How to use betting sites abroad: Access gambling sites anywhere

Traveling overseas? Your betting site may be blocked due to geo-restrictions. A VPN masks your location by changing your IP address, allowing you to use betting sites abroad as if you were back home.

Getting started is straightforward: sign up for a VPN with servers in your bookmaker’s supported regions, install the app, and connect. Clear your browser data or use an Incognito window before logging in.

Some sites block VPNs more aggressively, so you’ll need to test different servers, switch protocols, or try a dedicated IP. We’ll walk you through the process, recommend some VPNs, and explain these fixes below.

How to use betting sites abroad with a VPN

VPNs assign you a new IP address, allowing you to connect to international betting sites as if you were physically in your chosen region. Follow these steps:

1. Sign up for a VPN that works with betting sites. My first choice is NordVPN because of its strong performance and coverage in popular betting locations. Surfshark is also an excellent alternative if you’re on a budget. For a dedicated IP option, ExpressVPN‘s Pro plan works best.
2. Download the VPN and install it. Each provider has easy-to-use apps on major operating systems like Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android.
3. Open the VPN and connect to a server. You’ll need to check your bookie’s supported regions for this, usually buried in some support article. Note that some states and countries ban online gambling so always check local legislation beforehand.
4. Go to the betting site and log in. Betting apps use GPS, Wi-Fi positioning, and cell tower triangulation to pinpoint your location. Access the service through a browser if you can, and deny location permissions if the browser requests them.

Having trouble connecting? Read on for some fixes you can try.

VPN not working for gambling? Here’s what to check

Betting sites tend to block VPN IPs or use other tactics to prevent VPN users from accessing their services from abroad. Run through this checklist to troubleshoot the issue:

• Clear your browser data: Browser cookies or old cache data can reveal your true location even with a VPN. Clear your data, restart your browser, and return to the betting site.
• Access the betting site in Incognito mode: Using a private/Incognito window after you connect to a VPN means your existing cache or cookies won’t affect your connection.
• Use a different server: If the site works in a country but your VPN server’s specific IP is blocked, then try connecting to another server in the same country.
• Connect to a different region: Some bookmakers may focus their blocking efforts on countries with higher VPN activity, so try a VPN server from another supported region. For example, Bet365 works in the UK, Canada, Denmark, and others.
• Switch protocols: Some betting sites may detect VPN traffic patterns. Try switching protocols (WireGuard, OpenVPN TCP vs UDP, or obfuscated servers if your VPN offers them).
• Try a dedicated IP: Having a dedicated IP means you’re not sharing the IP with other VPN users, which can make your connection less likely to get flagged.
• Check your VPN for leaks: Go to IPLeak.net or similar service and ensure your real location isn’t being exposed. If you see your real country, enable leak protection in your VPN settings or disable WebRTC in your browser.
• Avoid apps when possible: Betting apps often use different device signals to detect your location, so connect through a web browser to improve your chances.
• Contact customer support: Your VPN’s support team might have more tips to access betting sites abroad.

Methodology: How I chose the best VPNs for gambling and betting

There are plenty of VPNs out there, but not all of them are secure, fast, or offer enough server coverage for betting abroad. I used the following criteria when choosing the providers featured in this guide:

• Works with major betting sites: A VPN isn’t much use if your chosen bookmaker blocks its servers. I tested several locations to see which providers could reliably access popular betting sites while abroad.
• Server and location options: More locations give you more flexibility when a betting site restricts access by country. I chose providers with plenty of servers available in countries where major betting sites operate.
• Connection speed and reliability: Odds can change quickly, so a slow or unstable connection can get in the way when you’re checking markets or placing a bet. For each provider, I tested how quickly pages loaded and whether the connection remained stable.
• Security and privacy: VPNs handle a good chunk of your traffic, so I picked providers that offer robust encryption, clear logging policies, and solid leak protection.
• User-friendly apps: Switching servers shouldn’t require a scavenger hunt through the VPN’s settings. I tested desktop and mobile apps to see how easy it was to connect, change locations, and adjust the settings that matter for betting.
• Price and features: A cheap VPN isn’t much of a bargain if it lacks the locations or features you need. I compared subscription costs with each provider’s server network, connection performance, privacy features, and useful extras like a dedicated IP.

Do I need a dedicated IP to use betting sites abroad?

Typically, you and hundreds of other VPN users share a single IP address. Privacy-wise, this helps you blend into the crowd. On the flipside, you might run into more CAPTCHAs, or have your betting account restricted because multiple users happen to log in from the same IP.

Now, top VPNs use large pools of shared IPs and other techniques so users can keep using betting sites and other services. But as any seasoned bettor knows, you can’t win them all. A dedicated IP is reserved for your use, so other users’ activity won’t be linked to the same address.

This can make some sites less likely to flag your VPN connection, though it’s not foolproof. Many betting and gambling sites ban connections from known VPN servers, making it risky to use an IP that you can’t easily change later. If you still want to use a dedicated IP, many VPN providers offer one as a paid extra or as part of a higher-tier plan.

Important: Some countries have completely banned online casinos and gambling, while others don’t have clear online gambling legislation. I do 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 before using a VPN to access betting or gambling websites. If the laws and penalties in your region still aren’t clear, I strongly discourage taking legal risks.

Access gambling sites from abroad FAQ