7 Best VPNs for Online Poker

Do you want to access your usual online poker sites outside of your home country? Most online casinos geographically restrict their services to prevent users from specific countries from playing. However, you can keep your online activity private and prevent region-based blocking by connecting to a Virtual Private Network (VPN).

A VPN works by encrypting your network traffic, making it unreadable to websites, your ISP, and anyone else who might be snooping. This not only allows you to connect to geo-restricted sites, but it also means that there’ll be no record of you visiting those sites.

In this article, we’ll explain how to use a VPN to access online poker platforms from anywhere and the best VPNs for the job. We’ll go into more detail about each provider later on, but if you’re short on time, check out this quick summary:

The best VPNs for online poker players:

1. NordVPN: Our top choice VPN for online poker! This VPN powerhouse lets you access online poker sites from anywhere, with lightning-fast speeds and reliable connectivity regardless of your physical location. Includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.
   TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for Online Poker.
   
2. Surfshark: The best budget VPN. A reliable choice for enjoying uninterrupted online poker sessions. Unblocking is effortless using NoBorders Mode. Allows unlimited simultaneous connections.
3. IPVanish: 2,000+ servers in over 75 locations worldwide. Capable of evading online poker geo-restrictions.
4. ExpressVPN: An advanced VPN with several added security options to enhance your online privacy. Great speeds for long poker sessions.
5. CyberGhost: Works well with online poker sites. Vast server network. Provides servers optimized for specific activities like streaming or torrenting.
6. PrivateVPN: Apps for all major platforms. Allows 10 simultaneous connections.
7. Private Internet Access: Servers in 80 countries for accessing many popular online poker platforms. Unlimited bandwidth and a comprehensive no-logs policy.

Disclaimer: The laws on online gambling websites are extremely complex and differ from one location to another. We do not encourage or condone illegal online gambling or the use of a VPN to spoof geographic locations for the purpose of breaking local laws. It’s important to thoroughly research your country/state’s laws before using a VPN to access online poker websites.

How to play poker online from anywhere with a VPN

Short of time and want to play poker online as quickly as possible? Then check out our quick guide below or continue reading for more information on each of our recommended VPNs.

Here’s how to play poker online with a VPN:

1. Sign up with a VPN provider. We recommend NordVPN.
2. Download and install the VPN app or browser extension for your device.
3. Check if it’s legal to play poker online in the country you are traveling in before trying to access gambling sites abroad.
4. Open the VPN app or browser extension and connect to a server in a country where your usual online poker website is unblocked.
5. Log in to your favorite online casino. You should now be able to place bets and access online poker games as usual!
6. If you’re still encountering restrictions, try clearing your browser’s cookies and cache before reloading the page.

How we chose the top online poker VPNs

While there are hundreds of VPN services to choose from, it’s important you find one that’s suitable for the task at hand. To narrow down the options and find the best VPNs for online poker, we looked for services with the following essential characteristics:

• Extensive server networks with a particular focus on the US and UK.
• Not blocked by popular poker sites (PokerStars, 888Poker, PartyPoker, etc.)
• Strong encryption and security standards
• Keeps no logs by which you can be identified
• Great value and a money-back guarantee

You can read more about how we test and rank the VPNs we recommend in our methodology section below.

The best VPNs for online poker: at a glance

We’ve compared the most important features of the top VPNs here. Prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with NordVPN – our #1 choice for online poker.

The best VPNs for playing online poker anywhere

Using a VPN to play online poker is a simple, efficient way of protecting yourself online and opening up game potential. If you choose the right VPN. The following reviews are based on our first-hand experiences and real-world testing to ensure these providers are up to the task. Let’s take a look at the VPNs that impressed us.

Here’s our list of the best VPNs for online poker:

1. NordVPN

Nov 2024

NordVPN is our top choice VPN for online poker players. It allows six simultaneous connections, giving you the option to access poker sites from any of your devices. This provider has over 5,500 servers with locations in 60+ countries, so there are very few poker sites that you won’t be able to use.

NordVPN provides several ways for its users to remain completely protected online. It can be paid for in Bitcoin, doesn’t keep any logs, and includes an application-specific kill switch. All data is protected with 256-bit AES encryption.

Apps are available for Linux, Mac, Windows, iOS, and Android. NordVPN can be manually installed on selected routers.

Best VPN FOR ONLINE POKER:NordVPN is our top choice. Works reliably with online poker sites. Great privacy and security credentials. Wide server networks with plenty of US and UK options. Comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee for a risk-free trial.

Read our full NordVPN review.

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2. Surfshark

Surfshark has around 3,200+ servers in 100 countries worldwide, and this includes over a dozen different US cities. Connection speeds are generally very fast, and this provider allows you to connect an unlimited number of devices at once, so it’s ideal for sharing with friends and family.

This VPN keeps your online activity safe with a combination of 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leak protection. Further, it offers a NoBorders mode capable of bypassing even the most stringent online censorship. Surfshark follows a strict no-logs policy for extra peace of mind. 24/7 support is available via live chat.

