Best VPNs for gambling: How to access betting websites abroad

Are you tired of being restricted from accessing online sports betting websites in certain countries or states? It can be frustrating, especially if you’re traveling and suddenly unable to place bets. But don’t worry, there’s a solution to bypassing these restrictions: a VPN for gambling and sports betting.

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is a powerful tool that encrypts all of your internet traffic and sends it through a secure server elsewhere in the world. Users can simply select a server in their home country to hide their real IP address and unblock geo-restricted websites, no matter where they go.

Once connected, you can access sports betting, gambling, and fantasy sports sites as if you were in a different location. However, these sites tend to have very strict VPN-detection systems so not every VPN will work. I’ve carefully evaluated and ranked the best VPN providers that work seamlessly with online gambling platforms. If you don’t have time to get stuck into all the details, I’ve summarized my recommended VPNs below.

Best VPNs for gambling and sports betting websites:

1. NordVPN Best VPN for sports betting and gambling websites! Very fast, with lots of server choice and advanced security features. Strong on privacy and includes a 30-day money-back guarantee. TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for gambling.
2. Surfshark: The best budget VPN for online betting sites. Fast servers, top-notch security, and no connection limits whatsoever. Excels at beating strict geographic restrictions.
3. TotalVPN: Works with betting sites, online casinos, and streaming platforms. Great speeds, strong security, and consistent connections.
4. ProtonVPN: A secure and reliable VPN that boasts one of the most customizable security toolkits on the market. Very fast, with 24/7 support.
5. ExpressVPN: A solid general-purpose VPN that boasts high speeds and strong privacy protections. Great for all types of online gambling.
6. IPVanish: Fast and reliable gambling VPN with a newly-expanded network. Boasts affordable pricing, a no-logs policy, and a total lack of connection limits.
7. CyberGhost: This speedy VPN is very easy to use, while also offering impressive privacy features and unblocking ability. A great option for gambling online.
8. PrivateVPN: A zero-logs VPN that puts your privacy first. Offers solid speeds and the ability to sidestep virtually any online restriction. Ideal for gambling safely.

NOTE: It’s important to understand the difference between accessing a geo-blocked but legal site and a banned site (or one that facilitates illegal gambling activity). For example, Comparitech implores you not to use a VPN to access gambling sites in countries such as the UAE, where gambling is illegal and could land you in serious trouble with the authorities.

Comparitech does not encourage or condone illegal activities or the use of a VPN to spoof geographic locations to break local laws. It’s important to do your research and investigate the online gambling laws within your country and state before using a VPN to access betting or gambling websites. If you are unsure of the laws in the state or country you are in Comparitech suggests that you don’t take the risk of betting online.

How to access sports betting sites using a VPN

Once you have checked you are not flouting any local or national legislation by betting, follow these proven steps to access your usual home betting services from anywhere.

Here’s how to change your location with a VPN to access online gambling sites abroad:

1. Select one of my top VPNs for sports betting. I particularly recommend NordVPN. Sign up, and download the app to your device.
2. Select a VPN server location from your home country (where you usually access the betting site).
3. Login into the sports betting or online gambling site and you should be able to play as usual without restriction.
4. If the site still isn’t working, try clear your cookies and reloading.
5. If you hit any other issues, contact the VPN’s customer support team. Changing server, VPN protocol or other settings will often solve the problem.

Criteria for choosing the best gambling VPNs

There are many VPNs to choose from. Unfortunately, you’d be surprised to learn how many aren’t able to adequately protect your privacy. Fewer still are able to go undetected by the VPN-detection systems used by most betting websites.

