Horse racing is one of the longest-established spectator events in the UK. And as a national treasure, many British have been betting on horse racing for centuries.
A lot of online bookmakers have emerged to tap into the UK horse racing betting markets. But they must follow UKGC regulations, including being part of the GamStop self-exclusion scheme, to operate there.
GamStop was introduced to curb gambling-related problems and encourage responsible gambling. However, some of its limitations have led players to look elsewhere. As a result, non-Gamstop bookies have become the biggest competitors to the betting sites regulated in the UK. Many punters see them as viable choices for accessing less stringent betting services.
How Non-GamStop Sites Operate
The GamStop self-exclusion scheme is mandatory for UK-licensed operators. Its role in betting is to help you control your online gambling habits by providing you with a free self-exclusion register. After registering voluntarily, you’re blocked from accessing any gambling-related material, including gambling apps and websites, for a period of your choosing. This may be 6 months, 1 year, or 5 years. Your registration can’t be cancelled before the self-exclusion period is over, and there’s no guarantee that the ban will be automatically lifted once the period has expired.
However, non-GamStop sites operate under licensing bodies outside of the UK, such as Curacao and Malta, and often have less strict self-exclusion tools. This includes GamBan and BetBlocker, which are blocking software services that block access to gambling sites. Other ways non-GamStop betting platforms offer support for safer play include allowing you to choose product-specific play limits and set in-game alerts to track session duration.
Why Some Horse Racing Fans Look Beyond GamStop
Here are 4 reasons bettors prefer non-GamStop betting sites:
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No Betting Limits
The UKGC has, in the past, introduced limits on how much you can bet on online slots per spin based on age. That means there’s a possibility of such rules being introduced in horse race betting. In fact, from 31 October 2025, the regulator announced that all operators must prompt their customers to set a financial limit before they make their first deposit.
Many non-GamStop sites have less strict rules on maximum betting limits. They give players more control over their budgets by allowing them to set their preferred limits. This is unlike in GamStop sites, where betting limits have a fixed cap.
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Competitive Bonuses and Promotions
The UKGC recently announced that, as of 19th December 2025, operators will no longer be allowed to run mixed product promotions. For instance, a sports betting bonus can’t sit alongside a slot bonus under the new regulation; each must be offered as a standalone product. Such restrictions have made bonuses in GamStop betting sites less appealing to players. They somehow make bonuses look smaller and less attractive.
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Broader Selection of Horse Racing Markets
We can’t deny that Britain offers the world’s most famous racing events. But on top of popular events like the Kentucky Derby and the Grand National, non-GamStop betting sites often feature less popular horse races. This includes local and regional races outside the UK.
Some international sites not on GamStop may offer you more diverse horse racing markets, such as exotic bets. Exotic bets involve betting on multiple horses in a single race, or across multiple races, with more complex outcomes.
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More Payment Options than on UKGC-Regulated Sites
In April 2020, the UKGC banned gambling operators from allowing players to gamble using credit cards. On top of that, operators must ensure that the money being deposited from e-wallets was not loaded from credit cards. This is yet another strict rule that has made bettors opt for non-GamStop casinos.
However, the vast majority of casinos that are not regulated in the UK accept Visa and Mastercard. They also accept debit cards, e-wallets like Skrill and Neteller, and cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Litecoin, and Ethereum.
Risks and Considerations
Betting outside GamStop means that you are not covered under the same consumer protections as those betting on UKGC-regulated sites. Issues like withdrawal disputes and customer support challenges may arise if you are betting on unauthorised operators. We advise you to do due diligence before creating an account and depositing money at any betting site. Consider reading other customer reviews online to know what you are getting yourself into.
Conclusion
If a site is not on GamStop, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s illegal or that it doesn’t offer support for safer play. Non-GamStop betting sites are particularly ideal for players looking for more freedom and control. But we must emphasise the need for safety and control when betting on horse races online. Ensure the site you bet on is licensed by a reputable body like Curacao eGaming or the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA).