If you are an experienced bettor, you may already know that certain sportsbooks may be blocked in specific countries or jurisdictions. You can access these geo-blocked betting sites using a reliable VPN service.
This guide covers everything you need about sports betting with VPN. Below are the key things you’ll understand after reading:
- Best VPNs for sports betting
- Betting sites that accept them
- How to choose one
- Are they legal?
Best VPNs for Sports Betting
Besides allowing you to place wagers without location constraints, using VPNs for sports betting also increases your online security by hiding your IP address and encrypting sensitive data. Below are our top 5 picks for the best VPN services. These options are tested and are reliable to unlock sports betting sites from multiple locations without hassles. We also considered all essential aspects, like excellent connectivity, a wide range of server fleets, and solid security.
While the options on our list are paid services, most offer a free trial period and a money-back guarantee. However, you can still find the best free VPN for sports betting online.
Surfshark
Despite being a newcomer to the VPN market, Surfshark has consistently made waves since its launch. Launched in 2018, this VPN features over 3200 RAM-only servers in around 100 countries. Thus, you will always get a server wherever you need it. It also has impressive speed, thanks to its WireGuard protocol implementation. So whether you are placing a few wagers or live streaming a sporting event on your sportsbook, you can rest assured of a stable, smooth connection.
Furthermore, Surfshark provides robust security and privacy features, including AES-256 encryption, a kill switch, and a no-logs policy. It ensures that users enjoy their betting activities without worrying about compromised online security or privacy.
Regarding pricing, the lowest subscription plan for this VPN costs $2.49, with a 30-day money-back guarantee, which is quite affordable compared to other top options in the market. So whether you’re looking for a VPN for Bet365, BetMGM, etc., Surfshark has got you!
| Pros |
Cons |
- Excellent speed
- Strong security
- Affordable prices
- Unlimited connections
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- 7-days free trial
|
- The monthly subscription is relatively expensive
- Features many paid extras
|
NordVPN
NordVPN is virtually the most famous name in the global VPN market, thanks to its sizeable server fleets and a strong focus on privacy and security. This VPN offers around 5500 RAM-only servers in more than 60 countries. So it’ll practically unblock any site you throw at it. Also, it uses military-grade encryption protocols, including a strict no-logging policy, AES-256 encryption, an automatic kill switch, and DNS leak protection. All these ensure your online activity is securely protected from prying eyes.
Additionally, NordVPN has an impressive speed, and you can rest assured your connections won’t buffer or lag, even during heavy activities like streaming. It also offers competitive pricing, with plans starting at just $3.71 per month, a 7-day free trial, and a 30-day money-back guarantee. As a result, NordVPN remains a top option whether you’re looking for the best VPN for Fanduel, Betfair, Roobet, Stake, etc.
| Pros |
Cons |
- Superfast speed
- State-of-the-art security standards
- Supports torrenting
- Wide range of servers
- 7-day free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee
- 24/7 live chat customer support
|
- Email needed for registration
- The desktop app is a bit clumsy
|
IPVanish
IPVanish is yet another excellent VPN for sports betting. Launched in 2012, the VPN offers 2000+ servers across over 50 countries. It boasts military-grade security standards, including a 256-bit AES encryption, zero-logging policy, built-in kill switch, DNS leak protection, and a SOCKS5 proxy for safe torrenting. Additionally, it supports several VPN protocols, including OpenVPN, L2TP, and IKEv2. Apart from unblocking sportsbooks, the VPN works for Netflix, Hulu, and other streaming services.
Furthermore, IPVanish has one of the fastest speeds on the market and works simultaneously with unlimited connections on all your devices. Therefore, it’s up there with the top options whether you’re looking for the best VPN for DraftKings sportsbook or any other betting site.
The best subscription for IPVanish is the 1-year subscription at $3.99, and it also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.
| Pros |
Cons |
- Fast speed
- Military-grade encryption standards
- Zero-logging policy
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Sizeable range of servers
|
- Costly monthly subscription
- No free trial
- No live chat customer support
|
PrivateVPN
PrivateVPN offers 200 servers across around 60 countries. While this is low compared to other VPNs on our list, it is one of the best options for sports bettors for several reasons. First, it features top-grade encryption, including AES-256 encryption, an automatic kill switch, a no-logging policy, and DNS leak protection. All these features ensure your online activity is super private and protected from cyber threats. Additionally, the VPN is its own Internet Service Provider, so it stealthily hides your VPN traffic as regular traffic.
Another reason why PrivateVPN is popular is its impressiveness, ensuring your connection doesn’t lag. Also, it has an affordable subscription fee of $2 per month for a 3-year subscription. It also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
| Pros |
Cons |
- Impressive connection speed
- Supports multiple simultaneous connections
- Top-quality encryption standard
- Free trial
|
- Limited server fleet
- No free trial
|
ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is arguably the best in the market, and for valid reasons. First, it has a Lightway tunneling protocol, making it one of the fastest VPNs for placing wagers and streaming live matches. Also, it features over 3000 servers in 94+ countries. Therefore, ExpressVPN has covered you whether you are looking for a Barstool Sportsbook VPN or any other betting site.
