6 Best VPN for Sports Betting in 2024 (Free & Premium)

Online sports betting is a popular activity for many people around the world. However, in some countries and regions, access to major sports betting sites may be blocked or restricted. This is where a VPN (Virtual Private Network) can come in handy.

A VPN allows you to bypass geoblocks and access casino, poker, and sportsbook sites that may not be available where you live. It basically masks your real IP address and location, making it seem like you‘re connecting from another country.

But with so many VPN services out there, how do you choose the best VPN for sports betting? In this guide, we’ll recommend the top 6 VPNs for accessing betting sites and apps in 2024.

How We Chose the Best VPNs for Sports Betting

When compiling this list of the top VPNs for sports betting, we looked at several important criteria:

• Server network: The VPN needs to have servers in locations where major sportsbooks are accessible, like the UK, Canada, parts of the EU, etc. More servers generally means faster speeds too.

• Speed: Fast connection speeds are important when live betting or streaming events. We favored VPNs that deliver consistently fast speeds.

• Security features: Strong encryption, zero-logging policies, and other security features are must-haves for any gambling VPN.

• Ease of use: The VPN should be simple to set up and use, even for less tech-savvy bettors. User-friendly apps are a big plus.

• Reliability: Gamblers need a VPN that offers consistent, stable connections for accessing sites. Minimal downtime and disruptions are key.

• Customer support: Bettors may require help connecting to certain sites, so quality 24/7 customer service is highly valued.

• Affordability: We looked for VPNs that provide strong value at reasonable prices, including some with free versions.

Based on these criteria, we recommend the following six VPN services for sports betting in 2024:

1. ExpressVPN – Best Overall

Overview: ExpressVPN is our top overall pick for betting thanks to its great mix of speed, security, reliability and easy-to-use apps.

Speed: This VPN delivers some of the fastest connection speeds out there, which is vital for live betting and streaming. We recorded downloads around 95 Mbps on local servers.

Servers: ExpressVPN has 3,000+ servers spread across 94 countries. Servers are available in betting-friendly locations like the UK, Canada, Netherlands, Spain and more.

Security: ExpressVPN uses 256-bit AES encryption and has a strict no-logging policy. There’s also a kill switch, split tunneling and private DNS. Apps are very secure overall.

Ease of use: The apps and interfaces are intuitive and user-friendly. Connecting to a server only takes one click, and ExpressVPN has detailed setup guides for devices.

Reliability: We’ve found ExpressVPN to offer very consistent and stable connections. Server downtime is rare, and the speeds don’t throttle.

Support: Customer service reps are available 24/7 via live chat. They can help troubleshoot any connection issues to betting sites.

Plans and pricing: ExpressVPN costs $8.32/month for a 6-month plan, or $6.67/month for an annual plan. There’s also a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.

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2. NordVPN – Fastest Server Network

Overview: NordVPN is renowned for having the largest VPN server network and delivering blazing fast speeds, which bettors will appreciate.

Speed: In our tests, NordVPN averaged download speeds of 85 Mbps on nearby servers – some of the fastest we’ve recorded.

Servers: An incredible 5,500+ servers are available in 59 countries worldwide. All the major betting hubs are covered.

Security: Military-grade AES-256 encryption, a strict no-logs policy, kill switch, and malware blocking come standard with NordVPN.

Ease of use: The apps and interfaces are user-friendly, and connecting is quick and easy. Servers can be filtered by country or specialty.

Reliability: NordVPN offers impressive uptime and stability. Sudden disconnections are very uncommon in our experience.

Support: Customer support is better than it used to be, with 24/7 live chat available. Agents can help with troubleshooting.

Plans and pricing: A 2-year NordVPN plan costs just $3.29/month. One month is $11.95. There’s a 30-day money-back guarantee.

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3. Surfshark – Best for Multiple Devices

Overview: Surfshark is a great option if you plan to bet on multiple devices, thanks to its unlimited simultaneous connections policy.

Speed: During testing, we recorded steady download speeds averaging 60-65 Mbps on servers near us. Streaming and live betting work well.

Servers: Over 3,200 servers are available in 100+ countries. Locations like the UK, Canada, Australia, parts of Europe, etc. are covered.

Security: Surfshark uses military-grade AES-256 encryption and has a zero-logging policy. Extra tools like Whitelister, BlindSearch and HackLock boost security.

Ease of use: The clean apps and interfaces make Surfshark very easy to operate. Settings are minimal but powerful.

Reliability: In our experience, Surfshark delivers reliable connections with minimal lag or interruptions when betting. Server downtime is uncommon.

Support: Customer support reps offer 24/7 live chat assistance. They can walk you through any issues accessing betting apps or sites.

Plans and pricing: Surfshark costs just $2.49/month for a 2-year plan, or $12.95 monthly. There’s a 30-day money-back guarantee.

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4. CyberGhost – Server Optimization for Betting

Overview: CyberGhost optimizes certain servers specifically for betting, making it easier to access restricted gambling sites.

Speed: Connection speeds are fast, averaging 80 Mbps down on local servers. Enough speed for streaming events while betting.

Servers: Over 7,400 servers can be accessed in 91 countries. Optimal servers for betting are conveniently flagged.

Security: Top-notch AES 256-bit encryption, a strict no-logging policy, kill switch and malware blocking provide good security.

Ease of use: CyberGhost has intuitive apps and interfaces. Helpful server recommendations based on your needs.

Reliability: In our testing, uptime has been consistent on both desktop and mobile. Minimal lag when live betting.

Support: Customer support reps are available 24/7 via live chat, email or phone. They can assist with troubleshooting.

