What are VPN Friendly Casinos?
VPN-friendly casinos will allow you to access their games, bonuses and services using a Virtual Private Network system. Certain casinos will straight-up restrict your activity if you’re not in one of their targeted locations, so finding the right casino that allows VPN usage is essential. These can be international or European online casinos, the important aspect of them is their functionality in multiple countries.
A VPN is, to put it simply, software that encrypts your internet connection and reassigns it to a server in another location. This way, you can hide your location and safely access casinos that are not available in your area. It’s a known fact that you can get exclusive free spins offers or other bonuses with VPNs as well because they tend to differ in each country.
Paid VPNs
Paid VPNs are services that require a subscription fee. In exchange, they offer more advanced features such as stronger encryption protocols, larger server networks, better speeds and more reliable security. Most paid VPNs have strict “no-logs” policies, ensuring your online activities are not tracked or recorded.
Paid VPNs have more reliable connections than their free counterparts. You’re less likely to experience slow speeds or bandwidth limitations, which is crucial for activities like online gaming.
During our tests, our editor, Anca Iamandi, noticed that the streaming quality was superior using paid VPNs while playing live games, and there were little to no interruptions. When you’re in a blackjack or roulette game, everything needs to be real-time for the best experience.
Similarly, slot sites with graphic-intensive games loaded quicker when we used a premium VPN compared to their free version counterparts, which often required reloads and even logging in on the casino site again.
Free VPNs
Free VPNs won’t charge you for their services. They still offer the basic features of a VPN, such as IP address masking and some level of encryption. Still, they often have limitations in speed, server availability and more advanced security features.
The major drawback of free VPNs is their compromises in security and privacy.
Some free VPNs have been known to track user data only to sell it to third parties later. Free VPNs generally have fewer servers and lower bandwidth, leading to slower connections. This is a significant disadvantage because online gambling requires a stable and fast internet connection.
Browser-based VPNs
Browser-based VPNs are just extensions (or add-ons) for web browsers that provide the basic functionalities of a VPN. They only secure the traffic going through the respective browser, so not all the data sent from your device will be encrypted.
Browser-based VPNs are more convenient and often come at low prices or no cost at all, but they provide a lower level of security compared to full-fledged VPN services.
Most casinos you’ll visit won’t treat a browser VPN connection differently, but your connection can be slower, and you might not be able to access any casino you want this way.
An important difference is that you can’t use the desktop or mobile versions of casino apps with this method.
If you want to use a mobile browser with a VPN extension, the process is not as easy, and your experience depends on the device and the browser you’re using – most mobile extensions have compatibility issues, so we don’t recommend this method.
5 Tips to Pick The Best VPNs For Online Casinos
When you pick a VPN to access online casino platforms, there are several key factors you must consider for an optimal experience:
- Speed & Reliability
A VPN needs to provide you with a constant, high-bandwidth connection. When playing in online casinos, you want your games to load quickly and your bets to be fast and reliable. Live dealer games also need a high-quality video stream for the best experience. - Global Server Infrastructure
Before picking a VPN service, check the server availability. For the best experience, you must be able to access casinos from popular iGaming industries such as the EU and UK. - Choose a VPN that allows P2P traffic.
Many new online casinos use P2P networks for their games, so a VPN that supports this kind of traffic is essential for better connectivity and uninterrupted gameplay. - The “No logs” policy is best for privacy
Straightforward “No-logs” policies are also a must. This means that the VPN service you’ll be using doesn’t store any sensitive data and disables any tracking on the casino’s side. - Accepts Casino Websites Traffic
Finally, it’s important to choose a VPN that explicitly accepts casino traffic. Some providers will restrict you from using their services for online gambling. This is not an issue with popular VPNs that are adapted to most user’s needs, but it’s still something to look out for when picking a subscription or a free service.
Quick Guide To Set Up Your VPN For Online Gambling
Choose the right VPN App
As we’ve discussed previously, the VPN app you choose makes the biggest difference. Look for features like high speed, a no-logs policy, and the availability of servers in countries with relaxed online gambling laws.
