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How to Bet Online Abroad: Access International Betting Sites

By Florian Gray
How To Access Betting And Gambling Sites Abroad
© Gizmodo.com

Tried to bet online abroad and failed miserably? We know the struggle – online betting can be iffy when accessing sites overseas. Unfortunately, most betting and gambling sites have licenses to operate only in specific countries and regions. At first, it’s an inescapable turmoil, and it seems like you can’t bet abroad.

However, online betting and gambling abroad are possible if you use a VPN. Not sure how that would work? VPNs can change your online location and provide access to geo-restricted betting sites and online casinos. Here’s a detailed guide on how to place bets and gamble anywhere in the world without restriction.

How to Bet Online Abroad with a VPN?

The key to unblocking betting sites and online casinos abroad is a VPN. NordVPN is the best option, as it offers countless servers, unlimited data, and top speeds for the ultimate experience. Follow these steps to access any region-locked online casino and bookmaker:

  1. Subscribe to NordVPN. Opt for its 2-year plans to save the most money.
  2. Install NordVPN’s app on your device.
  3. Open NordVPN and log in with your email and password.
  4. Connect to a VPN location where the online bookie or casino works.
  5. Congrats. You can now bet online abroad on international betting sites.

Bet Online Abroad With NordVPN

WARNING: Before attempting to bet or gamble online abroad, make sure it’s legal in your location. We’re not lawyers, so don’t take our advice at face value. Inform yourself about betting laws in your country and obey them.

Why are International Betting Sites Restricted?

Addressing the root cause of blocked betting websites will help you better understand the issue. Take the UK as one of the most prominent countries for online betting. If you’re a Brit and go abroad, you can’t use Betfred, Betfair, or 10bet.

When you go to Sportsbet (Australia), you’ll be politely informed that you’re accessing it from a country where it’s not allowed to operate. But why does this happen? Well, gambling and betting require a lot of legislation and careful regulation. Online bookies have licenses that allow them to operate in specific regions.

Sportsbet Error
© Sportsbet (Restricted Abroad)

Betfair works in the UK, while Bovada works in the USA, and so on. These licenses must be respected because each country treats gambling and betting differently. For example, such activities are illegal in Muslim countries like Iran, the UAE, or Qatar. Now, imagine Betfair providing services in these countries.

It would be unlawful. You’ll find that every betting site and online casino has some geo-restrictions. Some sites are more open, while others are restricted to merely one or two countries. These restrictions are enforced through your IP address. Take Betfair as an example again. It works in the UK alone.

Betfair Error
© Betfair (Restriction Message)

This means it must register an IP address from the UK to allow access. So, this brings us a step closer to the solution. The solution is to use a VPN. This service changes your IP address and makes you appear somewhere else, which lets you bet online abroad. In the next section, we explain how that works.

How to Bet Online Abroad With a VPN?

If you want to enjoy online gambling and betting abroad, using a high-quality VPN is always recommended. NordVPN fits the bill ideally by offering a vast server network, fast speed, and site-unblocking abilities. Another perk is that it’s risk-free, thanks to a huge 30-day money-back guarantee for prompt refunds.

NordVPN offers apps for all devices and is easy to set up and use for this and many other purposes. We’ll explain how to gamble and bet online overseas with NordVPN. Of course, our comprehensive guide applies to other VPNs discussed later.

Step 1: Set Up a VPN

NordVPN’s exclusive discounts are great money-saving tools. These 2-year plans let you save more than 70% and pay as little as $3 per month. Use the button below to get your favorite deal and then set up the VPN. If you’re unsure how, we have a guide on how to use a VPN service. It functions like any other app.

Visit NordVPN’s Website

Download the setup file and install it. Conversely, if you’re on a phone, install the app directly from your App Store. Once installed, open the application and sign in. The dashboard should open now, which means the VPN is ready to use.

Nordvpn App Windows Update
© Gizmodo.com

To bet online abroad, you need an IP address from the country where the selected bookie or online casino operates. If you want to use Betfair, connect to the UK server. For Sportsbet, use a server in Australia. For this guide, we connected to the UK server by clicking on it in the server list. This is how it should look.

Nordvpn Uk Ip Connected
© Gizmodo.com

Step 2: Bet Online Abroad on International Betting Sites

Now, the fun part. You can bet online abroad or even gamble on international betting sites wherever you are. Below are examples of Betfair, which worked for us with a UK IP address from NordVPN (a typical choice of VPN for Brits).

