Online gambling has become a huge industry where millions are won and lost. However, these services are unavailable or restricted in many countries. Simply traveling to another region can prevent you from gambling. Other countries might allow certain gambling sites to function unrestricted while geo-blocking others.
To bypass all these challenges, you will have to use a premium VPN (virtual private network) for gambling. With it, you can quickly connect to a server in a country where gambling is fully legal, bypassing all restrictions. Top VPNs will also keep you private and secure, protecting your sensitive information from malicious outsiders.
However, not all VPNs are compatible with gambling sites. This is why we’ve done all the hard work for you, by testing out the top VPN services to see how well they can unblock gambling sites. Based on these test results, here are our 4 top VPNs for gambling in 2024.
- NordVPN – Ultimate VPN for gambling with a massive global network, fast connections, and high-end security (with a 74% off coupon).
- Surfshark – Affordable gambling VPN with solid speeds and unlimited simultaneous connections.
- ExpressVPN – Consistent premium VPN with top security and a strict no-logs policy.
- IPVanish – Excellent US-based VPN for gambling with airtight security and cutting-edge speeds.
This article will discuss the benefits of using a VPN, provide an overview of top services, and answer frequently asked questions.
Key Takeaways
- NordVPN, Surfshark, ExpressVPN, and IPVanish are the best VPNs for gambling in 2024. They are fast, reliable, and provide advanced security features like ad blocking, split tunneling, and a kill switch. These are all no-logs VPNs, which helps to guarantee your privacy.
Premium VPNs offer better security, faster speeds, and superior customer support than free services, which come with severe security risks.
- Since gambling laws vary from country to country, you will have to take legality into consideration. We recommend connecting to VPN servers in the US, specifically in New York, Delaware, or California.
How to Use a VPN for Online Gambling
Online casinos and betting websites restrict access to their platforms based on the user’s location. However, a VPN masks your IP address, making it appear as if you’re accessing the site from a country in which VPN server is physically located. This allows you to easily access all online gambling sites.
Aside from giving you a new IP, premium VPN will also protect your outgoing data. This is done through a process called encryption. Encryption scrambles your outgoing data, rendering it unreadable to hackers trying to steal your identity/credit card information.
To protect yourself and unlock online gambling sites, all you have to do is…
- Subscribe to a premium gambling VPN.
We got the best results with NordVPN. - Download and install a VPN on your device.
- Sign up and log in with your credentials.
- Enable advanced security features.
This includes all leak protection features and kill switch. Make sure to also use advanced VPN protocols that offer high degree of security, like WireGuard. You can also enable split tunneling to further boost your security. - Connect to a VPN server in a country where online gambling is legal.
For top performance, connect to a server that is also close to your actual location. This is why I've used a VPN server in the New York. - Use your premium VPN for gambling!
In the example below, I am using NordVPN server to access popular online gambling website.
It is as easy as that.
Top VPNs for Online Gambling
We will now do an overview of each VPN provider we've mentioned to see what they have to offer.
NordVPN – Best VPN for Gambling
Website | NordVPN.com |
Based in | Panama |
Logs | No logs (audited) |
Price | $2.99/mo. |
Support | 24/7 live chat |
Refund | 30 days |
Deal | 74% Off Coupon |
NordVPN is by far the ultimate gambling VPN. It has a massive network of 6,300+ servers in 111 countries, which means that you will always be able to find an optimized connection. To provide the top performance, NordVPN relies on advanced VPN protocols: OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec, and NordLynx.
We will focus on NordLynx, as it provides an ideal connection for betting. This is a modified version of WireGuard – a cutting-edge protocol known for its low latency, instant server connection, and very fast speeds. We've extensively tested it in this NordVPN vs ExpressVPN comparison.
Below you can see we clocked download speeds of 613 Mbps when connected to a NordVPN server in New York, which is an ideal server location for gambling.
When it comes to online gambling, online security should take precedence over speed. Luckily, this is another area in which NordVPN dominates. To protect your outgoing traffic from hackers and other third parties, it uses airtight AES 256 GCM encryption. Possible data loss is prevented by a combination of numerous leak protection features (DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC), kill switch, and split tunneling. This is also a no-logs VPN powered by RAM servers, which guarantees that your sensitive data will be deleted every time its servers restart.
