Why Are There Country Restrictions For Bitcoin Casinos?
Before we delve into how VPNs work at BTC casinos, it’s good to understand why some of these sites may implement country restrictions. Having the full context will make it easier to decide whether you’re comfortable using a VPN, and to balance the pros and cons this technique brings with it.
Country restrictions at some crypto casinos exist due to a mix of legal, regulatory, and security concerns. Let’s break this down further.
- Jurisdictional laws: If you’re asking yourself if Bitcoin gambling is legal, this depends on the laws of your country. Different countries have different laws regarding online gambling and the use of cryptos. Some countries - such as China, Egypt, Morocco and Algeria - have an outright ban on the use of cryptocurrencies like BTC. Others, like Turkey and Singapore, may accept the use of Bitcoin, but have made online gambling illegal. Some BTC casinos won’t offer their services in these countries so as not to fall foul of their laws.
- Anti-Money Laundering (AML) considerations: Many countries have very strict AML laws to prevent money laundering and the financing of terrorism. Bitcoin transactions have the reputation of being harder to trace than traditional fiat transactions - even though in reality every transaction is trackable. For this reason, some countries impose restrictions on the use of cryptos, including at online casinos, to ensure compliance with their AML standards.
- Excessive player protection requirements: Some countries impose a very high standard of player protection measures and limits on gambling spend and on advertising. These are designed to protect players from problem gambling and other risks, but can make it difficult for some BTC casinos to operate efficiently in that jurisdiction.
- Market demand and operational costs: Not all countries have a significant market for online gambling or Bitcoin use, and if the demand is too low a casino may decide to focus its operational efforts on a more profitable market.
- Taxation law: Different countries have different tax regulations regarding gambling winnings and cryptocurrency transactions. In New Zealand, for example, casinos are charged a 12% duty on all revenue from the country. In the UK, on the other hand, the taxation is 21%, so it’s easy to understand why a BTC casino may put geo restrictions on British players.
- Cultural and social factors: Cultural attitudes towards gambling and cryptocurrencies can vary widely. In some countries like the United Arab Emirates, gambling is culturally or religiously prohibited, leading to restrictions on Bitcoin casinos.
Can Online Casinos Detect VPN?
In order to understand how VPNs work at BTC casinos, it is paramount to appreciate that when doing so you’re not actually fooling anyone. When using any VPN, the likelihood is that the casino will detect this, and allow it - or not - as per their policy.
When using any VPN, the likelihood is that the casino will detect this, and allow it - or not - as per their policy.
Some VPN packages do claim to offer undetectable cloaking, however this is not 100% accurate. VPNs work by hiding your actual IP address to make it appear as though you’re logging on from a different address that is acceptable to the casino, however gambling platforms nowadays employ a number of techniques to identify players who are doing this. These include using lists of known VPN IP addresses, tracking suspicious patterns in traffic and flagging IP addresses that are being used by numerous players.
How VPNs Work At BTC Casinos
Onto the technicalities - how VPNs work at BTC casinos. A VPN is also known as a virtual private network, and the name says it all. Think of it as an app that reroutes your internet connection to a country where your chosen casino is operational. It does this by using a server with an IP address in that jurisdiction, so that when you register it appears as though you’re not in a geo-restricted area.
The added bonus is that by doing this you’re also hiding your actual location and making your online activities more difficult to trace or to be hacked. There are various options to consider, both free and against a fee. Naturally, the latter tend to be more reliable.
Popular free VPN options include TunnelBear, Proton VPN and Windscribe. These all come with data limitations, usually up to 10GB per month. Some countries may also be unavailable on the free plans.
If you’re after a more reliable subscription with better data limits, Nord VPN, CyberGhost, and Express VPN are among the most popular. This is how to use them:
- Subscribe to your choice of VPN using the official site.
- Follow the instructions to install the app on your devices, or use the browser extension if available. Most will allow you to use up to 10 devices on the same payment plan.
- Pick a country where your chosen casino is available from the dropdown menu.
- Click on ‘connect’.
- Wait until the VPN informs you that your IP address is hidden and load the casino page.
Should You Use A VPN To Access Online BTC Casinos?
There is no straightforward ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer to this, as it depends on your ethical approach and whether you’re willing to bend the rules to access your chosen BTC casino.
The biggest argument in favor of using a VPN is that it will open up access to sites that you would normally be barred from visiting. Let’s suppose that you’re keen on playing at Justbit.io, but you’re a US or a UK resident. The casino specifically states that residents of these countries are not permitted to play at this gambling site, so if you try to register using your regular IP address there’s a good chance that you’ll be blocked. However, if you use a VPN and set it to one of the permitted countries, such as Malta for instance, you’ll be taken straight to the homepage and allowed to create an account. Before you know it, you’ll be enjoying your favorite BTC roulette or any other games you like.
In some cases you may not be geo blocked from a specific gambling site, but you won’t be able to claim the bonuses due to legal restrictions in your country. Here, too, the use of a VPN will solve the issue and you can pick up your bonus cash or free spins without any issue.
There are other arguments in favor of using a VPN to gamble at crypto casinos. Anonymity tops the list, and some players like to hide their IP address even when they don’t need to. If you prefer to keep your identity private while gambling, a VPN allows you to do just that. Third parties won’t be able to gather any data on your browsing history, you’ll avoid all the targeted ads and no-one will be able to keep tabs on your internet activity.
If you prefer to keep your identity private while gambling, a VPN allows you to do just that. Third parties won’t be able to gather any data on your browsing history, you’ll avoid all the targeted ads and no-one will be able to keep tabs on your internet activity.