Nordvpn Bet Online Betfair
© Gizmodo.com

To prove that NordVPN works, we unblocked more international betting sites. You can place a bet online on Bet99 if you’re outside Canada. Similarly, you can do this on Sportsbet, which works only in Australia, unless you have an Australian IP address.

Nordvpn Bet99 Unblock
© Gizmodo.com

Either way, accessing a bookmaker online, even a geo-restricted one, is easy. Though bear in mind that you must use a payment method from that country. That said, our guide on how to gamble online is mostly fit for accessing your domestic gambling or betting sites when on a vacation or business trip overseas.

Nordvpn Sportsbet Unblock
© Gizmodo.com

Is it Legal to Bet and Gamble Online Abroad?

To make things clear, VPN services are legal in most regions, and they’re not the issue. The issue is betting and gambling, and its sensitive nature. Many people frown upon it, and in more developed countries, these buildings aren’t the most favorable. In the same fashion, many countries restrict or forbid these activities.

In the UAE, Brunei, North Korea, Japan, and Singapore, any form of gambling or betting is completely unlawful. If you find yourself in some of these countries, is it okay to use a VPN to bet online? Absolutely not. Despite encryption and full protection from the VPN, it’s still against the law, so it’s not advised.

This is important to understand because Gizmodo doesn’t encourage illegal gambling. If you’re in, let’s say, Bulgaria, where these activities are legal, accessing Betfair is okay. Other issues we’ll address are related to online bookies and casinos, which restrict services and will punish you for using even the best VPN for betting.

Some can outright ban you and forfeit all your funds. Imagine having thousands of dollars in your account, only for them to vanish. As you can see, the conundrum is more complex than you can imagine, so you need to be informed. Contact the local lawyer and learn more about gambling legislation in your location.

If it’s legal, feel free. If not, or if you’re under the legal age, don’t use any unblocking technique to access these sites. In other words, stay out of trouble.

Best VPN for Betting and Gambling Abroad in 2026

When choosing a VPN to bet online abroad, consider:

  • Privacy and security (third-party audits are a must)
  • Performance and connection stability
  • Bandwidth and speed (opt for unlimited on both sides)
  • Applications for all devices (mobile and desktop)

If you want to search on your own, keep in mind these factors. But if you’d rather not shoot blindfolded, here’s the best VPN for betting; three, to be precise.

NordVPN
Mac Windows Android iOS Linux Router

 9200 servers

 167 covered countries

 30 days money-back guarantee

 10 simultaneous connections

Mac Windows Android iOS Linux Router

9.4 /10

Monthly price
3,09 $
27 MONTHS
4,99 $
12 MONTHS
11,99 $
1 MONTH
Our opinion: The best overall VPN for reliability and security
Speed
Security
Features
Ease of use
Customer support
Value for money
SEE MORE
1
ExpressVPN
Mac Windows Android iOS Linux Router

 3000 servers

 105 covered countries

 30 days money-back guarantee

 10 simultaneous connections

Mac Windows Android iOS Linux Router

9.1 /10

Monthly price
2,44 $
28 MONTHS
2,99 $
15 MONTHS
9,99 $
1 MONTH
Our opinion: The fast and easy to use quality VPN
Speed
Security
Features
Ease of use
Customer support
Value for money
SEE MORE
2
Private Internet Access
Mac Windows Android iOS Linux

 27000 servers

 91 covered countries

 30 days money-back guarantee

 Unlimited connections

Mac Windows Android iOS Linux

9 /10

Monthly price
2,19 $
26 MONTHS
7,50 $
6 MONTHS
11,99 $
1 MONTH
Our opinion: The best VPN at affordable rates
Speed
Security
Features
Ease of use
Customer support
Value for money
SEE MORE
3

1. NordVPN: Best for Unblocking Online Bookies Safely

Nordvpn Logo
© NordVPN

Pros

  • Fast VPN connections
  • Servers in 130 countries
  • VPN obfuscation
  • Audited for privacy
  • Cheap 2-year plans

Con

  • No free VPN plan

We explained how to gamble online with NordVPN, and it’s easy. With over 9,000 servers, you can bet online abroad however you like. One-click connections, and all international betting websites are easily accessible. NordVPN is highly secure, with 256-bit post-quantum encryption and impeccable leak protection.

