5 Best VPNs for Online Poker in 2024

Online poker games are a popular pastime for millions of people. Unfortunately, many different countries and states ban poker sites, making registration and gameplay impossible for citizens or visitors. Even if you’re from a region where online poker is available and already have an account, you might not be able to play poker online if you travel outside of it. 

Luckily, there’s an easy fix for both issues: the trick is to use a VPN for online poker. With a VPN, you can unblock any poker site, no matter where you are, by changing your virtual location to a country where they’re available. In addition, VPNs secure your activity as you play.

In this article, we’ll share and compare the 5 best VPNs for online poker. We’ll also explain how to play poker online with a VPN, discuss why you need a VPN, how to choose the best one, show you where online poker is legal, recommend the best online poker sites, and we'll finish with a round of FAQs.

Best Online Poker VPNs - Our Shortlist

1. NordVPN – Our #1-Rated Best VPN for Online Poker in 2024
2. Surfshark – Best Online Poker VPN with Unlimited Connections
3. ExpressVPN – Ultra-Secure VPN to Play Online Poker
4. CyberGhost VPN – User-Friendly VPN with Tons of Servers
5. Private Internet Access – High-End VPN Ideal for Advanced Users

How to Use a VPN to Play Online Poker

To use a VPN to play online poker, you must find a service that can unblock poker sites. Then, you’ll need to get a subscription and connect to a VPN server. Here’s how to do it:

1. Sign up for a VPN that unblocks online poker sites (we recommend NordVPN). 
2. Download and install the VPN app on the device(s) you’ll use to play poker.
3. Open the VPN app and log in to activate it.
4. Connect to a VPN location where most poker sites work (Canada, Malta).
5. That’s it! Now you can play poker online with no restrictions.

For better connection and performance, ensure that you connect to a VPN server closest to the game server you’re playing poker on. This will ensure the lowest latency and ping. 

The Best VPNs for Online Poker in 2024

Choosing the best online poker VPN can be tricky, but by sticking to the criteria from our best gambling VPN guide, you’ll find one in no time. The first thing to look for is the ability to unblock online poker sites from anywhere. To do so, the VPN will need a wide network with servers in countries that allow online poker, like Germany, Australia, and the Philippines.

In addition, the VPN you choose should have obfuscated servers that hide the fact that you’re using a VPN. Some other security and privacy features you should look out for include a kill switch, a no-logs policy, VPN protocols, and encryption. 

Also, your VPN must allow a few simultaneous connections and should be compatible with many devices. Performance and speed are also essential factors, along with a money-back guarantee and 24/7 customer support. 

Based on the criteria mentioned above, here are the 5 best VPNs for online poker in 2024:

1. NordVPN – Our #1-Rated Best VPN for Online Poker in 2024

NordVPN is the best VPN for online poker. It has the ability to unblock many different online poker sites, like GGPoker, PokerStars, and 888Poker, and will protect your finances while doing so. It has a vast server network of over 5,800+ servers in 60 countries, including 240+ in Germany and 190+ in Australia. 

In addition, you’ll get top-notch security and privacy features, including obfuscated servers, a kill switch, a no-logs policy, secure VPN protocols, AES 256-bit encryption, Double VPN, split tunneling, and more. 

This VPN offers fast Internet connection speeds and reliable performance, so you can play online poker games with little to no lag, even if you connect to remote servers.

With NordVPN, you can connect up to 6 devices simultaneously. NordVPN is also compatible with many different devices, allowing you to access online poker sites via your phone, tablet, laptop, PC, and more.

Also, know that NordVPN brings plenty of value overall. You can get started for only $2.99 per month if you pick its 2-year plan. You can choose from three subscription plans, based on the features you plan to use. Plus, you'll get some extra time added to your subscription.

The provider comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee and a no-questions-asked refund policy. In addition, it has 24/7 customer support which you can access via its website.

2. Surfshark – Best Online Poker VPN with Unlimited Connections

Surfshark is a beginner-friendly online poker VPN that can unblock a wide range of poker sites, such as GGPoker, PokerStars, and 888Poker. It covers 100 countries worldwide with its 3,200+ server infrastructure. The provider has servers in Germany, Australia, and the Philippines—all great locations for accessing online poker games.

With Surfshark, you’ll get obfuscation no matter which server you use via its Camouflage Mode. Also, you’ll get a capable kill switch, secure VPN protocols, a no-logs policy, military-grade encryption, a MultiHop feature, and many other robust security and privacy features.

