Best VPNs for Sports Betting (Access from Anywhere)

There’s nothing quite like the thrill of watching your favorite team win a game while earning some cash through sports betting. You may even want to try betting online, but this can be challenging. Sports betting websites are blocked in many countries worldwide due to various laws and restrictions. Hackers and inadequate security can also cause you to lose your money.

However, there is a reliable way to cut through geo-restrictions while remaining private and completely safe. To do this, you will need to use a VPN (virtual private network). A good VPN will allow you to quickly and reliably unlock various sports betting sites from anywhere. Your connection will also be encrypted, adding additional security during deposits and withdrawals.

If you’re searching for the best VPN for sports betting, look no further. We’ve tested four excellent providers that passed all our tests:

1. NordVPN – Top VPN for sports betting that provides huge server network, reliable and fast connections, airtight security, and total privacy. (use a coupon for 74% off).
2. Surfshark – Highly secure sports betting VPN for people on a budget that provides unlimited connections. 
3. ExpressVPN – Classic no-logs VPN app with advanced security features and consistent connection. 
4. IPVanish – Blazing-fast US-based VPN with adequate protection.

In this article, we will do an overview of each VPN, provide you with gambling tips, teach you how to set up a VPN for sports betting, and much more.

Key Takeaways

• Key features to look for in a VPN for sports betting include a wide server network, a strict no-logs policy, strong encryption, and multiple simultaneous connections.
• VPNs are essential for bypassing geo-restrictions and maintaining privacy while betting. We found that NordVPN is the best VPN sports betting with fast speeds, secure apps, and a huge network of global servers.
• Avoid using free VPN services, as they provide weaker security, slower speeds, and outdated protocols. A majority of them will also sell your sensitive information to the ad agencies.
• The legal landscape for online gambling varies by region, and while VPNs can provide access, they should be used responsibly in accordance with local laws to avoid legal consequences.

How to use a VPN for Sports Betting

Sports betting websites are regularly geo-restricted, blocking users from accessing them from certain locations. Luckily, a VPN allows you to connect to a server in a country or state where sports betting is fully accessible. In the process, you will get a new IP address, which allows you to unlock popular sports betting websites.

A premium VPN will also keep you secure by encrypting your outgoing data. This way, hackers and other third parties cannot steal your financial information.

This may seem confusing, but everything you really need to do to start betting is:

1. Get a subscription to a sports betting VPN.
   
   We achieved the best performance by using NordVPN (use our coupon to get 74% off).
   
2. Register, download, and install the VPN app on your device.
3. Open your VPN and use your credentials to log in.
4. Protect yourself by enabling advanced security features.
   
   Make sure that all leak protection features and the kill switch are turned on. You should also use advanced VPN protocols like NordLynx or OpenVPN.
   
5. Connect to a VPN server in a country where sports betting is legal.
   
   Try connecting to a nearby server, as this will give you the most consistent performance.
   
6. Bet securely and privately with a top sports betting VPN.

In this example, we used the NordVPN server in New York because it provided an optimal connection.

And this is everything you have to do.

Now, it is time to go through each of the top sports betting VPNs we have previously mentioned.

NordVPN – Best Sports Betting VPN in 2024

NordVPN is our favorite VPN for sports betting for a wide variety of reasons. To start, it has a huge worldwide network. It consists of 6,400+ servers in 111 countries, with plenty of servers in countries where sports betting is legal. All of them support advanced VPN protocols like NordLynx and IKEv2/IPsec.

NordLynx is an iteration of WireGuard, a protocol that is very popular because it is very fast, provides low latency, and provides instant connections to all servers. You can see how well it compares to other protocols in our NordVPN vs. ExpressVPN comparison.

In the picture below, we managed to get over 600 Mbps by connecting to the New York VPN server. Due to its relaxed laws on gambling, this is one of the best states you can use for sports betting.

