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Why Foreign Bookies Are a Hit Among UK Players

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Almost half (47%) of Brits reported gambling, so the betting industry is booming in the UK. The rapid technological advancement provides risk hunters with numerous opportunities, and the broad accessibility of online bookmakers is among the decisive factors for such a high demand. The industry is legal and regulated in the country, providing players and sports betting operators with freedom and flexibility.

At the same time, the UKGC, the main gambling controlling authority in the state, is known for its strict requirements. This responsible body sets multiple limitations, including the mandatory implementation of GamStop self-exclusion, a ban on particular payment options like cryptocurrencies, and deposit and withdrawal limits for punters. Therefore, users who don’t want to be restricted from their favourite online sportsbooks search for alternative betting destinations – and luckily, foreign bookies also have their niche in the United Kingdom.

Legality of Overseas Bookmakers in the UK

The UK Gambling Commission aims to expand its influence by limiting abroad betting platforms’ presence in the country’s market. However, it currently has no bans on offshore bookies’ operations on British territory. Players often opt for non-UK bookmakers that offer more flexibility and opportunities, at the same time providing almost zero limitations for customers. Of course, the absence of tangible limits is not the only advantage, so let’s discover more secrets of abroad platforms’ popularity.

A Way to Bypass GamStop

Self-exclusion is among the primary challenges for many passionate bettors. The program analyses user activities in the online sportsbook and can provide significant limitations for those demonstrating signs of compulsive gambling. However, many punters prefer to ignore these symptoms (which is, of course, not recommended) and get around GamStop by joining offshore sites. These online bookies offer higher deposit and withdrawal limits and don’t ban members for excessive activities, which is beneficial for everyone who doesn’t want to stop betting.

Security, Licensing, and Reputation

Many users think that only UKGC-based sites are worth a try due to enhanced safety and appropriate certifications from the regulatory authority. However, it’s not the only body governing online betting platforms and ensuring industry transparency. Bookmakers operating under the control of Curaçao eGaming, MGA, and other offshore regulators also boast high data protection and reliability. Therefore, bettors can be confident that the bookmaker is secure and fair, providing the best conditions.

Broader Markets Coverage

Offshore platforms offer users more betting opportunities, covering more sports markets and offering a massive choice of lucrative odds. The most popular sports, including football, basketball, cricket, tennis, and so on, are available in every sportsbook. Users can enjoy multiple betting options and

Chance to Watch Live Events

The betting world is constantly expanding, and online bookmakers do everything for customers’ convenience. Many betting websites offer their members to see live broadcasts of anticipated matches. Therefore, punters shouldn’t switch between tabs to monitor changing odds and the situation on the field. It’s now easy to do it on one page, so it’s not surprising that overseas bookies are a common choice among the UK bettors.

Higher Bonuses and Promotions

As already mentioned, UKGC-regulated sportsbooks are especially concerned about responsible gambling rules, which is why they are forced to place numerous limitations on punters. It also touches bonuses, and increased rewards can often result in overspending. However, abroad platforms don’t have such strict requirements from regulatory authorities, which allows them to attract customers with more generous promotions. UK users can explore free bets, deposit boosts, and thrilling tournaments without limitations, significantly affecting their winning opportunities.

Possibility of Using Cryptocurrencies

Blockchain continues changing our world, and it couldn’t but touch the betting industry. Cryptocurrencies are the common choice for risk seekers, as they allow them to proceed with smooth, hassle-free money transfers wherever they are. This payment solution is beneficial for both low-budget punters and high rollers, as there are barely any limits for deposits and withdrawals.

However, the UK Gambling Commission has recently launched a crypto ban, prohibiting its usage in British sportsbooks. Bitcoin and its alternatives are anonymous, which is why users often select them for betting without verification. The good news is that many online bookmakers abroad accept cryptocurrencies and even offer increased bonuses for their users.

Risks of Overseas Bookies & Tips for Punters

Offshore online bookmakers are gaining popularity in the UK market, but punters should still be aware of possible pitfalls. The primary risk lies implies the increased possibility of compulsive disorders connected with the lack of financial and time limits. Abroad operators don’t use self-exclusion and don’t ban access to their platforms, so users must be attentive to their spending.

Moreover, many fraudulent bookmakers operate in 2024, and UK punters must thoroughly check the availability of licensing and usage of appropriate security measures. Data protection and privacy should be the priorities, so check them first without being blinded by juicy bonuses and incredible odds.

