5 Best VPNs for Online Poker in 2024 (PokerStars & More)

Kate Hawkins
Last Updated by Kate Hawkins on January 25, 2024 Fact-checked by Justyn Newman Fact-checked by Justyn Newman

Accessing your regular poker sites while traveling can be tricky; gambling is regulated by governments and each region has its own laws. As a result, many online casinos only allow you to connect in certain regions to ensure they adhere to local regulations. Changing your online location with a VPN seems like an easy solution, but gambling sites block VPN traffic to prevent people from gambling illegally.

We don’t condone the use of a VPN to break any laws, but this tool is also necessary for basic online security and to access your go-to site while abroad. I’ve tested 30 VPNs and found a handful that work for most online poker sites (including PokerStars). But please be aware that if you’re detected using a VPN, the site may have the right to take action against your account.

ExpressVPN is the best for accessing poker sites. It worked with more than 10 popular poker sites, including PokerStars, GGPoker, and BetOnline. You can also try ExpressVPN risk-free. It guarantees you a full refund within 30 days if you’re not totally satisfied with it.

Play online poker with ExpressVPN

Warning: If you’re traveling to a country where online poker and casino games are blocked or banned, you could face legal issues if you access them with a VPN. I don’t condone any illegal action, so make sure you research local laws before gambling online with a VPN.

Quick Guide: Best VPNs for Online Poker in 2024

  1. ExpressVPN — Can access more than a dozen popular poker sites without slowing your internet speeds. Plus, you can try ExpressVPN risk-free.
  2. CyberGhost — strong security protects against potential DDoS attacks and more when playing poker, but short-term plans are expensive.
  3. Private Internet Access — huge server network ensures minimal lag and user congestion when playing poker online, but headquartered in the privacy-unfriendly US.
  4. NordVPN — Meshnet feature provides easy access to your local poker sites when abroad, but not the most intuitive interface on mobile devices.
  5. Surfshark — generous simultaneous connections let you play poker on every device, but falls within the 9 Eyes Alliance jurisdiction.

The Best VPNs for Online Poker (Tested in 2024)

1. ExpressVPN — Reliable Access to Dozens of Poker Sites With Fast Connections

Key Features:

  • 3,000+ servers in 105 countries for easy access to local poker sites
  • Military-grade encryption, server obfuscation, leak protection, and more
  • Access PokerStars, GGPoker, 888, and more on up to 8 devices
  • 24/7 live chat and customer support team provide instant help if and when required
  • 30-day money-back guarantee

ExpressVPN provides blazing-fast speeds for uninterrupted online poker games, allowing you to play your best hand without your connection cutting out or error messages popping up. I had a speed reduction of just 18% on average with ExpressVPN’s global network, so my connections were smooth, lag-free, and I could play in real-time.

Screenshot of ExpressVPN speed tests showing servers in the US, UK, Australia, and Germany
ExpressVPN’s superfast speeds are ideal for playing hands lag-free

With ExpressVPN’s network of 3,000+ servers in 105 countries, you won’t struggle to access your favorite online poker sites no matter where you are in the world. You’ll find ExpressVPN can easily access your favorite poker sites and online casinos, including the following:

PokerStars GGPoker BetOnline Sky Poker 888poker
partypoker Full Tilt Juicy Stakes Intertops Poker Betway Poker
32Red Poker Wild Jack IDNPoker iPoker …and more!

To keep your connections safe and anonymous, ExpressVPN has a range of premium security and privacy features, including:

  • Military-grade encryption — keeps all online poker activity protected and away from prying eyes, securing your network from DDoS attacks.
  • Leak protection — stops accidental DNS, IP, and WebRTC leaks from exposing your true identity and location.
  • Network Lock kill switch — cuts access to the internet if the VPN connection is interrupted, maintaining data security.
  • Server obfuscation — masks VPN traffic to look like regular HTTPS traffic, avoiding blocks by poker site proxy detection.
  • Threat Manager — stops third-party activity tracking and malicious behavior when you’re online — available for Mac, iOS, Linux, and ExpressVPN’s Aircove router.
  • TrustedServer Technology — RAM-based servers cannot physically store your data for maximum privacy, further confirmed when an ExpressVPN server was seized but no data was recovered.
  • Audited zero-log privacy policy — independent audits confirm ExpressVPN never logs or stores your personally-identifiable data.

