Best VPN for online poker in 2025
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As of January 2025, NordVPN stands out as the best VPN for online poker due to its unbeatable combination of speed, security, and global server coverage. With over 7200 servers across 118 countries, including in key poker regions, it ensures smooth, lag-free gameplay and uninterrupted tournament participation. NordVPN’s advanced security features, like AES-256 encryption and a strict no-logs policy, protect sensitive data, including account details and payment information, from cyberthreats. Whether you’re accessing poker platforms abroad or shielding yourself from ISP throttling, NordVPN delivers a reliable and secure experience tailored for online poker enthusiasts.
Top 5 best VPNs for online poker in 2025
- NordVPN – best online poker VPN for 2025 overall
- Surfshark – great online poker VPN with dedicated IPs
- Proton VPN – privacy-focused VPN for online poker
- IPVanish – secure online poker VPN with unlimited device support
- TotalVPN – budget-friendly VPN for online poker
Online gambling is illegal in many states and countries, making online poker enthusiasts look for alternatives to continue playing. A reliable VPN can help you mask your real IP address and bypass geo-restrictions to access online poker platforms, such as PokerStars, 888Poker, and BetOnline, among others. Simply connect to a country where online gambling is legal, and start winning.
However, if you choose inadequate tools, your account may be frozen and you may be banned from participating in online poker in the future. That’s why I collaborated with our research team to bring you the best VPNs for online poker in 2025, guaranteeing smooth online poker games.
We spare no effort to test the products & their features. All information is gathered by our in-house research team & fact-checked by our team of experts. Discover the ins and outs of our testing procedures.
How to play online poker with a VPN in 2025
- Download a quality VPN – I recommend using NordVPN, now 72% OFF
- Create and log into your account
- Connect to a VPN server in a location where you can play poker (like Canada)
- Log into your online poker site account
- Enjoy your online poker games with a VPN
Security and anonymity are crucial when choosing a VPN for online gambling, especially in regions where it is prohibited. In these regions, VPN usage could lead to account bans and even the loss of winnings.
A good VPN should have a reliable kill switch, strong encryption, and flawless DNS leak protection to keep your information secure. Additionally, I favor VPNs that offer dark web monitoring to help me stay up to date if any of my information is compromised.
For online poker, I choose NordVPN. It performs well, keeps security tight, and unlocks access to all the popular online gambling platforms.
Best online poker VPNs – detailed analysis
To find the best VPNs for online poker, I collaborated with our research team, evaluated 41 VPN providers, and handpicked the top 5 for further testing. I looked into security measures, privacy features, overall performance, and subscription plans.
1. NordVPN – the best VPN for online poker
| Rating: | |
| Servers/countries: | 7200+ servers in 118 countries |
| Cryptocurrency payments: | Yes |
| Works with: | PokerStars, 888poker, partypoker, BetOnline, GGPoker, IDNPoker, Americas Cardroom |
| Speed retention rate: | 90% |
| Current deal: | Get 72% OFF NordVPN |
NordVPN is the best VPN for online poker because it offers 7200+ servers in 118 countries. This means it has plenty of server locations that are suitable for accessing PokerStars and various other popular online poker websites. For example, you can connect to servers in Canada, Mexico, Germany, Italy, Portugal, France, and other countries that are more open to online gambling. Some countries also have regulated markets with local licensing requirements to ensure a secure environment for players.
Security. NordVPN is extremely secure, which is important when playing games with real money. It uses advanced AES-256 encryption, offers secure tunneling protocols, and has a reliable kill switch. It even allows you to connect to obfuscated servers or Onion over VPN servers.
Privacy. NordVPN is based in Panama, which is a privacy-friendly jurisdiction, and the provider has no requirement from the government to collect information related to your online activities. The provider has been audited multiple times by PwC and Deloitte to prove these claims. Of course, NordVPN collects some account-related information. However, you can opt out of having data related to, for example, crash errors and application diagnostics, recorded.
