What is a VPN
VPN stands for Virtual Private Network allowing you to disguise your IP address and completely change your geographical location. Many websites and, in this instance, crypto casinos have geoblocking that only allows IPs from specific geographical locations to access their content. VPNs allow you to mask your real IP address and use one from the allowed locations to access the crypto games or online casinos you want. Purchasing the right VPN though will not upgrade just your crypto gambling experience. It will enable you to access sites and pages you didn't even know they existed. A whole new world.
How can players use VPNs?
A VPN will be highly useful if you are a crypto player online. A reliable one can be useful in the following and many other ways:
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Beating geo-block - Some bitcoin casinos are not available in certain places, while a few others restrict the games you can play depending on your location. A VPN will help you deal with this geo-block by giving you a new IP address from a different location. That way you will be able to access games which weren't available before.
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Safety - Although blockchain technology is very effective at securing crypto transactions, they are still vulnerable to different exploits. A VPN will help secure crypto traffic by encrypting data before leaving your device, making it hard for hackers to decipher. Make sure to hide your IP before you make any crypto transactions as you never know.
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Preventing IP tracking and profiling - Crypto is not 100% anonymous contrary to popular belief. It is possible to track and link a crypto wallet address to a certain IP address. And if you are in a country where the government controls the ISPs, this can lead to profiling. So with an active VPN, you add an extra layer of security to your presence on the web. For additional anonymity while playing make sure you also using the most anonymous cryptos.
Dangers with security
Certain security dangers and risks come with using crypto to play in online casinos when not using a VPN. Here is an overview of the most common ones.
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Phishing attacks - Hackers use phishing attacks to trick you into giving them your personal information, which they can use to access your cryptocurrency. The technique has often been used to steal crypto from wallets, and it is easier to execute if the hackers can see your real IP address as they will know what to target. And so, masking your IP with VPN makes it harder for them as the VPN encrypts all the connections you make to keep your personal information out of reach.
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Data interception - Although blockchain technology provides high data security and anonymity levels, there is still a real risk of data interception if you expose your real IP address when playing with crypto in online casinos. If you do not use a VPN to mask your IP, what you send through the network is not encrypted. And so, the data will be easier to intercept, which poses huge security risks for your crypto.
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Vulnerable offline wallets - Offline crypto wallets are meant to be more secure than online ones, but they are still vulnerable to hacking using tools like remote control spyware. But you can easily provide an extra layer of security for the wallets by using a VPN when playing in online casinos. A VPN can make your offline wallets less vulnerable to such attacks by making it harder for hackers to track and monitor your online activity.
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Exposed cryptographic activities - If you are not using VPN when paying in online crypto casinos, there is a risk that your ISP can see your cryptographic activities, including all the platforms you use. The ISP can then throttle your bandwidth if they think you consume too much data playing with crypto. Throttling your bandwidth means you will have slower internet connections that are not ideal for playing crypto casino games.
Factors to consider when looking for a VPN?
Most VPNs are capable of accessing websites in foreign countries, but not all of them will be suitable for crypto gambling. For that reason, our crypto experts have conjured a list of guidelines on what qualities to look out for in a Crypto VPN for gambling:
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Fast protocols - There’s nothing more annoying than a lagging online casino when you’re in the mood to win. In the past, VPNs have been known to slow down your connection speed. To prevent a slow connection speed, you need to search for a VPN with WireGuard or Point-to-Point tunneling protocols.
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Server network - Crypto casinos have geoblocking for most gambling prohibited countries and if you’re planning on traveling to one of them, you’ll need to use a VPN with multiple servers in different locations. This will enable you to gain access to most crypto casinos no matter your location.
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Security - We’ve just touched on the dangers of using an online crypto casino without a VPN. For all the reasons stated above and more, it’s extremely important to find a secure VPN with features such as ad-blocking, threat protection, tracking protection, malicious sites blocking, and kill switches.
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Privacy - One of the main reasons to use a VPN for crypto gambling is to protect your private information. As such, we recommend using one with 256-bit encryption, DNS leak protection, and no-logging policies.