Over the years, various cybersecurity firms have independently audited NordVPN. Notably, Cure53 did an in-depth pen test that showed this service has elite security. Deloitte went through its no-logs policy, with results showing that it is rigorously implemented.
NordVPN Premium Features
- Obfuscation: Hide your NordVPN traffic so that nobody is aware that you use it. This feature is essential if you are in a country that employs online censorship, which is why many people use it as a reliable VPN for China. Obfuscated servers will provide you with anonymity, but this will have a modest impact on your connection speed.
- Onion over VPN servers – Combines NordVPN with Tor to bring you the highest degree of online security. While incredibly safe, these servers are also notoriously slow. We wouldn't recommend them for online gambling, but they are very useful if you are looking for a VPN for the Dark Web.
- Dedicated IP – By getting an exclusive IP address, you can prevent your VPN servers from getting blacklisted by gambling websites. NordVPN's dedicated IP can further increase your security, but this is an add-on feature that will cost you.
- Double VPN Servers – Boost your encryption by passing your connection through 2 VPN servers. This is ideal for betting, although it will slow your connection a bit. The same feature is available on Surfshark and ProtonVPN.
- Split Tunneling – Lets you control what apps can use NordVPN traffic. You can use a VPN with split tunneling to create an exclusive tunnel for accessing online gambling websites.
- VPN Kill Switch – Will prevent your sensitive information from ending up on the internet when all other security features fail. If something goes wrong, a kill switch will block your Internet traffic.
- VPN Proxy – NordVPN's exclusive browser extension is available on Chrome, Edge, and Firefox.
- Smart Play (Smart DNS) – Allows you to use NordVPN on devices that aren't compatible with VPN apps. You can use it to unlock streaming platforms, games, and restricted websites. It is very useful but doesn't give you encryption.
- Threat Protection – A powerful scanner that removes malware and trackers. It is also very good at blocking intrusive ads and will stop you from opening phishing websites.
See all NordVPN features here >>
NordVPN has great cross-platform support, allowing you to set it up on computers, smartphones, tablets, and other modern devices. Router installation is also possible, so you can protect devices that normally don't have VPN support. NordVPN lets you hold 10 simultaneous connections, allowing it to secure your entire home network. The app is also very user-friendly, so you can master it in minutes.
If you have trouble using NordVPN, just contact its 24/7 customer service, available via live chat. You can try it without taking any risks, as there is a 30-day money-back guarantee if you are not satisfied. This makes it an excellent free trial VPN.
+ Pros
- User-friendly and reliable apps
- Double VPN andOnion Over VPN servers
- Passed numerous 3rd-party audits
- Strong encryption standards with full support for WireGuard
- Works with Netflix and many streaming sites
- Threat Protection feature to block ads, trackers, and malware
- Professional 24/7 live chat support
- Consistently fast speeds
- Dedicated RAM-servers with 10 Gbps bandwidth channels
– Cons
- Best discounts only available with 2-year plans
NordVPN's Holiday Deal is live:
Get 74% Off NordVPN with 2-year subscriptions plus 3 extra months:
(Coupon is applied automatically; 30 day money-back guarantee.)
If you are eager to learn more about the service, check out our full NordVPN overview.
Surfshark – Affordable and Secure Gambling VPN
Website | Surfshark.com |
Based in | The Netherlands |
Logs | No logs (audited) |
Price | $1.99/mo. |
Support | 24/7 live chat |
Refund | 30 days |
Deal | 87% Off Coupon |
Surfshark is an excellent budget VPN service from the Netherlands. It has a massive network of 3,200+ servers in 100 countries, so you can easily find an optimized server to use for online gambling. Surfshark relies on 3 advanced VPN protocols. The best of them is WireGuard, as it provides secure, instant, and fast connection.
If you want proof, look no further than our NordVPN vs Surfshark article, which showed that both services have similar speed. However, NordVPN has slightly better performance on remote servers. Despite this, we can safely say that Surfshark is the best cheap VPN service currently on the market.