To offer even more privacy, NordVPN provides dedicated IP addresses – you can get them for as little as $3.69/month during special promotions. The regular price for NordVPN’s dedicated IPs is $4.19/month if you opt for the 1-year subscription or $8.99 on a month-to-month basis. While some other VPNs offer dedicated IPs as well, you won’t get them with IPVanish or TotalVPN.
Speeds. NordVPN offers lightning-fast speeds thanks to NordLynx, a proprietary VPN protocol. During our in-house NordVPN tests, we found it to retain around 90% of initial connection speeds. I was able to enjoy PokerStars and other platforms without lag. So, if you’re a grinder who invests time in their gameplay and the final bankroll, NordVPN is a great choice.
Price. NordVPN's prices start at $3.39/month, and you get a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you want to test the VPN without any commitment, there’s a 7-day free trial you can register on an Android device and then use on any other compatible systems. Moreover, to help you stay anonymous, NordVPN supports cryptocurrency payments.
2. Surfshark – a VPN that enables you to play poker on multiple devices
| Rating: | |
| Servers/countries: | 3200+ servers in 100 countries |
| Cryptocurrency payments: | Yes |
| Works with: | PokerStars, 888poker, partypoker, BetOnline, GGPoker, IDNPoker |
| Speed retention rate: | 86% |
| Current deal: | Now up to 86% OFF Surfshark + 3 months FREE |
Offering 3200+ servers in 100 countries, Surfshark gives you plenty of choices when it comes to accessing online poker platforms. For example, you can pick servers in Canada, France, or the UK.
Security. With Surfshark, you get a reliable kill switch, an ad and malware blocker called CleanWeb, and obfuscated servers that hide the fact you’re using a VPN. For $3.75/month, you also can get yourself a dedicated IP address. Online gambling platforms often detect and ban users who connect from the same VPN IP addresses. A dedicated IP address belongs to you only, and your chances of being spotted are lower.
Privacy. During our in-house Surfshark analysis, we found that it collects no information related to your online activities, or at least that’s what it claims. In addition, you can opt out of the collection of data that helps improve its services. Although Surfshark is based in the Netherlands, which is part of the Nine Eyes alliance, it has been independently audited, confirming the claims of the no-logs policy.
Speeds. You can enjoy your Texas Hold’em, Omaha Hold’em, and other poker games completely glitch-free. All of this is thanks to the WireGuard protocol, one of the speediest tunneling protocols available today. While it’s not as fast as NordVPN’s modern NordLynx protocol, while playing online poker games, Surfshark retained 86% of initial connection speeds. To learn more about the differences between Surfshark vs NordVPN, check out our full comparison.
Price. Surfshark's prices start from $2.19/month, and you can pay using cryptocurrency to remain anonymous. Finally, you can make use of Surfshark’s 30-day money-back guarantee, and just like NordVPN, Surfshark offers a 7-day free trial.
3. Proton VPN – a highly secure VPN for online poker with advanced privacy features
| Rating: | |
| Servers/countries: | 9900+ servers in 117 countries |
| Cryptocurrency payments: | No |
| Works with: | PokerStars, 888poker, partypoker, BetOnline, GGPoker, Americas Cardroom |
| Speed retention rate: | 85% |
| Current deal: | Get up to 64% OFF Proton VPN |
A favorite VPN pick among privacy-conscious users, Proton VPN is a great solution for those concerned about security and privacy. With over 9900 servers in 117 countries, including Canada, Mexico, and other countries where online gambling is legal, Proton VPN easily provides access to geo-restricted content, online poker platforms included.
Security. It is probably the most important aspect of any VPN. Strong security measures ensure that your data stays safe. Proton VPN employs industry-standard AES-256 encryption algorithm. Stealth mode is Proton VPN’s obfuscated server, which hides the fact that you’re using a VPN when enabled. In addition, Proton VPN provides plenty of additional security features, such as Secure Core and NetShield. Unfortunately, dedicated IPs are only available to business users.
