VPN USE and Online Gambling

Are there risks involved?

So, you’ve been watching live slot play online via streaming sites such as YouTube, Twitch and TikTok and you’re wondering how these players are accessing online casinos from restricted countries. The answer – a VPN. While disguising your actual location is not a best practice, some operators tolerate the use of VPNs and while others take extra steps to block them. What is a VPN and how can it be used to access gambling sites? Let’s talk about it.

What is a VPN and Can You Use it to Gamble Online?

A VPN is an acronym for virtual private network. The service is provided by companies such as NordVPN and ExpressVPN and is designed to encrypt your online activity while concealing your IP address with geographic location.

For example, a resident of The United States uses a VPN to appear that they’re located in Canada. This allows the user to register and access online casinos available to Canadians to play Hold and Win slots.

Once you register and download VPN software, it's as easy as selecting a country. Within one click you can appear to be in any country available in the list such as Australia, Canada, Italy or United Kingdom. Users can then register at an online casino available to players within that jurisdiction. Essentially, a blocked player based in the USA can now register at an online casino for Canadian players.

Is it really that simple? Not exactly. During registration, you'll have to provide an address. In terms of banking methods, most VPN users deposit using cryptocurrencies to avoid giving proof of address. It's all a bit risky.

We've focused on online casino registration, but there are also software providers that restrict players in certain countries. The iGaming giant, NetEnt, has a full list of countries it prohibits from accessing its oh so appealing games. A VPN could be used to access blocked games from specific providers as well. Check the casino's T&Cs restriction details.

Can Online Casinos Detect a VPN?

Gambling laws and regulations vary from country to country. Many require new sign-ups to verify their identity, known as the KYC, or Know Your Customer, verification. Documents such as government issued id and utility bills must be provided to confirm your details. With that said, some operators don’t require this and this is how players gain access and play at blocked casinos, especially when using cryptocurrency to deposit and withdraw.

What is GeoComply and How Does it Work?

Since VPNs are used to disguise the location of an IP address, many online gambling operators employ GeoComply software for geofencing and blocking players where gambling or access to specific iGaming services are restricted. Spoofing your geolocation opens casinos up to a variety of risk including violation of iGaming licenses. GeoComply software looks at a variety of data to reveal a user’s genuine location. It can also identify patterns from a single device, such as computer, smartphone or tablet, like numerous users and multiple access locations. Simply put, it can

In terms of online gambling, not only is GeoComply used to combat the use of VPNs, but also to prevent other fraudulent activity related to account takeover and payments. Examples of its use not only extend to one’s country of access but also down to a state level.

Can You Get into Trouble Using a VPN to Access Online Casinos?

While it may be tempting to gain full access to casino games you wouldn’t normally have the pleasure of playing from your home country, we don’t recommend this activity. If a gambling website is blocked in your country, this may be due to local iGaming laws or lack thereof. Also, licensed operators are only allowed to provide online gambling services to the jurisdictions covered by the corresponding license such as UKGC, MGA and others.

Registering at online gambling websites under false pretenses is FRAUDULENT. Most online casinos address the use of VPNs in their terms and conditions. The penalty is losing access to your account, which restricts all activity including cashier access. Ultimately, you lose.

Here are some of the issues you face by using a VPN to gamble online:

Your casino account may be closed
Loss of account balance or winnings
Stricter punishment depending on the jurisdiction and your home country

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