You can play online poker on up to 8 devices simultaneously using ExpressVPN, including Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS devices. With broad platform compatibility, it’s easy to take ExpressVPN with you when you travel, ensuring your poker connections are always secure no matter where you are.

I was disappointed to find ExpressVPN doesn’t offer dedicated or static IPs since these can help you stay undetected when using VPNs on online poker sites. Thankfully, I didn’t have any trouble with ExpressVPN’s shared IPs — none of the sites I tested blocked my access.

While ExpressVPN is a little more expensive than other options, it’s worth the cost for guaranteed access and top-tier security. Plans start at $6.67/month for a 1-year + 3 months subscription. Plus, every ExpressVPN plan is backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try playing poker online with ExpressVPN risk-free.

If you change your mind, it’s easy to get a full refund. I tested the process by speaking to a live chat agent, who arranged my refund with no questions asked. I had my money back within 5 days.

ExpressVPN works on: Windows, macOS, Linux, Chromebook, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Nvidia Shield, Xiaomi Mi Box, Kodi, Google Chromecast, Roku, Android TVs, smart TVs, routers, and more.

2024 Update! ExpressVPN has dropped prices for a limited time to a crazy $6.67 per month for the 1-year plan + 3 months free (you can save up to 49%)! This is a limited offer so be sure to grab it now before it's gone. See more information on this offer here.

2. CyberGhost — Robust Security Includes Ad, Tracker, and Malware Blocking for Safe Online Poker Games

Key Features:

  • 9,780+ servers in 100 countries
  • 256-bit encryption, kill switch, DNS/IP leak protection, and optional dedicated IP
  • Play poker online on up to 7 devices simultaneously
  • 24/7 live chat, support page, and announcements aid you when you need help
  • 45-day money-back guarantee

CyberGhost has an impressive suite of security features for safe online poker, including an ad, tracker, and malware blocker. When active, CyberGhost blocks malicious ads, third-party trackers, and shady links to keep your financial details and online activity safe. I found it worked well, stopping access to a potentially dangerous poker site.

Keep CyberGhost’s malicious content block switched on for safe online poker

Keep CyberGhost’s malicious content block switched on for safe online poker

Alongside this, CyberGhost’s top-tier features also include the following:

  • AES 256-bit encryption — prevents anyone from seeing your online activity when you play poker, protecting you from DDoS attacks.
  • DNS and IP leak protection — stops accidental leaks from revealing your data and getting you blocked by poker sites.
  • Automatic kill switch — blocks internet access if the VPN is interrupted, keeping your personal information private.
  • WiFi Protection — automatically connects to a server when using public or unknown WiFi to maintain data security at all times.
  • App Rules — configurable with poker apps to automatically connect to a server of your choice when your app opens.
  • Zero-log privacy policy — audited privacy policy and RAM-based servers prove CyberGhost never logs or stores your data.

With 9,780+ servers in 100 countries, CyberGhost can connect you to your favorite poker sites worldwide, including:

PokerStars GGPoker BetOnline Sky Poker 888poker
partypoker Full Tilt Juicy Stakes Intertops Poker …and more!

As CyberGhost’s servers are listed by distance, it’s easy to choose the nearest physical server for the best speeds. During tests, CyberGhost reduced speeds by around 20% on average, with a bigger drop over long distances. My poker games were always lag-free, and I didn’t experience any interruptions.

You can download and set up CyberGhost in just a couple of minutes, and use it on up to 7 devices at the same time. The apps are intuitive to use across platforms, so CyberGhost is a good choice for beginner VPN users.

However, I found CyberGhost’s short-term plans are expensive and only come with a 14-day money-back guarantee. With a longer plan, you can pay as little as $2.03/month, and benefit from CyberGhost’s 45-day money-back guarantee — ideal if you only need a VPN for a few weeks.

Plus, for a little extra each month, you can get a dedicated IP address from CyberGhost that only you can use. This reduces the risk of a poker site detecting that you’re using a VPN and banning you.

By taking advantage of the generous guarantee, you can play online poker with CyberGhost risk-free, and get a refund if you’re not completely satisfied. I tested the policy by messaging customer support through 24/7 live chat and requesting a refund. Less than 5 minutes later, my request was approved and processed. I had my money back in a week.

