What Websites Can and Can’t You Visit with a VPN?

April 28, 2025 By Nancy William No Comments 6 minutes

Using a VPN feels a bit like a golden key to the internet. You press the button and voila, suddenly it seems like you have access to everything. Yet it is not quite that simple.

What Websites Can and Can't You Visit with a VPN

Some sites welcome VPN users with open arms (or at least don’t care about it), while others show you the door right away.

If you’ve ever tried to log in to a site and suddenly got an error message, you know exactly what it means. Time to take a look at where you enter with a VPN and where you stay outside.

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Sites where you hit a wall

To start with, the bad news: not everything is rosy in the world of VPNs.

There are sites that absolutely do not want to see VPN users. Online casinos are a well-known example of this. Many gambling sites have to meet strict licensing requirements, and one of those rules is often: no players from outside a certain country.

Are you logging in via a VPN? Then you can often expect a blockade or even a ban.

Do you still want to play? Then do some research into what is possible. Discover the Latest Online Casinos in Canada where you can create and play an account without any problems, with or without a VPN. Also, pay attention to promotions, game selection, and other important factors.

Banks are not keen on it either. When logging into your online bank account via a VPN, the alarm bells go off immediately. This is logical, because banks have to prevent fraud and money laundering.

If you are suddenly virtually in Canada while you are always in the Netherlands, the system will no longer trust you at all. Sometimes you are just kindly asked to turn off the VPN, sometimes access is blocked completely.

Government websites form a third category. Some tax authorities and public portals recognize VPN traffic and simply block access.

Especially if you need to upload important documents or make official requests, a VPN can throw a spanner in the works rather than help.

Sites where you can go with a VPN

Streaming services are a popular target for VPN users. Think of people who want to watch Netflix Asia, while hanging out on the couch in the Netherlands.

Quality VPNs can fake regions, giving you access to movies and series that are normally invisible. This is certainly a gigantic Advantage of using a VPN. Note that not every VPN works equally well, but the better services often know how to cleverly evade detection.

In addition, news websites are usually not that difficult. Some countries block certain news platforms, but with a VPN you can easily slip around them.

Journalists and travelers make grateful use of this. Especially in countries where a free press is not self-evident (or simply non-existent, such as in China), a VPN is not a luxury, but a necessity.

You can also often reach social media without any problems. Think of Facebook, X (the old Twitter) and Instagram. In countries where these apps are blocked, a VPN offers a way out.

As long as your VPN server isn’t blacklisted, you can happily scroll and post as if nothing is wrong.

Why Some Sites Block VPNs

The reason behind these blockages is usually quite simple: rules, rules and more rules. Licenses, privacy legislation, copyright treaties – you name it.

Take a streaming service like Hulu. It often only has rights to broadcast certain series in America. If you try to watch with a VPN from Europe, you are technically in breach of contract. That’s why companies invest a lot of money in technologies that can recognize and block VPN traffic.

Casinos are also all about licenses. Suppose an online casino only has a license for the Dutch market, then they are not allowed to admit gamblers from other countries. Do you use a VPN to get around that? Then not only you, but also the casino can get into trouble.

Use VPNs smartly

You don’t have to throw your VPN out the door right away. If you are smart about when and how to use it, you can still benefit a lot.

Want to stream? Then make sure you have a VPN that is specially made to evade detection systems. There are services that offer additional ‘obfuscated servers’, which are specifically designed to look like normal internet traffic.

Do you need internet banking? Then turn off your VPN just to be sure. You give up your online privacy for a while, but in most cases it’s worth it because you won’t get blocked accounts or annoying security questions.

When you’re traveling, on the other hand, it’s recommended to use a VPN to place you virtually back in the Netherlands.

Is it about government affairs? See if the website gives a special notice about VPN use. Sometimes you get an error message immediately, but there are also sites that explain why access is denied and what you can do about it.

Additional situations to consider

In addition to casinos, banks, and governments, there are other places where VPNs aren’t always welcome. Think of sports streams, for example. Major sporting events such as the Champions League or the Olympic Games often have regional broadcasting rights.

If you use a VPN to watch a foreign stream, the site can block you just like that.

You also have to pay attention to ticket sites. Some platforms have price differences by region. If you use a VPN to score cheaper concert tickets, for example, you run the risk of having your reservation canceled if they notice that you’ve spoofed your location.

In online games, VPN use can also be tricky. Some game servers don’t tolerate players using a VPN, as that could indicate attempts to evade bans or cheat. If you are caught, it can just result in a permanent ban.

What you absolutely must not forget

VPNs are fantastic when it comes to privacy and freedom online. But you have to know when it’s better to turn them off. Not every site likes it when you hide your location, and in some cases, it can even get you in trouble.

A good rule of thumb: if money, official documents, or legal matters are involved, think twice before leaving your VPN on. For entertainment, news and social media, you are usually safe, as long as you pay attention to which servers you choose.