Privacy. Based in the privacy-friendly Switzerland, Proton VPN follows a strict no-logs policy. Simply put, it doesn’t collect any data regarding your online activity, such as the websites you visit or the amount of time you spend on those websites. In addition, Proton VPN has been audited by Securitum, a third-party penetration testing company.
Speeds. Proton VPN employs various VPN protocols, including WireGuard, OpenVPN (TCP or UDP variant), IKEv2/IPsec, and a proprietary Stealth protocol. During our Proton VPN tests, the provider retained 85% of the original internet speed, showing great overall performance.
Price. Starting at $3.59/month, Proton VPN is a relatively affordable VPN, especially considering the advanced privacy features that it offers. In addition, Proton VPN provides a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to try out the service risk-free. Please note that youl have to pay for the service. However, you have the option to request a full refund within 30 days of the purchase. What’s more, you can pay with cryptocurrency for improved anonymity.
4. IPVanish – online poker VPN with great features
| Rating: | |
| Servers/countries: | 2400+ servers in 100 countries |
| Cryptocurrency payments: | Yes |
| Works with: | PokerStars, BetOnline, GGPoker, Betway Poker, IDNPoker, 888poker |
| Speed retention rate: | 80% |
| Current deal: | Now up to 83% OFF IPVanish |
IPVanish allows you to play online poker from anywhere in the world. It not only offers servers in multiple Canadian cities, but also quite a few different European locations where online gambling is legal.
Security. When it comes to IPVanish security, you get plenty of features to enhance your online privacy and stay safe online. There are auto-connection options, a trustworthy kill switch, and split tunneling. Traffic obfuscation is also available, which allows you to hide the fact that you’re using a VPN.
Privacy. IPVanish is based in the United States, making it part of the Five Eyes alliance. It’s similar to the Nine Eyes alliance – which is what the Netherlands, the homebase of Surfshark belongs to – but it’s a bit more strict. Nonetheless, the privacy policy of IPVanish states that the provider only collects your email address and billing information. Your activity online is not logged, and the third-party auditors have verified this claim. On the downside, unlike NordVPN and Surfshark, IPVanish doesn’t offer the option to purchase dedicated IP addresses for added privacy.
Speeds. As for tunneling protocols, you get the speedy WireGuard, which allows IPVanish to provide a great combination of speed and security. During our in-house tests, IPVanish retained 80% of the initial connection speeds, on average – the 4th best result on this list.
Price. You can get the IPVanish premium plan for as little as $2.19/month. As per usual, you have a 30-day money-back guarantee and a 7-day free trial. The only downside is that you can’t pay using cryptocurrencies, which is something other VPNs on this list can offer.
5. TotalVPN – affordable online poker VPN
| Rating: | |
| Servers/countries: | 50+ servers in 30 countries |
| Cryptocurrency payments: | Yes |
| Works with: | PokerStars, BetOnline, GGPoker, Betway Poker, IDNPoker, 888poker |
| Speed retention rate: | 70% |
| Current deal: | Now up to 80% OFF TotalVPN |
TotalVPN is a decent option for online poker. While it only has around 50 servers across 30countries, including Canada and Mexico, TotalVPN can bypass most geo-restrictions and allow you to play online poker anywhere. Most importantly, TotalVPN is part of a cybersecurity suite and provides plenty of tools to help you stay safe online.
Security. Like every other VPN provider on this list, TotalVPN employs AES-256 encryption algorithm to secure your data. As for security features, TotalVPN includes the basics – a kill switch and DNS leak protection. Since it’s part of a cybersecurity bundle, each subscription includes the TotalAV antivirus and the Total AdBlock ad blocker.
Privacy. TotalVPN is based in the UK which is part of the Five Eye alliance. Nonetheless, TotalVPN doesn’t keep logs, or, at least, that’s what it claims. The provider hasn’t been audited, so it’s impossible to know for sure.
Speeds. Our in-house TotalVPN tests showed decent results. TotalVPN retained 70% of the original internet speed, making it the slowest VPN on this list. While slower than NordVPN or Surfshark, TotalVPN maintains good speeds and you shouldn’t run into any major connection issues.