CyberGhost works on: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Raspberry Pi, Chrome, Firefox, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Kodi, Roku, smart TVs, routers, and more.

2024 Update! You can subscribe to CyberGhost for as low as $2.03 per month + get an extra 4 months free with the 2-year plan (save up to 84%)! This is a limited offer so grab it now before it's gone. See more information on this offer here.

3. Private Internet Access (PIA) — The Largest Server Network to Play Poker From Anywhere

Key Features:

  • Massive network of 35,000+ servers in 91 countries
  • MACE ad and malware blocker, AES-256-bit encryption, and DDoS protection
  • Play PokerStars, 888poker, and more on unlimited devices simultaneously
  • Email support and 24/7 live chat for instant responses
  • 30-day money-back guarantee

Private Internet Access (PIA) has an enormous server network — more than 35,000+ servers in 91 countries — making it simple to access your favorite poker sites from anywhere. This number of servers means thousands of IP addresses, reducing the risk a poker site or online casino will recognize that address and block your connection.

You’ll find it easy to access your favorite sites and online casinos with PIA. During tests, PIA connected to the following:

PokerStars GGPoker BetOnline Sky Poker 888poker
partypoker Full Tilt Betway Poker iPoker …and more!

With so many servers, you’ll also find PIA’s connections are smooth and lag-free, without user congestion (even at peak playing times like evenings and weekends). During my tests, PIA’s speeds were reliably fast, with a reduction of around 30% from my base speed. Distant connections are a little slower, but this is pretty standard with a VPN connection.

If your network is very slow, you can boost your speeds for playing poker with PIA’s customizable encryption. Switching from AES-256 to AES-128 reduces encryption without compromising your security, and can provide faster speeds at the same time.

PIA's Windows app showing the customizable encryption levels for OpenVPN.

PIA can help improve speeds for lag-free online poker

As well as customizable encryption, PIA offers the following high-quality features to keep your poker activity secure and private:

  • AES-256-bit encryption — offers military-grade protection from hackers, spies, and DDoS attacks.
  • DNS and IP leak protection — prevents accidental leaks that could reveal your data and location.
  • MACE ad and malware blocker — stops malware, trackers, and ads when you’re playing online poker.
  • Multi-Hop obfuscation — hides your VPN traffic to avoid proxy detection blocks, but can slow your connection.
  • Audited zero-log policy — independent audits confirm PIA never logs or stores your data when you’re using its services.

Unfortunately, PIA’s headquarters are at the heart of the 5-Eyes Alliance in the US, a notoriously privacy-unfriendly location. While its strict no-logs policy ensures your data is hidden, this could be a concern if you’re very privacy-focused.

If you’d like to try playing poker with PIA, it’s an affordable option at just $2.03/month for a 2-year + 4 months subscription — it’s one of the top monthly VPNs available. Plus, PIA is backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee — I tested this using the 24/7 live chat and had my request processed in a few minutes. My money was returned within a week.

PIA works on: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Opera, Kodi, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, routers, and more.

2024 Update! You can subscribe to PIA for as low as $2.03 per month + get an extra 4 months free with the 2-year plan (save up to 83%)! This is a limited offer, so grab it now before it's gone! See more information on this offer here!

4. NordVPN — Meshnet’s Network Provides Secure Access to Your Poker Account Worldwide

Key Features:

  • 6,200+ servers in 110 countries
  • AES-256-bit encryption, Meshnet, Threat Protection, and leak protection
  • Play poker on 10 devices
  • 24/7 live chat and email ticketing
  • 30-day money-back guarantee

NordVPN’s Meshnet feature lets you connect to your local poker account from anywhere. Meshnet lets you set up a secure network between your devices; you can connect to your Windows PC from your smartphone when abroad, for example. This way, you can connect to your home network to visit poker sites without proxy or region errors.

Image of NordVPN's Meshnet feature in the Windows app.

NordVPN’s Meshnet provides easy access to your local poker accounts

To ensure your online poker games are both private and secure, NordVPN has the following features:

  • Threat Protection — blocks malicious websites, ads, and trackers.
  • Leak protection — prevents accidental exposure of your data and location.
  • Kill switch — cuts internet access if the VPN is interrupted to maintain security.
  • Dark Web monitor — alerts you if your credentials are found on the dark web.
  • Audited zero-logs privacy policy — NordVPN doesn’t record or store your activity.