Surfshark is a strict no-logs VPN that uses RAM servers to guarantee its users absolute privacy. For protection, it uses military-grade AES 256 encryption, along with additional leak prevention features, split tunneling, and a kill switch. Such security features are essential for online gambling, since both your money and identity are on the line.
Various independent audits confirm Surfshark's security and privacy credentials. For example, Cure53 recently performed a pentest on its browser extension, which achieved remarkable results.
Surfshark Premium Features
- IP Rotator – Frequently changes your VPN IP address without disconnecting you from Surfshark's app.
- IP Randomizer – Get a new IP address whenever you visit a new website. This will have some impact on your speed, but it will keep you private while gambling online.
- Clean Web – A cutting-edge VPN ad-blocker that stops malware, trackers, and intrusive ads.
- No Borders – Allows you to use Surfshark even if you are connected to a restricted network. This feature makes it one of the top VPNs for UAE and Dubai.
- Dynamic Multi-Hop – Double VPN network that allows you to customize what VPN servers you connect to.
- VPN Proxy
- Obfuscated Servers
- Kill Switch
- Split Tunneling
- Smart DNS
See all Surfshark features here >
Surfshark easily bypasses all geo-blocking algorithms, which is perfect for accessing restricted gambling websites. Its app is available on computers, tablets, smartphones, and even routers. You can subscribe for only $3 per month, making it one of the best VPN deals on the market. This includes the ability to create unlimited simultaneous connections.
As expected, Surfshark has a 24/7 customer service team that you can contact through live chat. To protect all customers, a 30-day refund policy is also in place.
+ Pros
- Unlimited connections
- User-friendly apps for all devices and operating systems
- CleanWeb feature to block ads, trackers, and malware
- Works great with Netflix and many other streaming services
- 24/7 live chat support
- Strong encryption and security features (audited)
– Cons
- Limited support for VPN routers
- Above average monthly prices
Surfshark VPN Coupon:
Get 87% off Surfshark VPN plus an additional 4 months extra with the coupon below:
(Coupon is applied automatically; 30 day money-back guarantee)
To learn more about this VPN, check out our Surfshark review.
ExpressVPN – Fast, Secure, and Consistent VPN Service
Website | ExpressVPN.com |
Based in | British Virgin Islands |
Logs | No logs (audited) |
Price | $6.67/mo. |
Support | 24/7 live chat |
Refund | 30 days |
Deal | 49% Off Coupon |
ExpressVPN stands as one of the most reliable gambling VPNs. Thanks to its network of 3,000+ servers in 105 countries, you will easily be able to start gambling on restricted websites from anywhere. ExpressVPN supports multiple VPN protocols: IKEv2, L2TP/IPSec, Open VPN, and Lightway.
Lightway is an alternative to WireGuard, which makes it most suitable for betting. However, it is much slower than the latter, as we found out in our ExpressVPN and Surfshark comparison. During our speed test, we only got half the speed we expected – around 330 Mbps. This is still more than enough if you want to gamble online, but you may experience stuttering and lag if you want to use it for gaming or streaming.
ExpressVPN is well-covered when it comes to security. It uses AES 256 encryption to stop hackers from monitoring your outgoing traffic. This VPN relies only on RAM servers, which is possible due to the implementation of TrustedServer technology. It also follows a strict no-logs policy.
ExpressVPN has been on the scene for nearly 15 years, during which time it completed independent audits. Cure53 did a thorough pen test report on Lightway, showing that its security is excellent. KPMG tested ExpressVPN's privacy guidelines with satisfying results.
ExpressVPN Premium Tools
- Smart Location – Quickly connect to a nearby VPN server with an optimized connection.
- Device Groups – Connect every device on your network to a different server simultaneously.
- VPN Proxy – A minimalistic browser extension, due to which ExpressVPN is one of the best VPNs for Chrome.
- Obfuscation
- Split Tunneling
- IPv6 Leak Protection
- Media Streamer (Smart DNS)
- Network Lock (Kill Switch)
- Threat Manager
See all ExpressVPN features here >
ExpressVPN has an intuitive interface and an app for almost every modern device. It supports router installation, and you can also get ExpressVPN's Aircove router in case you need a new one.
