Can You Use VPNs to Target Overseas and Offshore Betting Sites? And Should You?

Posted by Harry Kane on Tuesday, May 28, 2024

The global iGaming market is projected to reach a value of $97.70 billion by the end of 2024, while revenues within this space are expected to expand at a CAGR of 6.46% over the course of the next five years. The sector will subsequently be worth $133.60 billion by 2029, during which time the number of iGaming users and account holders will peak at 281.8 million.

The world’s marketplace is home to several legalised betting markets, including in the US, UK and throughout Europe. It also comprises a growing number offshore and Telegram-integrated betting sites, with these entities able to target several international markets due to legislative loopholes. The use of virtual private networks (VPNs) has made these entities more accessible in 2024, but how exactly does this technology work?

Getting Started with VPNs – How Do They Work?

Ok, we hear you ask, but what is a VPN? In simple terms, this technology creates an encrypted tunnel between your user device and a virtual server, the latter of which is operated remotely by the client and can exist in different areas of the world. The biggest clients may well offer access to thousands of remote servers across the globe, usually in exchange for a monthly (but nominal) subscription fee.

When in use, all of your web traffic is routed through this tunnel, optimising network protection and proving especially useful when utilising unsecured public networks. This can encrypt and safeguard your most sensitive data, while also preventing third parties (including ISPs and hackers) from observing your activity.

The latter point is particularly interesting, primarily because it also prevents against the threat of ‘bandwidth throttling’. This occurs when network managers spot people engaging in activities that require significant bandwidth, such as gaming or online betting. They subsequently create a lag in relation to the speed of your Internet, discouraging you from playing in the process.

Intriguingly, a VPN can also be used to mask your device’s IP address and corporeal location. Remember, a VPN client will connect to a remote server in a country of your choice, minimising the threat posed by doxing and malicious malware attacks while simultaneously enabling you to access content in otherwise geo-restricted locations.

For example, you may want to access a licensed casino in a jurisdiction that exists outside of your own. In this case, you can deploy a VPN to connect to the country or region of your choice, with this tricking platforms to believe that you’re in a completely different area of the world. This also work when looking to access Netflix’s US content library from the UK, although you should note that sites may use technology to detect and deter VPN usage.

Using VPNs to Access Overseas Casinos – Is This Practice Legal?

Of course, sports bettors and casino goers can easily leverage VPNs to target operators in countries from across the globe, for a minimal subscription fee too. So, you could access iconic US casino and betting brands like BetMGM and Bovada even if you reside in the UK, creating a more immersive and rewarding gameplay experience in the process.

But is this practice legal? The short answer is yes, as most online gambling laws throughout the world don’t formally prohibit the use of sportsbooks in an unlicensed location. This is also true in markets like the US, where some states have yet to implement any legislation of this type at all.

If no sports betting or iGaming legislation exists (and there’s no regulated market to speak of), there will be no legislation at all that prohibits players from wagering at any type of betting site. Where laws do exist, it’s rare that explicit provisions are made to make betting with an unauthorised, offshore or crypto site illegal, primarily because this type of infringement would be incredibly difficult to police.

Even in instances where there are laws against the use of overseas casinos and betting sites, this legislation will usually focus on solely operators. So, while brands may be sanctioned for targeting players unlawfully, players are rarely punished for betting at an unlicensed or ineligible site. The same is true in government-controlled market where licenses haven’t been granted to domestic operators, as players usually won’t be sanctioned for frequenting such resources.

However, when accessing international sportsbooks via a VPN, it’s important to understand that virtual private networks themselves are outlawed in some countries. For example, North Korea, Belarus, Oman, Iraq and Turkmenistan have all outlawed the use of VPNs, so leveraging this type of technology could land you in hot water. It may even lead to you spending time in prison in extreme scenarios.

There are also restrictions in China, Russia, Türkiye, UAE, India, Iran, Egypt and Uganda, where only government-backed and approved VPNs are lawful. However, these clients will be heavily restricted and may not grant access to overseas betting sites. In fact, we’d wager such freedom and levels of access are incredibly rare in Russia, China and the UAE in particular.

