VPNs and Gambling Don’t Mix — Here’s Why Casinos Block Them

In an age where digital privacy is prized and geographic boundaries blur with the click of a button, VPNs have become the go-to tool for internet users seeking anonymity and access.

But when it comes to online gambling, this shield of invisibility can quickly turn into a red flag.

Why? Casinos are not just wary of VPNs — they actively block them. Behind this clampdown lies a complex web of legal, financial, and ethical concerns that challenge the very idea of borderless betting.

If you have ever wondered why your favorite casino site suddenly locked you out while using a VPN, this deep dive will reveal what’s at stake.

Why Use a VPN for Online Casinos?

VPN is an acronym for Virtual Private Network. It is a technology that creates a secure, encrypted connection over a less secure network. A VPN offers some advantages for online casino players. 

At the same time, there are risks associated with it.

So, why should online casino players care?  A VPN doesn’t just shield your internet traffic and conceal your IP address — it fiercely guards your personal and financial data, ensuring your privacy in a high-stakes digital arena.

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But that’s not all. VPNs empower players to shatter geographical barriers, unlocking access to casino games restricted in their home regions. And here’s the kicker: some casinos reward VPN users with exclusive bonuses, while others tempt players in specific areas with special offers.

Savvy gamblers use VPNs to masquerade as locals, seizing these perks from anywhere in the world. Yet, with great power comes great risk—can online casinos notice that players are bypassing restrictions? Let’s find out.

How Online Casinos Detect VPN Usage and Enforce Restrictions

Online casinos detect gamblers who use VPNs in several ways. They often use advanced tracking tools to identify multiple connections from the same IP address.

In other cases, these platforms use their Know-Your-Customer (KYC) information to know when a player uses a VPN. In an instance like this, the registered location and the location when playing are different.

If found using a VPN, these casinos can impose penalties. Some of these include:

• Account closure.
• Withdrawal Issue.
• Legal implications.

At the same time, players might wonder why Casinos ban VPNs. In the next section, we will explain why.

Why Casinos Ban VPNs

Casinos ban VPNs primarily to enforce regional restrictions, prevent fraud, and comply with legal regulations. They do all they can to be VPNs because they sometimes face hefty fines, license revocation, or legal action if they fail to comply with regulations. 

Therefore, banning VPNs helps them control who accesses their platform and ensures they operate within legal boundaries.

• Geographic Restrictions and Licensing: Most online casinos are licensed to operate in specific jurisdictions, with strict regulations about where they can offer services. Since VPNs can mask a player’s location, allowing access from restricted regions violates some jurisdictions’ licensing agreements and gambling laws.
• Fraud Prevention: VPNs can create multiple accounts or bypass identity verification, enabling fraudulent activities like bonus abuse (claiming multiple bonuses) or money laundering. Therefore, casinos use IP tracking to detect and prevent such behavior.
• Security and Fair Play: VPNs can obscure a user’s identity, making it harder to detect bots, hackers, or players attempting to manipulate games or exploit vulnerabilities. Thus, banning VPNs helps maintain a secure and fair gaming environment.
• Regulatory Compliance: Gambling authorities in many countries require casinos to verify the location and identity of players to prevent underage gambling, ensure tax compliance, and adhere to anti-money laundering (AML) regulations. VPNs complicate this process by hiding the user’s actual location.
• Preventing Advantage Play: Some players use VPNs to access games or betting markets unavailable in their region, potentially gaining an unfair advantage. For example, they might exploit differences in odds or promotions offered in other jurisdictions.

Legal Implications: Is Using a VPN for Online Gambling Against the Law?

Legally, using a VPN in a casino carries some implications. However, this depends on the region and the casino’s policies. In this segment, we reveal the legal consequences for players.

While VPNs are legal in many places, including the U.S. and the U.K., some countries frown on them. For example, nations like Russia and China ban VPN use, particularly to bypass government-imposed internet restrictions.

So, in cases like these, casinos block VPN use. Countries like the UAE could fine casinos and players if found using a VPN. This could lead to imprisonment in extreme cases, depending on the country’s laws.

At the same time, not all states in the U.S. allow VPN use for online gambling. For instance, states like Hawaii and Utah consider online gambling illegal.

For example, in 2023, when Congresswoman Taylor Greene disclosed that her daughter’s residence was swatted, retired Sheriff Aaron L. Schulte said it could have been because a casino had detected VPN usage.

“They call from VPN Internet phones that hide the location of the caller. the 911 systems need to be undated with the fake server addresses. The casinos online betting computers can detect fake server addresses now so you can’t use a VPN to bet online in a state where gambling is illegal,” Schulte said at that time.

Therefore, casinos block VPNs originating from those regions. Penalties in a situation like this may include account closure or legal action.

For countries like the U.K., gambling is heavily regulated. So, casinos ensure that they enforce strict restrictions so that players cannot bypass using VPNs to avoid criminal charges.

The Impact of VPN Usage on Withdrawals and Winning

Beyond legal action or ethical concerns, VPNs at online casinos can hurt withdrawals and winnings. Here is a breakdown of how that can play and why casinos ban VPNs.

• Some online casinos refuse to release winnings to players who dare to use a VPN to access their platform. Imagine gambling with confidence, only to discover your hard-earned cash is locked away.
• Using a VPN to gamble can trigger a casino to freeze your account if they suspect you’re sneaking in from a restricted country.

VPN-Friendly Casinos: Do They Exist?

While tons of casinos block VPNs, others allow them. So, yes, they exist. In this section, we reveal some of the VPN-friendly casinos you can find.

However, it is essential to remember that this list does not imply a recommendation to use them, as you need to do your research. That said, these are some of the casinos that allow players to access VPNs without any consequences.

• Betpanda
• Betplay
• Instant Casino
• Coin Casino
• Cryptorino