The VPN Dilemma: Can You Use a VPN to Gamble Online?
Gambling is a widely spread phenomenon, and more and more people have either already started playing or are thinking of beginning to gamble. This interest stems from the multitude of casinos launched on the market each month. Of course, they are trying to promote themselves, so they are releasing all kinds of attractive bonuses.
Because not all countries allow gambling, people have found a way to still do what they want, meaning to play at a casino. They do this using a VPN, and, sadly, most of the time, they don’t even consider that they’re choosing an offshore casino with a weak license. A better option is to visit affiliate sites and look for casinos that they can actually play at and are safe.
The following paragraphs of this article will analyze why players use VPNs, why it’s risky for them, and why it’s not such a great option as people think.
VPN use in online gambling
This April, UKGC published its latest update on illegal gambling trends, which included a rise in the use of VPNs. The problem with this is that it makes measuring the black market harder. It is already hard to fully capture the behavior of the black market, and now the use of VPN makes the web traffic data unreliable.
UKGC has to use other indicators, as basic geolocation checks are no longer enough in an environment where location spoofing tools like the VPN are so widely used. Besides that, VPN providers are making progress in their technology so fast that detection methods can’t keep up.
Why players try to use VPNs
The simplest and most straightforward reason why people use VPN to play on gambling sites is that the countries in which they live don’t allow gambling. Not having access to this type of entertainment prompts them to use VPNs to access casinos in other countries.
Moreover, many online casinos limit access in certain regions due to licensing regulations. Instead of attempting to bypass these restrictions through a VPN, players can visit SlotsCalendar to find licensed operators available in their countries without the financial exposure that comes with accessing offshore casinos.
Then, other gamblers might use a VPN to access region-specific bonuses that they can’t get in any other way, and they find them favorable. Some of them simply want to be anonymous while playing, and others have solid reasons to use a VPN when traveling to access their verified account from a licensed casino.
Either way, more and more people started using VPNs after the implementation of the Online Safety Act.
Why it’s risky
Most players who access casinos from other countries through VPN don’t realize how risky it can be for them. Or if they do know the risk that they put themselves under, they most likely don’t care that much about the outcome, because they’ll simply move on to the next casino, and maybe there they will have more luck. The following sections will present some of the most common risks associated with using a VPN at a casino.
Account/winnings void
One of the main risks is the potential legal or financial consequences a player may face. If the casino notices someone is using a VPN, they can confiscate the player’s bonuses or winnings, suspend or permanently ban the account, and the user will lose the deposited funds and face withdrawal restrictions. Another thing that can happen is the casino blacklisting the player across multiple platforms.
T&C breach
Most casinos will specify on their site or even in the T&Cs of their bonuses that there is a list of restricted countries. If the player’s country of origin is one of those mentioned there, then that is a T&C breach. That is why it’s essential to check the information casinos provide really well, to make sure they are not breaching any conditions.
No legal protection
Gamblers must note that if they decide to play at casinos outside their country using a VPN, authorities such as the UKGC, MGA and others will not be able to legally protect them, as they are not part of that regulated country. Ideally, nothing should happen that would require legal protection. But it’s always a better option to be safe than to worry later.
For example, if a player doesn’t receive their winnings from the casino, they can file a complaint with the UKGC. They also have to be careful of authorities such as Curacao, Costa Rica, Anjouan, Kahnawake and others because they are offshore, have less strict rules and don’t offer much legal protection.
KYC blocks withdrawal
If someone is planning on making a withdrawal at a casino outside their country using a VPN, then they must think again, because a withdrawal requires completing the KYC process. As a reminder, KYC involves providing personal documents, such as an ID, which is direct proof of the country of origin. If someone is traveling, they have to contact customer support and explain the situation.
Why it’s not the loophole some think
Besides the previously mentioned risks, which should be a clear sign that using a VPN is far from a great idea, there are other reasons that should make players question the benefits of such a tool.
For example, gamblers who used VPNs to access different casinos noticed delays, especially when accessing live sports, casino tables using a live dealer, playing slots with community features, or taking part in games like poker. Even worse, some encountered closing betting windows, lagging streams or friction during compliance checks, resulting in a degraded overall experience.
Conclusion
VPN is a great tool for safety, privacy, cybersecurity and for accessing diverse platforms when abroad or in other situations, but not for gambling at casinos that don’t even allow some players. Checking the casino beforehand to see which countries are eligible is a must.
Also, many other gambling platforms (outside the UK) offer advantageous bonuses, making it not worth using a VPN for an overseas casino due to T&C breaches, KYC blocks, the risk of voided winnings, and the absence of legal recourse.