The Complete List Of Independent Poker Sites UK
- Not a GamStop Site
- Robust Gaming Library
- Min. Deposit 40 EUR
- No KYC on Deposit
- Doesn’t Rely on GamStop
- €40 Min. Deposit
- Well-Known Brand
- No GamStop Cooperation
- Low €20 Deposit Requirement
- Swift Withdrawals
- Min. Deposit from €10
- Has No GamStop Limits
- Wagering Only 1x
- Doesn’t Feature GamStop
- Deposit as Little as 40 EUR
- No GamStop Governance
- Tournaments & Lotteries
- 40 EUR Minimum Deposit
- GamStop Unavailable
- Available for UK Punters
- 40 EUR Min. Deposit
- Fantastic Payout Rate
- Not Burdened by GamStop
- Lowest Deposit €10
- Trending Site
- Top Tier Free Spins Bonus
- Not Beholden to GamStop
- The Complete List Of Independent Poker Sites UK
- What We Look For In Good UK Independent Poker Sites
- Our Top Sites For Independent Online Poker UK
- The Newest Independent Poker Site For March 2023
- Things To Know About Standalone Poker Sites UK
- Alternatives To Independent Poker Sites For UK Players
- FAQs About Independent Poker Sites
What We Look For In Good UK Independent Poker Sites
Listen, there are hundreds of independent online poker rooms just waiting for you to come and play. Unfortunately, a big selection of these will be diabolical. We cannot recommend them to you because they don’t give us what we look for in good independent poker sites for UK players.
As a consequence, we have to pay close attention to every site that crosses our radar. By looking for the following essential features, it’s easy to separate the good independent poker websites from the ones you should avoid at all costs.
- Must accept UK players – It’s obvious, but it has to be looked at. We need independent poker sites accepting UK players or they won’t make the list. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at how many international online poker operators do cater to the UK audience.
- Cannot have a UK licence – A casino with a UK licence will not be independent. Therefore, we must find casinos without a UKGC licence that offer poker games for UK players.
- Shouldn’t demand ID verification – One big reason to avoid UK poker sites is that they force you to upload ID verification when joining. So, finding no-verification poker sites will only be beneficial.
- Need to offer good bonuses – Again, another cool thing about new independent poker sites is that they can offer great bonuses and promotions. We’re talking about independent casinos with no deposit bonus offerings for new players, as well as large welcome packages with loads of free spins or bonus funds.
- Must provide secure deposit options – Depositing your money in a safe and secure manner is critical. Too many standalone poker operators cannot promise this, which is why we look for credit card poker sites instead. Having the ability to securely fund your account is a must.
- Must have a good game variety – Finally, standalone casinos for British punters must have a good variety of games to play. We want a wide selection of poker titles, including all the different versions of this popular casino table game.
All of these features are essential, but there are some other features we also like to see. For instance, if we can find independent poker sites not blocked by GamStop, then that’s a huge positive. Everything we have just covered will be taken into account when forming our list, letting us display independent poker websites you can trust.
Our Top Sites For Independent Online Poker UK
We are confident that all the independent online poker operators on our list will be worth joining. Nevertheless, we appreciate that you don’t have time to go through every single one and read the reviews. So, to make things a bit easier, here are five of the top independent poker sites that accept UK players, picked by our expert team:
Richy Reels Poker
At Richy Reels Poker, you’re treated to a wide range of player-friendly features to enjoy independent online poker. To start, there are dozens of really fascinating poker games available to play. This includes classic varieties like Texas Hold’Em, plus some unique online variations. A big welcome bonus on your first couple of deposits helps fund your account, while you even get 10 EUR for verifying your email address. There’s a lot to love, and new players can use a no-deposit bonus to try the site for free.
Lucky Barry Poker
Lucky Barry Poker is somewhat new to the scene, yet offers friendly live tables and a host of online poker games for UK players. A minimum deposit of 10 EUR immediately catches your eye, meaning it won’t cost a lot to fund your account. As far as standalone poker operators go, this one is extremely player-friendly. You can access multiple forms of player support whenever you need help, and it’s got some of the best payouts of all independent poker sites.
Twister Wins Poker
Twister Wins Poker offers a whirlwind of independent online poker fun for UK players. It’s free from all UKGC regulations, meaning it accepts GamStop players! A whopping 525% bonus package is available when you join, which is easily one of the biggest out there. You have tonnes of fun poker games to play, including Caribbean Poker and Poker Roulette. There’s even a live casino section where you can play poker with a live dealer.
SlotoNauts Poker
SlotoNauts Poker is one of the many new independent poker sites you’ll find these days. Don’t be fooled by its youth; this site has already been reviewed by loads of UK players, all of which have great things to say. Live poker and 3D online poker are both available, plus a string of different online casino games to explore. Wealthy welcome bonuses are on offer and there is a fun community on the site. It’s well worth considering, particularly if you’re after independent online poker for GamStop players.
Twinky Win Poker
We’re big fans of Twinky Win Poker because it gives you all the features you hope for from standalone poker operators. To start, it’s run by a really trusted company that’s been around for a very long time. Next, it has a low-wagering bonus, meaning you could actually get something out of your free funds. 24/7 live chat always keeps you supported and the banking methods are swift and secure. Add a range of fun poker games to this and it’s no surprise that so many UK players recommend this site.
