Football Betting: How to Avoid Restrictions While Remaining Safe

Football betting is believed to be as old as the sport itself, but it was illegal until the establishment of the 1960 Act, which permitted land-based sports betting operations. When online bookmakers began opening their virtual doors, the Gambling Act 2005 was enacted to establish the UK Gambling Commission and regulate online gambling.

The UKGC has many restrictions limiting punters' football betting experiences. An example of such limitations is the Gamstop programme. Once you opt-in, you’re denied access to UK-based gambling establishments for five years. That is why bettors prefer football sites not on gamstop. These independent bookies have fewer restrictions and more benefits, which we shall cover in this write-up.

The Basics of Avoiding Restrictions

Every bookmaker licenced in the United Kingdom must abide by the UKGC’s standards to retain their licence. As a result, these operators have smaller sports coverage, less competitive odds, and fewer bonuses, making it less fun to gamble on their sites.

Thankfully, you can bypass such restrictions and still bet safely at football sites that are not on Gamstop. These operators don’t have a UKGC licence and aren’t obligated to abide by the Commission’s regulations. Hence, their offerings are more comprehensive, allowing you to enjoy everything regarding football betting.

Note that some of these bookmakers are independent. In other words, they’re not regulated by any external body but have implemented their own rules to ensure their customers gamble safely. Others operate under the gambling laws of other jurisdictions, like Malta and Curacao. Both independent and offshore sites are safe, provided you pick one that’s trustworthy.

Not being under the Gambling Commission allows such operators to offer better services and saves punters from rigorous KYC verification procedures. Since you’re not subjected to time-consuming checks, your payments are processed faster, and you get your winnings within a shorter time frame.

Furthermore, these bookmakers support more payment options. You can’t use credit cards or crypto to gamble on UK sites, but many independent betting platforms support both payment methods, catering to the needs of bettors who want to protect their credit scores. It also allows punters to keep their financial and sensitive details more private.

Why Opt for Non Gamstop Bookies

The shorter verification processes and better payment methods are excellent reasons these bookmakers are the best alternatives for UK bettors. Besides both benefits, there’s so much more to enjoy on these platforms, and they include:

Complete Coverage of All Competitions

One of the best parts of betting on these sites is that they offer broad coverage of various football competitions. For example, fans of the English Premier League will find multiple markets and detailed information and updates on fixtures, results, and player performances for different teams like Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea, and Arsenal. Do you enjoy the UEFA Champions League? They have hundreds of betting options for various matches, alongside information on the league’s teams like Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and Manchester City.

These bookies extend their coverage beyond European competitions. They cover major international tournaments like the FIFA World Cup, Copa America, and more, ensuring that bettors can wager on other national teams and top players worldwide.

Features

Non-UK licenced bookmakers include features that enhance the overall betting experience. One of these is the cash-out option. If you’re new to sports betting, you might wonder, “What is cashout, and how does it work?” This is simply the opportunity to settle your stakes before the event concludes. Your payout depends on the odds at settlement and could be lower or higher than your original bet.

Another exciting option available on these platforms is live streaming. True, you can also find this feature on bookmakers regulated by the Gambling Commission, but they’re usually limited to a few events. On independent bookies, there’s live streaming for more matches, including those played in other countries. It’s worth noting that the video quality of the streaming services on reputable non-UK bookmakers is top-notch.

Just as there’s wider coverage for live streaming, there are more live betting options at these sites, which applies to football and other sports. If you want to maximise your wagers and take advantage of their highly competitive odds, use live in-play football predictions, as they give you insight into the likely outcome of a game. Other features these sites boast of are bet builders and live statistics.

Promotions

If you’re particular about bonuses, non-UK bookmakers will appeal to you. They have better promotions than traditional football betting sites. For starters, you get a welcome deal after registering: free bets or a match-up promotion. Play through this bonus, and you become eligible for weekly or monthly offers; the exact deals depend on the gambling site. Some operators have VIP programmes where you get better bonuses as you ascend to higher positions.

What To Be Cautious About Independent Football Betting Sites

If you’re betting at a bookmaker with a licence from another reputable body, you’re in safe hands. Still, you must be extra careful if you opt for independent football betting sites. These platforms aren’t regulated, so there’s a higher possibility of being scammed. Distinguishing a reliable bookmaker from a sham can be challenging, but it becomes easier once you know what to look for.

First, real operators support trustworthy payment gateways like debit cards, credit cards, e-wallets, and crypto. If these betting sites have online casinos, check out their games. Many players might ask, “Are most electronic slot machines rigged?” You should note that slot games on reputable platforms use random number generators, making it impossible to alter the outcome of each spin. Check if their promotions are too good to be true and read their general conditions to learn if they’re fair.

A fast and easy way to find a good independent football betting site is by reading comprehensive reviews. Such evaluations detail the bookmaker’s offerings, from sports coverage to bonuses and features. With this, you can easily find a reliable bookie with offerings that satisfy your betting needs.