This is all good news, but let’s see how good NordVPN is regarding security and privacy. After all, both of these are much more important when betting online.

NordVPN uses AES 256 GCM encryption to protect your identity and credit card information from hackers. It also has various leak protection tools (DNS, WebRTC, and IPv6) and a kill switch that prevent your identity from accidentally being exposed online. Your privacy is also in good hands as this is a no-logs VPN service that uses only RAM servers. This ensures that all of your data will be wiped out from NordVPN’s servers every time they restart.

Throughout the years, many companies have independently audited this service. Cure53 performed a pen test that concluded NordVPN has airtight security.

NordVPN Advanced Tools

NordVPN provides multiple types of servers you can connect to.

• Double VPN Servers – Strengthen your encryption by passing your data through two servers. However, this will also affect your speed. You can find the same feature on many other VPNs, like Surfshark and ProtonVPN.
• Obfuscated Servers – Allow you to start betting on sports anonymously. They will completely obscure your VPN traffic from your ISP and the government. This is very important if gambling is illegal in your country and/or your online freedom is heavily restricted. Obfuscation makes NordVPN one of the most popular VPNs for China.
• Onion Over VPN Servers – Connect to the Tor network on top of NordVPN for ultimate security. Unfortunately, these servers are very slow and unsuitable for sports betting.

To further boost your security, you will want to enable some of the following features:

• Split Tunneling – Allows you to control what applications can connect to NordVPN. As a split tunneling VPN, it will allow you to create an exclusive tunnel for sports betting in order to maximize security.
• Threat Protection – A high-end scanner that will locate and eliminate trackers and malware and prevent you from opening suspicious websites. You can also use it to block annoying ads that are common on many sports betting websites.
•  VPN Proxy – A minimalistic yet secure browser extension that you can install on Firefox, Edge, and Chrome.
• Dedicated IP –  An add-on feature that provides you with an exclusive IP address. This will ensure that your IP doesn’t get blacklisted by betting websites. NordVPN’s dedicated IP will also let you avoid tedious verification processes.
• Kill Switch – A final line of defense that will prevent your financial data from leaking when all other security methods fail. In case of emergency, a kill switch will disable your Wi-Fi.

See all NordVPN features here >

Ideal Sports Betting VPN

NordVPN can be installed on all devices that support VPNs, including computers, tablets, and smartphones. You can even install it on your router, which will let you protect other platforms on your network. This VPN can hold 10 simultaneous connections, which should be enough to secure your entire network. Aside from using it for gambling, you can use NordVPN to improve your gaming, access restricted streaming sites, and more. The app is very easy to navigate, making it suitable for beginners.

Don’t worry if you experience any technical difficulties, as NordVPN has your back with 24/7 customer support that you can access through live chat. This is also a top free trial VPN since it comes with a 30-day refund guarantee.

Find out more about this VPN by looking at our complete NordVPN overview.

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Surfshark – Sports Betting VPN for Users on a Budget

Surfshark is a fast-rising VPN app located in the Netherlands. It is ideal for our purpose, as it has over 3,200 servers in 100 countries, including locations where sports betting is fully legal. Surfshark uses three VPN protocols, including WireGuard, that offers airtight security and cutting-edge connections.

Nowhere was this more apparent than in our NordVPN vs Surfshark article. In it, we discovered that both VPNs provide nearly identical speeds. This is one of the main reasons why we think Surfshark is one of the top cheap VPN services currently available. This VPN really cares about user privacy, which is evident from its strict no-logs policy and exclusive use of RAM servers. Surfshark relies on AES 256 encryption, multiple leak protection tools, a kill switch, and split tunneling to protect your identity and financial data. With all of this combined, you will be completely safe from hackers and third parties trying to access your data.