Furthermore, NordVPN has specialized servers to enhance your online poker. Obfuscated servers use proxy technology to mask your VPN traffic to avoid detection and blocks. Double VPN adds an extra layer of privacy by routing your data through 2 servers.

During tests, NordVPN’s solid server network produced consistently fast speeds, even over long distances. I could connect to my favorite poker sites and online casinos to play lag-free and uninterrupted. NordVPN can access the following sites without issue:

PokerStars GGPoker BetOnline Sky Poker
888poker partypoker Full Tilt …and more!

For me, the downside to NordVPN is its interface, which isn’t especially intuitive for beginner users. The map server menu is okay on big screens but tricky to navigate on mobile devices, and I noticed the kill switch wasn’t automatically on — this is an easy setting to miss and could cause a data leak if the VPN connection is interrupted.

Fortunately, NordVPN is reasonably-priced if you want to try it — plans start at $3.09/month for a 2-year + 3 months subscription, and it’s always backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. Should you change your mind, just contact the 24/7 live chat to request a refund. I did, and I had my money returned in a week.

NordVPN works on: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Opera, Kodi, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, routers, and more.

5. Surfshark — Static IP Addresses Included for Reliable Access to Poker Sites

Key Features:

  • 3,200+ servers in 100 countries
  • AES-256-bit encryption, CleanWeb, Bypasser split tunneling, and more
  • Connect unlimited devices at the same time
  • 24/7 live chat, email, and online help site
  • 30-day money-back guarantee

Surfshark offers static IP addresses to all users — a valuable feature for poker players. Unlike shared IPs, a static IP is the same every time you connect, providing consistent access to poker sites without raising suspicions of VPN use. This helps evade potential connection blocks from online casinos that could recognize and restrict changing IPs.

Surfshark's Windows app showing the Static IP server menu, highlighting the ping and user load information.

Surfshark’s static IP addresses are ideal for consistent poker site access

To further secure and protect your connections to poker sites and online casinos, Surfshark has the following high-quality tools:

  • CleanWeb — blocks ads and malware to enhance your online poker experience.
  • Kill switch — disconnects your internet if the VPN connection drops, preventing data leaks.
  • Bypasser — split tunneling lets you configure your poker apps to only work with a VPN connection.
  • NoBorders obfuscation — hides VPN traffic to prevent detection and blocking by poker site proxy detection.

While local connections are faster than long-distance servers, overall Surfshark is reliably fast for lag-free poker sessions. Even during peak times, I didn’t experience buffering or interruptions to my games, and only had a small speed loss of around 20% — not enough to notice a difference in my online activity.

With user-friendly apps, Surfshark is easy to download and set up, even for first-time VPN users. You can connect unlimited devices at the same time on one account, making it convenient for traveling. Multiple device connections also don’t impact speeds — I could stream Netflix lag-free while playing mobile poker and browsing online without issue.

However, Surfshark is based in the Netherlands — an Eyes Alliance country — which might concern privacy-focused users. Fortunately, Surfshark has undergone independent audits to verify its strict no-log policy, which is a reassuring sign that it doesn’t store or track data.

You can try playing online poker with Surfshark for as little as $2.29 per month with its 2-year + 2 months plan. You’re always protected by Surfshark’s 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can easily get a full refund if you change your mind. I did this by contacting customer support to request my money back — I had it returned within a week.

Surfshark works on: Windows, Mac OS, Android, iOS, Linux, Fire Stick, Samsung Smart TVs, LG Smart TVs, Android TV, Kodi, and selected routers.

How to Play Poker With a VPN

  1. Get a secure and reliable VPN. For the fastest speeds and top-tier security and privacy features, ExpressVPN is the top choice for accessing poker sites.
  2. Download the VPN to your device and enable security features. Make sure the kill switch is active and you’re using a fast protocol, like WireGuard or ExpressVPN’s Lightway.
  3. Connect to a server in your home country. Choose the nearest physical server for the best speeds when accessing your online poker account.
  4. Check for IP and DNS leaks. You can use this IP checker to see your virtual location and ensure your true data is hidden.
  5. Visit your favorite poker site and start playing online! You can now play poker on PokerStars and other top sites with real money.