How to use VPN for crypto gambling
Crypto gambling is usually pretty straightforward and anyone who's used an online casino will be familiar with the process. The problem comes in when a crypto casino is not available in your country and you wish to access the services of the site. Thankfully, VPNs are here to make that possible.
For those that have never used a crypto VPN for gambling, we’ve got you covered. Here is the easiest way to use a VPN:
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Choose a VPN: The first step you need to take is to decide on which crypto VPN provider is best suited for you. Below, we’ve included a list of the VPN service providers we recommend for crypto gambling.
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Download and install the application: Next, download and install the VPNs application on your device. Bear in mind that not all crypto VPNs are for free and you may need to pay a fee.
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Connect to a server: Once you’ve installed the app onto your device, select a country where crypto gambling is allowed and more importantly isn’t banned by the crypto casino you wish to use. Then, connect to one of the country's servers.
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Clear cache and cookies: Before you attempt to access a VPN friendly crypto casino, make sure to clear cache and cookies from your internet browser.
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Register and begin playing: Go to the betting site of your choice, register and account and begin gambling! However, we recommend you only use a crypto casino that is VPN friendly and one doesn’t have any KYC policies.
What about known providers?
Many crypto players will always opt for the more famous VPN providers. But, while these VPN providers are convenient and have some of the highest security standards, they are not always the best option.
First, these well-established VPN providers can be quite expensive. Some will charge up to $15 or more monthly subscriptions, which can be too pricey for many crypto players.
Secondly, these VPN providers often require you to provide personal information such as credit card details when signing up. And so, if you prefer to play anonymously, this may not be possible. Also, these legit VPN providers tend to have too many subscribers, which often comes with issues like slow or poor customer support and inconsistent speeds.
To sum up, and this applies to most industries, known VPN providers can appear like an easy option at first but while using them you will realise that you could have gotten better value for your money.
VPN providers not suited for gambling
If you want to save money and still get a safe and reliable VPN provider for your online crypto casino games, you are better off avoiding the top brands. Here is an overview of some legit VPN providers you should avoid and why.
NordVPN
NordVPN offers some specialty servers with many security options for accessing crypto casinos and other advanced features like an automatic kill switch. However, the VPN provider has some of the most expensive plans in the market and will not be worth it for crypto players online. Also, the VPN has a finicky user interface that most players will not like.
ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is one of the most famous VPNs for crypto enthusiasts and other users. However, like NordVPN, the company charges high monthly subscription fees. Other shortcomings that make it a bad option for crypto players include the fact there is no free trial and only allows for 5 simultaneous connections, which is not good enough for its price.
IPVanish
IPVanish is another popular VPN provider that can help you access almost any crypto casino anywhere in the world. And while it is not as expensive as the others on this list, it is still not the best. The VPN does not have optimized servers, which can complicate things for you, and it has had privacy issues and logging controversies in the past. Also, being a US-based company, you cannot always be sure what they will be obligated to share with the government.
Exception: ProtonVPN
ProtonVPN is one of the few good expensive VPN providers and is a good exception for crypto players online who do not mind spending more on VPN. What makes it worth it is the top-notch security features that guarantee your location and other personal information will never leak. Also, you can use up to 10 devices simultaneously, and the VPN offers excellent speed and is super easy to use.
Alternative VPN providers
Making safe crypto transactions and being able to access crypto casinos should be your top priority when choosing a VPN provider. However, you do not need to spend a fortune to achieve this, as here are some cheaper but still highly secure alternatives:
OVPN
If you’re serious about anonymity, OVPN is your go to option. Unlike other VPN providers, OVPN accepts Bitcoin, Monero, and Ethereum as a payment option. The Crypto VPN providers services are slightly expensive, with their packages starting from around $4.99/month. OVPN’s network consists of 96 servers from 29 countries and includes tons of configuration settings. Also, the OVPN app supports most operating systems and devices. So, there’s no need to look anywhere else!
PIA VPN
Private Internet Access is the ideal crypto VPN for gambling with thousands of servers spread across 91 regions. In terms of affordability, the service provider's plans start from $2.03/month. PIA’s killswitch protects players web traffic even if the VPN fails, and its software is completely open source. In addition, the VPN configuration settings are easy to use and will only take a few seconds to start running.
