VPN Gambling in 2026: Why You Will Lose Your Winnings

Opinion by: Lars Jensen

I get this question in my inbox almost every day: “Lars, can I use NordVPN or ExpressVPN to play at Stake, Roobet, or Betway from a restricted country?”

In 2020, the answer was “Maybe, if you are lucky.” In 2026, the answer is a hard, definitive NO.

Many players operate under a dangerous misconception. They think that because they can access the website using a VPN, they are safe. They sign up, they deposit, they play, and they even win. They feel like hackers who have beaten the system.

But the nightmare doesn’t happen when you deposit. It happens when you try to withdraw.

The New “Silent Tag” Technology

Casinos have upgraded their security infrastructure massively in the last two years. They no longer simply block VPN traffic at the door (which causes false positives). Instead, they use a method called “Silent Tagging.”

Here is how it works:

1. Detection: When you log in with a commercial VPN IP (even a “dedicated” IP), the casino’s security system recognizes the data center signature.
2. The Tag: It does not ban you. It silently flags your account backend as “High Risk – Geo Mismatch.”
3. The Trap: They allow you to deposit and lose money. As long as you are losing, they don’t care. But the moment you hit a big win (say, $5,000+) and request a cashout, the system triggers a mandatory manual review.

Terms & Conditions: The Kill Switch

I have audited the Terms & Conditions of the top 50 operators this year. Every single one has updated their “Prohibited Software” clause to be legally airtight.

“The use of IP masking techniques, including but not limited to VPNs, Proxy Servers, or Tor, to obfuscate location will result in the immediate forfeiture of all winnings and permanent closure of the account.”

This is the “Kill Switch.” If you complain to the regulator (like the MGA or Curacao Gaming Control Board), they will look at the server logs, see the VPN flag, and close the case. You broke the contract first. You have zero legal recourse.

“But I have a KYC-Verified Account!”

This is another common trap. You might have a fully verified account with your ID and utility bill. But if you log in from a “Prohibited Jurisdiction” using a VPN, you are violating the Travel Rule.

If you live in Germany (regulated) but VPN to Brazil to play “Bonus Buys” (which are banned in Germany), you are committing fraud under the casino’s eyes. They will confiscate your balance without hesitation.

Lars’s Verdict: The Risk Calculation

Ask yourself: Is it worth risking a $10,000 jackpot just to play a specific slot that isn’t available in your country? No. The risk-to-reward ratio is completely broken.

My Advice: If you are in a restricted jurisdiction (like the UK, USA, or Ontario), play at locally licensed sites. The bonuses might be smaller, and the game selection might be more limited, but at least when you see that “Withdrawal Approved” email, you know the money is actually coming.