Final Thoughts

The competition between UK-based betting sites and their overseas rivals is in full swing. In-country sportsbooks offer enhanced security but implement strong measures for coping with compulsive behaviours, such as self-exclusion and limitations on bets, deposits, and bonuses. Therefore, British punters often prefer overseas sites with higher promotions, broader sports market coverage, and lack of limits.

Entertainment

Ambitious Welsh Wildlife Centre plans submitted

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PLANS to modernise the Welsh Wildlife Centre near Cardigan with a new public entrance and a raft of other works which will make it more accessible to all have been submitted to Pembrokeshire County Council.

The Wildlife Trust of South & West Wales seeks permission for a long list of changes at the Welsh Wildlife Centre, Cilgerran, including an extension to the visitor centre building and associated works, with a new public entrance with a timber canopy roof structure, an open terrace with ancillary rooms below, an enclosed platform lift for disabled access, an external stepped access, a new pathway connection, reconfiguration of the vehicle turning area and disabled parking bays, a replacement footbridge, a new plant enclosure and the introduction of ‘Brise Soleil’ to the south and west.

A supporting statement, by Childs Sulzmann Architects, says: “The visitor centre was built in the 1990s with an award-winning concept design. However, the usability of the building and some elements of its condition have deteriorated over the years, requiring modernisation.

“In particular, access to the visitor centre for people on the approach to the building is confusing and unclear, with external entrance doors provided at each side of the building. For instance, visitors can often be found in the offices on the lower ground floor level by mistake, whilst looking for the shop or café which are provided on the upper floors.”

It adds: “The Welsh Wildlife Centre welcomes an average of 70,000 visitors per year including tourists and has a strong local following. Whilst the centre is much-loved, there are a number of inherent failings developing at the site which are putting pressure on the centre’s ability to operate and WTSWW are addressing these with a programme of building and site improvements with the support of external funding bodies.”

It says: “This important local facility and visitor attraction will be enhanced and improved, by providing a clear and legible single entrance to the building, together with re-configured accessible parking bays and a platform lift for wheelchair users and ambulant disabled people to directly access the new public entrance.

“Further improvements to accessibility, which include the new external stairway to the open terrace and public entrance, the widened replacement footbridge and the connecting path to link the accessible parking area with the main footpath to the visitor centre, will contribute to the principles of promoting and providing access for all.”

Plans for a new play area at the Welsh Wildlife Centre near Cardigan were recently approved by Pembrokeshire County Council.

The latest proposals will be considered by county planners at a later date.

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Entertainment

Other Voices Cardigan celebrates record attendances

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THE fifth Other Voices Cardigan 2024 Festival was a record breaker, having attracted more than 15,000 music fans from across the world to the pretty Mid Wales coastal town over three days.

The event, which ran from October 31to November 2, featured a curated programme celebrating music, friendship, language, ideas and culture from both sides of the Irish Sea and beyond.

Festival highlights included stellar performances from Nadine Shah, Bill Ryder Jones, and Fabiana Palladino.

St Mary’s Church audiences were treated to an acoustic performance by Manics’ frontman James Dean Bradfield, who performed special renditions of the classics ‘Motorcycle Emptiness’, ‘A Design for Life’, and ‘Ready for Drowning’.

Other Church performers this year include Charlotte Day Wilson, Melys, Victor Ray, and Georgia Ruth. 

Providing an extraordinary and inspiring programme across a myriad of musical genres, events took place in cafes, bars, places of worship and arts venues.    

More than 42 established and emerging acts from Wales and Ireland played the Music Trail and around 300 artists and crew worked and performed. The festival also boosted the local economy, with many businesses reporting increased foot traffic and sales during the event.

Over the past weekend, the festival saw more than 15,000 individual event admissions to more than 100 performances across the weekend, representing a 36% increase on 2023.

Visitors from outside Wales also increased significantly by 41%, with music fans coming from Ireland, Italy, New York, Sweden and Germany.

“This year has been another fantastic success,” said Dilwyn Davies, chief executive of Mwldan, co-producers of the event. “We’ve celebrated the vibrancy and vitality of the music scenes on both sides of the Irish Sea, and the spirit of our communities.

“The audience response has been incredibly positive and joyous, and we can’t wait to bring everyone together again in 2025.”

Phillip King, founder of Other Voices, added: “Cardigan/Aberteifi came alive with great music and stimulating and provocative banter when Other Voices came to town this past weekend.