This service offers Windows, Linux, MacOS, Android, and iOS apps. Manual configuration is required for supported routers.

BEST BUDGET VPN:Surfshark provides solid security, impressive speeds, and the ability to play online poker games anywhere at a price that won’t break the bank. It also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Why not take a look at our full Surfshark review?

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3. IPVanish

IPVanish owns its servers, enabling it to provide above-average speeds and resolve problems more quickly than some of its rivals. These factors make it a strong choice for online poker.

IPVanish uses 256-bit AES encryption and comes with several optional online security features, including LAN traffic blocking, WireGuard support, and OpenVPN obfuscation. There’s also DNS leak protection and a kill switch to keep you as anonymous as possible.

Apps are available for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Amazon Fire Stick. Manual installation is possible for Linux systems and certain wireless routers.

CONNECT ALL YOUR DEVICES:IPVanish has a large network of servers. Generally solid for online poker apps and users who need the highest standard of privacy. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full IPVanish review.

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4. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN has over 3,000 servers in more than 100 countries and several different US states. This makes it an excellent choice for American users looking to bypass regional poker restrictions, for example, if you’re traveling outside of your home state.

ExpressVPN uses 256-bit AES encryption to keep your network traffic private. Users can also take advantage of its DNS leak protection, perfect forward secrecy, and kill switch. Because ExpressVPN is based in the British Virgin Islands, it isn’t required to log any of its users’ data and, accordingly, is completely log-free.

Apps are available for Linux, Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android. Manual installation is possible on specific wireless routers.

GOOD SPEEDS:ExpressVPN is fast and reliable. Unblocks most major geo-restricted services. Best-in-class security and online privacy with 256-bit AES encryption keeps no browser logs, has a kill switch and leak protection. Try it risk-free with the 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of ExpressVPN.

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5. CyberGhost

CyberGhost has over 10,000 servers in more than 100 countries, including thousands in the US and UK and some that are specifically optimized for gaming. This means you’ll be able to find a high-speed server that works with the most popular poker sites, regardless of your actual location.

This service makes online security simple. It includes anti-malware and ad-blocking functionalities, and users can select a server optimized to fit their needs. With 256-bit encryption, no logs, and automatic HTTPS redirection, you can count on your traffic and information being kept private at all times. CyberGhost allows up to seven connections at once, so you can remain protected no matter which device you’re using.

CyberGhost has apps for Windows, Linux, MacOS, iOS, and Android. Manual configuration is possible for some routers.

BEGINNERS' CHOICE:CyberGhost is easy to use. Fast and reliable VPN connections with a good range of servers. Great privacy with zero logs and DNS leak protection. Good for online poker but can’t match rivals with some popular streaming platforms. 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full CyberGhost review.

6. PrivateVPN

PrivateVPN has fewer servers than some of its rivals but is still a solid choice for online poker players. It boasts high speeds and offers servers in Nevada and New Jersey, two states that have regulated online poker and online gambling.

PrivateVPN uses 256-bit AES encryption, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and a kill switch. It logs no personally identifiable information, you can rest assured that your activities will be kept private. With up to 10 simultaneous connections permitted, this service is ideal for those who like to play poker on the go.

PrivateVPN has apps for Windows, MacOS, Android, and iOS. It can be manually configured for Linux and specific routers.

GREAT SPEEDS:PrivateVPN is easy to use. Works well with online poker sites. Fast connections, but could do with having more servers to choose from. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full PrivateVPN review.

7. Private Internet Access

Private Internet Access has a network of servers that covers over 80 countries. This includes servers in the US and UK, allowing you to securely access some of the biggest, most popular online poker sites. Thanks to its fast server speeds and unlimited bandwidth, PIA is also highly suitable for streaming. It works particularly well with Netflix US and UK as well as BBC iPlayer, for example.

You don’t need to worry quite as much about your online security when you’re connected to PIA because it secures data with 256-bit AES encryption. Not only does it provide protection from DNS leaks and a kill switch, but it also operates a no-logs policy and doesn’t even keep connection logs. PIA includes 24/7 live chat and email support, and a single subscription lets you secure an unlimited number of devices at once.

PIA has desktop (Windows, Mac, and Linux) and mobile (Android and iOS) apps. There’s also an app for Amazon Fire TV and browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Opera. Manual setup is required for use with wifi routers, however.

TRUE NO-LOGS POLICY:Private Internet Access has servers in 80+ countries, including the US and UK. Works well with online poker sites and even Netflix US. Unlimited devices per account and a strict no-logs policy. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full Private Internet Access review.

Using a free VPN to play online poker

We strongly advise against using a free VPN to play online poker. Most online poker sites have taken steps to prevent VPN users from playing, so there’s a good chance free VPNs just won’t work. Further, these services usually have fewer servers and more users than paid providers. This can lead to network slowdowns and unexpected disconnections, two things that can cost you real money if they occur mid-game.

Because free VPNs can’t profit directly from their users, they’ve been known to use shady methods to create income. Free VPNs are capable of injecting unskippable video ads into each page you visit, tracking your activities using cookies, and selling your browsing habits to unknown third parties without your knowledge.

