Best VPN for online gambling & sports betting in 2026

Online gambling and sports betting platforms are increasingly getting new restrictions due to licensing rules and local regulations. Many popular platforms like DraftKings, Fanduel, Stake, or Bet365 are often unavailable even in countries where gambling is legal.

Luckily, you can use a VPN to bypass geo-blocks and access the betting sites from anywhere. A VPN changes your IP address, so it looks like you’re in a country where the platform is available. This lets you access gambling sites easier than relying on insecure proxies or the slower Tor browser.

My latest tests confirmed that NordVPN is the best VPN for gambling and sports betting. However, it’s not the only reliable option. I’ve ranked the top VPNs that successfully bypass geo-blocks while maintaining lag-free speeds.

Note

This article is written for informational purposes only – readers are advised to use a VPN in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

5 best VPNs for gambling and sports betting

1. 1. 1. NordVPN – best VPN for gambling and betting in 2026
   2. 2. Surfshark – affordable online sports betting VPN 
   3. 3. Total VPN – reliable VPN for gambling site access
   4. 4. ExpressVPN – secure VPN for live sports betting
   5. 5. Proton VPN – feature-packed gambling VPN

 

Why use a VPN for gambling?

A gambling VPN helps you ensure privacy while betting online, internet freedom, and access to geo-blocked gambling sites. While online gambling is legal in most parts of Europe and the US, it’s not available in some states in the US.

For example, you can only gamble in online casinos in Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, West Virginia. Online poker is available in Nevada, New Jersey, Delaware, Michigan, Pennsylvania, West Virginia.

Plus, each country has specific restrictions in place, making betting platforms available in a limited number of regions.

For example, you can play Sportsbet in Australia but not in the US or Europe. When connecting from restricted countries, you’ll see an error message: “Sportsbet is not available here. Due to laws and regulations Sportsbet can't be accessed in certain locations.”

However, if you use a gambling VPN, you can bypass geo-restrictions and access the platform from anywhere. Once you connect to a server in Australia, you get an Australian IP address, letting you access the site like a local.

Bypass gambling site geo-blocks with NordVPN, now 77% off

NordVPN is the best VPN for gambling online because it unlocks any betting platform from anywhere while retaining lag-free speeds.

9.7

/10

1

• Bypassed geo-blocks
• Advanced security features
• 30-day money-back guarantee

Get NordVPN

My top picks of VPNs for gambling in 2025

I researched and tested multiple VPNs to find out which ones work best for gambling securely. My tests consisted of trying to bypass geo-blocks on gambling platforms, evaluating VPN performance, and trying out the security features. Here are my detailed insights on each VPN:

1. NordVPN – best VPN for gambling overall

NordVPN

1

9.7

/10

Visit NordVPN

Pros & cons

• Effortlessly bypasses gambling geo-blocks
• Retains lag-free speeds
• Built-in ad and tracker blocker
• Traffic obfuscation
• Audited no-logs policy
• 30-day money-back guarantee

• Free trial only on Android

NordVPN is the best VPN for gambling because it effortlessly bypasses geo-restrictions on betting sites while retaining lag-free speeds. During my tests, it effortlessly accessed platforms like DraftKings, Rainbet, Stake, Hard Rock Bet, BetFair, FanDuel, and others.

When I tested NordVPN’s performance, it turned out to be one of the fastest VPNs out there. It retained around 94% of initial connection speeds on average, so I experienced no lagging whatsoever.

NordVPN offers excellent security features in its arsenal. I could gamble without interruptions thanks to the Threat Protection Pro feature which blocks malicious ads and trackers. Plus, there’s a traffic obfuscation feature which hides the fact that you’re using a VPN. So, it made all the difference when trying to access geo-blocked betting platforms.

As for the privacy policy, I found that NordVPN is a no-logs VPN after reading it. Plus, its privacy policy is audited by an independent firm called Deloitte, and its recent transparency reports show that they haven’t disclosed any data to government institutions.

You can get NordVPN starting from $2.99/month for 10 devices. There’s a free 3-day trial available on Android devices and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Learn more in our NordVPN review.

2. Surfshark – gambling VPN with the best price-to-quality ratio

Surfshark

1

9.6

/10

Visit Surfshark

Pros & cons

• Easily bypasses gambling geo-blocks
• Affordable pricing
• Comes with an antivirus
• Allows unlimited simultaneous connections
• 7-day trial

• Based in a 14-eyes alliance

Surfshark is an affordable VPN tool for gambling and betting with unlimited simultaneous connections. During our tests, the provider successfully unblocked different gambling sites, like Stake, Bovada, FanDuel, Rainbet, and more.