Surfshark Premium Features

• Obfuscation
• Dynamic Multi-Hop – Surfshark’s take on double VPN servers that offers more customizability.
• IP Rotator – Periodically switches your IP address but doesn’t disconnect you from Surfshark.
• IP Randomizer – Gives you a new IP every time you go to another website. This will ensure that you remain private while betting, but your speed will suffer.
• Clean Web – A premium VPN ad blocker that eliminates trackers and malware.
• No Borders – This feature lets you connect to Surfshark even if you are using a restricted network. It is crucial if you are looking for a VPN for UAE and Dubai.
• VPN Proxy – Surfshark has a powerful extension that passed Cure53’s pentest.
• Smart DNS
• Leak Protection
• Split Tunneling
• Kill Switch

See all Surfshark features here >

Surfshark allows you to easily unblock all sports betting websites like Bet365, no matter your location. You can install it on every device that supports VPN, while other platforms can be protected through router installation.

Subscriptions start at $3/month and include unlimited simultaneous connections. This includes 24/7 access to customer service via live chat. Surfshark also has a 30-day refund policy, which removes all risk from the equation.

Our complete Surfshark review covers everything that you need to know about this VPN.

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ExpressVPN – Consistent and Highly Secure VPN Service

Thanks to over ten years of experience, ExpressVPN is one of the most popular VPN providers. It has a large network of 3,000+ servers in 105 countries that covers ideal locations for sports betting. All servers support four protocols: IKEv2, L2TP/IPsec, OpenVPN, and Lightway.

We recommend that you use Lightway for betting, as it is most similar to WireGuard. Unfortunately, it is also significantly slower, which you can see in this comparison between ExpressVPN and Surfshark. You will likely get less than half the speed you would get using WireGuard. In our case, this was just shy of 330 Mbps, which is still more than you would ever need for sports betting. However, if you want to use ExpressVPN for gaming, you may experience lag.

While the connection quality is a bit disappointing, the same cannot be said of security. ExpressVPN uses military-grade AES 256 encryption, a kill switch, leak prevention, and split tunneling to provide an airtight defense against hackers. Its servers work exclusively in RAM mode and use TrustedServer technology. Also, this VPN has a strict no-logs policy, which was confirmed by KPMG’s independent audit.

ExpressVPN Premium Tools

• VPN Proxy (due to which ExpressVPN is ranked among the top VPNs for Chrome)
• Device Groups – An exclusive feature that lets you connect each platform on your network to a different server simultaneously.
• Smart Location – Lets you quickly connect to a nearby server that will provide you with the best performance.
• Obfuscated Servers
• DNS, WebRTC, and IPv6 Leak Protection
• Kill Switch (Network Lock)
• Threat Manager

See all ExpressVPN features here >>

As expected, the ExpressVPN app is available on every platform you may want to use for sports betting. In addition to supporting routers, ExpressVPN also sells Aircove models containing VPN firmware. This VPN has a user-friendly interface and supports up to 8 simultaneous connections. If you really want more, we recommend you go for NordVPN, Surfshark, and IPVanish.

While this VPN is a bit pricey, it also comes with a 30-day refund policy. There are tons of setup instructions on its website, but you can also easily access their customer service 24/7 through chat.

To see how well it compares with other sports betting VPNs, we recommend you check this ExpressVPN review.

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IPVanish – Fast US-Based VPN for Sports Betting

Lastly, we have IPVanish – a promising US VPN app. Although it has a smaller network of 2,200+ servers in 50+ countries, it caught our attention due to its fast speeds and reliable performance. IPVanish relies on three advanced protocols: IKEv2, OpenVPN and WireGuard.

We have used WireGuard to test the quality of the connection. By connecting to a NY VPN server, a perfect location for sports betting, we achieved some of the fastest speeds yet.

We also did an IPVanish vs. NordVPN article to see how these VPNs compare with one another. While IPVanish seems faster, NordVPN delivered better performance on remote server locations.