Comparison Table: 2024’s Best VPNs for Poker

Speeds Server Network DDoS Protection AES-256-bit Encryption Dedicated IPs
ExpressVPN Blazing Fast 3,000+ in 105 countries
CyberGhost Very Fast 9,780+ in 100 countries
PIA Fast 35,000+ in 91 countries
NordVPN Fast 6,200+ in 110 countries
Surfshark Fast 3,200+ in 100 countries

How a VPN Helps You Gain Access to Poker Sites

Many countries have restrictions on online poker sites and laws against gambling in general. In the case where you need to travel, this means you could lose access to your account. A VPN changes your virtual location temporarily. So, if you connect your VPN to a server in your home country, you can continue to play poker as you normally would at home.

However, not all VPNs can access poker sites, which implement proxy detection technology to block connections outside of the playing region. This is because they understandably need to adhere to the laws of the region their service is offered. Only a few VPNs work reliably, so you can’t just choose any VPN.

Countries that Prohibit Online Poker

A variety of countries block real money, freemium, and play money activity, meaning that you won’t be able to access your favorite online poker sites in these regions. Some countries even punish online poker players and gamblers with fines and imprisonment, so you must be extremely careful and consider the laws and regulations of the country you’re in.

image of PokerStars blocking access to the site as an out-of-region location is detected.

You’ll need a VPN to avoid error messages when playing poker abroad

Please check the most recent regulations. Here are the prohibited jurisdictions when it comes to real money and play money activity at the time of writing:

Region Country or Territory
Europe Real money activity:
Cyprus, North Macedonia, and SerbiaAll online poker:
Vatican City and the Netherlands
The Americas Real money activity:
USA (except Delaware, Nevada, West Virginia, Michigan, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania) and ColombiaAll online poker:
Anguilla, Cuba, Dominica, Guyana, Haiti, Puerto Rico, and US Virgin Islands
Africa Real money activity:
Egypt, Jordan, Kenya, and NigeriaAll online poker:
Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Guinea, Libya, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Syria, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe
Asia, the Middle East, and Oceania Real money activity:
Australia, Bangladesh, China, New Caledonia, Pakistan, UAE, and the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Assam, Odisha, Sikkim, and GujaratAll online poker:
Fiji, Hong Kong, Iraq, Israel, Kingdom of Bahrain, Kiribati, Kuwait, Marshall Islands, Myanmar, Nauru, Palestinian Territories, Qatar, Samoa, Singapore, Turkey, and Tuvalu

Every recommended VPN gives you direct access to the most popular poker sites, including PokerStars, 888poker, FullTilt, Sky Poker, PartyPoker, GGPoker, iPoker, Unibet, and Coral Poker. All you have to do is connect to a server and start playing.

DDoS Attacks

If you play online poker without a VPN, you could experience a DDoS attack that will freeze your internet connection. For the next few minutes, it will seem as if you’ve gone offline, and you’ll be kicked out of your poker game — potentially causing you to lose all your money.

DDoS attacks are becoming more popular within the poker community, and it’s been found that 82% of all DDoS attacks are aimed at people playing online games. Not only that, the players you play against could be the culprit, paying for a short attack to make you lose the game and ensure their win.

The best VPNs in 2024 can protect you from DDoS attacks with AES 256-bit military-grade encryption, ad & malware blockers, and automatic kill switches. You’ll also have access to the most secure protocols and dedicated IP addresses to ensure your anonymity and protect your devices while playing online poker games.

Protecting Your Payment Information

Numerous poker websites require a payment method for accessing the site, which typically involves sharing sensitive information such as your bank account details, ZIP Code, or PayPal account. When dealing with any online financial transactions, it’s advisable to connect with a VPN first — this keeps your sensitive details hidden from prying eyes.

To safeguard your anonymity during the subscription process, you can opt for platforms that accept cryptocurrency as a means of payment. This way, you avoid disclosing your actual geographic location through your bank account or PayPal account, which could potentially result in being blocked from accessing the website.

Note: While using a VPN, in general, doesn’t violate PokerStars Terms of Use, it is considered a prohibited activity to use a VPN to change your virtual location and access the site — especially if you’re using the VPN in a location where PokerStars is prohibited. If caught, you could face suspension or an account ban.