Once I tested Surfshark’s performance, I found that it doesn’t fall far behind NordVPN. It retained 90% of initial connection speeds on average, so I didn’t notice any visible speed drops that would affect my gambling experience.

I liked that Surfshark comes with obfuscated servers to conceal the fact that you’re using a VPN, making you even more undetectable on gambling sites. There’s also the CleanWeb feature to block malicious ads and trackers and a Surfshark Antivirus you can get for extra security.

I didn’t like that Surfshark was based in a 14-eye alliance country, but I read its privacy policy and it doesn’t keep any logs. It has been audited multiple times by independent firms like Cure 53 and Deloitte, and its transparency reports show that they haven’t shared any data with government institutions.

Surfshark prices start from $1.99/month, and you can claim a free 7-day trial. A 30-day money-back guarantee is also available.

Find out more in our detailed Surfshark review.

3. Total VPN – reliable VPN for gambling

Total VPN

1

9.4

/10

Visit Total VPN

Pros & cons

• Bypasses geo-blocks without issues
• Retains lag-free performance
• Comes with the TotalAV antivirus
• Affordable pricing

• Server count isn’t disclosed

Total VPN is a trustworthy VPN for accessing gambling and betting sites securely from anywhere. When I tested it with multiple platforms, I was able to access FanDuel, DraftKings, Stake, Hard Rock Bet, and more without a single issue.

My speed tests showed that Total VPN can retain around 84% of initial connection speeds while gambling online. That’s a result that still didn’t show any visible lags throughout my 25-minute gambling session.

In terms of features, what stood out to me is that you get the TotalAV antivirus in one package with the VPN. Plus, there’s built-in DNS leak protection, like with most top VPNs, so your IP address will stay hidden at all times.

Once I read Total VPN’s privacy policy, I found that it’s a no-logging service. However, the downside is that this VPN isn’t audited. Still, I found no prior breaches or reputational issues, so it’s safe to use.

You can get the Total VPN starting from $1.59/month. There’s no free trial, but you can try it out with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

4. ExpressVPN – security-focused online gambling VPN

ExpressVPN

1

9.5

/10

Visit ExpressVPN

Pros & cons

• Bypasses geo-restrictions on gambling sites
• Includes a malicious ad blocker
• Maintains excellent connection speeds
• 7-day trial on smartphones

• Premium pricing

ExpressVPN is a gambling VPN with great security features and stable connection speeds. During our tests, I was able to access PrizePicks, PokerStars, FanDuel, DraftKings, and other websites without issues.

ExpressVPN speed tests showed that it’s also a reliable option in terms of performance. My test results showed that it retains an average of 89% initial connection speeds, and no buffering was present while gambling.

This VPN comes with traffic obfuscation to make it look like you’re not using a VPN, which makes it harder to detect you. Plus, there’s the Threat Manager to block ads and trackers, ensuring you don’t get scammed while browsing ad-filled betting sites.

The privacy policy of ExpressVPN claims that it’s a no-logging service, and that’s backed up by multiple independent audits, including by KPMG, PwC, and Cure53.

ExpressVPN prices start from $3.49/month, and its plans have a free 7-day trial on smartphones. There’s also a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Get to know more in our ExpressVPN review.

5. Proton VPN – betting VPN with versatile security features

Proton VPN

1

9.0

/10

Visit ProtonVPN

Pros & cons

• Can bypass geo-blocks on gambling sites
• Continuous privacy policy audits
• Great speed retention rates
• Has a free version

• Free plan can’t bypass geo-restrictions

Proton VPN is a great VPN for betting online due to a versatile set of features and a free plan. During my in-house tests, I could unblock some of the popular betting sites like DraftKings and BetMGM, but only with the premium plan – the free version didn’t bypass geo-blocks.

My performance tests showed that Proton VPN doesn’t cause lagging issues. In fact, it retained 84% of initial connection speeds on average. Not as fast as NordVPN, but still not visibly slower.

Like most top VPNs, Proton VPN offers the NetShield malicious ad and tracker blocker. This helped me have a way more satisfying experience while gambling. Plus, there’s DNS leak protection, and my tests showed that during the whole gambling session, my IP address leaked zero times.

Proton VPN’s privacy policy claims that they keep no logs. That fact is backed by yearly audits, which is an extra step to showcase reliability.

Proton VPN’s yearly package is available , and there’s also a free version you can try. Alternatively, you can get a 30-day money-back guarantee to test the premium service.

Find out more from our in-depth Proton VPN review.

