If you’re looking to play at the best crypto casinos, you will almost certainly need to use a VPN. These are essential security tools to help keep your identity hidden from possible hackers and internet service providers. But what exactly is a VPN? And how do you use a VPN once you have obtained one?
Using VPN is very easy and helps keep your internet usage more secure.
We’ll answer these questions and more as we guide you through an overview of VPNs, a list of the best VPNs on the market right now, and how they can help us while playing at our favorite online casinos.
What Is a VPN?
The term VPN is an acronym for “virtual private network.” This is a software tool that you download to your computer or mobile device to enable two primary functions.
- Disguise your IP address
- Change your geographical location
This not only helps to keep your data protected from potentially prying eyes but also allows you to access websites that may be out of your jurisdiction. You will need a paid subscription to a VPN service to access this software, but many offer a free trial, and you can find bonus codes for discounts all over the internet.
How VPNs Work
Once you have downloaded and installed the software to your device, you’ll turn on your virtual private network with the flick of a switch. With your VPN turned on, your personal data is now secured in several ways.
- All data you transmit will be encrypted at the point of origin and will only be decrypted once it reaches the VPN server controlled by the company.
- Your IP address will be masked by the IP address of the VPN server.
- You can choose your geographic location to bypass network blocks and government censorship.
Remember, VPN usage is for more than just security purposes but also for gaining access to content you need to play at the best casinos.
Are VPNs Legal?
Countries in red are where it is not legal to use VPN.
The answer to this question is determined by the country you live in. VPNs are legal in most of the western world.
- United States
- Canada
- The UK
- Australia
- All of Western Europe
- Most of South America
- Most of Africa
However, there is a small list of countries where the usage of VPNs is illegal, and this is important to note.
- Belarus
- China
- Iran
- Iraq
- Oman
- Russia
- Turkey
- United Arab Emirates
- North Korea
- Turkmenistan
Be sure to check your country’s legislation and bylaws before subscribing to or downloading a VPN service.
Using a VPN and Your Anonymity
We’ve already touched on multiple ways you can use your virtual private network tool to help increase your privacy on the internet. This is especially important when using cryptocurrency for financial transactions and using sites that require personal information, such as online casinos.
Be Gone Geo-Blockers
Don’t get blocked from your favorite casino when traveling.
Have you ever tried to access a website and seen a page or pop-up appear letting you know that you can’t access the site due to your geographic location? This happens for a number of reasons due to licensing and government regulations. But with your VPN, you can kiss those days goodbye. Just set your location to a different location, which will disguise your IP address giving you access to the site. Just refresh the page, and you should have access.
Protect Your Crypto
While blockchain technology has worked wonders to increase protection with crypto transactions, it is not infallible. Using a VPN adds an additional layer of protection to keep your IP address hidden from potential hackers. This is especially important for those that reside in countries that track data and internet usage.
Does My VPN Make Me Anonymous?
You might be surprised to hear the answer to this question is no. Using a VPN does not make you anonymous on the internet. What it does do is add an extra layer of protection and anonymity while using the internet. You’ll also need to check the full terms and conditions of the VPN before downloading to ensure it meets your needs.
For example, some virtual private network companies keep logs of who uses it and the payment records of subscribers. Additionally, any account you are logged into has access to your data which may be collected by the VPN server. All of this information can be accessed by governments to track users as needed. So just remember that nothing will make you 100% anonymous, regardless of what some sites and services may claim.
Should I trust free VPNs?
HolaVPN, while a free VPN service, is one provider I would avoid for playing at crypto casinos for these reasons. In fact, Hola’s FAQ on its site states the following.
- “Hola takes up resources from these users’ devices.”
- “Hola is a “value exchange” network – you get limited web browsing in exchange for contributing a certain amount of network and processing power.”
- “Hola is an “IP exchange network” by which users can access all of the world wide web.”
A lot of the above completely defeats the purpose of getting a VPN in the first place. So just be leery of any VPN that claims it’s free.
Top 3 Best VPN Providers for Crypto Casinos
Not all VPN services are equal, so it is important that you get one that actually meets your needs for playing at the best crypto casinos. Here are my top three best VPNs for casinos.