This VPN for online poker is among the fastest ones available today, offering fast Internet connection speeds and reliable performance. Surfshark allows you to have unlimited simultaneous connections and is compatible with a vast array of devices, including phones, tablets, laptops, PCs, routers, and more. 

You can get started with Surfshark for only $1.99 per month, which is how its 2-year plan costs. If you need extra features, like a private search engine or anti-malware, the cost increases to $2.69 or $3.99 per month, which is still affordable. You'll get some extra months as well.

In addition, it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee that you can use to try out its services risk-free. Lastly, you’ll get reliable 24/7 customer support via live chat, available on Surfshark’s website.

3. ExpressVPN – Ultra-Secure VPN to Play Online Poker

ExpressVPN can unblock popular poker sites from anywhere, including platforms like GGPoker, PokerStars, and 888Poker. The provider has a wide server network of 3,000+ servers in 100+ countries, including Germany, Australia, and the Philippines—where many online poker games are available.

The VPN also comes with obfuscated servers, a no-logs policy, secure VPN protocols, and military-grade encryption. Also, you’ll get a capable kill switch that will disconnect your Internet connection if your VPN drops. 

With ExpressVPN, you won’t have to worry about speed or performance since the provider comes with blazing-fast Internet connections and reliable performance on all its servers. You’ll get to use 8 devices simultaneously, including phones, laptops, PCs, routers, tablets, and more.

You can subscribe to ExpressVPN for $6.67 per month, which is the VPN's 1-year plan. This plan also comes with 3 months added to your first billing period, which means you'll subscribe for the next 15 months in one go.

Moreover, the provider offers reliable 24/7 customer support, available via live chat. Lastly, you’ll get a 30-day money-back guarantee, which you can use as a risk-free trial. 

4. CyberGhost VPN – User-Friendly VPN with Tons of Servers

CyberGhost is another excellent online poker VPN with the ability to unblock many popular poker platforms, including GGPoker, PokerStars, and 888Poker. It has a super large server network, spanning 10,000+ servers in 100+ countries. With this VPN, you can connect to one of the 1,549 servers in Germany, 213 in Australia, or 70 in the Philippines to play online poker.

It comes with all the privacy and security features needed to safely play with real money in online poker games. Some of those include a kill switch, AES encryption, secure VPN protocols, and a no-logs policy. 

Unfortunately, CyberGhost doesn’t have any obfuscated servers, but it does have NoSpy servers that offer an additional layer of security and privacy. However, you should keep in mind that they cost extra and aren’t available everywhere.

With one CyberGhost subscription, you can connect up to 7 devices simultaneously. It supports phones, laptops, tablets, routers, PCs, and more. Similar to NordVPN, CyberGhost also comes with medium-fast connection speeds and reliable performance.

CyberGhost has always been known for its affordable pricing. The lowest you can pay right now is $2.03 per month for the VPN's 2-year plan. You can also expect some extra time added to your subscription, which typically ranges from 2 to 4 months added on top.

Lastly, with this VPN for online poker, you’ll get 24/7 customer support via live chat and a 45-day money-back guarantee for longer-term plans. If you opt for the monthly plan, you’ll be covered by a 14-day money-back guarantee.

5. Private Internet Access – High-End VPN Ideal for Advanced Users

Private Internet Access (PIA) is a customizable VPN provider that can give you access to multiple online poker sites, including GGPoker, PokerStars, and 888Poker. It has the largest server fleet available on the market, sporting thousands of servers in 90+ countries. Out of those, you can use PIA to connect to multiple servers in Germany, Australia, and the Philippines. 

PIA is excellent for more advanced users, as it allows them to customize their settings. For instance, you can decrease or increase your encryption levels, change your VPN protocol, and optimize your speed. Without optimization, you’ll get average Internet connections and reliable performance. So, it’s not the fastest VPN out there, but you can tweak it a bit. 

This provider also comes with obfuscated servers, a kill switch, secure VPN protocols, a no-logs policy, and military-grade encryption. In addition, you’ll get a Multi-Hop feature, data leak protection, dedicated IPs, and state-of-the-art antivirus software. 

PIA can be yours for only $2.03 per month if you opt for its 2-year plan. There are other long-term plans as well, but this one always has the biggest savings. Also, it frequently includes some extra time, which means you'll get from 2 to 4 months added to your first billing period.