Methodology: how I chose gambling VPNs

I installed dozens of VPN services onto my laptop to see which ones can bypass geo-restrictions on gambling and betting sites. For these tests, I used Incognito mode to ensure cookie or cache data don’t reveal my true location. Here’s what I took into account when choosing these VPNs:

• Geo-block bypassing (35%). Many gambling and betting sites are geo-restricted to certain regions, and a VPN can help bypass it. So, I tested how well each VPN unblocks 15 gambling platforms.
• Security features (30%). I looked for features that conceal the fact that you’re using a VPN and block malicious ads or websites. This ensures that you don’t suddenly get detected by betting sites or experience phishing through ads.
• Speed (20%). I used Speedtest by Ookla to test how well each VPN retains initial connection speeds. Only services that showed at least 80% speed retention rates and had no persistent lagging issues were taken into consideration.
• Privacy (10%). During my tests, I read each VPN’s privacy policy to see what data they collect and how they handle it. I only included VPNs that promise to not log your activities.
• Price (5%). VPNs with the same features and capabilities can sometimes be priced very differently, so I made sure to select services that provide the highest value for your money.

How to use a gambling VPN

Setting up a gambling VPN is really easy, even if you’ve never used a VPN before. Here’s how to do it:

1. Pick a VPN with an extensive server fleet. We recommend NordVPN, now 77% off.
2. Download and install the VPN app.
3. Connect to a server in a country where the gambling platform is available. For example, Australia to access Sportsbet or Canada to open DraftKings.
4. Open the betting site.
5. Start placing bets online anonymously.

Popular gambling and betting platforms in the US

There are plenty of gambling and sports betting platforms that operate in the US but are only restricted to specific states. Here are a few of the most popular gambling platforms and where they’re available:

If you’re currently traveling outside of these states, you can access your gambling account using a VPN like NordVPN. It will change your IP address to make it look like you’re in a state where the gambling website is available, letting you open it from anywhere.

Where is gambling legal?

Online gambling laws are different in many areas of the world – while some countries ban gambling altogether, others leave it legal but put restrictions in place. As of the time of writing, here’s a list of countries where gambling is legal:

Meanwhile, gambling is completely illegal in many (but not all) parts of the Middle East (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Iran, etc.), Asia (China, North Korea, Indonesia, etc.), and Africa (Algeria, Libya, etc.).

But even in places where gambling is permitted by law, it often comes with restrictions on advertising rules, licenses, and more.

For example, you can access a site like DraftKings in the US but not in Europe. In such cases, you can use a VPN to bypass geo-restrictions and access the platform even from regions where it’s unavailable.

Keep in mind that some countries, like the US, also have state-specific rules. While it’s allowed to gamble online in some of them, others, like Utah and Hawaii, strictly prohibit it.

Expert tip

Even if gambling is legal in a specific country, it might be heavily restricted by law. Always check local laws and regulations before engaging in online gambling or sports betting.

What to be aware of when using a gambling VPN

While using a VPN is important to ensure privacy while gambling online, there are a few things you should be aware of:

• Use official platforms only – refrain from using suspicious platforms and aren’t regulated, since it could potentially result in money or data loss.
• Follow local laws – a VPN is necessary for ensuring security and privacy but it doesn’t make gambling legal in jurisdictions where it’s prohibited. You’re still subject to your local laws.
• Stay aware of time & money you spend – make sure you gamble responsibly and set spending limits before betting.
• Don’t bypass personal blocks – if you have voluntarily blocked yourself from accessing online gambling sites, refrain from using a VPN to bypass these blocks.

Using a free VPN for online gambling

You can use a free VPN for online gambling, but I highly advise against it. That’s because completely free VPNs usually have a bad reputation and may end up selling your data to advertisers to gain money.

Alternatively, I’d suggest trying out freemium VPNs. These are free versions of reputable VPN service providers, so you know they’re safe. Yet, they still come with server network and security limitations, so you’re unlikely to bypass geo-restrictions on online gambling or betting sites.

My recommendation is to try out a VPN for free using a free trial. For example, NordVPN offers a free 3-day trial on Android and a 30-day money-back guarantee, resulting in 33 days of free VPN service and access to advanced security features.

Final thoughts

Online gambling laws keep getting stricter across different countries, leaving many gambling enthusiasts turning to VPNs to securely access gambling and sports betting sites anywhere. A VPN hides your real IP address, letting you freely access geo-blocked gambling sites while keeping your activities private from prying eyes.

The best VPN for gambling in 2026 is NordVPN. Based on my tests, it can effortlessly bypass geo-blocks on platforms like BetMGM, Hard Rock Bet, FanDuel, Stake, and many more. And it does it all without sacrificing performance or security, ensuring lag-free speeds and no DNS leaks.

However, other VPNs on my list also work great for different gambling sites – the ultimate choice depends on your needs and budget.