The Newest Independent Poker Site For March 2023
Rabbit Win Poker
When it comes to non-UK poker sites, there are new ones popping up almost every day. At Casino Wise, it’s our job to ensure that you see the newest independent poker sites that are worth joining.
This is why we have a monthly feature where a new independent site is singled out. For this month, Rabbit Win Poker is in the spotlight.
Here, you have a brand-new independent online poker site that accepts UK players and has a wide range of fine features. Some of the standout ones include:
- A generous welcome bonus
- A wide selection of fun poker games
- No GamStop restrictions
- Very fast deposit methods
- Easy withdrawal methods
- SSL encryption for your safety
- Good player support
For a full list of features – along with everything else there is to know about this site – check out the full review by our team.
Things To Know About Standalone Poker Sites UK
Number of independent poker sites | 25+ |
Number if independent poker sites without GamStop | 60+ |
UKGC licence | No |
Banking options | Credit Cards, E-Wallets, Crypto Wallets & Bank Transfers |
Indepedent casino locations | Offshore, Europe, USA & Internationally |
There are many advantages to using independent poker sites. Before you join one, it’s useful to know what you stand to gain by choosing one of these sites. Similarly, it’s handy to see the other side of the coin. Pros and cons exist, but it’s up to you to decide which ones outweigh the others. At Casino Wise, we always present a fair view of things, so here are all the pluses and minuses of independent online poker rooms:
The Benefits Of UK Independent Poker Sites
- Freedom from the UKGC – This is the big advantage and it means you can gamble without any UKGC rules of regulations getting in your way. The majority of the time, independent poker sites are also casino sites not registered with GamStop. So, you have a way around this scheme’s self-exclusion rules as the casinos are not registered in the UK!
- Enjoy more lucrative bonuses – Furthermore, standalone poker operators have a tendency to offer more lucrative bonuses. This includes bonus funds for you to use on poker games, and it also includes free spins no deposit not on GamStop bonuses for other games.
- Easy to join multiple sites – Thanks to the easy registration process without verification, you can join sites in seconds. This gives you the ability to join as many independent poker sites as you want, taking full advantage of the array of welcome bonuses.
The Downsides Of UK Independent Poker Sites
- You miss some of the best banking methods – Using your credit card/crypto is great, but independent poker websites miss out on some popular banking methods. You can’t use PayPal, mobile payments or pay-by-phone bill at these casinos.
- Less help if you’re vulnerable – Those of you with a history of bad gambling habits must remain cautious when playing standalone online poker. Less help is available when you’re struggling and losing money. At UK online casinos, the UKGC makes operators step in when bad habits are noticed, restricting you from placing bets. You don’t get that at standalone poker sites.
- Some issues with customer support – If the live chat function on an independent poker site doesn’t work – or manage to help you – then you may face customer support issues. A lot of the sites we review are based offshore or overseas. Therefore, customer service hours differ to the ones in the UK. Keep that in mind if you need help!
Alternatives To Independent Poker Sites For UK Players
You’re enjoying your time at the various UK independent poker sites, but you fancy a bit of a change. You’re all pokered-out for now, so what are the alternatives? Instead of poker, you can explore:
- Independent slot sites – Slots are always hugely popular, particularly at independent online casinos. You’ll find thousands of games to play online, literally, thousands!
- Independent bingo sites – Bingo is another massively sought-after online casino game. It’s easy to play, but the winnings can be huge.
- Independent bookmaker sites – Any sports fans out there will rejoice with the knowledge that independent sports betting sites exist. Place your bets on a range of sports throughout the year.
FAQs About Independent Poker Sites
What is an independent poker site?
An independent poker site is an online casino website that offers poker games for people to enjoy. It’s independent as it operates outside of the UK and does not have a UK licence. Instead, the casino will be licensed by an independent regulatory body, offering more freedom with good regulation.
Are there any independent poker sites in the UK?
No, there are technically no independent poker websites located within the UK. This is because any site offering online gambling in this country requires a UKGC licence. Instead, independent poker websites are located in different countries, though they can still be accessible from the UK.
Is it illegal for UK players to use independent online poker websites?
No, it is perfectly legal for a UK player to use and join an independent online poker site. There are no laws or rules stopping you from doing this, and the sites are completely safe.
Are independent poker sites safe?
Yes, independent poker sites are very safe for you to use. There are no security concerns to worry about as they’re still regulated and come with top-notch cybersecurity measures, such as SSL encryption.
Can I find independent online poker rooms that aren’t on GamStop?
Yes, you will find a whole host of independent poker websites that are not affiliated with GamStop. Most of the sites we review will not need to comply with GamStop restrictions, meaning you can use them if you are currently part of the scheme and self-excluding from UK casinos.
Are all standalone poker sites GamStop-free?
No, you can come across standalone poker operators that still cooperate with the GamStop scheme despite not having a UKGC licence. For instance, casinos with a Malta iGaming licence will still be part of this scheme. Be sure to check our reviews to see which sites are GamStop-free if this is important to you.