Sadly, this is just the tip of the iceberg. There have been high-profile cases in recent years involving free VPNs that sold their user’s bandwidth, came packaged with malware, and misled users about the kind of logs they keep. To stay safe, we highly recommend choosing a trusted VPN service with clear policies instead.

Methodology: How we chose the best VPNs for playing poker

At first glance, it might not seem like there’s much need for a VPN at the poker table. In reality, though, you can never be too careful where privacy (or money) is involved. To identify the best VPNs for poker, we created a set of strict requirements and dismissed any candidates who failed to meet them all. You’ll find these (and a quick explanation of why they’re important) below:

• Network scale: There are several reasons why this matters. First, larger networks make it easier to find a server with a low load, which ensures a speedy connection. Further, they’re more resistant to DDoS attacks, which are semi-regularly used to target individuals during poker tournaments.
• Performance: Slow speeds lead to connectivity issues, which could hypothetically see you drop out of matches partway through. With this in mind, we decided to only recommend VPNs that deliver impressive results in our latest VPN speed testing.
• Security and privacy: To prevent your true location from being revealed, we require all of our top VPNs to follow a no-logs policy. What’s more, we looked for providers offering 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and leak protection, though more security tools are always welcome.
• Stealth capabilities: Some poker sites won’t let you play if they realize you’re using a VPN. Likewise, you’ll often find gambling sites blocked by default on public Wi-Fi. To get around both of these issues, we prioritized VPNs that include strong unblocking ability and, ideally, a toggleable stealth mode.

We thoroughly test VPNs before recommending them. Find out more about this process in our full VPN testing post.

Online poker and the law

Each country has different laws regarding the legality of online poker. The legislation is particularly complex in the US, thanks to the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006. Certain US states have passed laws regulating online poker, which makes things even more confusing.

The following is a very simplistic interpretation of online poker legislation. We are not legal professionals. We encourage our readers to further research the laws in their country before attempting to play poker online.

Online poker in the US

Technically, you can play poker online in any US state. However, there is a pretty major caveat: it’s only legal to play for money if you’re in Delaware, Nevada, West Virginia, Michigan, New Jersey, or Pennsylvania. Several other states, including New York, have introduced bills paving the way for legal poker, but as yet, this is still considered gambling and, as such, is not allowed.
Currently, US citizens can legally play poker through any offshore site that accepts American players. Residents of Nevada, Delaware, and New Jersey can play on any site based entirely in their state.

Online poker in the UK and Europe

Online poker is completely legal in the following countries:

• Albania
• Austria
• Belgium
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Bulgaria
• Channel Islands
• Croatia
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• Georgia
• Germany
• Gibraltar
• Greece
• Hungary
• Ireland
• Isle of Man
• Italy
• Latvia
• Lithuania
• Macedonia
• Malta
• Montenegro
• The Netherlands
• Norway
• Portugal
• Romania
• San Marino
• Serbia
• Slovakia
• Spain
• Sweden
• United Kingdom

Each European country not on this list has differing punishments for those caught playing online poker. We do not condone or encourage using VPNs for illegal activities.

Other considerations with online gambling

If a gambling site permits users from a country that it’s not licensed for, it opens itself up to fines and possibly even legal action. As such, these companies have invested a lot of time and money into detecting VPN usage.

If an online casino realizes you’re using a VPN, you might find that you aren’t allowed to gamble with real money. In the worst cases, you’ll be stopped from playing at all or find yourself unable to withdraw any of your deposits or winnings.

It’s definitely worth reading the site’s terms and conditions or contacting customer support before attempting to play online poker with a VPN. Depending on where you’re located, a VPN may not even be necessary and has the potential to complicate things instead of helping. However, if you choose to play without a VPN, your data will not be encrypted, and your real IP address will be shown to the casino’s server.

VPN usage and funds

While most online casinos allow the use of services like PayPal, some require transfers to be made using a bank account registered in a specific country. This effectively blocks overseas users from playing even if they manage to access the site with a VPN.

There really isn’t much that can be done to bypass this restriction. Instead, it might be worth looking for reputable online poker sites that accept alternative means of payment, such as Bitcoin.

DDoS attacks

Unfortunately, winning at online poker isn’t entirely down to chance or skill. Because the majority of these games take place in real-time, even a small time lag can be the difference between a win and a loss. With this in mind, malicious third parties have begun targeting online casinos using Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks.

These attacks flood the casino’s servers with requests, slowing the site down or taking it offline entirely. This could lead to players losing money or being unable to collect any winnings they might have accumulated. It’s highly unlikely, but depending on how the server handles connections during live games, an attacker could even find your IP address and attack you specifically.

So how can you protect yourself when playing poker online? The best bet is to use a well-established gambling site that doesn’t have a history of paying DDoS ransoms. After all, if an attacker knows they’ll be paid for their efforts, they’re more likely to hit the same target again.

Using a VPN for online poker: FAQs