I found the best currently available by evaluating available VPNs against these main criteria:

• Speed: To find out what sort of speeds users can expect while connected to particular VPNs, I conducted a series of speed tests. I used a home broadband connection to simulate the average user’s experience, then connected to VPN servers in countries with the largest gambling markets and recorded their speeds at various times of day.
• Number of servers in large gambling markets: Every VPN has different infrastructure. Some, for instance, focus on offering the largest number of countries while offering relatively few servers. If you want to gamble online while abroad, you’ll be best-served by a VPN with a strong presence in countries where online gambling is legal.
• Security & privacy: I scored each provider based on how it performed against 16 different security and privacy metrics. These included whether the VPN provider stores any activity or IP logs and what level of encryption they use.
• Ease of use: A VPN should be effective and easy to use. I measured this property using several different metrics, covering everything from app design to how easy subscriptions are to sign up for and cancel.
• Value for money: Cheap subscriptions are great, but there’s more to getting a good deal than that. I looked at each service’s lowest price, how often they go on sale, and whether they offer a student discount or free trial.

This is just an overview. You can read about my testing process in more detail and see the results of those tests in the methodology section below. First, let’s take a closer look at the providers that made the grade.

Best gambling VPNs compared

I’ve compared the most important features of the top VPNs here. Prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with NordVPN – my #1 choice for gambling.

Best VPNs for sports betting and gambling

Here’s my list of the best VPNs for gambling:

1. NordVPN

Jan 2026

NordVPN is my top VPN pick for gambling and betting, thanks to its heavy focus on privacy and online security. It keeps absolutely no logs at all, so no gambling activities can be tied to a user. It unblocks Polymarket, Kalshi, FanDuel, DraftKings, and others.

It uses 256-bit AES encryption with perfect forward secrecy and comes with automatic Wi-Fi protection to ensure users don’t unintentionally browse the web when the VPN isn’t active. This provider even has obfuscated servers and a custom protocol (NordWhisper) capable of sidestepping country-wide censorship.

NordVPN generally ranks very highly in Comparitech’s industry-wide speed tests. For this article, I tried its servers in the largest gambling markets to see what kind of performance you can expect. It did well across the board, with particularly high speeds in the UK, US, and Italy, where speeds barely dropped beneath my base average download speed of 57.61 Mbps.

Servers are available in 120+ countries overall. Importantly (in terms of access to gambling sites), the provider has a strong presence in the US, UK, Australia, Italy, and Brazil. All of its 8,000+ servers are RAM-only, which means their memory is completely wiped on every reboot.

In addition to being great for gambling online, NordVPN is one of the best VPN options for streaming. In my experience, it can access even the most stubborn platforms. For this article, I successfully tested it with Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, and Hulu.

NordVPN has two types of kill switch available. One disables internet access if the VPN connection drops out. This can be a little annoying in practice if I’m honest. The other, more preferable, option is to specify apps that should be forced to quit if the VPN unexpectedly stops. This prevents any gambling apps from being able to connect to the internet without first being routed through a VPN server.

If you only want a VPN for accessing gambling sites, the split tunneling feature allows you to use gambling apps within the VPN tunnel, while using other apps with a regular internet connection. There are also double VPN servers offering two layers of encryption, and Onion-Over-VPN servers that allow you to connect to the Tor network with a single click.

Choosing Obfuscated Servers means your traffic is disguised as regular internet traffic so that it can bypass VPN blocks. This is useful if you’re trying to connect in countries where VPN use is restricted. It works in China, so it must be good.

NordVPN has built-in leak protection that prevents your IP address from being exposed to gambling sites. I confirmed that my location was hidden by performing IP, DNS, and WebRTC leak tests. NordVPN passed all three.

NordVPN apps are available for Windows, macOS, iOS, Linux, and Android. The software can also be configured on compatible routers. Subscriptions allow up to 10 simultaneous device connections, which is more than enough for most people.

BEST VPN FOR GAMBLING SITES ABROAD:NordVPN is the best choice. It’s security-conscious, faster than any other VPN on the market, and great for betting abroad. What’s more, it comes with a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read Comparitech’s review of NordVPN.

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2. Surfshark

Surfshark is the best cheap VPN for online gambling. It just recently expanded its network and now offers 4,500 servers in 100 different countries. All servers are RAM-only, which means data cannot be stored on them long-term. This, together with Surfshark’s independently audited no-logs policy, is a big plus for privacy in my opinion. What’s more, this provider has servers in around two dozen US states and lets you connect as many devices as you like.

