‘You never meet a poor bookmaker’ the adage goes. It means that when it comes to gambling, the only person who wins consistently is the bookie. But in this modern era of online betting, the punter is starting to push back.

Matched betting is one of the most popular ways for the punter to ensure they make money and with guys like Sam Priestley starting off making £250 per week it’s not difficult to see why its taken off.

Matched betting involves punters both backing and laying bets to ensure they win no matter what the outcome, while at the same time taking advantage of online bookmaker’s free bet deals.

Matched betting is legal and relatively simple to do, but there are many reasons why most people like to use a VPN when doing it.

In this article, we’ll be showing you everything you need to know about using a VPN when matched betting and also advise you on the best VPNs for the job.

How to choose a VPN for Matched Betting

There are so many VPNs on the market that it can be a little unnerving trying to select the right one. But for people who want to use a VPN for matched betting, there are a few features in particular they should be looking out for. These are:

• Fast connection speeds – getting bets placed fast can be vital so it’s good to know your VPN is delivering the quickest connection speeds possible.
• Strong encryption – Most matched betters want to keep their data secure, so always look for a VPN with the most robust possible encryption.
• Strong privacy protection and a no logs guarantee – It is well worth ensuring that your bookmakers and other sites cannot track what you are doing as they do sometimes frown on matched betting. This means strong privacy policies and a no user logs guarantee are a definite advantage.
• Vast server network – Many matched betters like to access their accounts from around the world, so it’s worth looking a broad server network to let you continue making money from anywhere.
• Range of apps – Managing your online betting accounts on the go can be a real advantage, so you will want to ensure your VPN offers apps for all your mobile devices as well as your computer.

Top VPNs for Matched Betting

We have tested all of the main VPNs with a number of major online betting sites both in the UK and overseas to identify the ones which offer the best possible service for matched betters.

The results are in and this is our list of the top 5 recommended VPNs for matched betting:

1. ExpressVPN – Highly recommended
2. IPVanish
3. NordVPN
4. CyberGhost VPN
5. VyprVPN

1. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN was, by some distance, the best VPN for matched betting in our tests. It ticked all of the boxes in terms of features and offers a dependable service that all users can trust.

As the name suggests, ExpressVPN is lightning fast with speeds on a par with your regular internet connection regardless of which of their servers you connect to. There are a lot of servers to choose from as well, with a network of more than 3,000 servers in more than 94 countries around the world.

ExpressVPN’s base is in the British Virgin Islands where local laws mean they can offer the best privacy protection and a no user logs guarantee you can trust. They also provide 256-bit AES encryption as standard, which is on a par with that used by nation states and intelligence agencies.

Throw in a huge range of apps for almost any device you can think of and a terrific 30-day money-back guarantee and there is little doubt that ExpressVPN delivers everything a matched better is looking for.

Best VPN for Matched Betting

2. IPVanish

IPVanish is another VPN which offers everything you could need to have a go at matched betting safely and securely. Like ExpressVPN, they offer 256-bit AES encryption which keeps everything you are doing secure and safe from prying eyes.

They base themselves in the USA, but that doesn’t mean that IPVanish’s no user logs guarantee and privacy protections are any less valid. Their server network is slightly smaller with around 1,100 available and while they claim to support 60 countries it’s more near the 50 mark, but this will still be sufficient for most users.

IPVanish also runs ExpressVPN pretty close on speeds too, while their range of apps is, if anything, competitive. They do only have a 7-day money-back guarantee, but with prices coming in lower, IPVanish still represents excellent value for money for matched betters.

3. NordVPN

Running IPVanish pretty close for runners-up spot on our list is NordVPN, which is another provider which ticks all of the boxes.

NordVPN used to be marked down for connection speed, but recent investment in their network means their speeds are now up there with the very best allowing you to place bets without delay.

Their encryption is on a par with both ExpressVPN and IPVanish while their privacy policies are among the best around. NordVPN is registered in Panama which again means their no user logs guarantee is rock solid.