Price. Priced at $1.59/month, TotalVPN is a great option for those on a tight budget. Each subscription comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, giving you enough time to try out the service risk-free. Unfortunately, like Proton VPN, TotalVPN doesn’t offer a free trial. This means that to try this service, you have to buy a subscription and fall back on the money-back guarantee for a full refund.
How we selected and tested online poker VPNs
To select the best online poker VPNs, we perform extensive research and testing. Together with our team of experts, I first reviewed 41 providers to rule out all the VPNs that cannot offer either server obfuscation or big enough server fleets. After narrowing the list down, we started testing VPNs one by one, focusing on the ability to access online poker sites privately, server locations, the inclusion of a dedicated IP, security features, and other criteria. Here’s a summary of the aspects that helped me pick the top 5 VPNs for online poker:
- Poker site unblocking (25%). To put the VPNs to the test, I connected to different servers and attempted to access online poker websites. VPNs that could not provide access to the most popular sites were automatically rejected. I only included options that unblocked at least some of the popular online poker websites.
- The right locations (20%). Due to regional laws and regulations, online poker sites often block players from various countries, including the US or specific US states. Thus, you need to know precisely which locations to connect to. I favored VPNs with servers in countries like Canada, Germany, and Italy, where online gambling is legal and the regulations aren’t as strict.
- Security (10%). All the best VPNs for online poker offer robust AES-256 encryption to ensure your connection is 100% secure. During in-house tests, I also noted other crucial security features like reliable kill switches, anti-malware protection, ad blockers, and others.
- Privacy (10%). It’s important to choose a VPN that doesn’t log your online activities, as it defeats the purpose of VPNs in the first place. Even better if the privacy policy is audited. All providers on this list have gone through independent audits to prove their no-logs claims. I also favored VPNs in jurisdictions that are considered privacy-friendly.
- Speed (10%). A VPN that’s suitable for online games and gambling must offer really good speeds. Together with our research team, I performed speed tests on 41 VPNs and selected only the tools that won’t make your poker game lag – all selected VPNs are capable of maintaining at least 70% of the original internet speed on average.
- Price (10%). VPNs don’t need to be overpriced – budget-friendly solutions can provide the same level of security, privacy, and anonymity as the more expensive options. I looked for services that offer excellent value for your money.
- Money-back guarantee (10%). When choosing a VPN for a particular purpose, it’s essential to have the possibility to get all your money back. All of the tools on this list offer at least a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Dedicated IP option (5%). If the poker site detects you’re connecting via VPN servers, your account might be suspended or removed. Therefore, when choosing a VPN, you might want to look for a solution that offers dedicated IP addresses as an add-on to the VPN subscription. To test the service, I purchased and used dedicated IPs to check if online poker sites were still accessible.
Best online poker VPN comparison
| Brand | Rating | Unblocks poker sites | Traffic obfuscation | Logging | Dedicated IP option (separately) | Servers | Simultaneous connections | Cheapest monthly price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | No logs, third-party audited by PwC and Deloitte | ✅ Yes | 7200+ servers in 118 countries | 10 | $3.39/month | |
| Surfshark | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | No logs, third-party audit by Deloitte | ✅ Yes | 3200+ servers in 100 countries | Unlimited | $2.19/month | |
| Proton VPN | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | No logs, third-party audit by Securitum | ❌ No (only for business clients) | 9900+ servers in 117 countries | 10 | $3.59/month | |
| IPVanish | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | No logs, third-party audit by Leviathan | ❌ No | 2400+ servers in 100 countries | Unlimited | $2.19/month | |
| TotalVPN | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | No logs, no independent audit | ❌ No | 50+ servers in 30 countries | 8 | $1.59/month |
Safety tips for playing online poker
Here are a few safety tips that can help you avoid getting your account banned on PokerStars or any other online poker platform:
- Turn on the VPN first. It’s essential that you connect to a VPN before opening PokerStars or any other online poker app or website. This way, the site won’t detect an IP change.
