Published on: April 18, 2024 Updated 2 times since publishing
- 🥇 ExpressVPN : It works with all major sports betting sites, has servers in 105 countries, maintains fast connections, and has top-notch security features. Plus, it has user-friendly apps and affordable plans with a 30-day money-back guarantee for first-time users.
It’s essential to use a VPN when accessing sports betting. Many sports betting sites will block you if you’re accessing them from a country or US state where they aren’t available. So, when traveling, you won’t be able to make any sports bets on sites available only in your home country. A VPN also provides extra privacy for sports betting by encrypting your traffic, so a third party, including your internet service provider (ISP), can’t see your activities.
That said, not all VPNs are good for sports betting sites. Many don’t work with popular sports betting sites like 888sport, 1xBet, Caesars Sportsbook, and more. Plus, they may have slow speeds for live betting, which can cause you to miss bets.
The VPNs on this list are great for accessing sports betting sites. ExpressVPN is my top choice because it has a vast server network, blazing-fast speeds, advanced security features, and user-friendly apps. Editor's Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.
Quick Summary of the Best VPNs for Sports Betting
Editor's Note: Intego ONE, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost and ExpressVPN are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company.
🥇1. ExpressVPN — Best Overall VPN for Sports Betting
Basic 12-Months plan: $3.99 / month
1-month plan: $12.99 / month
ExpressVPN is my favorite VPN for online sports betting. It reliably works with popular sports betting sites, including Bovada, 1xBet, Bet365, Betfair, and more. Our team of international testers was able to access the sports betting sites available in their location while connected to a local VPN server.
I’m a big fan of ExpressVPN’s large server network. It has a server in 105 countries, allowing most users to connect to a server in their country. Plus, users in the US will like that ExpressVPN offers servers in 20+ locations, including several states where sports gambling is legal — like New Jersey, Illinois, Colorado, and Arizona.
It also has dedicated IPs in 20+ countries, which are IPs that are only assigned to you, so your preferred sports betting site won’t flag a constantly changing IP address and ban your account — they cost extra but are reasonably priced.
This VPN comes with high-end security and privacy features, such as:
- RAM-only servers. These servers use volatile memory, meaning that with every server reboot, all of your data is permanently erased.
- Perfect forward secrecy. This feature changes the encryption key for each session, so even if a hacker got your key, the future and past keys won’t be compromised.
- Full leak protection. ExpressVPN has protection against DNS, WebRTC, and IPv6 leaks. This prevents your data from being leaked to third parties while using sports betting sites.
- ExpressVPN Keys. This password manager securely stores your login credentials associated with sports betting sites in a digital vault. It also enables 1-click logins.
- Advanced Protection. It prevents ad trackers from spying on your browsing habits and betting sites from tracking your bets and recommending other bets you should make, blocks connections to shady sites that pose as legit sports betting sites, and blocks ads on betting sites.
I like that the VPN has automatic obfuscation across all servers and protocols. This feature makes your VPN traffic look like normal traffic. This means that you’ll be able to place sports bets even on restrictive networks, like those at work.
Bottom Line:
ExpressVPN is the best VPN for accessing sports betting sites. It works with all popular sports betting sites and has top-notch security features, plus it offers dedicated IPs for a small cost. In addition, the VPN has obfuscated servers, and its apps are easy to use.
Read the full ExpressVPN review
🥈2. Private Internet Access — Customizable Mobile Apps
6-month plan: $7.50 / month
1-month plan: $11.95 / month
Private Internet Access (PIA) has highly customizable mobile apps, so you can easily place sports bets on the go. For example, they let you rearrange features to your liking. Plus, It allows you to set up automation rules like automatically connecting you to a VPN server when you connect to an unsecured Wi-Fi network, such as when you’re placing bets at a sports stadium or sports bar.
If you’re in the US, PIA is an excellent choice for sports betting thanks to its unique server network in the country — it offers servers in all 50 states. For users outside of the US, PIA comes with servers in 50 countries.