The dashboard is easy to navigate — even if you’ve never used a VPN before. It’s largely the same across platforms, so you only need to learn how to use it once. Clicking Quick Connect will route your traffic through the nearest available server, though it’s easy enough to choose a specific country from the Locations list.

Apps are available for Android, Windows, macOS, iOS, and Linux. These come with protection against DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leaks. I confirmed this was the case by performing a series of IP, DNS, and WebRTC leak tests.

The software uses 256-bit encryption and has a kill switch in all versions. A Clean Web feature helps block ads, trackers, and malware while gambling online, while the Rotating IP feature changes your IP address while keeping your location the same. This provides additional security, should you need it. For those who want to use the same IP address repeatedly, Surfshark has static IP addresses available in the UK, the US, Japan, Singapore, Germany, and the Netherlands.

Split tunneling is available for apps and websites. This means you can use your favorite gambling apps and websites within the VPN tunnel but use a regular internet connection for everything else.

Speed-wise, Surfshark is very fast, which is understandable given it’s one of the only providers using 100 Gbps servers. I tested it out by recording my download speeds while connected to servers in countries with large online gambling markets. In all cases, the speeds were quick enough for online gambling without interruption.

If you intend to use Surfshark for streaming, I can confirm that you’ll be able to watch 4K video without buffering (provided that your base connection speed is fast enough). Moreover, you’ll be able to access all of the big-name providers that you have an account with. I was able to use Surfshark with Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and BBC iPlayer. It likely works with many more.

Surfshark’s unique ID generator tool can help if you need to create an account before accessing an online service in a particular country. Alternative ID creates a fake name and address (you can specify whether this is in the US, Denmark, Brazil, Australia, Germany, or Portugal) and even an email (which diverts to your true email address), which you can use when setting up accounts.

If you’re trying to connect from a restrictive country, enabling the No Borders mode will obfuscate your traffic and increase its chances of navigating any blocks. Surfshark is one of the more effective providers in this regard.

BEST BUDGET OPTION:Surfshark is highly affordable, with decent speeds, great everyday potential for streaming, browsing, video calls, downloading, and gaming. Allows an unlimited number of connections. 30-day money-back guarantee on all plans.

Read Comparitech’s full review of Surfshark here.

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3. Total VPN

Total VPN is a fast and secure provider with servers in countries many other VPNs shy away from. This can be useful if you’re trying to connect to countries such as Russia or China. The company also has servers in countries with the most going on gambling-wise, including the UK, US, Italy, Brazil, and Australia.

Connections are protected using strong encryption. There’s also a kill switch to prevent your online gambling activities from being exposed if the VPN suddenly drops out, together with built-in leak protection.

Total VPN has more protocol options than most providers. In addition to the lightweight WireGuard, it also offers IPSec, OpenVPN and its own Hydra protocol. Hydra automatically obfuscates traffic so that it can bypass VPN blocks in restrictive countries.

I tested Total VPN’s download speeds to ensure it was fast enough for the more demanding gambling sites. I carried out the tests while connected to servers in five different pro-gambling countries. Total VPN was fastest in the US, though it performed well across the board.

If you want a change from gambling, it’s good to know that Total VPN also works great with numerous streaming services. I had no problems accessing Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, or Disney Plus while connected.

Total VPN has easy-to-use apps available for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. Subscriptions allow up to five simultaneous connections. They’re great value given that you get Total Antivirus and Total Adblocker software thrown in for free. You can test-drive the service for free by taking advantage of its 30-day money-back guarantee.

LOW COST VPN:Total VPN is a reliable all-rounder that offers fast speeds and strong security. It can protect your data against online snoops and provide you with access to betting services all around the world. It works to watch regional Netflix.

Read Comparitech’s full Total VPN review.