This VPN also has a high-security standard. It relies on AES 256 encryption and has all of the advanced security features you might expect. It is also a no-logs VPN. However, since it is based in the US, IPVanish doesn’t provide RAM servers. Nevertheless, the service is actively working on finding a solution to this challenge.

IPVanish Premium Features

• SOCKS5 Proxy –  Provides the fastest speed possible but sacrifices your encryption. This feature makes IPVanish an excellent VPN for torrenting. 
• Leak Protection (DNS, IPv6, WebRTC)
• Split Tunneling
• Obfuscation (Scramble)
• Kill Switch

See all IPVanish features here >

IPVanish easily unblocks sports betting websites like BetMGM and Bet365. It is available on nearly every device and has an intuitive user interface. Aside from being a budget VPN, this service lets you hold unlimited simultaneous connections, making it a top VPN for multiple devices.

If you decide to get an annual subscription, you will be protected by a 30-day refund policy. In case you get stuck, you can contact customer support 24/7 through live chat.

There is always more to learn, so why don’t you take a look at our full IPVanish review.

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What We Looked for in a Sports Betting VPN

Choosing the right VPN for sports betting is not just about unlocking access to your favorite gambling sites. It’s also about minimizing your digital footprint while you place your bets. We discovered that the best sports betting VPNs offer these features:

• Military-Grade Security – High-end protection is crucial to safeguard your financial information from hackers. We focused on VPNs with advanced AES 256 encryption, as this makes your outgoing data unreadable. This alone isn’t enough, so we also looked for advanced features like a kill switch, split tunneling, and real-time leak protection.
• Total Privacy – You will want to subscribe to a VPN that follows a strict no-logs policy. It should also use only RAM servers, as they automatically delete all user data every time they restart. This will prevent your VPN from disclosing your personal information if it is requested by third parties, such as your government.
• Unlock Sports Betting Websites – It won’t matter how good your VPN is if it cannot access popular sports betting sites like Bet365 and DraftKings. Every VPN we mention can easily bypass geo-blocking algorithms.
• Huge Server Network – We looked for VPNs that provide many servers in countries (and US states) where sports betting is readily available. This will maximize your chances of finding a server with an optimal connection from anywhere. It will also allow you to access betting websites that aren’t available in most countries.
• Obfuscation – Obfuscated servers will allow you to hide your VPN use, which is very important if you are using a restricted network or are living under an oppressive regime.
• Strong Cross-Platform Support – Each VPN on this list has an app for all devices you might want to use for sports betting. They can also be installed on routers, which allows you to protect platforms that are not VPN-friendly.
• Simultaneous Connections – Top sports betting VPNs will allow you to hold many simultaneous connections, which means you can use multiple devices for betting. Surfshark and IPVanish will let you protect every platform on your home network.
• Reliable and Fast Connection – All services mentioned utilize advanced protocols like WireGuard and NordLynx. They provide instant connection, high security, and lightning-fast speeds on both nearby and remote servers.
•  Budget Price – These VPNs have an excellent price-to-quality ratio. They are affordable but never feel cheap. 
• Reliable Customer Service – It’s very frustrating when your sports betting VPN stops working at the most inconvenient moment. That’s why we searched for providers with 24/7 live chat support that will get you back on track in no time.

Ways to Improve Your VPN Connection

After you get your VPN to work, there are still some things that you can do to improve your experience.

• Use Advanced Protocols – Depending on your VPN, you will want to rely on WireGuard, NordLynx, or Lightway to get the best performance.
• Update Your VPN – Premium VPNs frequently put out new updates that can fix security flaws, improve your connection, and more.
• Boost Your Security – Betting on sports is a risky endeavor in more ways than one. To keep an upper hand, you should enable all leak protection features and turn on your kill switch. You may also want to use split tunneling to create an exclusive VPN tunnel just for betting.
• Use Nearby VPN Servers – Remember to connect to the closest VPN servers that allow you to start betting. This will improve your experience by providing faster connection with lower latency. However, this isn’t an exact science, so you may need to connect to a few different servers before finding an optimal connection. We recommend doing some speed tests and comparing results.