Download and install
Download and install the VPN application on your device. Most VPNs are compatible with various platforms, including Windows, MacOS, iOS and Android.
Check Your Connection
You can test your connection by visiting familiar websites before going online. As an extra step, you can check your IP address online to make sure it reflects the location you picked.
Start Gambling
Now that your VPN is connected, you can now visit your preferred online gambling sites.
Maintain The Best Security Practices
Always disconnect from the VPN when you’re done gambling. Update your VPN software when prompted to make sure you benefit from the latest security features.
Must-Have Features for Casinos that Allow VPN
When you’re using a VPN for gambling, your casino destination must meet some quality standards as well.
Robust Security Features
Just like any gambling platform, VPN casinos must be up-to-date with the latest security measures. Look for websites that use SSL encryption, two-factor authentication and other advanced (but necessary) security protocols. This way, you’ll keep your data extra safe even when using a VPN.
Wide Range of Games
If you’ve decided to pay for a VPN subscription, the casino you’ll be visiting should have enough games to make it worth it. A wide range of slot games from popular providers is always a good sign. Ripper Casino is a great example here, with over 1800 slots to pick from. A smaller platform like Fair Go Casino is less worth it for slot players, offering just 280 titles.
Live dealer games are also highly popular, so go for options like 21Bet, which has various live rooms from Evolution Gaming.
License and Regulation
The casino you pick has to be licensed and regulated by a reputable authority such as the Malta Gaming Authority or the UK Gambling Commission. A quick web search will tell you if the casino is licensed or not, but you can also find this information on the casino website.
VPN-Friendly Policies
The casino should have clear policies regarding VPN usage. Some casinos might restrict or penalize VPN use, so choosing a casino that explicitly allows it is important. This way, you’ll be sure you won’t face any unexpected account suspensions or other issues.
Fair and Transparent Bonus Policies
Bonuses and promotions are just as important in VPN casinos. In fact, bonuses are one of the main reasons why people access these platforms from different locations. A VPN casino should have fair and transparent terms and conditions for their bonuses, including reasonable wagering requirements and clear rules.
Top Payment Options for VPN Casino Sites
For speed and convenience, you should opt in for e-wallets like Neteller, Skrill or MuchBetter first. Your deposits and withdrawals will generally be processed faster compared to bank transfers or prepaid cards.
Trustly and Revolut will link to your bank account and cards respectively, and have enhanced security features such as disposable cards. However, the transaction speed can be slower.
Overall, e-wallets provide the fastest cashouts, but they’re not as widely accepted as other methods. For online casino transactions, you want to use the fastest methods – but if you’re using a VPN, consider using safer options such as prepaid cards or virtual disposable cards as well.
VPN Recommendations for Accessing Online Casinos
Safety Tips When Using Casinos That Allow VPN Services
Avoid Free or Low-Quality VPNs
Free VPNs don’t implement the latest security measures. Get a reputable, paid VPN service that guarantees legitimate privacy.
Disable VPN for Deposits/Withdrawals
Some casinos could potentially flag transactions made with VPN connections. When making deposits and withdrawals, consider disabling your VPN where possible.
Use Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
If your casino platform supports it, enable 2FA for an added layer of security.
Regularly Change Passwords
Update your casino and VPN account passwords regularly. Use strong, unique passwords for each service to prevent unauthorized access. Never use duplicate passwords.
Read the Casino’s VPN Policy
Read the terms and conditions of the casino to make sure they don’t have rules against VPN usage. Alternatively, you can contact customer support to make sure you don’t break the rules.
Bypassing Geo-Restrictions on Online Casinos
Geo-restrictions in online casinos are a common inconvenience for players around the world. Understanding how they work and how to bypass them effectively can improve your online gambling experience.
How Geo-Blocking Works
Geo-blocking is a technology used by various websites, including online casinos, that restricts user access based on their geographical location. Your IP address indicates your exact location, and casinos will use this data to “filter” their user base. Gambling platforms will implement such rules due to licensing laws, local regulations or other commercial reasons.