ExpressVPN boasts state-of-the-art security protocols, including AES-256 encryption, to ensure your private data is secure and inaccessible by your Internet Service Provider or any other third party. It also has a kill switch that immediately cuts off your internet connection after disconnecting. Different security standards include a no-logging policy and DNS leak protection.
The only downside we noted with this VPN is its subscription, which is relatively expensive compared to others on our list. The cheapest plan is $6.67 per month, so you might consider signing up when there’s a coupon code. Also, it has a 30-day money-back guarantee.
| Pros |
Cons |
- Blazing-fast speed
- Top-notch encryption protocols
- Sizeable server fleets
- Excellent customer support
- 30-day money-back guarantee
|
- Not the cheapest VPN
- No free version
- Only five simultaneous connections
|
Do I Need a VPN for Sports Betting?
Every sports bettor needs a top-quality VPN for reasons we’ll address in this segment. First, some bookmakers are blocked in certain countries or jurisdictions. It usually occurs when such sites don’t have a license to operate, even in locations where online gambling is legal. Additionally, some sports betting options or features in a sportsbook may be restricted from working in specific countries even if the site is not blocked. However, using VPN for offshore sports betting unblocks these sites and allows you to access every feature they offer.
Even if your favorite betting site is not restricted in your location, and all its features function properly, using VPN for online sports betting offers top-notch encryption to allay the fears associated with online betting security. A trustworthy VPN encrypts your internet traffic and hides your IP address. It ensures all your activities are private, keeping your funds and sensitive data secure.
How to Choose a VPN for Sports Betting?
Using VPN for sports betting begins with choosing the best options on the market for maximum functionality. Below are the essential factors to consider:
- Military-grade encryption protocols: One of the main reasons for using a VPN to sports bet is online security, so you must consider state-of-the-art encryption protocols when choosing one. It includes an automatic kill switch, no lagging policy, DNS leak protection, AES-256 encryption, etc.
- Blazing-fast speed: You want to place wagers fast and stream live games on your sportsbook without lagging or buffering. So it would help to look for a VPN with fast speed.
- Sizeable server fleets: To access numerous blocked online bookies, you need a VPN that offers a vast range of servers across several countries. It is to ensure it can unblock almost every betting site you throw at it, and you can also switch between servers easily.
- Price: Using VPN to bet on sports is only worth it if the pricing is affordable. Luckily the options on our list are affordable. Also, most of them offer a free trial and money-back guarantee.
How to Use a VPN for Sports Betting
At this point, you already know the answer to the question, “does a VPN work for sports betting?” is yes. However, you need to understand how to go about it. Below is a step-by-step guide to betting with a VPN:
- Install a trustworthy VPN app from our list
- Clear your cookies
- Launch the VPN app
- Connect to the server where your preferred online sportsbook is located
- Log in to your bookie’s account
- Place your wagers
- Disconnect from the VPN
- Contact customer support if you encounter any problem
Betting Sites That Accept VPN
Below are some popular sportsbooks that allow you to use VPN for sports betting and their locations. Reputable authorities license these sites in the iGaming industry and don’t ban VPN use.
| Betting Site |
Location |
| ⚪ Bet365 |
UK |
| ⚪ Betway |
Global |
| ⚪ Bwin |
UK, Europe |
| ⚪ 888Sport |
UK, Europe |
| ⚪ Bovada |
Canada |
| ⚪ Stake |
Cyprus |
| ⚪ William Hill |
UK |
| ⚪ LeoVegas |
Sweden, UK, Europe |
| ⚪ Paddy Power |
UK, Ireland |
| ⚪ Dafabet |
Asia |
| ⚪ Intertops |
St. Kitts |
| ⚪ MyBookie |
Costa Rica |
| ⚪ Veikkaus |
Finland |
| ⚪ Pinnacle |
Curacao |
Is Online Gambling Legal with a VPN?
As mentioned above, gambling laws differ from one country to another. Some countries permit gambling, some have no specific laws regulating it (a grey area), while others, like Afghanistan and Romania, outrightly ban any gambling activity. There is also the US, where the law allows placing wagers but bans accepting them. Additionally, it is noteworthy that some bookmakers explicitly declare that using VPN violates their ToS.
So the question remains, “can you legally use a VPN for sports betting?” Well, you are not breaking any laws when you bet with VPN, as long as online sports betting is legal in your country or there are no specific laws guiding betting on offshore bookmakers. However, we’d like to state that we do not condone betting in a country or location where gambling is completely banned. It may attract heavy penalties such as a hefty fine or a jail term.
Also, you must confirm that a betting site has no specific regulation against VPNs. Accessing such platforms with VPN can result in your account getting blocked and funds confiscated.
Final Words
A trustworthy VPN is a powerful tool for a sports bettor. First, it helps overcome geo-restrictions and access betting sites from anywhere worldwide. It also ensures that you enjoy everything a bookmaker offers without location limits. Additionally, VPNs provide your online activities are secure and private, so cybercriminals don’t have access to your funds and sensitive information.
However, ensuring that your country doesn’t outrightly ban gambling is essential to avoid severe legal issues. You should also check the ToS of the betting site to confirm it doesn’t prohibit the use of VPNs.
Whether you need an Android or iPhone VPN for sports betting, it is essential to consider security protocols, server locations, speed, customer support, user-friendly interface, compatibility, pricing, etc. Lastly, remember always to gamble responsibly and within your means.