“The event is growing and expanding year on year, attracting more visitors to this beautiful town. It’s a real delight to bring Other Voices across the Irish Sea, to collapse between Ireland and Wales and to bring us together in a way that deepens and strengthens every aspect of our relationship.”

Church performances were live-streamed on Other Voices YouTube channel and simultaneously streamed to the big screen at Mwldan in Cardigan. Highlights will be later broadcast on BBC Wales TV, BBC iPlayer and RTÉ and RTÉ Player via media partners. The event was presented by BBC DJ and Other Voices regular Huw Stephens.

Other Voices Cardigan is staged with the support and investment of Welsh Government and Government of Ireland, The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media and The Department of Foreign Affairs’ Reconciliation Fund.

The festival is produced by South Wind Blows in partnership with Mwldan and Triongl. This project is part-funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, supported by Ceredigion County Council.

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Entertainment

Casinos outside GamStop: Freedom, risks, and the UK gamblers’ perspective

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Non-GamStop casinos are popular amongst UK residents, particularly those who have an active self-exclusion with GamStop and no longer have access to gambling sites. 

With significantly more freedom than casinos on GamStop, it’s no surprise that people use

non-GamStop casinos. However, they are accompanied by some increased risks that you don’t get with UKGC-regulated casinos. So, with this in mind, let’s delve into what attracts people to casinos outside of GamStop as well as the risks associated with them, and where you can find these types of casinos. 

What attracts people in the UK to casinos outside of GamStop

Freedom

Typically, these casino sites not on GamStop offer more freedom to their players in a variety of ways. The biggest being from the GamStop self-exclusion programme. GamStop offers people who have developed unhealthy gambling habits the chance to exclude themselves from gambling sites – this could be for a few months or a few years. However, casinos outside of GamStop override this and you are free to play even if you have an active self-exclusion. 

More benefits 

Along with the freedom to gamble whenever you want, non-GamStop casinos are usually more generous with their players. They have bigger welcome bonuses and better offerings, easygoing wagering requirements, more payment options, and lenient ID verification. It’s important to state here that not all non-GamStop casinos are the same, but most have similar benefits. 

A better gaming experience

Non-GamStop casinos often provide a better gaming experience as they have a wider selection of games available, with more flexible betting limits. As games are usually available worldwide, you get the benefit of an increased number of players and 24/7 access. This creates a more immersive gambling experience. Added to this, the limited restrictions also ensure interruption free gaming. 

Risks of using non-GamStop casinos

The freedom that non-GamStop casinos provide is undoubtedly appealing to UK gamblers, however there are some risks to using non-GamStop casinos. Knowing the risks is essential to ensure safety when using online casinos.

No UKGC oversight 

Non-GamStop casinos are unregulated by the UKGC (UK Gambling Commission), which can make it tricky to raise disputes. Similarly, if you feel like you have been a victim of unfair gaming, receiving compensation is highly unlikely because the gambling website isn’t regulated. 

This goes hand in hand with a lack of customer support. Many casinos outside of GamStop have very poor, if any, customer service, which can make it even more difficult to raise concerns or make a complaint. 

Reduced security 

Data protection in non-GamStop casinos is typically much weaker than GamStop casinos, and they may not have the same level of encryption as those regulated by the UKGC. The risk of cyber threats or your personal or financial information being compromised is much higher. You can reduce this risk by checking for SSL certificates or other indications of proper cyber security when choosing a non-GamStop casino to use. 

Scams

Encountering fraudulent gambling sites when using casinos not on GamStop is not uncommon. Unregulated gambling sites have a much higher potential for scams and there is a bigger risk of being caught out if you’re not careful, but there are ways to avoid being scammed, starting with choosing a licenced site.

Finding casinos outside of GamStop

With the enticing benefits that come with non-GamStop casinos – more freedom, better gameplay, reduced restriction, and less stringent verification processes – casinos not on GamStop have increased in popularity amongst UK gamblers. Particularly as regulations continue to get tighter in the UK with a ban on credit cards and tighter betting limits in recent years. 

However most gamblers are aware of the risks that the lack of security and regulation can have and why it’s so important to do your research on non-GamStop casinos prior to using one. The best options are licensed and offer player safety whilst retaining the advantages of high stakes, fast payouts, generous bonuses, and complete freedom. 

Whether you’re looking to find a way around your self-exclusion or simply want a better gambling experience, non-GamStop casinos are an ideal choice. However it’s important to be aware of the risks – lack of protection, weaker security, and potential for scams – and choose your gambling destination carefully. 

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