To stay safe while betting on sports, we highly recommend that you use NordVPN.

Safety Tips for Online Sports Betting

Many sports betting websites don’t allow VPNs, so you might find your account banned and your funds irretrievable if you’re discovered. This could happen even if you’re using a top VPN for sports betting. However, there are things you can do to minimize the risk.

• Pay Anonymously – Avoid adding money to your account with your credit card, as this will reveal your identity. Instead, use cryptocurrency or PayPal to fund your betting.
• Make Frequent Withdrawals – This will prevent you from losing large amounts of money in case your account gets banned.
• Avoid Withdrawing Big Amounts – Cashing out large amounts of money will likely trigger a KYC (Know Your Customer) verification, which requires that you provide your ID or passport. Failing to do so means that your funds will get frozen.
• Enable Leak Protection—Enabling the kill switch and all other leak protection features will ensure that your IP and other sensitive information don’t end up online.

How to Bet Responsibly

Since VPNs provide easy and anonymous access to a sports betting websites, it’s imperative to recognize the fine line between a hobby and an addiction. So, let’s consider how to engage in sports betting responsibly.

• Set Firm Limits – Decide how much money you want to spend on sports betting beforehand. This can allow you to maintain a sense of control and know when to quit.
• Recognize Signs of Gambling Addiction – Don’t hesitate to seek help if you find betting is no longer just a form of entertainment but a compulsion. Organizations like SAMHSA’s National Helpline are available to offer support and guide you towards treatment facilities and support groups. Remember, recognizing the need for help is the first step towards maintaining control over your betting habits.

Sports Betting in the US

Betting on sports online is currently legal in 30+ US states. Here is full list:

• Arizona
• Arkansas
• Colorado
• Delaware
• District of Columbia
• Florida
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Mississippi
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• North Carolina
• Ohio
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Puerto Rico
• Rhode Island
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Virginia
• Washington
• West Virginia

Locations to use for Sports Betting in Europe

Online gambling and sports betting is legal in many European countries. So, it may be better to use the following locations if the US is too far away from you:

• France
• Italy
• The Netherlands
• Spain
• The UK

Countries to Avoid

Below is a list of countries where online gambling is highly illegal. While others will just ban sports betting sites, gambling in these countries can land you in jail. The risk is still there even if you’re using a premium VPN service. If you wish to proceed, we strongly recommend connecting to obfuscated servers.

• Brunei
• Cambodia
• China
• Cyprus
• Indonesia
• Japan
• North Korea
• Qatar
• Singapore
• United Arab Emirates

Sports Betting Websites

Ready to gamble on your favorite team but don’t know which website to use? Take a look at this list of thoroughly vetted sports betting sites.

• Bet365 (see our guide on the best VPNs for bet365)
• FanDuel (check our guide on the best VPNs for FanDuel)
• DraftKings
• BetMGM
• Betway
• BetRivers

How to Fix Sports Betting VPN Technical Difficulties

You may experience problems even while using a premium VPN. Connection issues or being unexpectedly logged out from a betting site can be frustrating, especially if the stakes are high. Below are solutions to the most common challenges you may experience.

1. My VPN Doesn’t Connect to a Server

This is a common problem for VPN users on their computers and is usually tied to an overactive firewall. For diagnostic purposes, you will want to temporarily disable it and see if you can now connect to the server. If this solves your problem, you will have to make a new firewall exception.

This is what you need to do if you’re using Windows:

1. Visit Start > Control Panel > System and Security > Windows Defender Firewall.
2. Click on Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall to create an exception.
   
   Make sure to check the box that says Public. If your VPN isn’t on the list, go to Allow another app and Add it once you find it in the drop-down menu.
3. Press OK to save all changes.

If you are using a Mac for sports betting, follow Apple firewall guide instead. 

