How to access Australian online casinos abroad in 2026
Australian gambling accounts are generally linked to your location, so restrictions may apply when you travel overseas. Best VPNs for casinos in Australia, such as NordVPN, Surfshark, or Proton VPN, let you connect through an Australian server and appear to be browsing from inside the country, which may help you access your existing account while travelling. Operator terms and Australian gambling laws still apply.
Our recommended VPNs for Australian online casinos
I compared these VPNs based on their Australian server networks, pricing, performance, and features that matter when travelling. NordVPN, Surfshark, and Proton VPN all offer Australian servers across multiple locations, but each has different strengths depending on what you need from a VPN.
| Best VPNs for online casinos in Australia | Rating | Best for | Servers in Australia | Price |
| 1. NordVPN | Best overall | 229 servers across 5 locations | From $4.79/month | |
| 2. Surfshark | Best for affordability | 40 servers across 5 locations | From $3.49/month | |
| 3. Proton VPN | Best for privacy | 281 servers across 5 locations | From $4.79/month |
How to use a VPN for Australian online casinos
- Choose a VPN with reliable Australian servers. I recommend NordVPN now 75% OFF, which offers 229 Australian servers.
- Download and install the VPN app on your device.
- Connect to an Australian server in the city you want to use. If one connection is slow, try another Australian location.
- Open the online casino site and log in to your existing account if the operator allows VPN connections.
Why is access to online casinos restricted outside Australia?
Australian gambling sites have to follow rules about who they can serve and where their customers are located. This is why a betting account that works in Australia may not work when you travel overseas. The rules also differ depending on the type of gambling service: some services are allowed with an Australian licence, while others, such as online casinos, are prohibited from being provided to people in Australia.
Australian gambling laws and location checks
The Interactive Gambling Act 2001 sets out rules for companies that offer online gambling services in Australia. Some services are prohibited, including online casinos and in-play sports betting. Other online wagering services can operate if they hold the required Australian license. The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) keeps a register of licensed providers and can ask internet service providers to block illegal gambling websites.
This means gambling operators need to know where their customers are located. It’s a compliance requirement for the operator, rather than a check of your nationality or citizenship. ACMA's enforcement work also focuses on whether a service provides prohibited or unlicensed gambling to customers in Australia.
IP address vs account verification: what triggers the block
Your IP address gives a website an approximate idea of where your internet connection is coming from. If you log in to an Australian betting account while overseas, the operator may see that your connection is outside Australia and restrict access.
Your account can remain registered in Australia, and you can remain an Australian citizen. What matters for a location check is where you are connecting from at that time. Some gambling apps can also use other location signals, such as your device's GPS data, which can make location checks more difficult to pass with an IP address alone.
This is why VPN location matters when you're travelling. A VPN can change the IP address that a website sees, but it does not change the gambling laws that apply to you or the operator's terms and location checks.
How to access your Australian casino account while travelling: step-by-step guide
If you're travelling outside Australia and want to access an existing Australian betting account, a VPN can give you an Australian IP address. You will need a VPN with reliable Australian servers, an app for your device, and an account with a betting operator that allows access while you are overseas. Keep in mind that a VPN does not change the operator's terms or the laws that apply to the service.
Step 1. Get a reliable VPN with Australian servers
Choose a VPN with several Australian server locations and good connection speeds. NordVPN is my top pick for Australian betting, with 229 servers across 5 Australian locations. Having several locations gives you more servers to try if one connection is slow or unavailable.au n
Step 2. Download and install the VPN app
Download the VPN app from the provider's official website, such as www.nordvpn.com, or your device's app store. Install it, then sign in with the account you created when you subscribed. You can use the same VPN account on supported devices, depending on your plan.
Step 3. Connect to an Australian server
Open the VPN app and choose an Australian server. Pick a location with a stable connection, and try another Australian server if the first one is slow. Your VPN will route your internet traffic through the selected server, giving you an Australian IP address. This can make your connection appear to come from Australia, but some betting apps may use additional location checks. ACMA has noted that VPNs can make it harder for operators to determine whether a customer is physically in Australia.
Step 4. Open online casino of your choice and log in
Once connected, open your betting site's website or app and sign in to your existing account. If the operator allows access while you are overseas, you may be able to use your account as normal.
Keep in mind that a VPN cannot change your account details, identity verification, or the operator's terms. Some services may still restrict access based on your physical location or other checks.
Best VPN locations for Australia online gambling
The best VPN for Australia is usually the one that gives you the most stable and responsive connection. NordVPN, Surfshark, and Proton VPN all have servers in the same five Australian cities: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth.
