet essential criteria such as player protection, fairness, and responsible gambling. This way, players can confidently enjoy the games offered by trusted Santeda casinos and other licensed Curacao casinos.
Usually the licence information is placed in the footer of the page where casino information is written
Game Variety
When evaluating game variety at casinos not on Gamstop, we focus on several key categories that enhance the player experience. These include:
- Slots: A staple in any online casino, we look for a wide selection of slots, including popular titles and innovative Megaways slots that offer unique gameplay mechanics.
- Table Games: Players expect a robust offering of classic table games such as poker, blackjack, and roulette. We check for variety and availability, ensuring that popular games like poker not on Gamstop and roulette outside Gamstop are well-represented.
- Mini Games: Some casinos stand out by offering mini games, which are quick and fun, often tied to bonus features. We explore whether the casino includes such engaging gambling mini games.
- Live Casino: For those seeking a more immersive experience, we examine the quality and variety of live casinos not on Gamstop, ensuring they offer top-tier options like live blackjack, roulette, and poker.
Here’s a brief breakdown of game variety in notable casinos from the Santeda group:
| Casino | Popular Slots Titles | Live Gambling | Table Games Variety |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mystake | Includes Megaways titles | Yes | Poker, Blackjack, etc. |
| Goldenbet | Various popular slots | Yes | Poker, Blackjack, Roulette, etc. |
| Velobet | Wide slot selection, includes Megaways | Yes | Poker, Blackjack, etc. |
| Cosmobet | Popular slots, includes Megaways | Yes | Poker, Blackjack, etc. |
| Donbet | Megaways titles and others | Yes | Poker, Blackjack, etc. |
| Rolletto | Popular slots, includes Megaways | Yes | Poker, Blackjack, etc. |
Sports betting
When evaluating the sports betting section of casinos not on Gamstop, we consider several key factors that enhance the player experience. First, we assess whether the site offers a comprehensive sportsbook covering popular sports like football, horse racing, tennis, and basketball. Availability of sportsbook bonuses is another critical element, as it can provide players with extra value for their wagers. In addition, we examine if live/in-play betting options are available, allowing players to bet in real-time as the action unfolds.
A strong sports betting platform should also provide a wide range of betting markets, including moneyline, spreads, totals, prop bets, and futures. The more variety in betting options, the more tailored the experience can be for different types of bettors. Lastly, the presence of live streaming services further elevates the user experience by allowing players to follow their bets in real-time.
For more detailed information, you can explore the top-rated betting sites not on Gamstop for a wider selection of sportsbooks.
| Casino | Sports Betting Bonus | Sports to Bet On |
|---|---|---|
| MyStake | Up to €500 bonus | Football, Horse Racing, Tennis |
| Goldenbet | 10% unlimited cashback | Football, Basketball, Horse Racing |
| Velobet | Up to 200% deposit bonus | Football, Esports, Tennis |
Bonuses and Promotions
When evaluating bonuses and promotions at casinos not on Gamstop, we focus on several key factors to provide players with comprehensive and objective information. Our goal is to ensure that the casinos offer genuine benefits that meet security and fairness standards and that players can trust the terms presented.
Factors we consider:
- Types of bonuses and their value: We carefully examine what types of bonuses are available to players, such as welcome bonuses, no deposit bonuses, loyalty programmes, or cashback offers. We focus on whether these offers truly benefit players. For example, no deposit bonuses are especially attractive as they allow players to try games without risking their own funds. Learn more about no deposit bonuses here.
- Fair wagering requirements: We always check how many times the bonus must be wagered (the wagering requirement) before winnings can be withdrawn. This is one of the most important criteria, helping to assess whether it’s realistic for players to meet the bonus conditions within a reasonable timeframe.
- Game restrictions: Many bonuses are only valid for specific games, whether it’s slots, table games, or live casino. We closely analyse which games are eligible for the bonuses, so players know where they can be applied.
- Bonus time limits: It’s crucial that players are given sufficient time to meet all the requirements. We assess whether the promotional time limits are reasonable and won’t place players at a disadvantage.
- Minimum deposit and bonus activation: Often, bonuses require a minimum deposit to be activated. We make sure that the minimum deposit amount is accessible and clear for players. Additionally, the process of activating the bonus should be straightforward and transparent.
By focusing on these aspects, our reviews help players understand whether the bonuses and promotions at each casino provide real value and avoid potentially unfavourable terms.
Payment Methods
Payment methods are a critical part of a positive gaming experience, especially for players at non-Gamstop casinos. One of the main advantages of these platforms is the ability to use credit cards for deposits, an option not available at UKGC-licensed casinos. This flexibility allows players to fund their accounts quickly and easily, providing more convenience for those who prefer traditional payment methods. For a closer look at the options, you can find online casinos that accept credit cards directly through our reviews.
At the same time, we thoroughly assess the security measures these casinos employ to safeguard transactions. Secure encryption technology and reliable payment processors are essential for protecting players’ personal and financial information. Casinos offering a variety of deposit and withdrawal methods, including credit cards, are expected to maintain high levels of security across all transactions.
Another aspect we evaluate is the speed of withdrawals. Players deserve quick access to their funds, so we ensure that the sites we recommend process withdrawals efficiently and without unnecessary delays. Whether you’re using credit cards, e-wallets, or bank transfers, reliable payment systems are crucial for a seamless gaming experience.
Payout Speed
We verify the speed and limits of payouts through detailed testing, we allocate a dedicated budget each month for real deposits and withdrawal requests from various payment methods such as credit cards, e-wallets and cryptocurrencies. We carefully monitor how long each stage of the process takes, from casino approval to the actual receipt of funds to the player, whether the casino charges any hidden fees.