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4. ProtonVPN

ProtonVPN is well worth considering if you want to access popular international betting sites. It has more than 15,000 servers in 120+ countries, making it reliable for bypassing regional restrictions to access sites like Bet365, Betfair, DraftKings, and BetMGM.

I tested its speeds in countries with the largest gambling markets. The provider was fastest in the UK, US and Italy. Its slowest result was for Australia, though this was still fast enough for uninterrupted gambling.

ProtonVPN is also a good option for streaming. While connected, I was able to access all of the major platforms, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Paramount+, and Hulu.

ProtonVPN is based in Switzerland and was developed by the team behind Proton Mail. The service benefits from the country’s strong privacy laws and has an independently audited no-logs policy. It is one of the most advanced VPNs on the market, as evident from its information-packed dashboard.

From a security perspective, ProtonVPN is one of the best. It has unbreakable 256-bit AES encryption, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, a kill switch, and automatic tracker-blocking, plus it allows port forwarding as standard.

There are plenty of other features available via the Settings menu. Split tunneling allows particular gambling apps or websites to exclusively use the VPN tunnel. Users can also choose which protocol they want to use: either WireGuard or OpenVPN.

In addition to its list of regular servers, ProtonVPN provides one-click access to the Tor network via servers in France, Germany, Iceland, Hong Kong, Sweden, Switzerland, and the US. The majority of users will not need to connect to the sluggish Tor network, but it’s nice to know it’s easily available.

ProtonVPN adequately protects your location by default. I conducted IP, DNS, and WebRTC leak tests, and it passed them all.

ProtonVPN subscriptions aren’t the cheapest, but you get what you pay for in terms of security and performance. If you don’t need all the features it provides, you may find you are better suited to one of the cheaper options in my list. However, thanks to its generous 30-day money-back guarantee, you can try it yourself risk-free at any time.

GREAT FOR TORRENTING:ProtonVPN is a feature-rich VPN that is an impressive all-rounder. It is highly versatile thanks to its excellent apps for all platforms. It can access betting sites, online casinos, and poker services in 120+ countries around the world.

Read Comparitech’s full ProtonVPN review.

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5. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN offers top-notch security and privacy. It’s based in the British Virgin Islands, far away from the mass government surveillance found in many parts of North America and Europe. It boasts strong 256-bit AES encryption with perfect forward secrecy and a kill switch that stops all internet traffic if the VPN drops out.

ExpressVPN only uses RAM-only servers in its network and even reinstalls the operating systems on each server every week. The provider has had multiple third-party audits of its network and infrastructure and has verified its no-logs claims in the process.

The app’s dashboard is easy on the eye and straightforward to learn how to use, making it a great VPN for beginners. There’s a big button you press to connect — you can either use the suggested Smart Location or click the three dots to choose your own location.

ExpressVPN has a solid presence in the pro-gambling countries of the US, Australia, and Italy. Connecting to these servers will provide you with access to a variety of gambling sites. To check whether these (and other) servers were suitably quick, I carried out a series of speed tests.

The provider was fastest in Italy, and slowest in Australia. Its overall average download speed was a respectable 44.99 Mbps. It’s also worth noting how fast ExpressVPN establishes the initial connection. It feels almost instantaneous, which can’t be said for other VPN services.

If you plan to use a VPN for streaming as well as gambling, the above speeds are fast enough for watching 4K video without buffering. You can take your pick in terms of streaming platforms, as ExpressVPN works with virtually all of them. During testing, I was able to access multiple Netflix libraries as well as content from the likes of Amazon Prime Video and BBC iPlayer.

ExpressVPN’s Options menu is a bit of a let-down design-wise, but it’s nevertheless very easy to use. Users can choose which apps to include or exclude from the VPN tunnel and specify whether they want to block trackers, malicious sites, ads, and adult sites.

ExpressVPN has its own lightweight VPN connection protocol — aptly named Lightway — that users can opt to use if they want to eke out a little more speed. OpenVPN is the other option. In both cases, users can choose between UDP and TCP. I’d suggest Lightway UDP for playing real-time games like poker. If you don’t make an active choice, the default option will be chosen for you.