This VPN lets you create eight simultaneous connections. If this isn't enough for you, you will want to check Surfshark and IPVanish, or NordVPN. By subscribing, you will get access to a 24/7 support team that will help with any technical difficulties. If you are not impressed with ExpressVPN, you can get your money back by appealing to its 30-day refund guarantee.
+ Pros
- User-friendly and secure apps
- Split tunneling feature (for macOS, Windows, and routers)
- Works with Netflix and most streaming services
- 24/7 live chat support
- Passed independent third-party audits for security and no-logs
- Very large server network
– Cons
- Above average prices
- Fewer features than other leading VPNs
This ExpressVPN review will give you a clearer picture of this service.
IPVanish – Top Gambling VPN with Very Fast Connections
Website | IPVanish.com |
Based in | USA |
Logs | No logs (audited) |
Price | $2.19/mo. |
Support | Email and Chat |
Refund | 30 days |
Deal | 83% Off Coupon |
IPVanish may be our last alternative, but it is still worth considering. It offers a worldwide network of 2,200+ servers in 50+ countries and can quickly bypass various restrictions. These servers support three protocols: IKEv2, OpenVPN and WireGuard.
What pleasantly surprised us about IPVanish is the quality of its connections. WireGuard, in particular, gave us very impressive speeds during our testing on New York servers, as you can see below.
Granted, the quality of your connection will depend on your base speed. You can see how well it compares to the best VPN for gambling by taking a look at our IPVanish vs. NordVPN guide. To keep it short, we found NordVPN more reliable while connecting to remote servers.
To keep you secure while gambling, IPVanish combines AES 256 encryption with a no-logs policy. However, you should keep in mind that this is a US-based VPN. Many users find this problematic from a privacy standpoint, as the US is a member of the 5-Eyes alliance. Given that this is an audited premium VPN, we have no problems with recommending it.
IPVanish Premium Features
- SOCKS5 Proxy: Eliminates encryption to provide you with the fastest speeds available. This is ideal if you are also looking for a good VPN for torrenting.
- IPv6 Leak Protection
- DNS Leak Protection
- Kill Switch
- Split Tunneling
- Obfuscation (Scramble)
See all IPVanish features here >
IPVanish is convenient for gambling as it can be installed on nearly every platform, from computers and routers to smartphones. Its annual subscription is pretty affordable and comes with unlimited simultaneous connections. It is one of the better VPNs for multiple devices.
In case of emergency, customer service is available 24/7 via live chat. If you purchase an annual or two-year subscription, you are also eligible for a 30-day refund guarantee.
+ Pros
- Strong security features, multiple VPN protocols, and a kill switch
Extremely fast and reliable connection speeds
Wide range of reliable apps
Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Audited, no-logs policy
Ability to unblock popular streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, and BBC iPlayer
Cons
- No cryptocurrency payment options
- Based in the United States
For a deep dive, take a look at our complete IPVanish review.
Why do I Need a Gambling VPN?
By getting a premium VPN for gambling, you can easily unlock restricted online gambling sites, regain lost privacy, and upgrade your security.
- Protect Yourself from Hackers – Premium VPNs use military-grade AES 256 encryption to stop third parties from accessing your data. They also have real-time leak protection features, split tunneling, and a kill switch. By using all of this, you'll be able to securely gamble online without worrying about potential credit card fraud and identity leaks.
- Unlock Restricted Gambling Websites – Depending on your location, online betting may be heavily limited or fully restricted. Luckily, you can use a VPN to connect to a server in a country where these services are completely available.
- Improve Your Connection – Your Internet Service Provider (ISP) may be slowing down your connection without you realizing it. If that is the case, using a VPN can boost your speed.
Getting the Best VPN for Gambling
Even if you clearly see all of the benefits that VPNs provide, other challenges remain. With hundreds of providers available, it can be very hard to separate the wheat from the chaff. Given the plethora of options available, selecting the appropriate VPN service for online gambling might appear challenging. Some key factors to consider when choosing a VPN include:
- Global Network of Servers – You will want a VPN with thousands of servers around the world. This will maximize your chances of finding a fast server that can also access blocked gambling websites.