There is no single Australian server location that will always be the fastest. Your connection can depend on your location, the distance to the server, and how busy that server is. If one location feels slow, try another Australian server before changing any other VPN settings.
NordVPN makes this easier with its Fastest server option. Once you tap the button in the app, NordVPN will choose the fastest available server for you. In my test, it selected a server in Perth. The result may differ for other users, so it's worth letting the app check available servers rather than always choosing the same city.
Having five locations to choose from gives you several options if your first connection is slow or unstable.
Best VPNs for accessing Australian online casinos
The best VPNs for Australian online casinos share common features. They all have reliable Australian servers, good connection speeds, and enough locations to give you another option if one server is slow. A simple app and useful features can also make it easier to connect when you're travelling.
All three VPNs in this guide meet these basic requirements, offering reliable Australian servers, apps for common devices, and useful features for travelers. My top three are NordVPN, Surfshark, and Proton VPN. The main differences come down to speed, features, and price.
1. NordVPN – best all-around VPN for Australian online casinos
| Based in: | Panama |
| Servers/countries: | Thousands of servers across 225 locations |
| Accessed Australian online casinos: | ✅ Yes |
| Price: | From $4.79/month |
NordVPN is my top choice overall because it combines fast speeds, reliable connections, and useful features in one easy-to-use app. It has 229 servers across five Australian locations, giving you plenty of options when connecting to Australia. During testing, I was able to access Ricky Casino and BitStarz while connected to an Australian NordVPN server.
One feature I particularly like is NordVPN's Fastest server option. Instead of choosing a server yourself, you can tap the button and let the app find the fastest available server. In my test, it connected me to a server in Perth.
NordVPN also offers useful security features such as a kill switch and DNS leak protection. Its NordLynx protocol is designed to deliver fast connections without sacrificing security. This makes NordVPN a good choice if you want a VPN that is simple to use while travelling.
Based on my testing, NordVPN is the best overall VPN in this guide. It combines fast performance, useful features, and a large Australian server network, while its simple app makes it easy to connect to an Australian server when you need one. If you’d like to learn more about this provider, you can check out our full NordVPN review.
2. Surfshark – best-value VPN for Australian online casinos
| Based in: | Netherlands |
| Servers/countries: | 4,500+ servers across 100 countries |
| Accessed Australian online casinos: | ✅ Yes |
| Price: | From $3.49/month |
Surfshark is my pick for the best value because it combines a lower price with useful features and unlimited simultaneous connections. You can use a single subscription on your phone, laptop, tablet, and other supported devices at the same time, making it especially useful if you have several devices.
With 40 servers across five Australian locations, Surfshark covers the same Australian cities as the other VPNs in this guide. In my tests, I was able to access both Ricky Casino and BitStarz with an Australian Surfshark server. Its app is straightforward to use and includes features such as a kill switch and DNS leak protection.
For cost-conscious users, Surfshark stands out. Its unlimited simultaneous connections let you use one subscription across multiple devices, while the $3.49/month starting price makes it more affordable than NordVPN. That combination makes Surfshark a practical choice if you want to keep costs down without giving up useful VPN features. You can read more about its features in our in-depth Surfshark review.
3. Proton VPN – privacy-focused VPN for Australian online casinos
| Based in: | Switzerland |
| Servers/countries: | 20,688+ servers across 148 countries |
| Accessed Australian online casinos: | ✅ Yes |
| Price: | From $4.79/month |
Proton VPN is my pick for privacy because it combines strong security features with a strict no-logs policy. It’s based in Switzerland and has a strong focus on protecting user data, making it a good option if privacy is your main concern when using a VPN.
Privacy is where Proton VPN really sets itself apart. The service includes a kill switch, DNS leak protection, and NetShield, which can block ads, trackers, and malicious websites. I was also able to access Ricky Casino and BitStarz, just as I could with NordVPN and Surfshark. Its no-logs policy has also been independently audited, adding another layer of transparency for users who want to keep their online activity private.
If privacy matters more to you than having the lowest price, Proton VPN is worth considering. It has 281 servers across five Australian locations and offers a free plan, though there are no Australian servers available with it. The combination of privacy tools and Australian server coverage makes it a strong option for travellers seeking extra privacy when using a VPN. For more insights, you can also refer to our Proton VPN review.
Online casinos popular with Australian players
Australia does not have a legal market for locally licensed online casinos, so Australian players who use online casino sites generally deal with offshore operators. Some of these casinos are available to Australian players, but access can change when you travel overseas because the site may detect your location.