Apps are available for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux. These come with built-in leak protection. I tested this out while connected to a server in Brazil. As promised, ExpressVPN didn’t suffer from any IP, DNS, or WebRTC leaks.

Uniquely among VPN providers, ExpressVPN also has an app for routers. This replaces the router’s existing firmware and is far easier than configuring a connection manually. It’s an easy way to provide VPN functionality to every device on your network. If you need to learn more about the service or get some help with setup or troubleshooting, the ExpressVPN customer support team offers highly competent support via live chat or email.

FLEXIBLE VPN:ExpressVPN can handle just about anything. It provides high speeds, excellent security, and access to servers all over the world, not to mention a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read Comparitech’s in-depth review of ExpressVPN.

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6. IPVanish

IPVanish is a well-established provider with an independently audited no-logs policy and a particularly strong US presence. This makes it easy to access a wide range of US-based online gambling services. There are more than 3,200 servers in 80+ countries, and this VPN actually owns most of its hardware, which helps ensure stable and secure connections.

I tested out its speeds by connecting to servers in countries with a large concentration of gambling sites. IPVanish exceeded 50 Mbps in the US, where it is based. Its speeds didn’t drop below 45 Mbps for any of the countries I connected to.

Helpfully, IPVanish provides the relative load of each server, which meant I could make an informed decision about which to go for.

Once connected, the dashboard displays a real-time graph showing the amount of data uploaded and downloaded. You can also see which protocol you’re using, your current IP address, and a map showing the location you’re connected to. All of these provide at-a-glance reassurance that your connection is protected.

IPVanish boasts excellent security, using 256-bit encryption and perfect forward secrecy to keep your connection secure. It has an independently audited no-logs policy and a built-in kill switch that adds an extra layer of protection by stopping all data transfers should the VPN connection drop. I verified that the provider is leak-free by carrying out IP, DNS, and WebRTC leak tests while connected to a US server.

IPVanish is relatively unusual in that it allows subscribers to connect as many devices as they want simultaneously. This makes it a great option for sharing with housemates or family members.

Split tunneling is available, and you can choose apps and domains to include or exclude from the VPN tunnel. If you’re traveling abroad, enabling automatic wi-fi protection ensures you don’t inadvertently connect to an unsafe network while gambling online. Users can also choose to block ads, trackers, and malware while connected.

If you’re trying to connect from a country that blocks VPNs, switching to the OpenVPN protocol lets you enable the Scramble feature. This can help traffic get past sensors designed to detect VPN use. Note that this didn’t work in China when I last tested it. However, IPVanish did  work well at accessing several popular streaming platforms including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, and Paramount+.

I found IPVanish apps easy to use, though new users might find all the information a little intimidating at first. Apps are available for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. If you encounter any difficulties, the IPVanish customer support team is reliable, knowledgeable, and available day and night via live chat. The software is compatible with routers that support OpenVPN. You can find instructions on the IPVanish website for configuring a connection.

NO CONNECTION LIMIT:IPVanish is great for families that need multiple connections. Easy to use. Preferred by users with high standards of privacy and security. Servers in key locations. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read Comparitech’s review of IPVanish.

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7. CyberGhost

CyberGhost is a Romania-based VPN that offers high speeds, a large network, and a strong set of security tools. I think it’s a great option for anyone hoping to access gambling sites safely. There are RAM-only servers in more than 100 countries, and connections are secured using 256-bit encryption, which is currently considered uncrackable.

The provider has a vast network, making it easy to establish a safe connection in most pro-gambling jurisdictions. It’s very quick too; I tested its download speeds in five countries that have particularly large online gambling offerings.

CyberGhost was the second fastest VPN provider I tested overall, with an average download speed of 51.17 Mbps.

The provider has dedicated servers optimized for gaming, torrenting, and streaming. Using the streaming servers makes it easy to access a range of content libraries. I used them to access everything from Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, to country-specific channels such as BBC iPlayer or FranceTV.