Tips for Playing Online Poker With a VPN

Here are a few tips that will minimize the risk of getting your poker account blocked, banned, or otherwise deleted from the most popular poker sites like PokerStars:

  • Always connect to a VPN before playing online poker — connecting to VPN servers before playing PokerStars ensures your IP address and location are hidden.
  • Use a dedicated IP address — some VPN providers let you purchase dedicated IPs that no one else can use. This reduces the chances of being detected by poker sites.
  • Refrain from depositing large amounts — there’s always a risk your account may be canceled or banned for suspicious activity, so it’s best to only deposit the amount you want to play for each sitting.
  • Withdraw your money as often as possible — if you don’t keep much money in your poker account, you won’t lose anything if something goes wrong.
  • Enable your kill switch — most VPNs do this automatically, but it can help protect you if your VPN malfunctions and stops protecting you while playing poker online.
  • Enable IPv6 leak protection — some computers now support IPv6, meaning that your IP address could be exposed if you don’t actively hide it on top of the standard IPv4.
  • Do not use obvious payment methods — using your credit card, debit card, or PayPal account could expose your true location, but paying with cryptocurrency maintains your anonymity.
  • Try playing CryptoPoker — all of your deposits, winnings, and withdrawals will be in cryptocurrency, making it almost impossible to identify you.

How I Tested and Ranked the Best VPNs for Poker

I tested the best VPNs on the market in 2024 to find the top options for online poker. I considered the following features to ensure your online gaming experience and protection:

  • Network size — this feature is particularly important as it lets you connect to multiple servers within the same country if you run into error messages. It also gives you access to countries where you can win real money.
  • Speed — fast connection speeds mean fewer interruptions while playing online poker. Slow speeds can cause stuttered webpages, connectivity issues, and even kick you out of games — increasing the chances of losing your funds.
  • Security — obfuscation technology, AES 256-bit encryption, ad & malware blockers, DDoS & WiFi protection, and kill switches are essential in reducing the risks of cyberattacks.
  • Privacy — without a strict no-logs policy, dedicated IPs, RAM-based servers, and IP, DNS & IPv6 leak protection, your identity and personal data could be exposed.
  • Compatibility — the ability to play online poker on any device is essential, meaning that you need a VPN compatible with at least Android, iOS, Windows, and mac0S.
  • Accessibility — your VPN must provide access to popular poker sites, including PokerStars, GGPoker, iPoker, 888poker, FullTilt, Sky Poker, Coral Poker, PartyPoker, and more.

FAQs: VPNs and Online Poker

Can I use a VPN to play online poker?

Yes, I recommend you use a VPN to play online poker for your data and financial security. Plus, connecting to a VPN server in your home country ensures you can play poker when you travel abroad — many online casinos have geographical restrictions, and a VPN masks your true location so you can access your local poker account.

However, using a VPN to change your virtual location may go against the Terms of Use of poker sites and online casinos. If you’re caught using a VPN in this way, you could face account suspension or termination.

Is it safe to use a VPN to play PokerStars and GGPoker?

Yes, it is safe to use a VPN to play PokerStars and GGPoker. VPNs protect you in multiple ways, using advanced security features to conceal your IP address and location (dedicated IPs) and protect your devices from cyber attacks (no-logs policies, kill switches, and obfuscation technology) while playing online poker.

Without a VPN, you’re more susceptible to hackers and prying eyes and may not be able to access PokerStars or GGPoker due to geo-blocks. However, using a VPN to access PokerStars or GGPoker outside of the service area may go against the Terms of Use — be sure you’re aware of the rules before connecting with a VPN.

Can I play online poker in Australia with a VPN?

You can, but it’s complicated. Users in Australia are prohibited from playing real money poker games by the Interactive Gambling Act of 2001. However, it’s possible to use a VPN to connect to a server outside of Australia and play real money poker — but this is illegal if you’re an Australian citizen, and many offshore poker sites don’t accept Australian users.

Australians can play online poker, but not for real money. If you travel to Australia on vacation, you can use a VPN to access your local poker account and play. However, this may go against the Terms of Use of the poker site, so please make sure you’re aware of the rules before accessing your account with a VPN.

Is it legal to use a VPN to play online poker?

Yes, it is legal to use a VPN to play online poker. However, you must adhere to the terms and conditions of your favorite poker providers — using a VPN to access geo-blocked services that you wouldn’t usually be able to access is against the law in some countries.

Using a quality VPN while playing online poker to protect yourself from potential threats is perfectly fine, but using a VPN to access sites unavailable in your country can lead to legal ramifications that shouldn’t be ignored. In addition, you risk getting your poker account frozen or banned, potentially losing any money you have deposited or won.

