Anyone who actively browses online casino sites has noticed that some of these sites look very similar. In essence, they have the same layout, almost identical promotions, and host the same games. The only difference is the name of the casino and the color palette they use on the website. If you’ve encountered these online casinos, then chances are they are sister sites.
Now you might wonder why this matters, and whether you should trust sister sites. In truth, it’s not that big of a deal if you gamble here. That said, you might want to prioritize those brands without sister sites. For starters, if you want to claim as many free spins no deposit at gamblizard.com then you should make accounts on independent casino sites. So, let’s explain why it is so and discuss the benefits and drawbacks of playing on independent UK casinos.
What Are Sister Sites in Online Gambling?
Sister casino sites are gambling websites that are often operated or managed by the same company. They have the same license and are often identical content-wise. This is quite common in the iGaming space, but it can have some negative connotations. Gamblers are more likely to trust operators who stand behind a single or only a few brands. Managing dozens of websites could be perceived as a rug pull if all of those sites are relatively new.
However, it should be noted that playing on sister casinos can also have its upsides. It’s not uncommon for VIP players to enjoy the same VIP perks across all sister sites. You might also be able to transfer the balance from one account to another, and that can come in handy if one casino has different geographic restrictions.
Why Some UK Casinos Operate Without Sister Sites
Many online casinos that operate in the UK are tied to a big company, but that doesn’t mean they have sister sites. The entire player base uses a single casino, and adding more brands to the mix will simply create confusion.
Another reason is that UK-licensed brands must respect players’ decisions to self-exclude through GamStop. This isn’t the case with independent offshore brands, which have their own internal self-exclusion register. However, if a player wants to restrict his or her access to one casino and that offshore casino has a sister site, the same restriction likely won’t apply to its sister site.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Playing at Independent Casinos
Independent online casinos don’t belong to a major gambling corporation, and they are typically based offshore. Luckily, this doesn’t affect the user experience, as they use the same game providers as bigger casinos:
- NetEnt
- Playtech
- Pragmatic Play
- Evolution Gaming
- Elk Studio
- Microgaming
One of the biggest advantages of using an independent casino is that it’s not on GamStop. In other words, self-excluded players can still play if they feel like it. Additionally, players get access to more bonuses and more competitive odds for betting.
Even with these advantages, many gamblers don’t choose independent casinos. For starters, they are based offshore, so it’s difficult to enforce consumer protection laws. Furthermore, UKGC has stricter licensing requirements than regulators in Curacao, Anjouan, Gibraltar, and Panama. So, UKGC-licensed brands are an overall safer choice. Finally, deposits and withdrawals can be a lot slower on independent casinos, unless you are using crypto.
How to Identify UK Casinos Without Sister Sites
Identifying casinos without sister sites isn’t too difficult. Gambling operators typically have licensing information on the footer of the homepage, which is easy to verify. You just go to the regulator’s site and search their database.
Since the license is issued to the company, you’ll likely find the name of that company in the register along with the name of the casino sites that share the same license. Another way to do it is to go to one of the casino review websites and see if they have a dedicated page for this. So just Google – Casinos with no sister sites.
Licensing and Regulation of Independent UK Casinos
In order to operate legally in the UK, both local and overseas operators need a license. When a company submits a licensing request, it also has to provide documents like the ownership structure, certificate of incorporation, articles of association, management structure, and a memorandum of association. But for overseas companies, the list also includes:
- Operational model map
- Details on their software providers
- System diagram that showcases end-to-end process
- Documents on remote policies and procedures
In some instances, the regulators might ask for the company’s terms of service, AML/KYC policy, business plan, proof of funding, bank statements, or other documents.
Top UK Casinos That Do Not Have Sister Sites
If you would rather use a gambling operator without any sister sites, then here are a few brands for your consideration.
- MrQ – Owned by Lindar Media Ltd, MrQ quickly caught the eye of casino players thanks to its solid live game selection and football-themed games. It became available in the UK in 2018, and it has great no wager free spins bonuses.
- Betfred – A well-known UK casino and sportsbook that has dozens of retail locations across the nation. This industry staple is owned by Petfre (Gibraltar) Limited and it’s been around since 2004.
- Kwiff Casino – Kwiff is a casino managed by Eaton Gate Gaming Limited and it has been on the UK market since 2015/2016. It’s a fine casino and sportsbook operator, with plenty of promos for both.
- Buzz Bingo – One of Buzz Group Limited’s flagship products, Buzz Bingo has a sleek website that offers way more than its name suggests. It launched in 2018, and there are over 1400 casino games that you can play.
- Netbet – An industry veteran that started out back in 2001, and slowly became one of the key players on the market. It’s owned by NetBet Enterprises Ltd, has a great loyalty program, and a great casino and sportsbook section.
All of the mentioned brands are good picks and have positive user scores on sites like TrustPilot. But you should go over the in-depth reviews when deciding where to sign up.