CyberGhost does not store any traffic data or connection logs that can be tied to an individual user, and it publishes quarterly transparency reports where it details any third-party requests for user information.

If you’re prone to using the same Wi-Fi hotspot to access casino sites, you can enable settings that remember and automatically protect specific networks. A kill switch and DNS leak protection are enabled by default, though you can turn them off if you really want to. CyberGhost automatically disables IPv6 when users are connected to the VPN.

I tested how leak-proof the service was by conducting IP, DNS, and WebRTC leak tests.

CyberGhost kept my location hidden while connected to a server in Malta, which is just what I wanted. It also passed the WebRTC and DNS tests.

Users who want to customize their connection can choose between the WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2 protocols. Choosing the OpenVPN protocol gives you access to a form of split tunneling. The Exception option allows you to specify websites that you wish to use outside the VPN tunnel.

Other features include a tracker, ad and malware blocker, and automatic connection on start-up. Paid add-ons are available for those who want them. These include access to dedicated IP addresses and CyberGhost’s in-house NoSpy servers.

The company has a responsive customer support team available via 24/7 live chat. Apps are available for Windows, macOS, iOS, Linux, and Android. Routers have to be configured manually.

EASY TO USE:CyberGhost is great for beginners. Great privacy, zero logs and DNS leak protection. Good at accessing betting sites abroad. 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read Comparitech’s review of CyberGhost.

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8. PrivateVPN

PrivateVPN may not be as well-known as other providers in this list but it lives up to its name and offers a particularly robust set of privacy features. Notably, it acts as its own ISP which reduces the opportunity for unwanted interference by third parties. There’s also a strict no-logging policy, which means you don’t have to worry about any of your gambling activities being recorded. Its Application Guard will automatically shut down specific gambling apps in the event of a VPN disconnection.

The provider has approximately 200 servers in 63+ countries. Although it has a strong presence in pro-gambling countries like the US, UK, and Australia, you might want to look at one of my other recommended providers for servers in more unusual destinations.

I tested PrivateVPN’s download speeds by connecting to servers in five different countries. Speeds were measured using the Ookla desktop app via a home broadband connection.

Speeds for the UK and Italy were excellent, though the same can’t be said for Australia and Brazil. If you do experience any slow speeds, I can verify that dropping the level of encryption from AES-256 to AES-128 will help things along.

If you’re connecting to a country that has more than one server available, the listed ping times make it easier to choose the fastest option.

Unlike most VPNs, PrivateVPN allows port forwarding. It’s easy to set up, and once the VPN is connected, the port you need to use is listed on the dashboard.

PrivateVPN has a good reputation for streaming and I was able to access several big-name platforms such as Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, and Paramount+. In some cases (I’m looking at you BBC iPlayer), I found it necessary to enable the Stealth VPN feature to bypass blocks. This requires little more than sliding a toggle switch and will enable you to connect in even the most restrictive of countries.

PrivateVPN apps are available for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. They come with built-in leak protection, which I tested by running a series of tests while connected to a server in Bulgaria. As promised, PrivateVPN didn’t leak my location during IP, WebRTC, and DNS leak tests.

Live chat support means your questions will be answered promptly, and you’ll have access to remote support for setup and troubleshooting. Users can connect up to 10 devices at the same time.

PRIVACY-FOCUSED:PrivateVPN works well with gambling and streaming platforms. It has servers in 63+ countries and good value subscriptions. Could do with having more servers and lacks 24/7 support. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read Comparitech’s review of PrivateVPN.

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Why do you need a gambling VPN?

Alongside the obvious safety benefits of using a VPN for any scenario, there are specific reasons why you might need a VPN for gambling. They are:

Geographical and licensing restrictions

Gambling licenses vary by country, and by state in the US. You might live in a place where gambling is legal and travel to a location where it isn’t. This means you won’t be able to access your account or place any bets. A VPN will give you an IP address back home, stopping websites from realizing you’re actually someplace else, and allowing you to continue gambling wherever you are.

