Online casinos have seen a tremendous growth in recent years, which has opened the doors for millions of players from around the world to enjoy casino games from anywhere. However, not every site is available everywhere, and depending on your location, that might be an issue. Rules from licensing bodies, local laws, or just simple geo-restrictions can mean that your favorite casino is blocked in your region.
So, what do you do? You rely on online casinos that allow VPN usage. With just a few clicks, a VPN (Virtual Private Network) can mask your real location (based on your IP) and make it look like you’re logging in from a different country.
Some online casinos allow players to use VPNs, while others ban them. So, before you decide to play at a casino using VIP, we’ll help you out understand the upsides and downsides of playing at casinos that allow VPN.
The Pros of Playing with a VPN
Using a VPN at an online casino isn’t just about sneaking past geo restrictions. Obviously, that’s the primary advantage, but it can actually improve your overall gaming experience. Here’s how:
- Access to Restricted Casinos: If you live in a region where certain casinos aren’t available, a VPN can open the door. You can even play from countries where gambling is not allowed. Or, even if it’s allowed, you can connect to different services. Players in the US., for example, might connect to European servers to try sites not licensed in their state.
- Extra Layer of Privacy: A VPN hides your IP address and encrypts your connection, which adds another layer of protection against hackers, data leaks, or nosy ISPs. This can be a major plus for players who value privacy or don’t want to share their IP with casino sites.
- Protection on Public Wi-Fi: If you’re the type who likes spinning a few slot reels while traveling or sitting at a cafe or a bar, a VPN is a handy option. Public Wi-Fi networks are often vulnerable, but if you use a VPN, your personal information is protected, so there’s nothing to worry about.
- Potentially Better Bonuses: Some casinos offer different promotions depending on your country. With a VPN, players sometimes gain access to better welcome packages or free spins deals that wouldn’t normally appear in their region.
The Cons of Playing with a VPN
For every upside, there’s a potential drawback. Using a VPN at online casinos isn’t always risk-free, and it’s important to know what you’re walking into.
- Potentially Breaking the Rules: Even if a casino allows users to use a VPN in practice, its terms and conditions might say otherwise. If the casino discovers you’ve been using a VPN, it could freeze your account or refuse to pay out winnings. Of course, this is not the case with every casino, and it happens very rarely in practice, but you still need to read the T&Cs to ensure it’s allowed to use a VPN.
- Payment Problems: Deposits and withdrawals often rely on region-specific methods. For example, you might use Flexepin in Australia or Trustly in Europe. However, even though using a VPN might help you log in, you may have problems when trying to cash out. Payment providers usually check your real location, not just your IP address. To avoid these issues, it’s best to use global e-wallets or cryptocurrency.
- Slower Connections: A VPN routes your internet traffic through another server, which can slow things down. So, if you’re playing bandwidth-intensive games like live dealer roulette or poker, even a slight lag can be frustrating.
Should You Use a VPN at Online Casinos?
In general, yes. If a casino accepts players who use VPN, there’s no reason why you wouldn’t do it. The pros heavily outweigh the cons, and it can be an especially useful tool if you want to play at casinos that aren’t allowed in your country. It can help you play at casinos you wouldn’t otherwise access, provide more privacy, and you can even get better bonuses.
However, they have some drawbacks. Although they’re powerful tools, they aren’t magic, and there can be some obstacles. Not every casino accepts players who use VPN, and you need to read the terms and conditions in detail. Also, not every payment method is available in every country, so you need to be aware before you commit to one. Another thing to keep in mind is game restrictions. Some software developers don’t provide their games in certain markets, so, for example, if you want to play Evolution’s hits like Lightning Roulette from Australia, you won’t be able to do it.
If you’re thinking about using a VPN, the smartest move is to check the casino’s policy first. Some sites are more relaxed about VPNs, so if everything checks out, there’s no reason why you wouldn’t use it.