What to Look for in a VPN for Sports Betting

Once you’ve determined that you’re in a country that permits the use of VPNs online, the next step is to find the best possible client for accessing sports betting sites. There are a number of considerations here, although some are a little more important than others. These include:

• Leverage Paid VPNS: While free VPNs exist online, these entities have been known to leverage and sell your personal data to raise alternative revenue sources. They may only offer a basic service too, requiring you to upgrade to a paid version to access the most useful features. So, it’s better to opt for a paid VPN from the outset, especially as many offer affordable monthly subscriptions.
• Access Free Trials or Money-Back Guarantees: Most VPNs will allow you to use their product for a free trial period. This enables you to sample the client and its functionality, while you can also test its full range of features to accurately gauge whether it offers value for money. Some sites may even offer a money-back guarantee, if you have to make a financial commitment up-front.
• Are There Logs Kept?: As we’ve touched on, VPNs will work to prevent your online activity and web browsing habits from being tracked by ISPs, hackers and network managers (or even individuals on an unsecured public network). However, it’s fair to ask whether VPN clients also track your activity? Unless they explicitly stipulate ‘no logs’ in their terms of service, this means that they can view and collate your web browsing activity. So, be sure to look for this commitment as a key priority.
• Prioritise Strong Encryption Protocols: VPNs use different security protocols within their products, which can combine to impact your experience online. OpenVPN is perhaps the most recognisable protocol and one that has almost universal acceptance from providers, due to its flexibility, scalability and robust levels of security. This protocol is open source and maintained in real-time. WireGuard is a contemporary protocol that may be used in conjunction with OpenVPN, as it prioritises speed and leverages state-of-the-art cryptography to help optimise network security. Ideally, we’d recommend looking for any product that offers a combination of OpenVPN, WireGuard or IKEv2.
• Bandwidth and Performance: We’ve already touched on how VPNs can prevent bandwidth throttling by ISPs, and this can be key to maximising the speed and overall performance of your network. You can also prioritise WireGuard-inspired clients that optimise speed and fast-streaming, enabling you to make the most of your available bandwidth and data. This is especially true when gaming or enjoying extended periods of gambling online, as it will help to prevent or minimise buffering and minimise the risk of loss over time.

OK – How Do You Install a VPN on Your Device?

At this stage, you should understand the function and legality of VPNs in your jurisdiction, alongside the key features to search for when looking to engage in online sports betting or casino gameplay. But how do you go about installing and operating a VPN on your desktop or smartphone? Here are some points to keep in mind:

• Subscribe to Your Chosen VPN: Once you’ve selected your preferred VPN, the next step is to browse its available pricing plans. You can then select a plan and monthly subscription fee which suits your precise needs and expectations, while also understanding precisely what you’ll get in exchange for your investment.
• Opt into Receive a Free Trial: If you have access to a free trial as a new VPN customer, we’d recommend that you take full advantage of this. This will typically last for seven days, although clients may offer 14 or 30-day free trials when operating special and limited-time offers. During this time, you can test and evaluate a VPN’s actual offering and quality of their customer support, but remember that your first payment will be taken immediately after the free trial ends. So, if you’re not happy and want to explore an alternative VPN, be sure to unsubscribe for the cessation of the free trial.
• Install the VPN on Your Device: Next, you’ll need to install your chosen VPN on your device (or devices) of choice. That’s right: some VPNs offer plans that enable you to use the same VPN on one more than one device. This can protect you when betting on a desktop or mobile device. In some cases, you may also be able to access a VPN client through a browser extension, for Safari, Google Chrome, Firefox and Microsoft Edge (among others).
• Find a Suitable Server Location: As we’ve already touched on, some VPNs operate thousands of server locations and individual servers across the globe. You should do this before selecting your preferred VPN, to check for volume and ensure that the client offer a viable server in your desired locations. Remember, a VPN will connect you to remote servers in specific jurisdictions, and you can connect to options of your choice based on the casino, sportsbook or type of content that you’d like to access.
• Get Started with Your Private Betting Experience Online: At this stage, you should have your VPN installed and be able to connect. With most clients, you can toggle between a range of different servers and locations depending on your precise needs, while you should be able to connect in a matter of seconds. This will mask your corporeal IP address and immediately improve your levels of security too, which is a huge boon when gambling real money online!

The Last Word – Should You Use a VPN for Online Gambling?

Typically, VPNs are used by online bettors to circumnavigate geo-restrictions and access a specific casino (or sportsbook) in an international location. So, it may be argued that the use of a VPN is unnecessary if you reside in the UK and want to access a betting site that operates in this jurisdiction.

However, you shouldn’t underestimate the security benefits offered by a VPN. Remember, this encrypts all web traffic and data, introducing an additional layer of network security when deposit and withdrawing funds online. It also masks your IP address, reducing your risk of being hit by malicious malware attacks and damaging practices such as doxing or bandwidth throttling.

So, even if you’re a British bettor accessing a licensed UK site, leveraging a VPN client will create a safer and more secure betting experience online. This is particularly true in instances where you look to wager on the move or when connected to an unsecured public network, as your personal financial data or funds are at far greater risk here.