How to Play DraftKings from Anywhere with a VPN 2023
Daily fantasy sports (DFSs) have gradually gained popularity in the USA and reached an estimated 60 million users in 2017. Considering the user expansion rate before 2017, it is reasonable to assume that since then, the number has increased by at least ten million.
Fantasy games appeal to a broad demographic today because, unlike in the past, you can now choose from a wide variety of sports. In addition, creating your own team and watching it win (or lose) makes the game even more exciting. On top of that, you can earn a lot of money simply by having fun. So, it is no wonder that people are finding DFSs hard to resist.
DraftKings is one of the many popular websites for sports and DFS betting. Unfortunately, access to the platform is not the same in all parts of the US and depends largely on each state’s legal stance on online betting.
In case you don't want to read the entire article, here’s a quick summary of the best VPN services according to our independent tests and research:
- ProtonVPN (Free Version) Proton is often referred to as the single most trustworthy company in the VPN business. They focus on security over anything else and offer the best free VPN available. This is the company behind ProtonMail.
- NordVPN Best VPN for general work and entertainment purposes. I found it to be reliable, high-speed, and easy to set up, and it's one that I use daily for work.
- CyberGhost VPN was voted as the best gaming VPN for 2023 and is one of the cheapest VPN services among the whole top 10.
Best VPN for DraftKings
RANK
BRAND
DEVICES
STATS
DOWNLOAD
1
6
6 simultaneous devices.
- ● Fastest VPN 2023
- ● Servers: 5300+
- ● Countries: 60+
WHY I LIKE NORDVPN NordVPN has long been regarded as one of the strongest brands in cybersecurity. With one of the largest server offerings on my list and support for most, if not all operating systems, making NordVPN an obvious choice for many. They have 24/7 customer support if you need help getting started. Their app is one of the most well-designed apps I have ever used. NordVPN even accepts cryptocurrencies as payment for extra anonymity.
2
10
10 simultaneous devices.
- ● Best Free VPN 2023
- ● Servers: 1713+
- ● Countries: 63+
WHY I LIKE PROTONVPN: ProtonVPN is based in Switzerland and is most known for their e-mail service ProtonMail. They currently offer the safest free VPN services on the market. There is also support for TOR usage and P2P file sharing. I highly recommend ProtonVPN if you are intending to do some extensive online sharing. It goes without saying that Proton does not collect logs of any kind and is completely safe to use.
3
7
7 simultaneous devices.
- ● Best Torrent VPN
- ● Servers: 7400+
- ● Countries: 91+
WHY I LIKE CYBERGHOST CyberGhost VPN is the first choice of many other cybersecurity experts, and the reason is clear; they have the most complete VPN service. An incredible number of extra features that are best suited for the more advanced users but also work flawlessly for every-day purposes like P2P-filesharing. Cyberghost VPN also has the longest stretching money-back guarantee at a full 45 days.
4
∞
Unlimited simultaneous devices.
- ● Best Cheap VPN 2023
- ● Servers: 3200+
- ● Countries: 65+
WHY I LIKE SURFSHARK: Surfshark VPN is perfect for those who want a cheap and reliable VPN that also has many extra features. "Camouflage Mode" hides your usage from your ISP, "Kill Switch" suspends your connection and protects your information if you temporarily lose Internet access, "MultiHop" to connect from multiple countries at the same time just to name a few. My favorite feature of Surfshark is "Whitelists" which allow the user to exclude specific apps and programs from the VPN connection.
5
∞
Unlimited simultaneous devices.
- ● Robust/Security focused
- ● Servers: 750+
- ● Countries: 43+
WHY I LIKE ATLAS VPN: Atlas VPN is one of the best new free VPN services. With the free version, you get unlimited data, no ads and zero logging. During my speed tests, Atlas VPN performed very well and could compete with mainstream services. Kill Switch, Ad-blocker, and P2P support all included with a regular subscription, which is incredibly cheap for such a robust service.
6
10
10 simultaneous devices.