NordVPN has more than 5,000 servers available spread across 62 countries. This does mean that popular markets for matched betting, especially the UK, are very well catered for.

They too have a big selection of apps available to choose from too and with a 30-day money-back guarantee and the lowest prices in our top three, NordVPN has a compelling proposition.

4. CyberGhost VPN

There will be plenty of people who are comfortable dabbling in the mathematics of matched betting, but less confident with using technology like VPNs. If that sounds like you, then CyberGhost VPN might be the provider for you.

They have a range of apps which feature a novice-friendly design. They are simple to use and offer many features to ensure optimum performance with a single click.

This doesn’t come at the expense of other features either. CyberGhost’s encryption and privacy protections are on a par with the other providers on this list and include a no user logs guarantee you can trust.

They also have a decent server network and while connections speeds are not quite as fast as some others, they are still perfectly sufficient for most users. Prices are mid-range too making CyberGhost VPN another good bet!

5. VyprVPN

VyprVPN may be bottom of this list, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t another good choice for matched betters. They have been around for ages and are still a popular choice for many thanks to their excellent connection speeds and strong encryption.

VyprVPN have also recently had their no user logs guarantee independently verified which means their privacy policies are as good any anyone. Their server network is a pretty decent size too although not quite as big as some others on this list.

Unfortunately, VyprVPN only offers apps for Windows, Mac OS, iOS, and Android devices. But for most gamblers needs that will be enough. Prices are mid-range and while there is no money-back guarantee available, they do offer a 3-day free trial.

What is Matched Betting?

Matched Betting is a fairly simple trick which allows punters to bet on both outcomes in an event and so (hopefully!) guarantee that you win regardless.

It works when you place a bet on an event, but then lay a bet on a betting exchange for the opposite result to the same bet. Because one or other outcome is guaranteed, you will always win (in theory).

The way people make a profit from matched betting is by taking advantage of the various free bets offered by online bookmakers. These make it possible to make profits of several hundred pounds a month if you are willing to put the time in and can wrap your head around the maths which can, at times, appear complicated.

CaanBerry has an excellent article describing the intricacies of matched betting which is worth a read.

Why is a VPN helpful for Matched Betting?

There are three main reasons why people doing matched betting are well advised to use a VPN.

The first is to ensure privacy. While matched betting is not illegal, a lot of bookmakers do not exactly embrace it as it involves people making money out of them. They could theoretically ban you from their special offers if they find out what you are doing, so it is best to ensure they cannot track you.

The second reason is to ensure that the various bank transactions and other activity you will be undertaking are kept secure and protected no matter where you are logging on.

And the third and final reason is to ensure that you can access your various online accounts and keep track of your winnings at all times, even if you are overseas on holiday or for business.

Is using a VPN for Matched Betting illegal?

No. Using a VPN is 100% legal in all but a handful of authoritarian regimes like China, while matched betting is also completely legal, although as we have already noted, some bookmakers are not particularly fond of it.

Most online bookies will state in their terms and conditions that users shouldn’t log into their accounts from overseas. If they do get wind of you doing this, they could withhold winnings or implement other penalties.

However, as long as you use a kill switch to ensure that if your VPN connection drops out your whole internet connection is cut, there is no obvious way they can find out.

We would not endorse people using VPNs to set up multiple accounts and abusing online promotions as this is almost certainly against the terms and conditions of bookmakers and could even be illegal.

In Summary

Matched betting is a legal and easy way to secure a guaranteed income from online betting. If done correctly, it could earn you several hundred pounds a month tax-free.

In this article, we have explained why most matched betters like to use a VPN when placing bets or collecting their winnings. We have also tested all the best VPNs and found that ExpressVPN is the best VPN on the market for matched betting right now.

But we have included a list of the top 5 performers and in our opinion, any of these VPNs should offer everything you need to do matched betting safely and securely online.

Don’t forget, no betting is without risks. If you feel like you’re spending too much time or money betting then be sure to check out GamCare who can help.