One other strong reason for using a VPN is if you habitually use a public or shared Wi-Fi. In this case, using a VPN is a very sensible precaution not only for crypto casinos, but also when accessing any sites that have sensitive information such as your e-mail or online banking. The VPN encrypts your information and reduces hacker vulnerability.
The Disadvantages Of Using A VPN
The above are all compelling reasons why you should opt for a VPN. However, there are also good reasons why you may decide not to. The most obvious one being that this is generally a violation of the casino’s terms and conditions (T&Cs), as not all sites take kindly to players hiding their actual identity.
Using a VPN is generally a violation of the casino’s terms and conditions (T&Cs), as not all sites take kindly to players hiding their actual identity.
Violating the T&Cs of a BTC casino comes with several possible repercussions. You can have your account suspended or you can be permanently banned. Your cashouts may be blocked and you won’t have access to your winnings or your funds. Winnings may even be permanently confiscated.
If you’re using a VPN to access a site where online gambling is illegal, you will also be in clear violation of the law. This can bring with it several repercussions that include fines, depending on the specific laws of your country.
When using a VPN you also won’t be able to complete any Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements as these depend on providing proof of address and identity. Again, this makes it very difficult for you to withdraw any funds.
Even when you reach the payment processing stage, you are likely to find it complicated as most payment providers will detect the VPN and won’t complete the transaction. Thus, for example, if you’re using a VPN to deposit via your credit card, it is very likely that your bank will block you.
Finally, using a VPN does take a toll on your internet connection and you’re likely to suffer from a slow or glitchy experience, or even disconnections, that can ruin your gameplay. This is especially true when playing live dealer tables.
Pros & Cons At A Glance
As you can see, deciding whether you should use a VPN at your favorite BTC casino depends on a lot of factors. To recap, the below simplified pros and cons may help make it easier, but ultimately the decision rests with you.
Pros
- You gain access to geo-blocked BTC casinos
- You maintain anonymity
- You avoid targeted ads
- You can use public WI-FI securely
Cons
- Many casinos prohibit the use of VPNs
- You will have issues satisfying KYC processes
- You may be blocked from cashing out
What Casinos Allow Using A VPN?
As already stated, not all casinos are okay with players using a VPN. Some actively prohibit it in their T&Cs, while others make no reference to it but implement other measures (such as proof of identity) that make it difficult for players to finalize casino transactions using a VPN.
Casinos that operate under notoriously strict gambling licenses are the most likely to outrightly ban the use of a VPN. This is because gambling regulators like the UK Gambling Commission and the Malta Gaming Authorities implement very strict player protection, anti AML and KYC procedures that cannot be respected if players are allowed to use a VPN. Thus, were the casino to allow it, it would be in violation of its license and risk a huge fine, a suspension or even a retraction of the license for repeated infractions.
On the other hand, BTC casinos that follow a No KYC policy are more likely to close an eye to the use of a VPN. JustBit and Betplay.io are two excellent examples. They are in a position to do this because they have far less stringent requirements in terms of proof of identity. Some other No KYC sites, like Bitcasino, will even allow you to use a social media account to register, rather than sharing your actual personal details.
Needless to say, playing at a No KYC site does bring with it an element of risk. While we do carry out extensive testing of the sites we recommend, always be aware that these may be operating in violation of your local gambling laws. Moreover, the lack of regulatory oversight can compromise the level of player protection offered.
It’s also worth pointing out that, while such casinos tolerate the use of a VPN, the emphasis is very much on ‘tolerate’. There is no guarantee that you won’t face problems at any point when trying to withdraw your winnings, should your use of a VPN be flagged as suspicious. In extreme cases you may even be locked out of your casino account.
How Do You Gamble On Stake Using VPN?
When asking how VPNs work at BTC casinos, many US players have sites like Stake.com in mind. This is because the highly popular BTC casino is not accessible in the US if you’d like to play for real money. Players are instead directed to Stake.us, which is the social casino branch of the brand and does not offer real money wagers.
Now, here’s the dilemma. Stake will not block a player who’s located in the US if they’re hiding their location by VPN. However, you’ll still be doing this at your own risk as - should your account be flagged - the casino is likely to suspend or terminate your account. Moreover, even if you manage to avoid this, there is no guarantee that you won’t find obstacles when you’re finalizing withdrawals.
This is because Stake is not a No KYC casino - on the contrary, it’s one of our highly-recommended, Cryptocasinos.com verified sites and it will require proof of identity at some point. This is clearly listed in the T&Cs. If you’re up to chancing it, here’s how to gamble on Stake.com using a VPN:
- Load up your VPN app and choose a country that isn’t the US. Make sure you don’t pick a country that’s on the list of prohibited countries.
- Click on your chosen country and wait until the VPN shows that you’re connected.
- Load up the casino homepage and register or log in.
So, Is It Worth It Risking Using a VPN At a BTC Casino?
Once again, the decision whether it’s worth using a VPN to play games like BTC slots at your favorite site is totally up to you. I’ve explained all the advantages and the disadvantages that accompany the use of a VPN, and I can’t stress this hard enough: you risk having your casino account terminated, and your winnings confiscated if the site flags your account.
However, ultimately the decision is yours. If you are keen enough on playing at a site that’s geo-blocked, you’re more likely to come to the conclusion that the risk is worth it. Your anonymity will be protected, but I urge you to keep an eye on the possible consequences and to always be mindful and play responsibly.