The UKGC has been operating as a regulatory authority since 2007. It focuses not only on online casinos, but also on all forms of gambling, such as sports betting, lotteries, and land-based casinos. The UK Gambling Commission enjoys an excellent reputation within Europe. At the same time, it is one of the strictest authorities, having issued multi-million euro fines on several occasions in the past. For players looking for alternative options, there are also UK-friendly casinos beyond GamStop, which often provide a different approach to gaming. There are noticeable differences between casinos with an EU license and those with the UKGC license. We’ve summarized exactly what these differences are and how they differ from each other in the table below.
| Category | EU License Casinos | UKGC License Casinos |
| Deposits | Unlimited | Max €5,000 per month |
| Bonus | Usually several thousand euros | Max. €100 |
| Duration of Deposit | Possible immediately | Possible immediately |
| Duration of Payout | Usually within a few hours | Up to several working days |
| Payout Ratios | Often well over 96% | Below 90% |
How to find a casino with an EU license
1. Choose a suitable casino
It is advisable to take a closer look at several non GamStop casinos and possibly open several accounts.
2. Check facts
Before registering, you should check the facts of the respective provider. This includes the bonus terms and conditions, license validity, support availability, and payment processing.
3. Register for free
You can set up your player account for free. Registration usually takes two to three minutes.
4. Deposit, play and win
After opening your account, you can process your deposit, play, and cash in. Don’t forget to claim the bonus from the respective provider.
5. Pay out winnings
After hopefully successful rounds of play, you can simply cash out your winnings in the cashier area. EU-licensed casinos without GamStop usually process these within a few hours.
Applying for an EU license: A rough explanation of the process
Of course, there are slight differences in the review processes of the individual licensing authorities in Europe. However, in general, the process is at least roughly similar in all cases. When a new gambling provider is founded, it first informs itself about the precise legal requirements in the respective country.
These requirements include, for example, the implementation of intensive player protection measures, appropriate financial security, and a “clean slate” for management. This means that the company must not use funds from criminal activities, and the management must not have been involved in any criminal activity.
If the company believes it meets these requirements, it submits an application for a license. In the next step, the corporation is thoroughly examined by the relevant authorities. If all findings are satisfactory and indicate a legitimate offering, the casino license is granted.
Good to know : European gaming licenses are usually issued for a period of several years. Licenses can expire, so you should always check the validity of a license.
Which European gambling licenses are there?
The licensing of European non GamStop casinos is handled by many different regulatory authorities. We’ll provide an overview of the most well-known ones below.
MGA
The number one prominent regulatory authority in Europe is the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA). The authority was established in 2001. Even back then, Malta opened up to private MGA non GamStop casinos and allowed them to offer their services digitally. The MGA was established as the official regulatory authority and is the sole authority in Malta responsible for issuing licenses.
Curaçao
The Curacao Gaming Control Board (GCB), which oversees non GamStop casinos licensed in Curacao, has been in operation even longer. The board was established a year after the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force was established. Since then, the authority has been responsible for ensuring safety and reputable gaming. The authority is now responsible for a wide variety of licensees, i.e., Curacao casinos without GamStop.
Gibraltar
Gibraltar’s gambling authority is the Government of Gibraltar, which operates its own Gambling Division. The GBGA’s roots date back to 2005, but it has been particularly prominent since 2013, when the Gambling Licensing & Advertising Act was passed. Gibraltar is known as a British territory. Consequently, the authorities are guided by the decisions of their colleagues at the UKGC.
Isle of Man
The Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission is the gaming control board of the Isle of Man. Established in 1962, the authority is one of the oldest of its kind. Of course, its focus has shifted since then. While the authority was initially focused on land-based gambling, for the past few years it has focused on online providers.
Alderney Gambling Control Commission
The Alderney Gambling Control Commission was established in 2000. It ensures that gambling operators adhere to high international standards and offer their players safe gaming experiences. Furthermore, the AGCC is committed to protecting players from any influence of criminal activity.
ADM
Hardly any other gambling authority has such an elegant-sounding name as the Agenzia delle Accise, Dogane e Monopoli, or ADM for short. This is Italy’s state monopoly and customs administration authority. It not only controls the import of goods but also, in a separate division, digital gambling. The authority was founded in 1999.