How to bypass gambling blocks?

There are plenty of different online casinos around the world, each with its own particular advantages. That said, some online casinos aren’t accessible from certain locations. South Africa currently follows a policy requiring South Africans to only play at South African-licensed companies. 

Even so, plenty of players want to play abroad because of things like crypto payments and bonuses. Despite the restrictions, there are quite a few ways to get around the 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 plenty of people already use a VPN for their everyday needs. How a VPN works is very simple. You just need to install a particular provider’s VPN app, and it lets you change your IP address. For example, while in South Africa, you could choose a German IP address, and in that case you’d be able to access online casinos that are available in Germany but not in South Africa. 

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 guarantees greater safety and anonymity online, which should matter to every user nowadays.

Changing DNS servers

Changing your DNS server is still one of the most effective ways to get around gambling blocks. With this method, the player replaces their internet service provider’s (ISP) default DNS servers with alternative ones, letting them access sites that would otherwise be blocked. DNS stands for Domain Name System and works like an address book for the internet. 

The DNS system converts the website addresses a player enters into IP addresses. Internet providers often restrict access to 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, you can easily get around these restrictions. 

It’s worth noting that changing your DNS is a completely legal, 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 your connection down slightly. 

Proxy servers

Another alternative that lets you get around gambling blocks is proxy servers. These servers act as intermediaries between the device you’re using and the internet. Proxy servers send your requests to another server, which can be located in a different country. 

Proxy servers let you hide your real IP address, so players can access blocked sites, since, with the help of a proxy server, they’re connecting from a different location. Proxy servers come in both free and paid versions. 

Free proxy servers are publicly available, but they’re usually fairly slow and carry a bit of a safety risk. Paid proxy servers, on the other hand, are considered considerably safer, faster and guarantee a much 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 mirror site addresses. These are clones of websites, accessible via different addresses – domains. 

For example, plenty of foreign gambling companies are blocked in South Africa, but companies that still want to operate in South Africa often have 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 successfully use the online casino’s services. 

It’s realistic that the mirror address you’re using will stop working after a while, 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 gambling company with a good reputation.

Mobile applications

Another alternative for reaching the online casino you want and getting around gambling blocks is 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 similar. Once you’ve downloaded the app, you’ll be able to enjoy the online casino experience without any hitches, since blocking the app itself is technically very difficult. What’s more, an app itself guarantees faster performance than a website, and is usually a more convenient alternative too, so this can be a solution that not only helps you get around gambling restrictions, but also improves your gaming experience.

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 is also meant to control the taxes states collect from gambling. Only companies holding a South African licence are allowed to operate in South Africa, and the main reason given is the goal of protecting consumers. 

That said, this kind of blocking policy receives plenty of criticism both in South Africa 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 South Africa for both casino and sports betting, while at most foreign companies bonuses are completely legal. By building bonuses into their gaming strategy, a player has considerably higher chances of winning, but that alternative currently isn’t available in South Africa. 

Do gambling blocks work?

Gambling blocks work, to some extent, and don’t work, to some extent. According to official statistics, around 25 percent of South African gamblers play at foreign online casinos. Unofficial estimates suggest the real figure could be even higher. If gambling blocks didn’t exist at all, foreign companies would have an even bigger presence. 

On the other hand, the fact that plenty of players ignore the restrictions and keep looking for ways to play at foreign sites shows that users aren’t satisfied with the terms offered by the local market, driving them to look for alternatives. 

Summary

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

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

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