You can connect unlimited devices simultaneously with PIA and use it on phones, tablets, laptops, PCs, routers, and more. Also, you’ll get 24/7 customer support via live chat and a 30-day money-back guarantee. 

Best Online Poker VPNs: Compared

	NordVPN	Surfshark	ExpressVPN	CyberGhost VPN	PIA VPN
Unblocks Poker Sites	YES	YES	YES	YES	YES
Server Network Size	5,800+ in 60 countries	3,200+ in 100 countries	3,000+ in 105 countries	10,000+ in 100 countries	N/A in 90+ countries
Obfuscation	YES	YES	YES	NO	YES
Performance	Very fast	Very fast	Very fast	Medium	Fast
No-Logs Policy	YES	YES	YES	YES	YES
Kill Switch	YES	YES	YES	YES	YES
VPN Protocols	OpenVPN IKEv2/IPsec NordLynx	OpenVPN WireGuard IKEv2	OpenVPN Lightway L2TP/IPsec IKEv2	OpenVPN IKEv2/IPsec WireGuard	OpenVPN WireGuard L2TP/IPSec IKEv2
Simultaneous Connections	6	Unlimited	8	7	Unlimited
Live Chat Support	YES (24/7)	YES (24/7)	YES (24/7)	YES (24/7)	YES (24/7)
Money-Back Guarantees	30 days	30 days	30 days	45 days	30 days
	Get NordVPN	Get Surfshark	Get ExpressVPN	Get CyberGhost	Get PIA

Why Do You Need a VPN for Playing Poker Online?

You need a VPN for playing poker online so that you can access gambling sites that aren’t available in your country or state. Without a VPN, you’ll get a message similar to the following example: "Sorry, this version of PokerStars isn’t available in your country."

Other reasons why you need to use a VPN to play online online include:

• Bypass Geo-Blocks from Unsupported Regions – Almost all online poker sites are geo-blocked in certain countries. However, with a VPN for online poker, you can bypass the restrictions by connecting to a server in a location where the site you want to use is available.
• Bypass Licensing Issues – Even if the poker site you want to access is available in your country, many branded games might not be. To gamble with no restrictions, you can get a VPN and connect to a server located in a region that offers all branded and non-branded games.
• Play Online Poker While Traveling – If you’re traveling to a country where the online poker site you usually use is restricted, you won’t be able to access it. However, with a VPN, you can connect to a server in your home country and play without restrictions.
• Play Online Poker on Public Wi-Fi - You should never use a public Wi-Fi network if you care about your privacy, as those are designed to collect all kinds of information. However, since a VPN encrypts your data, you'll get to secure any type of network, and that includes any public network as well.
• Unblock a Wide Range of Poker Sites – Countries like Germany, Japan, and the Philippines allow online poker sites and don’t regulate them at all. By connecting to a VPN server in one of them, you can easily access a vast array of poker sites, along with the largest selection of branded games.
• Protect Your Privacy and Finances – Playing poker games online can be risky, as you’re using real money to play. A VPN can protect your money and personal information by encrypting your Internet connection and hiding your online activity.
• Hide Your Browsing Activity - Your Internet provider can see everything you do online, and various types of Internet trackers can do the same. If you wish to keep your browsing history a secret, you need to use a VPN when accessing online poker sites.
• Hide Your IP Address - Based on your IP address, websites can see your actual location, which is how geo-blocks are imposed. So, if you wish to hide your location and gain access to practically any website, your only option is to use a VPN.

How to Choose the Best Online Poker VPN?

To choose the best online poker VPN, you need to make sure you're picking one with a wide server network and the ability to unblock any site. Pay attention to the following:

• Ability to Unblock Any Poker Site - You'll want a VPN that helps you access any online poker site, giving you instantaneous access with no restrictions.
• Server Network Size and Distribution - Pay attention to whether your chosen VPN covers Canada, Malta, and the Philippines, which is where most online poker sites are based.
• Obfuscated Servers - Obfuscation helps you bypass even the toughest Web roadblocks, as it allows you to use smaller data packets that more easily evade detection.
• Kill Switch - It doesn't happen often, but your VPN connection can suddenly drop, which is when your sensitive information can leak. A kill switch prevents that from happening so that you can play online poker with a VPN without worrying about data leaks.
• No-Logs Policy - There's not a single reason to allow your VPN to collect any information about you, which is where an audited no-logs policy comes into play.
• Strong Protocols and Encryption - Our recommendation is to get an online poker VPN that comes with OpenVPN/AES-256 or WireGuard/ChaCha20.
• Simultaneous Connections and Supported Devices - If you play from your PC as well as a mobile device, ensure you get enough connections and apps for your devices.
• Performance and Speed - It's true that a VPN will slow you down a bit. However, the best VPN for online poker should minimize throttling and keep your connection fast.
• Money-Back Guarantees - You can make your investment risk-free by getting a VPN with a generous money-back policy, giving you plenty of time to test-drive its features.
• Customer Support - If technical problems arise, you'll be happy to have a VPN with 24/7 live chat support, helping you avoid wasting time on finding a solution.

Popular Online Poker Sites

The Internet is full of online poker sites, so choosing the best ones to play on can be confusing. However, as long as you use a VPN with strong content-unblocking capabilities, you’ll have access to every poker site with one VPN subscription.

To make things easier for you, we compiled a list of the 10 best online poker sites:

• BetOnline Poker
• PokerStars
• GGPoker
• 888Poker
• Bovada Poker
• ACR Poker
• PokerKing
• Ignition Casino
• PokerStars Europe
• PokerBaazi

Why is Online Poker Banned in Some Countries?

Online poker is banned in some countries due to religious beliefs that deem gambling a sin. Sometimes online poker bans are imposed as a way of protecting youth from gambling. Then there are the moral implications of potentially supporting gambling addictions, which can result in the loss of human lives. 

Other governments have declared online poker banned because they’re unable to ensure fair gambling regulations. Moreover, some authorities have money laundering concerns.

Online poker sites can either be completely banned or partially restricted. Countries like China, South Korea, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, North Korea, and Israel strongly enforce an online poker ban and now consider the activity illegal. On the other hand, the US and Europe have more complex regulations—it’s not completely banned, but not fully legal, either.

Where is Online Poker Legal?

There are quite a few locations where it’s legal to play poker online. Choose your VPN server based on the location of the site you want to use for legal online poker—and how close you are to its servers. Below is a list of the countries, along with a few US states, where online poker is legal:  

• Australia
• Austria
• Belgium
• Canada
• Connecticut (USA)
• Delaware (USA)
• Denmark
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Ireland
• Italy
• Michigan (USA)
• Netherlands
• Nevada (USA)
• New Jersey (USA)
• New Zealand
• Pennsylvania (USA)
• Philippines
• Rhode Island (USA)
• Spain
• Sweden
• United Kingdom
• West Virginia (USA)

Can You Use a Free VPN for Online Poker?

Yes, you can use a free VPN to unblock online poker, but we don’t recommend it for a number of reasons.  Free VPNs are risky and can expose your personal information. In fact, they likely won’t protect your money at all.

You might not even be able to get sites for online poker unblocked, as free VPNs have poor content-unblocking capabilities. Also, free providers have small server networks, slow speeds, and limited data caps. So, they probably won’t deliver a smooth online poker experience if they’re able to unblock the service at all. 

Thus, if you want to get poker unblocked and play with no restrictions, we recommend you use premium VPNs. As an alternative, you can go with a VPN free trial, which is how you gain access to premium VPN features for free, for a limited time.

The best VPN trial right now is the NordVPN free trial, available for 7 days on Android. This VPN also has a 30-day money-back guarantee for other devices and platforms.

That said, if you're set on using a free VPN, your best option is Proton VPN. However, know that you'll get limited speeds and servers in the US, the Netherlands, and Japan, so you'll gain access to a very limited selection of online poker sites.

Final Thoughts

Online poker sites are usually highly regulated. Some countries ban them altogether, and others impose certain rules and restrictions, but many deem them legal. That said, poker sites come with all kinds of access restrictions, which is what you can bypass using a VPN. However, keep in mind that you need to be picky when using a VPN that can protect your privacy and finances.

We recommend NordVPN for all online poker players because it can easily give you access to a wide range of the most popular online poker sites. It will also protect your money and your sensitive personal information while you’re playing. With NordVPN, you’ll enjoy a smooth and safe gambling experience, from any device, and from any part of the world.

That’s all for our guide to choosing a VPN for online poker. Don’t hesitate to share your questions and remarks via the comments section below should you have any. Thanks for reading!