Many well-known online betting brands are not independent but part of larger operator groups. These groups enforce strict rules across all their sites, resulting in similar game offerings and shared policies. Additionally, most of these sites hold UK Gambling Commission licenses, which require them to participate in the national self-exclusion network (GamStop).
In contrast, independent bookmakers UK operate outside these groups. They hold their own licenses, answer solely to their regulators, and are not part of the global GamStop network. While they still prioritize responsible gambling, their approach is often less restrictive compared to sites tied to GamStop.
Some of the best stand-alone sport gambling platforms include:
You can find out more about these non-Gamstop sites and other new UK independent betting sites here on the uk.notgamstop.com website.
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Top Online Independent Bookmakers We Recommend
There are so many offshore betting sites out there, it can be quite confusing finding the best. To help you with your search, here are a few of the top sites we recommend.
MyStake Independent Betting Site
MyStake
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Owned and operated by Santeda International B.V., The Mystake independent bookmakers online platform was launched in 2019. As well as their welcome bonus worth up to £600 with its 120% match, Mystake also offers a 35% Reload Bonus. With live sports betting, and eSports, plus a full range of casino games, Mystake is certainly one of the top independent gambling sites.
Goldenbet
Goldenbet
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Goldenbet is one of the top online international betting portals available to UK gamblers. In addition to regular sporting events, they offer eSports gambling. Operating under a Curaçao eGaming licence, they have an exciting range of promotions. For example, their sports welcome bonus is matched 100% up to £500. The minimum deposit is £20, and the wagering requirement is only x20.
Cosmobet
Cosmobet
- 150% Up to £1000 Sports Bonus,
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As well as gambling on sports and eSports, Cosmobet also offers gambling on virtual sports. They also offer a full-service online casino on the same platform. Launched in September 2023, Cosmobet is one of the new independent betting sites for online gambling UK enthusiasts. They offer a generous sports welcome bonus with a 150% match up to £1,000. With a maximum bet size of £1,000, Cosmobet is perfect for high rollers, and what’s more, this bonus only carries a x15 wagering requirement.
Velobet
Velobet Betting
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Launched in August 2023, Velobet is another of the new UK independent gambling platforms. Although it’s one of the non UK based betting sites, it operates under a Curacao eGaming licence and welcomes UK gamblers. As well as sports betting, Velobet offers live casino games.
They also have one of the best welcome bonuses available at the moment, matched 150% up to £1,000. The minimum deposit is £20, and the wagering requirement is just x15.
Features of Independent Online Bookmakers
| TOP Independent Licenses | Macao, Curacao |
|---|---|
| Accept UK Players? | Yes! |
| Sport Events | Football, horse racing, tennis, rugby, boxing and more |
| Banking Methods | Credit/Debit cards, cryptocurrencies, bank transfer and e-wallets |
| Minimum Deposit | From £20 |
| Top Bonuses | 150% up to £1,000 |
Criterias to Choose the Best Independent Online Bookmakers
Whether we are vetting independent online bookmakers or full-service online casinos, they must meet the criteria listed in our checking process before we will be prepared to recommend them.
The Licensing of Independent Sports Betting Sites
Independent gambling platforms cannot operate with UKGC licence. Instead, we ensure online independent horse racing betting sites and other sports betting platforms have licences from other top licensing agencies like the MGA (Malta Gaming Authority), and the eGaming licence issued by the government of Curacao. We mainly focus on the following UKGC alternatives:
- European betting sites
- Curacao betting sites
- MGA betting sites (Licenced by Malta)
- Gibraltar betting sites
The Bonuses Offered by Online Independent Bookmakers
All independent gambling sites offer bonuses to attract new players and retain existing players. The platforms we promote are the ones offering the most attractive bonuses with either no, or low deposit amounts from zero to £20, and low wagering requirements such as x20, x30, or x40. We maintain that anything much higher isn’t competitive enough.