If you’re sure that there’s no risk of legal implications, bypassing these restrictions is as simple as turning your VPN on. But remember that you’re still in charge even if you’re covered by a VPN app. This means you should still check the rules before you play at an online casino that blocks users from your location.
Laws Regarding VPN Casinos
The laws surrounding VPN usage vary by country. In general, using a VPN for normal online activities is legal in most places. If online gambling is legal, so is VPN usage in online casinos unless the platform decides against it.
In the US, some states don’t allow online gambling. In most of Europe, Australia and South America, online gambling is perfectly legal and regulated. In contrast, the Middle East and some parts of Asia will prohibit online gambling entirely – so make sure to follow the local laws if you’re using a VPN to gamble from one of these locations.
While free VPNs are less trustworthy in general, paid VPNs won’t protect their users if they engage in potentially illegal activities.
In summary, while VPNs are useful privacy tools, you can still suffer from legal consequences if you access restricted gambling sites and don’t follow local laws.
Best VPN Casinos Pros & Cons
Pros
- You can access restricted casinos that are unavailable in your region
- Your sensitive data and gambling habits are anonymous
- VPNs provide a much-needed layer of security, protecting your personal and financial information
- Players can claim bonuses that are not available in their region.
- Casinos that allow VPNs offer more diverse and anonymous banking options like cryptocurrencies. This allows for faster withdrawals, contributing to overall convenience
Cons
- Not every online casino accepts VPN connections
- Although modern VPNs are fast and effective, you might still encounter network errors during gameplay
- Reliable VPN services come at a cost, adding an extra expense for the user
Why Play at Casinos that Allow VPN? CasinoAlpha’s Verdict
Our senior editor, Anca Iamandi, has tested multiple VPN casinos while trying to find possible ups and downs of this practice. She recommends using a VPN to access online casinos if you’re planning to play on secure and reliable platforms from a country where gambling is legal.
Our findings determined that this is a legitimate method to claim unique bonus offers and to access exclusive slots and live games. Additionally, it’s one of the best methods to keep your personal data extra safe no matter what casino you’ll be playing at.
However, it is very important to know your local laws and gambling regulations, even when using a VPN, and to keep your activity within legal boundaries.
How We Test Casinos That Allow VPNs
- Usability: Our team reviews a VPN casino’s usability by testing first-hand the efficiency of the registration and KYC processes. We check the website’s speed and user experience on multiple devices, desktop and mobile, and by downloading the apps.
- Deposit and Withdrawals: We test all the payment methods used by VPN casinos by depositing and withdrawing as our users would. We verify how long it takes to quickly deposit or get your profits back.
- Slot Games: Our experts test at least 20 slot games from different software providers available at different VPN casinos to see how the games load and function, and the min & max bet the users get to play with.
- Live Dealer Games: We check the collection of Live Games at VPN casinos and test the betting limits, waiting times & dealer interaction. We make sure every element supports you in having a real casino experience.
- Customer Support: Our team tests customer support by talking with them. We reach out to the casino through every method of contact they have to see if they’re available to users by phone, email, live chat, and other options.
- Reputation: For VPN casinos, we ensure the online casino has a solid reputation by researching the casino’s industry experience & product range. We test the services and benefits they provide to international players.
- Legitimacy and Fairness: Our experts research the licensing of VPN casinos and their legitimacy. We check a casino’s certifications from independent auditors like eCOGRA, to find objective data about its RNG and payout rate.
Why Trust CasinoAlpha’s Picks for Best VPN Casinos
Our editor, Anca Iamandi, spent over 30 hours playing at 15 reputable online casinos using various VPN software. She made new accounts and deposited a total of €200 to test the games, managing to withdraw €80 in the end using multiple payment methods.
Additionally, our editor spent 15 hours crafting and editing the final article to make sure the information provided to our users was legitimate and up-to-date.
Our VPN Casino Selection
Our Selection Process | Information |
Number of VPN Casino Bonuses Tested | 14 |
Total Deposits | 20 |
Total Hours Spent Testing | 32 |
Total Withdrawals | 12 |
VPN Apps used | 8 |
Number of VPN Casinos Selected | 10 |