2.  I Am Connected, But My IP Didn’t Change

Before you start betting, it is important to test if your VPN is actually working. The quickest way to do this is by checking your IP address. If it is still showing your real location and you are connected to a new server, your real IP is somehow leaking. Luckily, this is usually very easy to fix.

To start, visit your VPN settings and ensure that all of your leak protection features are enabled. Now is a good time to also turn on your kill switch. You should also turn off all background applications that you don’t need, such as torrenting apps, as they can show your actual location without you knowing.

If you are still experiencing difficulties, it is time to delete your browser’s tracking cookies. They are used to generate personalized ads, and the only way they can do this is by knowing your identity/location. Luckily, it is very easy to clear your cache and cookies. All you have to do is follow these quick Firefox, Edge, and Chrome guides.

If you are still experiencing difficulties, you will want to get in touch with your VPNs customer service. In the meantime, you can try doing these VPN tests.

Limits of Using Free VPNs for Sports Betting

When it comes to online sports betting, the allure of free VPNs can be strong. However, the saying “you get what you pay for” rings especially true in the realm of virtual private networks. Free VPNs often carry many limitations that may impact not only your betting experience but also your online privacy and security.

The Hidden Costs of Free VPNs

The hidden costs of free VPNs extend beyond subpar performance and server limitations. Security concerns such as IP leaks can expose your gambling activities, which can easily lead to your account being frozen. Free VPNs frequently have terrible encryption, so hackers could potentially steal your credit card information.

Free services also use old PPTP or OpenVPN protocols, both of which are not ideal for betting. Aside from providing weaker security, you can also expect high latency. Free VPNs even impose monthly bandwidth limits to control how frequently you can use these services. Once you spend your monthly data, you will be unable to use your VPN till your limit resets. This means that you can get kicked off a server while in the middle of betting, which is indeed frustrating and might cost you money.

And there is more. Recent study of 270+ free mobile VPNs had some alarming results. It was discovered that …

• 18% of free VPNs don’t have any encryption.
• More than 38% were infected with malware.
• 66% had terrible DNS leak protection.
• 75% of free VPNs came with trackers that monitored users.

Unfortunately, a vast majority of free VPNs are not safe. They contain malware designed to extract user data. This sensitive information is then sold to the ad agencies in order to make some money. In the end, everything has a price.

Why to Focus on Premium Sports Betting VPNs

The contrast between premium and free VPNs is stark, particularly when it comes to online sports betting. Premium VPNs offer the advantage of unlimited bandwidth, extensive server networks, and consistent performance — critical factors for bettors who require a stable and fast connection. With no server congestion and robust security protocols, premium VPNs ensure that your betting experience remains smooth and secure.

Sure, there are some free services that don’t fit the bill. After long research, we’ve managed to pinpoint 7 free VPNs that value user privacy and security. However, if you are serious about sports betting, we highly recommend focusing on these top free trial VPNs instead.

Parting Words

Sports betting sites are restricted in many parts of the world due to strict gambling laws. However, you can unlock these websites by using a VPN and start betting today. A premium VPN is also essential for ensuring your privacy and security and will protect you from potential hackers trying to steal your money. 

After careful research, we found that NordVPN is the best VPN for sports betting on the market. It has airtight security and follows a no-logs policy, guaranteeing your privacy. NordVPN also has a huge server network that includes ideal locations for betting. It will bring the thrill of the game to your fingertips, wherever you may be.

Other VPN Gambling Guides:

• Best VPNs for Gambling Online
• Best VPNs for bet365
• Best VPNs for FanDuel
• Best VPNs for Online Casinos
• Best VPNs for Online Poker
• Best VPNs for PokerStars
• Best VPNs for PrizePicks
• How to Unblock Stake
• Best VPNs for Stake

VPN for Sports Betting FAQ

This guide on the best VPN for sports betting was last updated on July 5, 2024.