- Use a dedicated IP. If possible, purchase a dedicated IP from a VPN provider. This ensures you’re the only one using it, and the online gambling platform won’t ban you.
- Withdraw often. It’s better not to keep large funds in your account in case it gets frozen. Withdraw your money as often as possible so that you receive it before the site notices the VPN use.
- Enable the kill switch. It’s dangerous to accidentally expose your real location while playing poker online. That’s why I advise you to use a VPN with a good kill switch that shuts down your internet connection in case the VPN connection is lost.
- Use anonymous payment methods. When it comes to hiding your real location, it’s a good idea to use payment methods that don’t reveal any personal information, such as cryptocurrencies.
Can online poker sites detect VPNs?
Yes, it’s possible for online poker sites to detect VPN usage. Online poker pages might see a surge of identical IP addresses, which occurs when many people use the same VPN server to play at the same time.
It’s also possible for a website to recognize an IP address that is known to belong to a certain VPN provider. Sometimes, a page might ban all the IP addresses associated with a single VPN. This often happens with free VPNs that are used by a lot of people.
Luckily, you can lessen your chances of being caught using a reliable and secure VPN like NordVPN.
Why is online poker blocked in certain countries?
Whether you can legally play online poker in your country depends on the local laws. Some countries have completely, or partially, banned real money games due to numerous reasons. These can vary from religious beliefs (like in the UAE) to the inability to ensure fair gambling regulations.
- Local laws. Some countries introduce strict bans or regulations for online gambling to protect citizens from the potential harms of addiction and financial ruin. In terms of religion-based regulations, governments may conclude that gambling goes against their religious doctrine.
- Local gambling industry protection. If a country has an established domestic gambling industry that significantly contributes to the local economy, the government may regulate the residents' access to online gambling sites to protect that industry.
- Tax issues. Some countries do not want to deal with the complications of taxing international online gambling operators. Instead of working out unique conditions and regulations, they ban online gambling to avoid the matter altogether.
- Money laundering and fraud prevention. Online poker sites can be exploited for money laundering. Some countries block online poker sites to reduce the risk.
Due to these and other reasons, you cannot gamble via PokerStars or other online poker sites if you have an IP address in countries like Australia, Bangladesh, Colombia, Egypt, Nigeria, Pakistan, Serbia, United Arab Emirates, and most of the US.
Luckily, a reliable VPN can provide you with a foreign IP address. That said, I strongly suggest that you thoroughly check out your country’s stance on gambling first.
- Please note that while we advocate for internet freedom, we do not condone illegal activities.
Is online poker banned in the US?
No, online poker is not banned in the US. At least, not completely. Although the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) put a tight leash on online poker, sports betting, and other forms of online gambling back in 2006, some states still retain the right to offer real money games at licensed casinos.
States where online poker is legal
Here are the US states where online poker is legal: Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Rhode Island.
A few other US states are currently considering allowing online gambling, but there are no definite decisions as of yet. These states are Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Tennessee, and Virginia.
States where online poker is illegal
The following US states have banned online poker: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wyoming.
Can I use a free VPN for online poker?
I don’t advise you to use a free VPN to unblock online poker. Free VPNs can be quite dangerous – they can misuse your personal information or even infect you with malware.
On the other hand, freemium VPNs are completely safe. Unfortunately, they usually don't offer many servers in countries where PokerStars and other platforms are available. For example, Proton VPN has a wonderful free version, but you only get servers in Japan, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, and the United States. Out of these countries, PokerStars is available only in Poland, Romania, and some US states, so it might be difficult to gain access to the platform.
The best alternative is opting for a premium VPN and making use of its money-back guarantee or free trial. Here are my top recommendations:
- NordVPN – play online poker for free with the 7-day trial on Android (can be set up on other devices after signup) and the 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Surfshark – gamble without limits with a 7-day trial on macOS, Android, and iOS and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Is it safe to play poker online with a VPN?