These are the things we pay close attention to:
- Approval time: how quickly the casino processes withdrawal requests. Ideally, the process should be completed within 24–48 hours, but we pay attention if it takes longer.
- Variability of payment methods: Different payment methods work at different speeds. For example, e-wallets are usually faster than bank transfers. We make sure the casino provides accurate information about how long each method takes.
- Withdrawal limits: We assess whether withdrawal limits are fair and understandable. Some casinos set daily or weekly limits that can affect large withdrawals, so we check if high stakes players can withdraw money smoothly.
- Transparency: We check that the casino clearly states withdrawal deadlines and limits on its website to ensure there are no hidden fees or unexpected delays.
Customer Support
What sets the best sites apart is not just the availability of support, but how efficiently and quickly they resolve issues, especially given the lack of GamStop protection. We assess how responsive these sites are in addressing player concerns, including the average response time and the level of detail provided in their answers.
We also prioritise whether players can easily reach support in their preferred language, ensuring that communication is clear, especially when handling sensitive topics like payments or account verification.
| Support Method | Availability (UK) | Avg. Response Time | Best for Mobile Users | Support Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phone | Rare | 1–3 minutes | Yes | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| E-mail / Web Form | Common | 24 hours | No | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Live Chat | Common | 1–3 minutes | Yes | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| FAQ Page | Common | Instantly | Yes | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Social Media | Rare | 48 hours | No | ⭐⭐ |
User Experience
User experience plays a vital role in determining the quality of an online casino, particularly for those not on Gamstop. When evaluating a casino, we look beyond just the games offered—we focus on how smooth and enjoyable the entire experience is, from first accessing the website to playing on a mobile device.
A key factor we check is how intuitive the site’s interface is. A well-designed platform should allow players to easily navigate between games, bonuses, and support without encountering confusing layouts or delays. Whether on desktop or mobile, the website should be responsive and quick to load, ensuring a hassle-free experience at any time.
Mobile-friendliness is another crucial aspect. With more players choosing to gamble on the go, we test each site on various mobile devices to make sure it runs just as efficiently on smaller screens. We examine whether the design adapts well to mobile use without compromising on functionality or game selection. For casinos that offer apps, we review their performance to ensure they deliver a consistent and smooth gaming experience across devices.
Player Feedback
When evaluating player reviews, we analyse user reviews from trusted platforms such as Trustpilot and AskGamblers, and we often look at player discussions on themed forums such as Reddit and similar. Positive reviews often highlight reliable payouts, quality support and a wide selection of games, while common complaints may be about delayed withdrawals or confusing bonus terms and conditions.
It is a very good indicator when a casino is responsive and responds to user messages. This indicates that the casino is interested in providing quality services
By carefully studying player reviews and ratings, we make sure that the casinos we recommend have a solid track record in terms of honesty, customer satisfaction and reliability.
Responsible Gambling Tools
At any casino the Responsible Gaming section is also located in the footer of the page, among other sections of the casino
The principles of responsible gambling play a crucial role in our evaluation process, as they demonstrate the casino’s commitment to ensuring a safe gaming environment for its users. When assessing the responsible gambling tools, we examine several key factors to ensure that the casino offers the necessary resources for players to gamble responsibly:
- Self-exclusion: The option to temporarily or permanently restrict access to one’s gaming account. We check how easy it is to activate this tool and whether clear information is provided about the process.
- Deposit limits: We verify whether the casino allows players to set daily, weekly, or monthly deposit limits to help them manage their spending.
- Session control: We assess whether the casino provides tools to monitor time spent playing, with the ability to set limits on gaming sessions.
- Information and resources: We ensure the site provides information on responsible gambling principles, with links to resources where players can seek help.
The availability of these measures reflects the casino’s serious approach to maintaining responsible gaming practices.
Some of these include:
Casino Star System
We recognise that our data collection and analysis process can seem confusing. To make it easier to understand, we have developed our own rating system to simplify the evaluation of each casino. In our approach we use Wilson Score Interval to make the ratings more accurate. This method helps to take into account not only the average score but also the number of reviews, which is especially important for small samples. In this way, we minimise the likelihood of rating distortion based on insufficient data.
Going to any page on our site, the player is greeted by a list of casinos with our ratings
After thoroughly checking and analysing, we assign each site a specific score, which makes it easy for users to understand the quality level of the casino. The table below explains what each rating means:
| Star Rating | Meaning | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| 4.8 – 5 | Outstanding | This is one of the top casinos we’ve tested. We highly recommend it for a flawless gaming experience. |
| 4.5 – 4.7 | Excellent | An excellent casino. While there may be minor areas for improvement, it remains a reliable choice. |
| 4.0 – 4.4 | Very Good | A good casino that provides a solid gaming experience, though stronger competitors may be available. |
| 3.5 – 3.9 | Average | A decent casino with some noticeable shortcomings in service or game offerings. |
| 3.4 and below | Poor | We do not recommend this casino due to significant issues with security or service quality. |
What Happens If a Casino Isn’t Good Enough?
When a casino fails to meet our standards during the review process, it doesn’t make the cut. Our rigorous assessment ensures that only trustworthy, high-quality sites are recommended. If a casino shows red flags, we list it among sites to avoid, warning players of potential risks.
Key reasons a casino might fall short include:
- Lacks proper security measures
- No recognized gambling licence
- Poor customer support response
- Verified fraud accusations
- Delays or denies player payouts
We identify these casinos either during our thorough reviews or through industry sources. Should you come across a questionable site, you can report it to us for further investigation. This process ensures that players can rely on us to recommend only safe, legitimate gambling options.
Why trust our ratings?
Our ratings are based on a thorough analysis of key factors such as security, licensing, game fairness, payout speed and quality of support. We use objective criteria and test each casino in practice. Our goal is to provide players with honest and transparent information so they can make an informed choice.