All over the world, the popularity of VPNs for online casino gaming is at an all-time high. Even if you don’t currently use a VPN, you’ve probably heard of them. Nevertheless, there’s much debate as to the safety and legality of VPNs for online casino gaming.
With this in mind, what follows is a brief overview of the uses of VPNs and whether they’re a good choice for online gambling.
What is a VPN?
VPN stands for ‘Virtual Private Network’ – a relay system that can be used to hide your location when surfing the web. Put simply, VPNs enable you to connect to the web via a remote server in just about any country worldwide. In doing so, the websites and online sources you visit see your location as that of the server you connect through.
In a working example, let’s say you live in the United Kingdom. You want to access a website that’s a restricted to US audiences, so you connect to a VPN server in New York. When you access the website via this server, the website sees your location as within the US. Hence, you’re granted access to the website.
With VPNs for online casino gaming, it’s exactly the same premise. Assuming you cannot gain access to an online casino from your actual location, you can make the casino think you’re located anywhere else in the world. This is why thousands who live in jurisdictions where online gambling is restricted use VPNs for online casino gaming.
What’s the Benefit of a VPN?
Quality VPN software brings various benefits to the table. One of the biggest of which being the ability to access content that may be restricted in your location. Common examples of which may include streaming TV shows and movies, which are often restricted to one or more countries. If you want to watch them from overseas, you need to connect via a server in the country in question. This opens the door to a world of incredible entertainment at the touch of a button.
In addition, VPNs also bring an additional layer of security to your online activities. When you connect to the web via a VPN, your computer only actually connects to the VPN itself. After which, everything takes place via a connection between the website and the VPN. This can effectively safeguard your computer from various digital threats and viruses. In addition, the data sent to and from your device may also be encrypted by the VPN, so your actions cannot be recorded or spied on.
Considering the low costs of monthly VPN subscriptions, these are impressive benefits. VPNs for online casino gaming are readily available for next to nothing, but this doesn’t necessarily mean gambling online via a VPN is a good idea.
Are VPNs for Online Casino Gaming Legal?
As for the legality of VPNs, these kinds of proxies are 100% legal in the vast majority of countries worldwide. By downloading, installing and using a VPN to access the web, you aren’t breaking any specific laws. Even when you access geo-restricted content using a VPN, you’re not breaking the rules.
However, it’s not quite as straightforward when it comes to the legality of your online activities in your jurisdiction. VPNs for online casino gaming can provide access to just about any online casino from anywhere in the world. This includes countries and regions where online gambling is illegal. Even when an online casino specifically excludes gamers from certain countries, a VPN can provide instant and seamless access.
Sadly, using VPNs for online casino gaming in such instances isn’t advisable. For several reasons, bypassing a casino’s geo-restriction protocols can be a recipe for disaster.
The Risks of VPNs for Online Casino Gaming
If online casino gaming is illegal in your jurisdiction, you’re breaking the law by taking part. Even if you use a VPN, you are still accessing content and services that are illegal where you live. Just because you are ‘pretending’ to be somewhere else by using a proxy doesn’t mean you’re allowed to break the law.
It’s important to remember that while a VPN can effectively hide your identity, this doesn’t mean your activities cannot be tracked. In this instance, signing up with an online casino means willingly providing your personal information. After which, it will be obvious to anyone that you broke the law.
Depending on where you live, this could result in penalties or prosecution. But even if you’re not busted by lawmakers at home, it’s unlikely you’ll get away with illegal online gambling.
Using VPNs for online casino gaming makes it relatively easy to sign up and get started. But what happens if you’re lucky enough to win a prize? Let’s say you strike it lucky and score big with a jackpot – what happens next?
The answer – you’ll need to provide proof of identity, proof of location and general verification that you’re eligible to play. At which point, you’ll be left high and dry. The casino will hold onto your cash and refuse to pay you a penny. As your actual location is clearly specified as restricted, you’ll have breached their terms of service and will forfeit every penny.
Where VPNs for Online Casino Gaming Are Useful
Of course, this doesn’t mean that VPNs for online casino gaming are completely without their value. Some digital security experts strongly advise all web users across the board to use VPNs where possible. Providing an extra layer of security, VPNs come particularly highly recommended where online transactions are concerned. Not to mention, any instance where you share your personal information with a third party.
As all of this applies to online gambling, VPNs for online casino gaming can be extremely useful. It’s just that they should never be used to break the law, as it’s highly unlikely you’ll get away with it. Using VPNs to safeguard yourself is one thing – using them to breach a casino’s terms and conditions is something else entirely.