Hola VPN
If cost is your biggest concern, Hola VPN is your best bet as they have a free plan and their premium plans are still quite affordable, starting from $2.99/month. Besides affordability, the VPN has a kill switch to ensure your real IP will never be detected and delivers consistently high speeds. Also, all the Hola VPN apps are straightforward to use, and it comes with a 30-day moneyback guarantee to ensure you have nothing to lose by giving it a try.
CyberGhost
CyberGhost is an established VPN brand with blazing fast speeds, 256-bit AES encryption, no logs policy, and over 9,000 servers in 91 countries. It’s affordable with 3 payment option plans starting at $2.03/ month and if you’re not satisfied there’s a 45 day free-trial money-back guarantee. Also, CyberGhost employs the latest WireGuard protocols for the most secure and efficient network.
Surfshark
Surfshark is one of the most affordable VPNs that supports crypto trading and gambling, with prices starting at just $2.49/month. Also, the VPN supports unlimited devices to ensure you get even better value for money and uses DNS leak protection and a kill switch to ensure your real IP is never detected. The VPN has several other interesting features like CleanWeb and NoBorders to enhance user experience further.
PureVPN
PureVPN is a fast VPN with over 6500 servers spread across 78 countries, allowing you to change your IP to almost any location. It also uses several security protocols and offers one of the strongest data encryption. Additionally, the subscription for this no-log VPN can be as low as $1.69/month, and one plan will cover up to 10 users, giving you an even better deal.
Crypto casinos accepting VPN usage
Now that you know the best VPN providers for crypto players online, it is also good to know which crypto casinos will allow you to use VPN. There are several casinos accepting VPNs, but the following are some of the most popular ones:
Bitcoin Video Casino
Bitcoin Video Casino is a fully anonymous crypto casino that allows players from anywhere in the world (including the US) to play without registering. And so you have nothing to worry about when playing with a VPN as the casino does not have an issue with this, no matter what game you are playing.
Regarding their game offering, you get all the popular crypto casino options, including blackjack, video poker, roulette, and slots. All the games are provably fair, and the casino offers large BTC jackpots for each game. For example, the current blackjack jackpot is over 3.6 BTC. And players will also love that the casino offers instant payouts when you win.
WildTornado
WildTornado is another Curaçao licensed casino which allows players using VPN to be able to enjoy the perks of their site. There are more than twentu different game providers available making the use of VPN more lucrative to access all their games. Also, the casino is localised for twenty different countries so if for example you are Canadian but based in London, using a VPN on WildTornado will resemble more like home.
Stake.com
Stake.com was established in 2017, and despite being banned in some places, you can still use it as it accepts VPNs. Players also like that Stake has deposit limits to help curb gambling addictions and offers various gambling options from sports betting to slots, table games, and crypto blackjack.
SirWin
Sirwin is owned by Dynamic Group N.V and is a Curaçao licensed crypto casino. Despite requesting a ton of personal information upon registration, the casino is VPN-friendly and oddly doesn’t have any verification processes. Additionally, Sirwin features an abundance of 7,800 traditional casino games, live casino, and a comprehensive sportsbook for crypto bookies.
BC.Game
BC.Game was established in 2017, and offers one of the biggest collections of casino games. In fact, there’s over 10,000 titles, a lottery, bingo, provably fair games, slots, blackjack, roulette, and game shows. Best of all the casino is licensed in Curaçao, supports over 40 cryptocurrencies, and supports the use of VPNs. That said, the casino has an extensive list of banned countries and requires new players to be verified.
Conclusion
A VPN is a must-have for every crypto player online. Besides allowing you to access geo-restricted casinos and games from anywhere in the world, a good VPN is also vital for protecting your crypto wallets from the influx of scammers.
And while your first thought might be to go for the famous top-rated VPN providers, they are not always the best option. These VPN providers have expensive plans, and most will require you to provide personal information meaning no anonymity.
Luckily, there are many cheaper alternatives that still offer high-level security, like Surfshark, Hola VPN and PureVPN, and you now only need to pick what works best for you among them.