The VPN has obfuscation through the open-source Shadowsocks proxy servers. So, your traffic is first routed through a specialized proxy server and then the VPN server before accessing sports betting sites. This way, you’ll be able to securely place sports bets with a VPN even if your network blocks VPNs. The Shadowsock proxy servers are located in 6 countries, including the US and UK.
I’m a big fan of the ad blocker PIA MACE. In my tests, it blocked all ads on sports betting sites and prevented me from accessing fake betting sites that were dangerous to use. It also stops trackers from following you around the internet. In fact, it’s our #1 VPN ad blocker.
PIA offers you the opportunity to purchase a dedicated IP address at a low extra cost. You get a choice of 10 countries, including the UK, the US, Canada, and Australia.
Bottom Line:
Private Internet Access is a good choice for placing sports bets on mobile devices since it has user-friendly, customizable mobile apps. The provider is also very secure and has obfuscation via Shadowsocks proxy servers. There’s also servers in all 50 US states, and you can purchase a dedicated IP address.
Read the full Private Internet Access review
Editor's Note: Private Internet Access and this site are in the same ownership group.
🥉3. CyberGhost VPN — Beginner-Friendly VPN for Sports Betting
6-month plan: $6.99 / month
1-month plan: $12.99 / month
CyberGhost VPN has user-friendly apps that are great for beginners. They are very easy to install — it took me just 2 minutes to download and install the Windows app. Plus, every setting and feature comes with an explanation, so you won’t feel overwhelmed using the VPN and learning which features are helpful when placing bets on sports games.
I really like the Smart Rules feature. It lets you automate VPN connection preferences. For example, you can configure the VPN app to automatically connect to the fastest server and open the browser you use to access sports betting sites on launch.
CyberGhost comes with servers in 100 countries. In the US, there are servers in 11 states but there are fewer that allow sports betting than ExpressVPN and Private Internet Access — you get servers in New York, Illinois, Florida, Nevada, and Arizona. Plus, CyberGhost offers dedicated IP addresses in 10+ countries, such as Canada, Australia, the UK, and the US, including states like Nevada, Illinois, and New York.
I don’t like that the VPN lacks obfuscation like ExpressVPN and Private Internet Access do. This means that you won’t be able to access and place bets on sports betting sites on restrictive networks with the VPN.
However, CyberGhost does have a pretty good ad blocker called Content Blocker. Though it isn’t as good at getting rid of all ads (PIA MACE is much better for ads), it protected me from malicious sites and blocks ad trackers well.
Bottom Line:
CyberGhost VPN is a good pick for VPN beginners. It has intuitive apps and a convenient Smart Rules feature. Although the VPN has strong security features and a good ad blocker, it lacks obfuscation.
Read the full CyberGhost VPN review
Editor's Note: CyberGhost and this site are in the same ownership group.
4. NordVPN — Top-Notch Security Features for Sports Betting
Plus 24-month plan: $3.59 / month
Complete 24-month plan: $3.99 / month
Prime 24-month plan: $6.99 / month
NordVPN provides very good security for online sports betting. On top of the essential and advanced security features, there’s an app-based kill switch that shuts down selected apps if the VPN disconnects. For example, you can configure it to shut down the browser you use for sports betting if the VPN connection drops, which is more convenient than losing your entire web access.
NordVPN is available in 149 countries and at least 15 cities in the US — they’re in states where sports betting is allowed, like Colorado, New York, and Arizona.
I’m a big fan of the ad blocker, called Threat Protection. It gets rid of ads, blocks your connections to malicious sports betting sites, and even protects you from malware-infected downloads. PIA MACE is still better, though.
It also has good obfuscation for betting on restrictive networks. Unlike ExpressVPN, though, not all of its servers are obfuscated. NordVPN only has obfuscation on 100+ servers in 15+ countries.
Bottom Line:
NordVPN has strong security features for a safe sports betting experience. It comes with an ad blocker and app-based kill switch as well as obfuscated servers. The provider also has apps that are easy to navigate.
