VPN and online gambling: breaking down geo-blocks and protecting privacy

Gambling is a popular way to pass the time and earn quick money. And because it’s such an assertive hobby, many countries frown upon it. Consequently, this has led to betting regulations on a global scale, bleeding out into the online environment. Yes, it’s paradoxical. The web grants you practically unlimited access, but you still face limitations.

 

The reasons for regulations surrounding online betting vary. Some big gambling platforms may deliberately limit user access regionally for marketing purposes. On the other hand, it’s the government’s concern for preventing dire financial losses for people who get too deep into betting. Either way, the regulations look all the same: limitations or downright prohibition.

Online betting regulations: the basics

In brief, gambling restrictions relate to political, social, and even religious views. Of the 195 countries worldwide, 56 impose legal regulations, and 10 altogether ban gambling, according to PlayToday. That’s not even half of the globe. However, some Western countries fall into the restrictive list.

 

For example, the US treats betting on a state level. Several states, like Texas, California, Georgia, and Oklahoma, regulate online betting and retail sportsbooks. On the other hand, people aren’t putting up with geofences. If they live in an area with anti-betting legislation or travel abroad to a betting-supporting country, they usually rely on a VPN (Virtual Private Network) service.

 

The technology is a popular addition to the arsenal of persistent gamblers. Hence, you can find services that work best with your favourite platform. For instance, a VPN for DraftKings allows you to join the games on the website from anywhere.

What’s a VPN and how does it work?

If you’re unfamiliar with a VPN, it’s a cybersecurity tool. While its primary focus is the protection of user privacy, it became popular as a means of circumventing geographical barriers. Two key ingredients make it successful against betting restrictions. First, a reliable service uses modern AES-256 encryption to conceal all your online activities.

 

Once you connect to a VPN server, all your web traffic travels through a protective tunnel. Not even your ISP (Internet Service Provider) or mobile carrier, let alone gambling websites, can see what you do. Thanks to it, you remain undetected as you, for instance, enter DraftKings with an IP address different from your actual one.

 

A VPN presents a long list of countries to which you can connect. After you pick a country, you get a matching IP address. This allows you to bypass virtual borders and restrictions to gamble however safely and when you desire to.

Not every VPN service works with betting

The catch is that gambling giants are well aware of VPNs. They actively implement and update their detection technologies to identify and deactivate VPN use instantaneously. Basically, your VPN could be detected even if there are no IP or DNS leaks and all is working properly. Thus, not every VPN is suitable for online gambling. Here are the trademarks of a capable one:

 

• Obfuscation. Obfuscated servers or stealth features bolster privacy to a point where a platform can’t detect VPNs.

• Modern tunneling protocols. Protocols like OpenVPN may be reliable but not good enough. The best one is WireGuard, a robust solution that balances out speed and protection.

• Privacy features. Additional perks for bolstering privacy are a must. For example, Double VPN for extra encryption or RAM-only servers for true no-log sessions are solid extras. They may differ with each service, but ensure they have more than the basic features.

Could using a VPN get you into legal trouble?

You may be worried whether a VPN could be illegal software. The short answer is no. The use of a VPN is perfectly legal except in countries with strict surveillance, like China or Iran. What you do, with or without a VPN, determines whether you might face ramifications. Check your local laws to see how online gambling is regarded and what consequences await for partaking in it. Be responsible.

Wrapping up

Online gambling comes with limitations in certain parts of the world. While some countries let people partake in sports betting to their heart’s content, some grab the reins. They limit or prohibit this activity due to possible harm to users who can lose money or become addicted. Regardless, it’s not stopping people.

 

A service like VPN often features on devices of those who don’t comply with betting regulations. This technology protects your privacy in conjunction with IP masking, allowing you to break down virtually all online barriers. However, be mindful not to go against the law in your area lest you wish to avoid consequences, VPN or not.