How to bypass gambling blocks?

There are countless different online casinos around the world, each with its own particular strengths. That said, some online casinos aren’t accessible from certain locations. New Zealand currently has a policy requiring New Zealanders to play only at New Zealand-licensed companies. 

Even so, plenty of players want to play abroad for things like cryptocurrency payments and bonuses. Despite the restrictions, there are quite a few ways to get around gambling blocks. We’ll cover these in more detail in this article.

Most popular ways to bypass gambling blocks

There are several popular methods that allow players to bypass gambling blocks. Players can choose from options such as using VPN, changing DNS servers, or bypassing using Proxy Servers. We’ll discuss all these methods.

VPN usage

Using a VPN to get around gambling blocks is probably the most popular method, since a lot of people already use a VPN for their everyday needs. The way a VPN works is very simple. You just need to install one provider’s VPN app, and it lets you change your IP address. For example, while in New Zealand you could choose a German IP address, which would let you access online casinos that are available in Germany but not in New Zealand. 

Players often wonder whether using a VPN is legal, so we can give a clear answer. Yes, using a VPN is completely legal, and a VPN even provides greater online security and anonymity, which should matter to every internet user these days.

Changing DNS servers

Changing your DNS server is still one of the most effective ways to get around gambling blocks. With this method, a player changes their internet provider’s (ISP) default DNS servers to alternative ones, which stops sites from being blocked. DNS stands for Domain Name System, and works like an address book for the internet. 

The DNS system converts the site addresses a player enters into IP addresses. Internet providers often restrict access to certain sites using DNS servers, but by switching to alternative servers – for example, Google DNS at 8.8.8.9, 8.8.4.4 or Cloudflare DNS at 1.1.1.1 – these restrictions can easily be avoided. 

It’s worth noting that changing your DNS is a completely legal and safe way to access blocked sites. Unlike a VPN, DNS doesn’t change your IP address, but it does let you get around restrictions set by your provider. What’s more, changing your DNS server doesn’t affect your internet speed, whereas using a VPN usually slows things down a little. 

Proxy servers

Another alternative that lets you get around gambling blocks is proxy servers. These servers act as an intermediary between a user’s device and the internet. Proxy servers forward requests to another server, which may be located in a different country. 

Proxy servers let you hide your real IP address, so players can access blocked sites, since a proxy server makes it look like you’re connecting from somewhere else. Proxy servers come in free and paid versions. 

Free proxy servers are publicly available, but they’re usually fairly slow and carry a bit of a security risk. Paid proxy servers, on the other hand, are considered much safer, faster, and guarantee a far more stable connection with no hiccups. 

Alternative ways to access gambling sites

We’ve discussed the main methods for bypassing gambling blocks, but there are more approaches that can serve as additional alternatives to avoid restrictions. We present several main alternative methods.

Mirror site addresses

One of the simplest ways to get around gambling blocks is through mirror site addresses. These are clones of websites that can be accessed through different addresses – domains. 

For example, many foreign gambling companies are blocked in New Zealand, but companies that still want to operate there often maintain more than one mirror address. This method is very simple, since all you need to do is find an alternative site address, and you’ll be able to use the online casino’s services successfully. 

It’s likely that after a while the mirror address you’re using will stop working, but then you’ll just need to find another mirror address, and you’ll be able to use the online casino’s services as usual. Mirror servers themselves aren’t illegal, so there’s no need to worry about that. The most important thing is simply to choose a safe, reputable gambling company.

Mobile applications

Another way to reach the online casino you want and get around gambling blocks is using mobile apps. Plenty of online casinos have their own apps, so all you need to do is find and install them. 

That said, you often won’t find these apps on the App Store or Google Play, but you can find information about them on the gambling sites themselves, on forums and so on. Once you’ve downloaded the app, you’ll be able to enjoy the online casino experience without any issues, since blocking the app itself is technically very difficult. What’s more, an app naturally guarantees faster performance than a website, and is usually a more convenient option too, so this can be a solution that not only helps you get around gambling restrictions but also improves the gaming experience itself.

Why are gambling companies blocked?

Gambling companies are blocked due to legal restrictions. Countries want players to gamble only within that country’s jurisdiction and follow that specific country’s laws, and this also helps them control the taxes they collect from gambling. Only companies holding a New Zealand licence are allowed to operate in New Zealand, with the main stated reason being consumer protection. 

That said, this kind of blocking policy draws plenty of criticism both in New Zealand and abroad, since it reduces players’ freedom of choice and takes away their ability to use certain services at their own personal risk. 

For example, bonuses are prohibited in New Zealand for both casino and sports betting, whereas at most foreign companies bonuses are entirely legal. By building bonuses into their playing strategy, a player has significantly better chances of winning, but in New Zealand this alternative currently isn’t available. 

Do gambling blocks work?

Gambling blocks partly work, and partly don’t. According to official statistics, around 25 percent of New Zealand gamblers play at foreign online casinos. Unofficially, this figure is thought to be even higher. If gambling blocks didn’t exist at all, foreign companies would have an even bigger influence. 

On the other hand, the fact that so many players ignore the restrictions and keep looking for ways to play at foreign sites shows that users aren’t satisfied with the conditions offered in the local market, which pushes them to look for alternatives. 

Summary

Gambling blocks are enforced in plenty of countries around the world, including New Zealand. Despite these gambling blocks, there are still plenty of ways to easily play at foreign companies that accept players from New Zealand. 

The most popular ways to get around gambling blocks are these – using a VPN, changing your DNS server, and proxy servers. But there are other alternative methods too, which are also fairly simple and popular. Most sites have mirror addresses, which make it easy to reach the online casino you’re interested in, and blocked sites can also be played through their mobile apps. 

Gambling companies are blocked on the grounds that it protects players, but usually it’s the players themselves who end up losing out, since it reduces their freedom of choice. Statistics show that despite the gambling blocks, plenty of players still choose to play abroad, which shows that foreign companies manage to offer more competitive gambling terms.