The Range of Sports
To pass muster, the UK player-friendly sportsbooks we list have to cover a comprehensive range of sports. Non Gamstop football betting sites are always popular with punters, but so too are platforms that offer horse race gambling, betting on tennis and on other sports including baseball, basketball, boxing, cricket, Formula 1, ice hockey, volleyball, etc.
The Betting Limits and Odds
Some punters like a little flutter while others prefer to bet large on their favourite players or teams. We promote no limit sports betting sites and bookmakers with less strict limits overall. Betting odds vary from platform to platform, horse racing sites not on Gamstop, so again, the independent sports betting platforms we list are those offering superior odds.
The Safety of Independent UK Betting Sites
Player safety is always our prime concern. Whether they are old or new UK independent betting sites, we check all offshore gambling operators to ensure:
- They have a current, quality gambling licence.
- Websites use state of the art SSL encryption.
- Only use tried and trusted payment methods.
- Have a first-class customer support option.
- Promote responsible gambling.
Most websites operate KYC policies, which for some gamblers is an off-putting annoyance, However, it is possible to find online betting sites without KYC and you’ll find them listed here on our website.
The Pros and Cons
When it comes to the pros and cons of independent betting sites UK gamblers can access, the positives clearly outweigh the negatives, as you can see from the following summary.
Pros
- Non-Gamstop Access – UKGC-licensed platforms enforce permanent bans via GamStop. Independent betting sites provide an alternative.
- Credit Card Use – Unlike UKGC sites, independent bookmakers allow credit card deposits.
- Simplified Registration – Many independent sites relax KYC policies, making sign-up quick and easy.
- Licensed and Secure – Our recommended bookmakers are licensed by reputable authorities. We cannot vouch for unlisted sites.
- Flexible Self-Exclusion – Independent platforms offer responsible gambling tools like betting limits, time-outs, and user-friendly self-exclusion.
- Better Odds – Independent bookies often provide more competitive odds as they aren’t tied to group networks.
- Diverse Sports Markets – These sites offer a wide range of sports events for UK gamblers.
- Attractive Bonuses – Stand-alone platforms deliver excellent bonuses with better wagering terms than group-based competitors.
Cons
- No UKGC licence – There is no doubt that the UKGC licence is one of the strongest in the industry. However, choosing independent betting sites from our website guarantees the site you pick will have a reputable gambling licence.
- Not suitable for problem gamblers – If you cannot gamble responsibly, using independent platforms may not be advisable.
- Possible Higher Fees – Stand-alone sites might charge higher withdrawal fees and have less competitive currency conversion rates.
- Possible lack of dispute resolution – Some new independent betting sites may take longer to resolve disputes.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ What is the reason that independent online bookmakers are popular with UK gamblers?
Not only do independent bookmakers often offer better bonuses and prizes, because they have non-UKGC licence, they are more flexible with coming out of self-exclusion deals and they allow punters to use their credit cards to fund their fun.
❓ Are independent betting sites legitimate?
Yes, in the main, they are. However, there will be some rogue sites and scams out there which is why we recommend
❓ Do online independent bookmakers have fair terms and conditions?
Generally speaking, yes, they do. Bookies with a reputable gambling licence, like the Curacao eGaming licence, have to have fair T&Cs to obtain and maintain their licences. However, there are some rogue, scam platforms around, so we recommend you choose only standalone, online bookmakers listed on our website.
❓ Which is the best independent sportsbook for UK gamblers?
It is difficult to say which independent sportsbook is best because every punter’s tastes are different. We can say that right up there are MyStake, Goldenbet, Cosmobet, Velobet, and that you’ll find other excellent platforms listed on our website.
❓ Are gambling winnings taxable?
Ordinarily, if you play for fun, no, they are not. But if gambling is your main source of income, then you could be liable to pay income tax.
❓ Do independent bookmakers offer good customer support services?
Most online bookies have good customer service facilities, but as with everything, some are better than others. With some you might find that they are slower when it comes to resolving disputes.