SurfShark
SurfSharks is one of the most affordable VPNs available.
If cost is an issue, SurfShark might be your best choice. You can subscribe to SurfShark’s VPN service for as little as $2.49/month, which includes an ad blocker, two factor authentication, and the ability to use your VPN across unlimited devices. This is great for casino players, as you can use SurfShark on your laptop and mobile devices for gameplay. They are also always running promotional offers where you can get SurfShark VPN for as low as $2.05/month for your first 26 months. So, don’t let cost impact your overall security.
HMA
HMA gives you more geo-locations to choose from than any other VPN I’ve seen.
Also known as HideMyAss, HMA is the world’s largest VPN network and gives you over 290 locations to choose from. I personally use HideMyAss because I enjoy that I can set my location to specific locations within various countries. This is especially important in countries like Canada and the USA, where laws vary state-by-state or province-to-province. This VPN is also extremely user-friendly and can be used on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux devices.
NordVPN
NordVPN takes additional measures to ensure your right to privacy.
This one makes many top lists for the best VPN, and I’m not surprised. NordVPN has over 5,500 servers in 59 different countries. With so many servers, this will allow you to use your VPN without slowing down your internet connection (because there’s nothing worse than a game glitching on a win). NordVPN also has extra policies to increase the security of personal data for those who do not want to be tracked, including its no-logs policy and anonymous payment options.
Best Crypto Casinos Accepting Players Using VPN
Likewise, some online casinos do not like it when we use virtual private networks to play. So, just be sure you are not going against any of the site’s terms and conditions by doing so. If a casino catches you using a VPN, it could nullify any bonus funds or free spins you have obtained.
For instance, Stake.com’s terms of service state, “The attempt to manipulate your real location through the use of VPN, proxy, or similar services or through the provision of incorrect or misleading information about your place of residence, with the intent to circumvent geo-blocking or jurisdiction restrictions, constitutes a breach of Clause 5 of this Terms of Service.”
BC.Game
At BC.Game, players can use VPN to gain access to the casino. Section 6 of the terms of service on their site lists the following as protected under their Server Protection Policy.
- Firewalls, VPN Access
- Access to servers allowed only over VPN
- Connections to nodes over VPN
- Services allowed only over VPN
BitStarz Casino
Those darn geo-blocks strike again! The gang over at BitStarz actually discusses the use of VPN on their site in their blog. While it is not recommended to use your VPN to bypass government regulations, some players may want to use it to unlock access to geo-restricted games or play while you’re abroad.
Cloudbet
Over at Cloudbet, the terms and conditions do not list anything regarding the use of a VPN, so you should be fine. There is also no mention of using “devices to mask your geo-location.” However, the casino may require KYC upon withdrawal, and if you are in a restricted country (like the US), this may impact you from obtaining your winnings.
3 Myths About VPN Usage
Many that use VPN tools do not have all the facts, and it’s important to know common misconceptions about them. Here are a few common myths when it comes to using VPN.
“I need to use a VPN when accessing my bank account.”
Most banks and their websites have some of the highest security protocols available. In fact, did you know that you can tell the difference between a secure website and an unsecured site simply by looking at the URL? A secure site uses https://, whereas most only use the standard http://. The added s stands for security, and these sites actually encrypt your data to keep your information safe.
“My VPN will protect my device from viruses.”
Absolutely not! A virtual private network will only help encrypt your data while using the internet but will not save you from viruses, malware, or other online malintent. You should always be sure to use high-level anti-virus software and ad blockers to keep your device protected from such.
“I can’t be tracked using my VPN.”
Yes, you can. We already acknowledged that some VPNs have poor user security policies and that you can be tracked via your payments to the service. However, most user data is tracked using cookies. And when you opt-in to these cookies, you are still being tracked. You can always opt out or block cookies, but you will lose access to some sites and their features.
Final Thoughts
Overall, it is always best to err on the side of caution when it comes to any activity where you are transmitting your personal data or using your cryptocurrency as a payment method. Using a virtual private network can help you to:
- Access geo-blocked content
- Hide your IP address
- Add an additional layer of protection to your crypto
This will help to improve your online gaming experience while also putting your mind at ease from potential harm.
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