5. Surfshark — Intuitive VPN With Affordable Plans
One 24-month plan: $2.49 / month
One+ 24-month plan: $4.19 / month
Surfshark is an intuitive VPN. Its interface makes it easy to find the fastest server for sports betting and all features have explanations. Plus, the provider allows unlimited simultaneous connections. It’s also one of the most affordable VPNs on the market.
When it comes to server networks, Surfshark is in line with the other top VPNs on this list. It has servers in 100 countries and 22 cities in the US. I like how the cities are located in 7+ states where sports betting is allowed.
This VPN has extras like Camouflage Mode, which is its obfuscation tool (automatic on OpenVPN), and GPS Spoofing on its Android app, which matches your location to the VPN IP address. This helps you access sports betting sites from home while you’re traveling.
Bottom Line:
Surfshark is an intuitive VPN with affordable plans. It offers a really good server network, has obfuscation, and GPS Spoofing for sports betting.
Read the full Surfshark review
Quick Comparison Table
Editor's Note: Intego ONE, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost and ExpressVPN are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company.
Testing Methodology: Comparison & Ranking Criteria
I used our proven testing methodology to ensure that I only recommend the best VPNs for sports betting. I made my choices based on the server network, ease of use, speeds, security features, and more. All the VPNs on this list exceeded my expectations. Here’s the criteria I used to pick the VPNs on this list:
- I made sure that the VPN could access sports betting sites. Many sports betting sites block VPNs or have geo-blocks that prevent you from accessing them outside of certain locations. The VPNs I recommend work with all major sports betting sites 24/7, including 888sports, 1xBet, Caesars Sportsbook, and more.
- I looked for strong security features. I ensured that the VPNs on this list come with industry-standard VPN security features, like 256-bit AES encryption, a strict no-logs policy, and a kill switch that severs your internet connection if you’re disconnected from your VPN to prevent data leaks. Plus, I made sure all the VPNs have protection against DNS, WebRTC, and/or IPv6 leaks. In my tests, I saw no leaks.
- I considered fast speeds. All VPNs slow down your speeds due to the encryption process but top VPNs can maintain fast speeds across all servers. Although all VPNs had fast speeds in my tests, ExpressVPN was the fastest.
- I evaluated the VPN’s ease of use. I made sure that the VPNs have apps for most major devices. Plus, they all have an intuitive interface which makes it easy to find the fastest server for sports betting.
- I ensured the VPN offered good value. All the VPNs on this list offer affordable plans and deals with generous money-back guarantees. Plus, they allow multiple simultaneous connections.
Top Brands That Didn’t Make the Cut
- TunnelBear. TunnelBear has full leak protection, obfuscation, and is easy to use. However, the ad blocker is only available on the Chrome browser, it’s not as fast as the top VPNs, and it’s missing a money-back guarantee (there is a very limited free plan, though).
- VyprVPN. VyprVPN is a pretty good VPN overall and has good obfuscation for bypassing VPN blocks from sports betting sites. However, it’s missing some extra features, like an ad blocker and full leak protection, and its malicious site blocker only works on old Android versions.
- Astrill VPN. Astrill VPN is secure and fast, but it has a smaller server network than the other VPNs on this list, and it is very expensive.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best VPN for sports betting?
ExpressVPN is the best VPN for sports betting. It reliably works with many sports betting sites, maintains fast speeds, and has top security features. Its apps are also very intuitive to use.
Can I use a free VPN for sports betting?
Maybe, but I don’t recommend it. Many free VPNs don’t work with sports betting sites, have small server networks, and deliver slow speeds. Instead, I recommend purchasing a premium VPN, like ExpressVPN. It works with all major sports betting sites, has the fastest speeds, and has excellent security.
Is it legal to use a VPN for sports betting?
Using a VPN for sports betting is generally legal, but it’s essential to comply with the laws of your country regarding online gambling. Some betting sites might also have terms of service that prohibit the use of VPNs, so always check the site’s policies.
Can a VPN improve my odds or betting experience?
A VPN won’t directly improve your odds of winning bets. However, a VPN can improve your betting experience by allowing you to access a broader range of sports betting markets and websites that might otherwise be restricted in your location.
Editor's Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.