Faster connections

It’s no secret that VPNs can slow your internet down. But, in some scenarios, they can help. For example, your Internet Service Provider (ISP) might throttle your connection if it realizes you’re using gambling sites. A VPN would prevent them from noticing this, leading to an improvement in speed. This is particularly important if you’re betting in-play and need to keep track in real time.

Security and privacy aspects of using a VPN

Aside from unblocking sites, a VPN will help to protect your privacy. Because the gambling and betting industries are so tightly controlled, it could be more likely that your internet activity is being monitored in some way. With a VPN, all data is encrypted, and your Internet Service Provider will be unable to snoop on your online activity.

What’s more, if you’re using Wi-Fi while traveling, a VPN can secure the connection so you don’t have to worry about threats from malicious hackers. This is especially important if you’re planning on accessing and using betting websites while on the go. You could be unwittingly handing criminals your passwords, credit card details, and banking info.

While traveling, you may want to access your accounts and place bets while connected to public Wi-Fi. However, due to the risks involved with unsecured and fake networks, I don’t recommend this. On the other hand, if you absolutely need to provide credentials and personal information over Wi-Fi, you should take some basic precautions.

First and foremost, connect using a VPN. Some on my list come with automatic Wi-Fi protection for all networks or individual ones you can specify. For others, you’ll have to start the app yourself. Make sure you do this before connecting to the network, as it doesn’t take long for a hacker to steal your details.

Even if you’re protected by a VPN, you should look for secure networks and stick to secure websites. You can turn off sharing settings and enable your firewall if applicable. Using common sense while browsing, such as logging out of sites once you’re finished and using strong passwords, will help you stay safe and secure.

Laws and regulations for accessing betting websites abroad

Every country has different laws regarding online casinos and gambling. For instance, Cambodia, Singapore, and the UAE have all banned gambling completely, with ISPs blocking access to gambling websites. Others, such as Lithuania and Switzerland, require gambling websites to be licensed or approved before they can offer services in their respective countries.

Problems arise when a country lacks clear legislation, since this effectively makes online gambling a legal gray area. For example, in Canada, it appears to be legal for players to place bets with offshore operators, but the legality of those operators accepting the bets is brought into question. Then you have the US, where online gambling is legal in some states, but illegal in others.

As you can see, the situation is already complicated. Plus, knowing when it’s okay to use a Virtual Private Network to circumvent restrictions adds another layer of complexity. Indeed, some betting services explicitly state that using a VPN to mask your location may violate their terms of use.

So you have two levels: regional restrictions and, potentially, restrictions put in place by the betting sites themselves. At the end of the day, you don’t want to land yourself in trouble with the law. Plus, you want to make sure any deposits you make and winnings you accrue are 100% legitimate so that they’re not confiscated.

In some cases, you’ll find it’s okay to access sites through a VPN if you’re a resident of the country in which they’re allowed, for example, while traveling. Or, in the case of Bovada, you may not even need a VPN to access your account (although it’s recommended you use one anyway):

The Bovada website may deliver an error message based on your location, but this also includes the following note:

“If you already have a Bovada account and are visiting us while traveling, you can close this window, sign in, and continue playing.”

However, if you reside in a country where a site is blocked completely, it’s not a good idea to use a VPN to circumvent these laws. Indeed, the same provider outlines in its terms of service that using a VPN to hide the identification of the users’ location could result in the termination of the account. This entails forfeiting account balances, including deposits and winnings.

So, aside from potentially having to deal with law enforcement, you risk having your account closed and losing any money in it. That would be an even worse feeling than losing a bet!

On the other hand, Bet365’s terms and conditions include the following:

“Internet gambling may be illegal in the jurisdiction in which you are located. If so, you are not authorized to use your payment card to complete the transaction. However, any bets/wagers accepted from such jurisdictions will stand – win or lose.”

This is more positive, but while VPN usage isn’t mentioned per se, location tampering could be against the rules.