While playing poker online using a VPN is generally considered to be safe. However, there are a few risks you could potentially face. Whether you want to use a VPN to play at PokerStars, 888poker, GGPoker, or another online poker website, here’s what you should consider:
- Account bans. Accounts can be banned if an online poker website specifically states that VPN usage is not allowed and you use a VPN server to access it. Some VPNs, like NordVPN or Surfshark, implement IP leak protection and server obfuscation techniques to hide the fact that a VPN is used. However, they don't always work.
- Loss of winnings. If you win money while gambling online, you may be required to prove your identity to withdraw the winnings. To make sure you can claim your money, consider starting with small withdrawals to test if identification is required. Also, withdraw funds regularly.
- Fines and penalties. Depending on where you live, just using the VPN could be considered illegal. Depending on the online poker website and where it’s based, you could also face legal consequences for accessing it using prohibited means. In extreme cases, you could face fines and even jail time.
- Note. Consider your country’s stance on gambling and VPNs carefully, as some regions are stricter than others regarding restrictions.
Is VPN allowed on online poker sites and apps?
Some online poker sites and apps explicitly prohibit the use of VPNs as a means to bypass geographical restrictions. Others are more vague and indicate that any kind of manipulation – including the manipulation of your actual geographical location – could be prohibited.
In either case, using a VPN could be considered a breach of legal agreements and lead to account suspension or loss of winnings. To understand the situation better, I reviewed the terms and conditions of several popular online poker platforms.
PokerStars Terms of Service agreement indicates that clients consent to the use of location-based services for the detection of geographical location. While the service doesn’t explicitly forbid the use of VPNs, you will probably lose access to the platform if Pokerstars detect a VPN.
Another popular platform, GGPoker, reserves the right to suspend, restrict, or terminate users’ accounts if they are found to “manipulate the operation of GGPoker.” Again, VPNs are not mentioned explicitly, but this technology can help you manipulate your location, which means it could be included in the agreed-upon terms.
Overall, when it comes to using a VPN for general online security, online poker sites prohibit the manipulation of geographical location. Thus, before you join a new online gambling platform, it’s a good practice to review specific terms and conditions and proceed with caution.
Conclusion
It's possible to play online poker even if the site is blocked in your country. All you need is a good VPN with a kill switch and servers in at least one country where online poker is legal.
In my experience, the best VPN for online poker is NordVPN. That’s because it allows you to connect to multiple countries that allow PokerStars and other poker websites. What's more, NordVPN is also extremely fast and secure, so you won’t need to worry about connection drops and safety.
FAQ
Can you play online poker with a VPN?
Yes, you can use a VPN to play online poker. A VPN can help you bypass geo-restrictions and maintain online security, but it's crucial to note that some poker websites prohibit VPN usage. Using a VPN against their terms of service may result in account suspension.
What is the best VPN for online poker?
NordVPN is the best VPN for online poker because it offers plenty of locations that are suitable for unblocking online poker websites. Aside from online poker, NordVPN has lots of other uses like unblocking a myriad of streaming platforms, has the split tunneling feature, and even blocks online ads.
Can PokerStars detect a VPN?
Yes, PokerStars can detect VPNs. It uses advanced technology to detect and block anyone using VPN services.
Is it legal to use a VPN to play online poker?
Yes and no. It’s generally legal to use a VPN for privacy and security reasons. However, using a VPN to change your location or to play in a country or state where online poker is restricted is illegal. Usually, using a VPN is also against poker website's Terms of Service. If the poker site finds out that you are using a VPN to unblock the site from a restricted location, it can ban your account and refuse to pay out any winnings.
How to use a VPN to play online poker?
To play online poker using a VPN, all you have to do is connect to a server in a country where the poker site of your choice is available. By changing your IP address, the VPN tricks the poker site that you’re physically in the location where the server is based. This way, you can access the account.
Can you legally play online poker in California?
No, you cannot play online poker in California legally according to the Constitution of California. That being said, some forms of gambling are allowed, including tribal casinos, card rooms, and bingo.
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