- ● Best Netflix/Streaming VPN
- ● Servers: 35500+
- ● Countries: 84+
WHY I LIKE PIA VPN: PrivateInternetAccess is at the top of my streaming tests, which is a great combination with their easy-to-use UI, Open-Source software and built in adblocker. PIA is also perfect for those who want to be able to pay with PayPal which for some reason, many other VPN services do not support. 30-day money-back guarantee, multiple Netflix libraries, and extremely affordable are the three main selling points for this VPN service.
7
10
10 simultaneous devices.
- ● Best VPN for Gaming and Streaming
- ● Servers: 200+
- ● Countries: 63+
WHY I LIKE PRIVATEVPN: PrivateVPN is the strong underdog in the world of VPNs. With a shy number of servers, it is evident that they are focusing on quality over quantity. Overall, PrivateVPN is a very decent choice of VPN, especially if you had enough of the excessive advertising by some of the other more known brands in this list. Setting up the VPN requires extremely little intervention, and you can even pay with Bitcoin.
8
49%
DISCOUNT
DISCOUNT
30 day money-back guarantee.
- ● Best Mobile VPN app
- ● Servers: 3000+
- ● Countries: 94+
10
77%
DISCOUNT
DISCOUNT
45 day money-back guarantee.
- ● Fastest free VPN
- ● Servers: 3200+
- ● Countries: 80+
11
85%
DISCOUNT
DISCOUNT
7 day money-back guarantee.
- ● Great free VPN
- ● Servers: 1000+
- ● Countries: 26+
12
68%
DISCOUNT
DISCOUNT
10 day money-back guarantee.
- ● Best reputation
- ● Servers: 91+
- ● Countries: 17+
14
79%
DISCOUNT
DISCOUNT
15 day money-back guarantee.
- ★ Great adblocker included
- ★ Servers: 1800+
- ★ Countries: 20+
15
66%
DISCOUNT
DISCOUNT
30 day money-back guarantee.
- ● 5 devices simultaneously
- ● Unlimited usage
- ● 50+ locations
16
70%
DISCOUNT
DISCOUNT
30 day money-back guarantee.
- ● Unlimited traffic
- ● Up to 1 Gbps
- ● Free trial
17
85%
DISCOUNT
DISCOUNT
30 day money-back guarantee.
- ● 10 devices
- ● Unlimited bandwidth
- ● Countries: 60+
19
$5.00 /user
14 day free trial/money-back guarantee.
- ● Simple Cloud VPN Setup
- ● Site-to-site VPN Tunneling
- ● Easy Server & User Management
21
67%
DISCOUNT
DISCOUNT
7 day money-back guarantee.
- ● 5 devices
- ● Locations: 65+
- ● 24/7 live support
22
80%
DISCOUNT
DISCOUNT
30 day money-back guarantee.
- ● 10 devices
- ● Countries: 20+
- ● P2P Optimization
23
66%
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DISCOUNT
Basic, advanced, and pro plans.
- ● Countries: 22+
- ● Locations: 36+
- ● 24/7 live support
24
79%
DISCOUNT
DISCOUNT
30 day money-back guarantee.
- ● Best multi-device VPN
- ● Servers: 1000+
- ● Countries: 200+
Why is Access to DraftKings Restricted?
According to the US law, (online) sports and DFS betting is regulated by each federal state. While most states have legalized DFS betting, most of those that currently consider it unlawful is in the process of legalizing it. However, issues about the regulation, control, and taxation of this type of betting are making the legalization process long.
If you are in a part of the world where playing DraftKings is restricted, you can use a VPN to spoof your real location. Your device will adopt the IP address of your VPN server. It is important to note that though DFS betting is unlawful in certain federal states, you can still create an account.
What is GeoComply and Why Do I Need It for DraftKings?
When playing on DraftKings, you also have to download GeoComply, an app that verifies your location. Its task is to determine whether you are using a VPN and deter the players located in states that consider DFS betting illegal. Because of this, it is important to choose a VPN with the outstanding unblocking ability and obfuscated servers, which prevent others from seeing that you are using a VPN.