As such, it’s always a good idea to check with individual websites before investing any money (in a VPN or placing bets). In some cases, they will simply tell you it’s flat-out not allowed, whereas others may be okay with it. These rules may not be easy to find within the vast amount of fine print on each site, but contacting customer support should get you the answers you need.

Comparitech aims to create well-researched articles however, nothing in this article should be considered legal advice. Comparitech always recommends checking the laws of your local country before placing any bets online. 

Responsible gambling resources

Although Comparitech support people’s rights to use the internet as and when they want (free of unnecessary censorship or blocks), gambling can cause many grave social and personal issues.

The repercussions of gambling addiction and of gambling irresponsibly can be very serious, leading to significant financial losses, strained relationships, depression, anxiety, and even suicidal thoughts.

Comparitech encourages everyone to consider the social and financial implications of gambling. Anybody who is considering gambling or who gambles regularly is encouraged to visit the resources below to protect themselves and educate themselves about how best to gamble responsibly.

All of the responsible gambling resources listed below are designed to help individuals who struggle with gambling problems get the help and support they need:

1. National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG). This is a US-based non-profit organization that offers information and support for gambling addiction.
2. Gamblers Anonymous. This is a community program that helps gamblers to overcome their addiction by sharing their experiences with others.
3. The National Problem Gambling Helpline. This confidential helpline is available 24/7 to get help with gambling addiction.
4. GamCare. A UK-based organization that offers support, advice, and counseling.
5. BeGambleAware. A UK-based organization that offers information and support for gambling addicts.
6. Gambling Therapy. A global online service that provides support and advice.

Which U.S. states allow online gambling?

Since the ban on sports betting was overturned in 2018, the gambling landscape has changed considerably. The majority of US states now allow online gambling in some form or another. As of October 2025, just 17 states completely forbid it, with 34 allowing either sports betting, igaming (slots, poker, and so on), or both. Here’s a breakdown of each state’s stance on online gambling.

States that allow both online sports betting and igaming

• Michigan
• Delaware
• West Virginia
• Pennsylvania
• New Jersey
• Connecticut
• Rhode Island

States that allow online sports betting but not igaming

• Arizona
• Oregon
• Nevada
• Montana
• Wyoming
• Colorado
• Kansas
• Iowa
• Missouri
• Arkansas
• Louisiana
• Mississippi
• Tennessee
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Kentucky
• Ohio
• Virginia
• Florida
• North Carolina
• Maryland
• New York
• Massachussets
• Vermont
• New Hampshire
• Maine

States where only in-person betting is legal

• Washington
• California
• Alaska
• New Mexico
• Texas
• Oklahoma
• Idaho
• North Dakota
• South Dakota
• Nebraska
• Indiana
• Alabama
• Minnesota

States where sports betting and igaming are illegal

• South Carolina
• Utah
• Georgia
• Hawaii

As you can see, the exact rules around online betting and gambling can be drastically different from one state to another.  Using a VPN can be a solution for those wondering how to sports bet in states that don’t allow it. However, it’s crucial to understand the legal implications and potential risks involved. Always ensure you’re betting responsibly and within the confines of the law. 

Using a free VPN to access betting websites abroad

There are thousands of free VPNs out there, but I’d advise against using them for anything, let alone a time-sensitive task where money is at stake. You’ll often find that these providers claim to be the fastest or most secure services out there, or that they can access any streaming service you can think of. Naturally, more often than not, this turns out to be simple marketing hype — read more on the most common VPN scams.

I’ve spent years testing consumer VPNs and, in my experience, free services almost always have tiny networks. This means a limited selection of countries to choose from, long queues, and daily bandwidth caps (which can conveniently be removed if you decide to pay up). Even more concerning, free VPNs regularly interfere with your traffic, inserting ads into the pages you visit.

Even if you overcome all of the practical issues associated with a free VPN, you still have to think about privacy and security. These are often jeopardized by the methods used to create a functioning business model for the service providers. Some practices involve logging user activity, using tracking cookies, carrying malware, and even selling users’ idle bandwidth.

Gambling VPN: FAQs