Using a VPN at online casinos
Online casino users often use a VPN – a virtual private network connection. This is because some casinos aren’t accessible from certain locations.
For example, many foreign gambling companies are blocked in New Zealand, but they can easily be reached using a VPN. In this review we’ll talk in more detail about playing at a casino with a VPN.
What is a VPN and how does it work?
To use a VPN for playing at a casino, you first need to know and understand what a VPN actually is. Once you understand how a VPN works, it’s easy to see why people use a VPN for playing at online casinos.
VPN veikimo principas
A VPN works on a very simple principle. Using a special VPN app, such as NordVPN, SurfShark and so on, any user can change their IP address to that of another country. This not only opens up more options, but also encrypts personal data and provides much greater anonymity. Changing your IP address with a VPN gives you access to sites that are blocked in a specific country.
Why do people use a VPN when playing at a casino?
Players use a VPN for gambling for a few key reasons. First of all, a VPN lets you access online casinos that don’t operate in the player’s country of residence. For New Zealanders, for example, this makes it possible to play at casinos that offer bonuses, loyalty programmes, and the option to pay not just by bank or payment card but also with cryptocurrency.
Using a VPN also usually gives you access to far more games, since games may only be certified in certain countries. What’s more, using a VPN ensures anonymity, so your internet provider can’t see that you’re visiting gambling sites.
The advantages of using a VPN when gambling
Using a VPN at an online casino has a few strong advantages that players really value. These are getting around geo-blocking, greater anonymity and privacy, secure payments, and better offers and bonuses. We’ll cover each of these.
Getting around geo-blocking
Some casinos are blocked in certain countries or regions. For example, in New Zealand you’re formally only allowed to play at online casinos holding a New Zealand licence. Even so, plenty of foreign casinos accept New Zealand players and offer them far more competitive terms. Direct web addresses for these sites are blocked in New Zealand, but the sites can easily be reached using a VPN. All you need to do is change your IP address to that of a country where the online casino you’re interested in successfully operates without any restrictions.
Greater anonymity and privacy
Anonymity and privacy online matter to everyone. Plenty of users don’t want anyone to know about their interest in visiting online casinos. In that case, using a VPN is a great alternative, since VPN apps hide your online activity. This way, neither your internet provider nor the gambling sites themselves can identify your real location.
security making payments
Internet users often feel uneasy making payments online. When payments to an online casino are made using a VPN, the data is completely secure, since encrypted VPN connections ensure that personal and financial data stays protected. What’s more, foreign casinos accessible via a VPN often offer alternative payment options that are completely anonymous, secure, and cheaper too. For example, in New Zealand you can’t make payments to an online casino using cryptocurrencies, whereas abroad such payments are not only available but even encouraged. In that case, banks or other financial institutions won’t find out about your financial transactions related to gambling.
Better offers and bonuses
In New Zealand, any type of casino bonus or other promotional offer is currently strictly prohibited. In our country, any bets or spins can only be made using real money, and it’s the player who loses out most from this, since using bonuses can be a big part of a playing strategy. Compared with New Zealand casino operators, foreign online casinos have a competitive advantage, since they can offer their users plenty of bonuses – welcome packages, loyalty bonuses, weekly cashback, the chance to take part in tournaments and more. Online casino users who use a VPN can access all of these options.
The downsides of using a VPN for casino gaming
Despite the many advantages of a VPN, playing at online casinos with a VPN also has a few downsides. We’ll briefly cover them.
Breaching casino rules
Some online casinos clearly state that using a VPN on their site is prohibited. If such casinos detect a VPN connection, or notice you repeatedly logging in from different countries, they reserve the right to unilaterally block a user’s account. On the other hand, some online casinos specifically state that using a VPN is allowed, so it’s worth checking this factor before choosing a casino. If you choose an online casino that tolerates VPN use, you’ll be able to play without any issues.
Slower internet speed
Using a VPN usually makes your internet connection a little slower. This usually isn’t very noticeable, especially in countries where the VPN provider has plenty of different servers. That said, in some cases the effects of a slower connection can be a bit annoying. For example, if the connection starts lagging while a player is playing live casino games with real dealers, poor internet quality can worsen the gaming experience itself.
More complicated payments
Some casinos, in order to add extra protection against VPN use, may require payments to be made only from institutions registered in the same country where the account was registered.
This can be a bit of a problem when a user wants to make a bank transfer. On the other hand, plenty of alternatives exist. Online casino players who use a VPN often make payments using cryptocurrencies. This not only makes the process easier but also guarantees complete anonymity.
Is it legal to play at an online casino with a VPN?
Using a VPN itself isn’t an illegal process, and in most cases it’s fair to say that playing at an online casino with a VPN is genuinely legal. That said, a lot also depends on the casino itself. Every online casino has different internal rules defining VPN use. In some places it’s considered completely legal, in others it’s prohibited.
It’s important to understand that casinos that don’t want to accept VPN players can block your account, in which case you risk losing your money. Because of this, it’s always recommended to choose an online casino that accepts VPN players and states this publicly.
Summary
Playing at a casino with a VPN is a great, popular alternative that helps you reach far more online casinos. But to play at an online casino with a VPN, you first need to understand exactly how a VPN works and know what benefits you can gain from playing at an online casino with a VPN. First of all, playing at an online casino with a VPN helps you get around company blocks and reach online casino sites that aren’t accessible in your location.
What’s more, playing at an online casino with a VPN ensures greater anonymity and privacy, and also makes it easier to make payments and claim bonuses that are prohibited in New Zealand. Playing at an online casino with a VPN also has a few downsides – some casinos treat VPN use as a breach of casino rules, and using a VPN can also make the online casino run a little slower. As for the legality of using a VPN at online casinos, it’s completely legal, but the specific situation depends on each online casino’s internal policy.