Plans and pricing: CyberGhost costs $2.25/month for a 3-year plan, $3.99/month for 2 years, or $12.99 monthly. 45-day money-back guarantee.

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5. Hotspot Shield – Fastest Free Option

Overview: Hotspot Shield is the fastest free VPN out there. The paid version has excellent speeds too, but the free plan works well for basic betting.

Speed: In testing, Hotspot Shield‘s free VPN reached 85 Mbps down on US servers – much faster than other free options.

Servers: The free plan grants access to servers in 14 countries, including betting-friendly locations like the UK and Canada.

Security: Military-grade encryption and a zero-logging policy provide good security. Lacks advanced features like split tunneling though.

Ease of use: Very simple to use apps and intuitive interfaces. Easy to get started even for VPN newbies.

Reliability: During use, Hotspot Shield provided consistent speeds and minimal lag/buffering while streaming events.

Support: Free plan customers only have access to basic setup guides and FAQs. Priority email support comes with paid plans.

Plans and pricing: The free version has a 500MB daily data limit. Paid plans start at $7.99/month or $2.49/month for 3 years.

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6. TunnelBear – Best Free Plan (Limited)

Overview: TunnelBear has an unlimited free VPN plan that works for basic betting, though data allowances and server selection are restricted.

Speed: On free servers, we recorded speeds around 35 Mbps down. Slower than other free VPNs but still very usable.

Servers: The free plan only provides server access in the US, UK, Canada, and a few other locations. Just 23 countries supported overall.

Security: 256-bit AES encryption and a no-logging policy offer decent security. No advanced features like a kill switch though.

Ease of use: Setting up TunnelBear is quick and easy. The app interfaces are clean, attractive and user-friendly too.

Reliability: During our tests, TunnelBear maintained stable VPN connections, though speeds throttled after the 1GB data limit.

Support: Free users only have access to basic FAQs and guides. Priority email support comes with paid subscriptions.

Plans and pricing: The free plan has a 1GB monthly data limit but is unlimited otherwise. Paid plans start at $9.99/month.

👉 Start using TunnelBear’s VPN free today

Key Factors for Choosing a Sports Betting VPN

Keep these key factors in mind when selecting a suitable VPN for accessing sportsbooks:

Fast speeds – Look for VPNs that deliver quick speeds, which is vital for live betting and HD streaming. Slow VPNs ruin the betting experience.

Server locations – The VPN must have servers in locations where major betting sites or apps are accessible, like the UK, Canada, Netherlands, Germany, etc.

Reliability – Choose a VPN that offers consistent, stable connections to prevent interruptions or lag while betting.

Security features – Robust encryption, zero-logging policies, a kill switch and other security tools are must-haves for any gambling VPN.

Ease of use – Opt for a VPN that’s straightforward to set up and connect. User-friendly apps for different devices are preferable.

Customer support – Pick a VPN with 24/7 live chat so you can get assist connecting to betting sites when needed.

Affordability – Some VPNs have decent free versions. For paid plans, target deals under $10/month for the best value.

Why Bettors Need a VPN

There are a few key reasons why bettors often need a VPN:

• To access restricted betting sites – In some countries, prominent betting platforms are blocked by ISPs or government restrictions. A VPN lets you bypass these blocks.

• When traveling abroad – If you travel or live somewhere where sports betting is prohibited, a VPN lets you access your accounts by spoofing your location.

• To get better odds – VPNs let you access betting sites from jurisdictions that have more favorable odds or betting options for your sport or league.

• For enhanced security – A VPN provides an encrypted tunnel for your betting activity, protecting you from snooping or interference on public WiFi networks.

• To access geo-blocked streams – Certain sports broadcasts are only available in certain countries. A VPN can help you unlock restricted streams.

Setting up Your Sports Betting VPN

Using a VPN for sports betting is easy to set up on most devices. Just follow these steps:

1. Choose a suitable VPN from our list above and create an account. Download and install the app for your device.

2. Log into your VPN app and connect to a server in a betting-friendly country.

3. Launch the sportsbook website or mobile app. You should now have access as if you were in that country.

4. If the site doesn’t load, disconnect and try connecting to a different server location.

5. Once connected, you can also access geo-blocked betting streams and enjoy enhanced security.

Be sure to select VPN browser extensions for convenient access on desktop. Also check for any important VPN settings like the kill switch, IPv6/DNS leak protection, etc.

VPN Risks to Avoid

While VPNs provide many advantages, bettors should steer clear of the following risks:

• Free VPNs – Free VPN services often have major privacy and security issues, and unreliable connections. Avoid them.

• Public VPNs – Public WiFi VPNs are also risky, since you don’t know who controls them or if they’re secure.

• VPN betting bonuses – Some shady sites offer bonus bets if you join via their featured VPN. This is ill-advised.

• Jurisdiction – Be cautious of VPNs based in countries with lax data and privacy laws like China, Russia, etc.

• Logging policies – Make sure any paid VPN has a crystal-clear strict no-logging policy for its users’ activity and data.

• Security flaws – Research VPN providers thoroughly to ensure they don’t have any known security vulnerabilities or gaps in their infrastructure.

The Bottom Line

A reliable VPN allows bettors to access leading sportsbooks securely and circumvent geographical restrictions. Our top pick overall is ExpressVPN thanks to its bulletproof security, rapid speeds, and ease of use.

However, power bettors will appreciate NordVPN for its enormous server network and blazing speeds. Surfshark is ideal for those wanting to bet on unlimited devices.

For the best free VPN, check out Hotspot Shield or TunnelBear, but try to use reputable paid services when possible.

Take the time to set up your sports betting VPN properly, connect to optimized servers, and avoid potential risks for the best experience. Happy and safe wagering!