Problem gambling and gambling addiction have a tight grip on the UK. According to NHS Long Term Plan survey reports, there are over 4,000,000 problem gamblers. Among them, only a tiny fraction of 3% of problem gamblers receive the necessary medical help. To combat the growing ratio of drug addicts and problem gamblers, the UK government launched the GamStop initiative.
GamStop is a self-exclusion software that prevents the player from engaging in gambling activities during the specific time period selected. This implies that players cannot be associated with any game payment, or any online gambling site using game data. This software is available for free at all UKGC licensed casinos.
For most UK gambling transactions, PayPal is the preferred software. This can be done easily with any existing bank account and depositing it in the respective casinos, bookmarkers or poker rooms. Players are also allowed to own PayPal Extras Mastercard or e-cards to enable large money transfers.
It is very debatable whether financial deposits for online games via PayPal are available or not if GamStop is running concurrently. User should have basic knowledge about PayPal rules and regulations, transaction methods, available alternatives, etc. to understand the functionality of both.
Non-GamStop PayPal Casinos
The only way to make PayPal payments possible even after the user is registered in GamStop is to play in online casinos other than GamStop Paypal which accept players from the UK. These casinos are usually offshore licensed casinos. The 2021 list of PayPal casinos includes around 40 such casinos, with more than 1000 games available, from a minimum deposit of 10 euros.
PayPal transactions and its rules
Most customers find paying online with PayPal very easy. It is very useful in cases where customers aim for minimal data exchange, instant withdrawals and additional layers of security. In addition, the registration and registration process requires a minimum of genuine personal data. All you need is a bank account, a registered mobile number, an email address and an account type, personal or business. This is required for password generation, which would provide an additional layer of security to transactions. Every time a registered user enters their mobile number, an OTP would be directed which would open the link for transactions.
However, PayPal is strict when it comes to gambling transactions. The first and foremost requirement is that the casino be licensed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) or other licensed communities such as Malta Gaming Authority, Gambling Commission of Great Britain, Costa Rica Gaming Agency, etc. This also implies that PayPal does support monetary transactions in all forms of betting. Also, PayPal can only work if a respective casino registers with it. PayPal is not functional on a zero balance, so the user should keep this in mind when using PayPal functionality.
Can GamStop and PayPal work together?
It is quite impossible for the two software to go hand in hand. Indeed, GamStop works with UKGC licensed casinos, just like PayPal. If the user is already registered with GamStop, they are already under an exclusion period which will block all financial transactions associated with gambling. This would render PayPal’s purpose useless. Usually players switch to other popular payment options which are available to them. However, users can only implement PayPal after the isolation period ends, or at non-GamStop casinos.
PayPal alternatives available
There are a large number of overseas casinos that do not implement financial transactions through PayPal. This is mainly due to the rules and regulations imposed by PayPal. For example, in the United States, no type of game can use PayPal for transactions. However, there are several alternative PayPal methods available when PayPal is not functional in non-GamStop casinos.
The most commonly used is the transfer by bank transfer. Usually, deposits show active status immediately, but withdrawal takes time. Electronic wallets such as Skrill and Neteller are the most commonly used substitutes for PayPal, as they allow all forms of gambling. Cryptocurrencies are another method of monetary transaction, which is both more secure and untraceable, because it does not involve any involvement of third-party systems.
Final Thoughts
PayPal is certainly a popular mode of transaction, but it comes with its own advantages and disadvantages. As well as remaining crippled in the UKGC casinos with document verification, its functionality is also complicated by credit cards, which are also extremely popular among players in the UK. According to the UKGC, no gambling transactions are possible via credit cards. But, PayPal allows credit card functionality. The procedure is cumbersome and entails additional costs. Since PayPal offers a wide range of benefits for monetary transactions, it is being replaced as the most widely used commercial e-wallet for online payments.