I tested several online casinos from abroad to see whether an Australian VPN connection could restore access:
| Online casino popular with Australian players | Accessed without a VPN? | Accessed with a VPN? |
| Ricky Casino | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| BitStarz | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Spin Palace | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| CrownPlay | ❌ No | ❌ No |
The results were mixed. Ricky Casino and BitStarz were accessible when I connected using an Australian server, while Spin Palace and CrownPlay remained inaccessible. This shows that a VPN does not guarantee access to every online casino. Each operator can use its own location checks and restrictions.
It’s also worth remembering that access to a casino does not necessarily mean VPN use is permitted under its terms. For example, BitStarz explicitly prohibits using a VPN to bypass a provider block. Always check the casino's current rules before using an account from overseas.
Online casinos that don't operate in Australia
Not every major online casino accepts players from Australia. Some are limited to specific regulated markets, while others explicitly list Australia as a restricted jurisdiction. This makes them different from the offshore casinos in the previous section, which are available to Australian players but may restrict access when you travel overseas.
| Online casino | Works in Australia? | VPN/location policy |
| FanDuel Casino | ❌ No | Strictly limited to regulated US states. VPN use will not bypass strict geolocation checks. |
| DraftKings Casino | ❌ No | Only available in select US/Canadian regions. Requires physical location tracking software to play. |
| Stake.com | ❌ No | The global casino blocks Australia entirely. Bypassing this via a VPN violates the terms and risks forfeiture of funds. |
| PokerStars | ❌ No | Officially withdrew from the Australian market. Real-money accounts and VPN access are completely blocked. |
| Roobet | ❌ No | Explicitly lists Australia as a restricted territory. Account creation and VPN spoofing are strictly prohibited. |
These casinos do not officially operate in Australia. PokerStars lists Australia as a prohibited jurisdiction, while Roobet also restricts Australian users. Both prohibit attempts to bypass these restrictions with a VPN.
A VPN may change the IP address a website sees, but it does not make a restricted casino available to Australian players. Operators can use other location checks and may take action if you try to bypass their rules.
This differs from the previous section, in which Ricky Casino and BitStarz accepted my connection via an Australian VPN server. Always check a casino's current terms and Australian gambling rules before using an account from overseas.
Is it legal to use a VPN for accessing Australian online casinos?
Using a VPN is legal in Australia, and you can use one to access an Australian gambling account while travelling abroad, as long as the operator allows VPN use and you comply with its terms and conditions. However, the gambling laws of the country you are visiting still apply, and a VPN does not override restrictions on prohibited gambling services.
The Interactive Gambling Act 2001 makes it illegal for providers to offer prohibited online gambling services to customers in Australia. ACMA can investigate illegal operators and request that gambling websites be blocked. The law focuses on the service provider rather than on making VPN software itself illegal.
The bigger issue when using a VPN is often the casino's terms and conditions. Some offshore casinos allow Australian players but prohibit the use of VPNs to bypass geographic restrictions. BitStarz, for example, says that using a VPN to bypass a provider block is prohibited and may result in the confiscation of winnings. Ricky Casino has a similar restriction.
There's also another factor when you're travelling - the laws of the country you're visiting. A VPN may be legal in Australia, but that does not mean using one for gambling is legal everywhere. Before accessing an Australian account abroad, check the local gambling laws and the operator's current terms.
Final tips
A VPN can help protect your connection and hide your IP address when you’re travelling, but it should not be used to bypass gambling laws or an online casino’s terms. Check the rules of both the casino and the country you’re visiting before signing in.
For the best experience, choose a VPN with reliable Australian servers, fast speeds, and leak protection. In my testing, NordVPN stood out as the best overall VPN for Australian online casinos, combining strong performance, useful security features, and reliable Australian server coverage.
If a casino still blocks your connection, follow its rules rather than trying to force access. A good VPN should make using your existing account easier, not put your account or funds at risk.
FAQ
Can I use a VPN for an Australian casino?
Yes, you can use a VPN to connect to an Australian server, and this may allow you to access an existing casino account while you’re travelling. However, access depends on the casino, and some operators prohibit VPNs or attempts to bypass location restrictions.
Can I use betting apps with NordVPN in Australia?
Yes, but it depends on the app. NordVPN can connect you to an Australian server, but betting apps may use location services or other checks that detect VPN connections. Always follow the app’s terms and avoid using a VPN to bypass its location or eligibility requirements.
What’s the best location for Australian gambling apps from Canada?
An Australian server is usually the best choice, but there is no single fastest location for everyone in Canada. Try different Australian locations, including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth, to find the most stable connection on your device.
Could I lose my winnings if I’m caught using a VPN?
Yes, you could lose your winnings, depending on the casino’s terms. Some operators reserve the right to withhold or confiscate winnings when players use a VPN to bypass geographic restrictions. BitStarz, for example, explicitly warns that this can lead to confiscation.