How to Use a VPN to Unblock DraftKings Out of State
Using a VPN to unblock DraftKings is very simple.
First, you must choose a reliable VPN provider. Then, download the provider’s VPN app from their website, Google, or Apple Store. Install the app on your device, open it and go to server locations. Then open DraftKings and sign in or register a new account. DraftKings will then use GeoCompy to check your location, and you will be required to download it if you have not already done so. After you have been approved, you will be able to use DraftKings as usual.
What Are the Most Important VPN Features for DraftKings?
The most important things when using a VPN for DraftKings Sportsbook betting are the level of safety your VPN provides and its ability to unblock restricted sites.
Your safety largely depends on whether the VPN can protect your data, which is what encryption is for. Currently, the best encryption available is military-grade AES-256-bit encryption (AES – Advanced Encryption Standard).
Protocols also play an important role. They are the programs that determine how your information is to be transferred. Each of the six available protocols has its advantages and disadvantages. Still, OpenVPN and IPSec/IKEv2 are your best bet when it comes to safety.
A VPN’s unblocking ability mostly depends on its server network – the more servers a VPN has, the more likely it is to bypass geographical restrictions. VPNs with a small network have overcrowded servers which cannot be accessed or provide slow speeds. It is also important to have servers in as many countries as possible to be able to cater to the needs of the people living in or traveling to different locations.
Locations where a VPN for DraftKings is commonly used;
- Texas
- California
- Nevada
- Mexico
- Hawaii
- Florida
- Montana
- Idaho
- Arizona
- Alabama
- Ohio
- Europe
- Wisconsin
- Canada
What Are the Best VPNs for DraftKings DFS Betting?
Taking into consideration the abovementioned VPN qualities, the best VPN providers for DraftKings DFS betting are:
NordVPN and ExpressVPN are considered two of the best VPNs currently available in the market. Both providers use AES-256 encryption, have a kill switch, split tunneling, DNS leak protection, and ad/malware block. NordVPN’s additional features include a double VPN and dedicated IP address, which ExpressVPN does not have.
NordVPN’s server network comprises 5,600+ servers in 59 countries, while ExpressVPN has 3,000+ servers in 160 cities (and 94 countries). Because its servers are located in more places, the latter can provide better speeds. However, NordVPN is considered a slightly better option in terms of safety. Also, while NordVPN allows 6 simultaneous connections on one subscription, ExpressVPN allows 5. Another advantage of NordVPN is that it offers more packages (altogether 9), and if you choose a two-year plan, it will cost you less than ExpressVPN.
Surfshark is also a good option for both safety and unblocking and is a more affordable yet reliable alternative to NordVPN and ExpressVPN. Surfshark also has AES-256 encryption and an extensive server network (3,200 servers in 100 countries), though its speeds can sometimes be inconsistent.
In Conclusion
It may not be a good idea to bet on DraftKings DFS if you are in a part of the US that has not yet made this type of betting legal. Yet, using a VPN is an excellent way to bypass DraftKing’s geographical restrictions. In addition to its ability to allow access to blocked websites, a VPN hides your location and encrypts your traffic, making both your identity and your data safe and private. If you get the infamous DraftKings VPN error, it may mean the VPN you are using has been discovered and banned by DraftKings. To fix it, try clearing cookies, changing server location, and at last, trying another VPN service.
FAQ
Where in the US does DraftKings DFS operate?
You can play DraftKings DFS in all US federal states except Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington.
Can I play DraftKings DFS using a free VPN?
The main reason for using a VPN is security, so a free VPN would defeat the purpose. Free VPNs frequently have leaks or poor encryption. Furthermore, free providers tend to collect user data and sell it to third parties.
Can VPNs unblock other gambling sites?
This depends both on the VPN and on the gambling site. Some VPNs do not have a good enough unblocking power, to begin with, while some gambling websites implement tighter measures to prevent the use of VPNs.
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