- Airtight Privacy – We focused on finding top no-logs VPNs that, ideally, rely only on RAM servers. This makes it impossible for them to store your sensitive data, as all VPN servers are wiped clean with each restart.
- Advanced VPN Protocols – Each VPN we mention supports cutting-edge protocols like NordLynx and WireGuard. These protocols allow you to get a very fast, secure, and instant connection, allowing you to gamble with ease.
- Multiple Connections – A premium VPN allows you to hold many simultaneous connections with a single subscription. In the best-case scenario, you can protect each device on your home network.
- Device Support – It's important to get a service compatible with all devices you wish to use for gambling. This is why every VPN we've mentioned is available on most platforms.
- Premium Yet Affordable – All VPNs on this list have reasonably priced annual subscriptions and are packed with extra security features needed for secure betting.
Getting the Most Out of Your Online Gambling VPN
While these premium VPNs work great out of the box, there are things you can implement to improve your connection and keep yourself secure. Always remember to:
- Rely on Advanced VPN Protocols: Depending on your service, you should use NordLynx, WireGuard, or Lightway. These protocols will not only give you the best speeds but also provide solid security.
- Activate All Security Features: Betting online carries some risks, but they can be mitigated by enabling all leak protection features and a kill switch. You can also create an exclusive tunnel with split tunneling to further boost your security.
- Keep your VPN up to date: Each new update can further optimize your speed or fix important security weak points that hackers could otherwise exploit.
For ultimate security while gambling, we recommend using NordVPN.
Tips for Safe and Responsible Online Gambling
- Control your Spending – Gambling should be treated as a form of entertainment, not a way to make money. It’s crucial to only gamble with money that you can afford to lose and to set time limits for your gambling sessions. Remember, the house always has the edge in gambling games.
- Choose Reputable Gaming Sites – Consider whether the site has a valid license from a credible regulatory authority. This ensures that the site operates legally and adheres to certain standards of fair play and security. Before you start gambling, make sure that there is a reliable customer support.
- Use Anonymous Payment – If possible, use cryptocurrency or a similar payment method that won't reveal your identity and country that you are coming from. This is very important if you are living under a strict regime.
- Avoid Withdrawing Huge Amounts of Cash – By doing this, the website may start a KYC check. This increases a risk of your account getting frozen due to VPN use.
List of Popular Gambling Webites
Don't want to spend time testing your online gambling site to see if it is really legit? Don't worry, as we have compiled a list of tried and true platforms you can safely use.
- Bet365
- FanDuel (we also have article on the best VPNs for FanDuel)
- DraftKings
- BetMGM
- BetUS
- Sky Bet
Solving Technical Difficulties
Every now and again, even premium VPNs may cause some problems. Here are the most common scenarios you may encounter:
1. Your VPN's IP Address Doesn't Work
The most likely reason is that your real IP is somehow leaking. First, go to your VPN Settings and enable all Leak Protection features. You will also want to disable all background applications, as they may inadvertently show your real location.
If the problem persists, you should clear your browser's cookies. Although tracking cookies are useful for creating targeted ads, they must know your preferences and identity for them to work.
Luckily, you can easily clear your cookies and cache. Just follow these guides for Firefox, Edge, and Chrome.
2. My VPN Cannot Connect to a Server
Your firewall is the most likely cause of this issue. To check if this is the case, temporarily disable it and try connecting to a VPN server. If it works, it's time to create a firewall exception for your VPN. We will show you how to do this on Windows.
- Go to Start > Control Panel > System and Security > Windows Defender Firewall.
- Choose Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall.
- Go to Change Settings and find your VPN for gambling.
You should tick the box saying Public. If you cannot find your VPN app, click on Allow another app and Add your VPN. - To confirm changes, press OK.
This works a bit differently on Mac. We recommend using this Apple firewall guide.
Legality of Using VPNs for Online Gambling
Before, it is important to acquaint yourself with local laws and regulations. Since they vary from country to country, what’s legal in one country might be illegal in another. Some countries where online gambling is legal include:
France
Germany
Australia
Mexico
Brazil
The US
The UK
Gambling in the US
Since most of our readers are from here, we will now focus specifically on locations that you can use for gambling in the United States. Currently, online gambling is legal in 19 states.
