Posted by Caleb Rensai | Spin Mindfully Blog
Okay, folks. Buckle up, because I’m about to share a very real, slightly embarrassing story from yesterday’s slot session that turned into a full-blown tech support adventure.
It all started with a simple goal: log into OLG, spin a few reels, maybe hit a small jackpot, and go about my day with a smug little smile. But oh no — OLG had other plans.
The Login Loop of Doom
I tried logging in. It said no.
I tried again. Still no.
Finally, a message popped up telling me to “disable your VPN so we can verify your location.” And I sat there thinking:
VPN? Is that some sort of vaccine booster? A new sandwich from Subway? An online tax form I forgot to file?!
Let me tell you something — for the sake of me, I had no idea what a VPN was, let alone how to disable it. I didn’t knowingly install anything. I wasn’t trying to hide in a bunker in Iceland or anything. I just wanted to play some slots in peace, from my own living room in Ontario!
So what did I do?
I did what any determined slot fan would do: I opened a new tab and typed “what is VPN and how do I shut it down before I lose my mind.”
So, What Is a VPN?
For those of you who are also not part-time hackers or tech wizards, let me explain what I learned.
VPN stands for “Virtual Private Network.”
Basically, it hides your real IP address and pretends you’re somewhere else — like surfing the web in California while you’re really in Kingston. It’s great for privacy, watching Netflix from other countries, or if you’re James Bond and don’t want MI6 tracking your Pinterest boards.
BUT — and here’s the kicker — OLG needs to know you’re actually in Ontario to let you play. That’s part of their licensing agreement and all that responsible gambling regulation stuff (which we actually support!). So if you have a VPN on, OLG thinks you might be trying to access their site from somewhere else — and locks you out.
Which is how I ended up on YouTube watching 19-year-olds with gaming chairs teach me how to disable a VPN on my Windows settings.
How to Disable VPN (So You Can Get Back to Spinning)
If you’re like me and had no idea you even had a VPN turned on, here’s how you can check and shut it off:
If You’re on Windows 10 or 11:
- Click the Start button (bottom left of your screen).
- Type “VPN settings” and hit Enter.
- If there’s a VPN listed under “VPN connections,” click on it.
- Hit “Disconnect” or “Remove.”
Sometimes VPNs sneak in with antivirus software or browser extensions. If you’re using something like McAfee, Norton, or Avast, check if they’ve got a “VPN” feature turned on.
Also check your browser extensions (Chrome, Firefox, Edge). If you see something that says “VPN” in your list of extensions, disable it by clicking the little puzzle icon and switching it off.
On Mac:
- Click the Apple Menu → System Settings → Network.
- Look for any active VPNs in the left panel.
- If you see one, select it and hit Disconnect or turn it off.
It might also help to restart your computer just to give it a nice “you’re free now” refresh.
Why Casinos Need to Do a Better Job Explaining This
Now, don’t get me wrong — I’m all for online security and geo-location verification. But I really wish OLG had explained this whole VPN thing a little better. Like maybe a “What’s a VPN?” link under the error message. Or a cute animated video of a confused player and a helpful raccoon guide. I don’t know, something more user-friendly than “YOU SHALL NOT PASS!” in tech-speak.
Instead, I had to become a mini tech detective just to spin some digital reels. Not exactly how I planned to spend my Sunday.
Final Thoughts from Your VPN Survivor
If you’re locked out of your casino account and getting that “disable VPN” message, now you know what to do. You’re not alone, you’re not being hacked, and no — you’re not suddenly living in another country. Your device is just trying to be too clever for its own good.
Once I figured it out and turned off the VPN, I was back in and spinning in no time. The reels were calling, and I answered — from Ontario, like a law-abiding, maple syrup-loving slot player.
So, do your research, stay calm, and next time you see “VPN,” don’t panic. Just disable it, grab your snack, and get back to your game.
And OLG — if you’re listening — maybe throw us a bone and include clearer instructions for us regular folks. Some of us just want to spin without taking a crash course in network security.
Until next time,
Caleb Rensai
Spin Mindfully | Mindful Spins. Happy Wins.
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