Will my account get banned if I use a VPN for online poker?

It is certainly possible for your account to get banned if you use a VPN to play online poker. However, you can minimize the possibility by following these tips for using a VPN to play online poker.

Popular platforms like PokerStars can suspend or terminate your account if they detect that you’re using software to change your location and access their services. My team and I do not condone any illegal activity or going against your account’s Terms of Use. Make sure you’re aware of account rules and local laws before connecting with a VPN.

Will a VPN protect me from DDoS attacks on poker sites?

Yes, the VPNs on this list will protect you from DDoS attacks while using poker sites. VPNs hide your real IP address making it virtually impossible for DDoS attacks to locate your network and target you. Additionally, the 256-bit encryption cipher creates a secure tunnel between your PC and network, hiding your activity from your ISP and hackers.

Is online poker legal in the US?

Yes, online poker is legal within the US, but you can only play for real money in a few states. The following states allow real money poker:

  • Delaware
  • Michigan
  • New Jersey
  • Nevada
  • Pennsylvania

If you normally reside in one of these states and travel, a VPN should be able to get you access to your real money account. You can play PokerStars in the above 5 states without breaking the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) due to it having a license to do so. It’s unclear whether other states will follow, but some states have been considering whether or not to allow online gambling and poker.

Can PokerStars and other poker sites detect VPNs?

Yes, PokerStars and other poker sites like iPoker can detect VPNs. However, if you get a dedicated IP address to access online poker, the likelihood of this happening is significantly lower.

Poker sites can identify the use of VPNs in multiple ways:

  • The same IP address is being used by multiple players at the same time
  • Your account’s usual IP address and location change multiple times in a short period of time
  • You use an IP address that has already been linked to a VPN server

Why do online poker sites get blocked?

Online poker sites are blocked for a variety of reasons — sometimes it’s the choice of the country or government, and sometimes it’s the poker site itself. However, you can always use a top-quality VPN to access your local poker site when you travel abroad. Just bear in mind that gambling in locations where gambling itself is fully illegal could land you in legal trouble.

You may find a poker site is blocked:

  • because the site itself prohibits users from the country you’re visiting
  • due to the government banning the site or gambling for religious or moral beliefs
  • to avoid issues with gambling addiction in the population
  • to prevent fraud and the risk of unfair gambling regulations

Can I use a free VPN for poker?

No, I would not recommend using a free VPN to access online poker. Having tested many free VPNs in the past, I found they simply don’t offer the top-tier security and privacy features you need for safe online poker. The lack of security features could expose you to hackers, DDoS attacks, and quick detection by poker sites.

With fewer resources, even the safest free VPNs can’t offer the same protection as paid providers. While they may have 256-bit encryption, there’s usually no DNS leak protection, malware detection, or dedicated IPs. A small number of servers and IP addresses also make it easier for poker sites to identify and blacklist them.

To access online poker without committing to an expensive long-term subscription, you can get CyberGhost for free using its 45-day money-back guarantee. The benefit of using CyberGhost to access online poker is its DDoS protection, which you can’t get when using a free VPN.

Play Online Poker With a VPN Today!

Due to regional regulations on gambling and online poker, you might find that you can’t access PokerStars or any other popular poker sites while traveling abroad. However, by spoofing your location, a VPN can overcome these restrictions and protect yourself from DDoS attacks while playing poker online.

After testing 30+ VPNs, I found that ExpressVPN excels at accessing PokerStars, GGPoker, and more with its superfast speeds and advanced security features. Plus, you can play poker with ExpressVPN risk-free — all plans are backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can get a full refund if you’re not happy.

When I tested the process myself, an agent responded to my request in under a minute via live chat. My refund was processed immediately, and I had the money back in my account in 5 days!


Summary — Best VPNs for Online Poker in 2024

Top Ranked Top Choice
ExpressVPN
$6.67 / month Save 49%
CyberGhost VPN
$2.03 / month Save 84%
Private Internet Access
$2.03 / month Save 83%
NordVPN
$3.09 / month Save 76%
Surfshark
$2.29 / month Save 85%

We rank vendors based on rigorous testing and research, but also take into account your feedback and our commercial agreements with providers. This page contains affiliate links.

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