- California
- Delaware
- Florida
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Michigan
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New York
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- West Virginia
In this states, you can also freely use your premium VPN for online gambling.
Can I Use a Free VPN for Gambling?
Although you might consider using a free VPN to save more money for gambling, we don't think this would be such a great idea. After all, there's a reason why these services are free. In reality, free VPNs have many limitations, and some are outright dangerous. Here's a list of things we found problematic.
- Smaller Server Network
Running and growing a global server network requires a lot of funds. Due to monetary restraints, free services focus on maintaining smaller networks. This limits your chances of finding an optimal connection, especially since these servers will likely get overcrowded. And let's not forget to mention that free VPNs are frequently unable to unlock betting websites. - Limited Bandwidth
Many free services impose monthly bandwidth limits to prevent their servers from becoming overcrowded. These usually range from 1 to 5 GB, which may be enough for light browsing but is not ideal for online gambling. If you reach your bandwidth limit, you will be locked out of your VPN until the next month. - Inefficient Protocols
Free services rely on outdated VPN protocols, such as PPTP. Compared to WireGuard or NordLynx, they lack security, speed, and reliability. - No Customer Support
While premium VPNs provide 24/7 support to their users, free services don't have this luxury. Instead, you will be left on your own, and it could take quite some time for you to find solutions to your problem.
Privacy and Security Risks
Annoying limitations aside, it's important to know that free VPNs pose a severe risk to users' privacy and security. Just by taking a look at this recent study of 270+ free mobile VPNs, we noticed many glaring problems:
- Over 38% of free VPNs had malware.
- 75% of VPN apps used trackers to monitor its users.
- 18% of the apps don’t use any encryption.
- 66% of free VPNs have terrible DNS and IPv6 leak protection.
It is safe to say that these problems aren't limited just to smartphones. The simple truth is that the vast majority of free VPNs don't care about your security or privacy. They are just trying to extract and sell user information to the ad agencies.
However, you would get much better results by subscribing to one of the top free trial VPNs.
Final Thoughts
Due to draconian laws and restrictions, using gambling sites has become increasingly difficult or downright impossible in some countries. This doesn’t factor in the danger of hackers stealing your hard-earned winnings or your identity. To protect your identity and unlock geo-restricted websites, you will have to use a premium VPN.
With everything said, we believe that NordVPN is the best VPN for gambling. Its military-grade encryption will protect you from hackers, while its massive server network lets you easily unblock all gambling sites. You will also remain completely private, as NordVPN is a no-logs VPN that uses only RAM servers.
Other VPN Gambling guides:
- 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
- Best VPNs for Sports Betting
- How to Unblock Stake
- Best VPNs for Stake
VPN for Gambling FAQ
Is online gambling safe with a VPN?
Yes, using a VPN will enhance your safety while gambling online by encrypting your internet connection, which will protect your outgoing data from potential threats. Top gambling VPNs also provide multiple leak protection features and a kill switch, both of which will prevent your private information from ending up online.
Can I use a free VPN for online gambling?
No, it's not recommended to use a free VPN for online gambling due to limitations in speed, number of servers, and security. A paid VPN is a better option for a reliable and secure online gambling experience.
Is it legal to use a VPN for online gambling?
It's crucial to be aware of the local laws regarding online gambling and VPN usage, as they vary by country. Always ensure that you are compliant with the laws in your jurisdiction before using a VPN for online gambling.
What should I look for when choosing a VPN for online gambling?
Look for a VPN with strong encryption, plenty server locations, and fast and reliable connection. It should also be powerful enough to unlock every gambling site you wish to access, no matter your location.
How can I gamble responsibly online?
To gamble responsibly online, set personal limits, only gamble with money you can afford to lose, take regular breaks, and choose a reputable gambling site with clear terms and conditions for bonuses. This will help you stay in control and enjoy the experience without risking more than you can afford.
Can gambling websites detect VPNs?
This depends on the service and VPN in question. If you’re caught using a VPN and it’s against the site’s ToS, your account can get suspended or even terminated. However, using a premium VPN like NordVPN allows you to bypass all measures of detection.
This guide on best VPNs for gambling was last updated on May 20, 2024.
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