Plus, it works on all betting-friendly platforms, offering ten simultaneous connections. Speed is another plus, and NordVPN excels at it by using NordLynx, an in-house protocol. It’s one of the fastest VPN picks based on our tests. Privacy-aware users will love its no-log policy, with more than a few third-party audits.

Even if you no longer want to bet online abroad, NordVPN works for torrenting, streaming, and even going on the darknet with Onion Over VPN servers. For many, it’s a VPN of choice for playing Battlefield 6 and other fast-paced titles. Click below, save 70%, and enjoy a big 30-day money-back guarantee.

Visit NordVPN


2. ExpressVPN: Best for Accessing Foreign Betting Sites Anywhere

Expressvpn
© ExpressVPN

Pros

  • Very easy to use
  • Good leak protection
  • Tracker blocker
  • Optimized for speed

Con

  • Higher cost on renewal

ExpressVPN streamlines the process of online betting abroad. Its servers in 105 countries unblock all betting websites, including Betfair, Sportsbet, Bet365, and any other. ExpressVPN has easy-to-use apps for all devices, while its 14 simultaneous connections allow you to share a subscription if you can’t afford it.

A huge plus is Lightway Turbo, a proprietary protocol with excellent privacy and speed. This protocol uses 256-bit encryption, which shines when combined with a kill switch for leak prevention if the VPN connection breaks. Like NordVPN, ExpressVPN keeps no logs, so your access to international betting sites is anonymous.

ExpressVPN also works with Netflix and is P2P-optimized for a more fulfilling experience. It’s a phenomenal VPN to unblock any bookmaker online and enjoy maximum performance and privacy. The button below lets you grab a discount and get it for only $3.49 per month, with four free months as a generous gift.

Visit ExpressVPN


3. Private Internet Access: Best for Secure International Betting

Pia
© Private Internet Access

Pros

  • Unlimited devices
  • Advanced security
  • Affordable 2-year plan
  • MultiHop routing

Cons

  • Not the fastest
  • Confusing app UI

This impressive VPN has no limit on simultaneous connections, ideal when you want to place a bet online anywhere and on any device. Private Internet Access has a no-log policy proven in court and backed by audits. Moreover, it has advanced security, one of which is MultiHop, which doubles your VPN encryption.

Speed-wise, it doesn’t win any medals, but it’s more than suited to the task. On the brighter side, it blocks ads and trackers and unblocks all betting websites effortlessly. This VPN is also good for streaming and torrenting, with port forwarding that gamers and torrenters love for boosting speed and dwindling latency.

Now, the best part: the price. Private Internet Access starts at only $2.03 to $2.19 monthly for the biennial plan. Add two to four free months, a 30-day money-back guarantee, and a 3-day free trial, and you’ve got yourself a winning combo.

Visit Private Internet Access


How to Bet Online Abroad: Final Recommendations

Fans of betting and gambling can rest easy knowing they can take this hobby anywhere. If you lost access to Betfair, Paddy Power, Sportsbet, 888Casino, or any other betting or gambling giant, you can reclaim it with a VPN. To remind you, our favorites were NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Private Internet Access.

All of these will work perfectly if you connect to a corresponding server. Before you depart, let us plant the seed of legality in your head again. Consider betting legislation in your country before doing this. Don’t be foolish. If you have a green light, go ahead and have fun at countless online bookies and casinos.

Bet Online With NordVPN RIsk-Free


Frequently Asked Questions

Can I unblock all betting websites with a VPN?

Yes, you can unblock all betting websites with a VPN, but you may not be able to use all of them if you don’t have the required payment method. Typically, a betting or gambling site requires a payment method from its country of origin.

How to gamble online with a VPN?

It’s simple. Connect to a VPN server and gamble online effortlessly. With a VPN connection, you can sidestep all restrictions and enjoy unrestricted fun while playing casino games (slots or live variants) or placing sports bets on your favorite team.

How to place a bet online on a restricted site?

You can place a bet online on a restricted site by unblocking it with a VPN. However, keep in mind that if it’s restricted because of the law, it’s advised not to use it. If it’s geo-restricted but legal in your country, you’re free to go.

Can I place bets online without a VPN?

Yes, you can. While VPNs have many benefits, they’re generally unnecessary when you want to bet online. But if you want to access restricted sites, you must use it.

How to bet on European betting sites?

It depends on the site in question, but the consensus is that you must use the best VPN for betting or gambling that really works. This applies if you’re outside Europe, but even on this continent, since not all European betting sites work in all European countries. A proper VPN with European coverage should work well.