How to use Betfair outside the UK: the FAST method

The Betfair website is locked outside of the UK, but you can access the service abroad if you have a VPN. Have a read through our advice guide to unlock the betting service from overseas.

A reliable VPN will unlock Betfair outside the UK by issuing you a temporary IP address from the correct region. That means that the gambling service will think you’re in the UK regardless of where you’re logging in from.

We do not condone betting from countries where doing so is forbidden. Always consult your betting company's terms of service. We cannot be held responsible if your account is affected due to VPN use. Bet responsibly.

Which VPNs work with Betfair?

Why you can trust GadgetMouse: Our content is written by a team of humans and we refuse to use AI. Plus, we own (and use) every VPN that we write about. For more details, see our editorial policy.

Step-by-step: using a VPN to access Betfair abroad

At a glance: To place bets on Betfair from abroad, download a VPN, sign in, connect to a server based in the UK and then reload the website or app.

1. Download a recommended VPN

To bet on live sports fixtures abroad, you need a VPN. Choose wisely and your personal details won’t be shared with third parties.

We like ExpressVPN as it’s affordable and lets you use up to 5 devices at one time, but you might want to shop around and see what works best for you in terms of monthly cost and features.

2. Sign in to your VPN

Once you’ve created your account, sign in by entering your email/username and password.

VPN providers have different rules on multi-user access. Some are strict with the number of folk who can use your account at any one time. Others are a little more flexible – Ivacy, for example, supports 10 users on a single account.

3. Connect to a server for Betfair

As Betfair is designed with an English audience in mind, you need to connect to a VPN server based in the UK.

To do this using ExpressVPN, open the app, tap the three dots icon and use the search box to enter a UK location. We’ve used UK – Docklands in our example below. Then, click the power icon to connect and wait for the green light.

In our screenshot, we’ve loaded up the Betfair website on desktop by connecting to a Docklands server. This means that, even if we’re outside the UK, the Betfair website thinks we’re streaming from a supported country.

Betfair not working with VPN: what should I do?

If Betfair knows that you’re trying to visit the website from a restricted region, you’ll be locked out. Certain countries will limit access to Betfair due to region-specific laws. The same goes with other providers including Bet365 and Caesars Sportsbook.

See our list of troubleshooting tips below so you can regain access to Betfair:

Update your VPN

First of all, check you’re using the latest version – the developers might have spotted an issue and patched it. You need to take a trip to your VPN settings before you can use the betting site again.

From your PC, open the VPN and then the Settings or Options menu. Some will display a message on the start screen telling you about updates.

Clicking the Update button will likely take you to the VPN’s website, where you can learn more about what’s new.

If you’re using an Android phone, you need to open the Google Play store, tap your user profile in the top-right corner of the screen and then Manage apps and device. Choose Update or Update all.

On an iPhone, open the Apple App Store and tap your user profile in the top-right corner of the screen.

Use a different VPN server to connect to Betfair

Sometimes, VPN servers can become temporarily unavailable or even slower than usual. That’s no good if you’re trying to place bets on live events.

The best VPNs that our team test offer multiple servers per country. For starters, ExpressVPN hosts a ‘UK – Docklands’ server as well as alternatives in East London, London and the Midlands. I suggest you go between them and see which one works best.

Try disconnecting from the current server that you’re using. ExpressVPN users can select the three dots icon to see a list of alternative servers in the same country. You can also favourite the server (use the Star icon) that works best for you.

Contact your VPN support team

Our recommended VPN providers all manage support teams.

From a computer, head to your VPN provider’s website and find the Support or Contact us pages. Some VPNs offer a live chat service for members.

Reset your VPN

The classic ‘off and on again’ trick often works with computer issues and we’ve found that the same goes with VPNs. Whether you’re on a PC, smartphone or tablet, restart your device and open your VPN again.

If that doesn’t work, delete and reinstall your VPN. Load up your VPN and Betfair and see if performance has improved.

Check your internet connection

The problem might be with your own internet connection rather than your VPN.

Disconnect from your wi-fi network and then reconnect. Try and run your VPN once again. You can also go a step further and restart your internet router. Speeds of 5-10Mbps should be enough, but you might prefer over 20Mbps if you’re streaming or gaming.

Run a free download speed tool and compare the results alongside your ISP’s ‘minimum guaranteed speed’ promise. Contact your ISP if your connection is unstable outside of VPN use.

More Betfair fixes:

Have you cleared cache and cookies from your internet browser? On Google Chrome, go to Settings > Privacy and security > Clear browsing data. On Safari, go to Settings > Privacy > Manage Website Data.

Have you entered your VPN username and password correctly? Double-check your login credentials. If you can’t remember your details, choose the ‘Forgot’ option on your VPN provider’s website so you get a reset link sent to your inbox.

Check if you have been hit by a DNS leak. To clarify, a DNS (domain name system) leak means your real IP address and location is visible to websites you visit, even if you have a VPN installed. Use our IP Address Lookup tool to see if your IP address changes when you activate your VPN and visit Betfair. If it doesn’t, your VPN is broken.

Are the VPN servers active? Your provider might be experiencing an outage. The best providers (I’m including Ivacy and NordVPN in the list) are transparent about this and actively update their server status online.

Is your firewall blocking your VPN or Betfair? If you’re experiencing issues on desktop, make sure your VPN is mentioned in the ‘Allow’ list. On Windows, head to open Windows Security > Allow an app through the firewall. On Mac, try System Settings > Network > Firewall.

Does your web browser need updating? Your current web browser version might be incompatible with your browser-based VPN. Assuming you’ve updated your VPN, make sure you update your browser as well. On Chrome, for example, you would go to Settings > About Chrome.

Are you overworking your VPN? If you’re streaming, gaming and using social media at the same time, your VPN might struggle to keep up. I suggest you close a couple of apps to test if doing so has a noticeable impact. This should help if Betfair isn’t working with your VPN.

You can download our free VPN troubleshooting poster.

Best VPNs for Betfair

ExpressVPN

• 1-month subscription: £10.53 per month
• 6-month subscription: £8.12 per month
• 1-year subscription + 3 months free: £5.42 per month (49% off)

🌎 Number of servers	160
📈 Bandwidth	Unlimited
🗣️ 24/7 live chat service	Yes
📱 Number of devices	5
⏱️ Our speed test results	-8.7% download, -5.5% upload (London)

ExpressVPN is a joy to use. It’s an awesome pick even if you’re new to VPNs and does a fantastic job of replacing blacklisted servers. This is one of the most popular VPNs that can deal with region-locked websites, which includes Betfair. To access your betting account, all you need to do is log in to your ExpressVPN account, connect to a UK-based server and go from there.

ExpressVPN keeps your real IP address hidden, so there’s no chance of any websites finding out you’re accessing content from abroad. Third parties won’t be able to spy on you while you’re protected by ExpressVPN, which is why I keep coming back to it.

If you’re an ExpressVPN member, you’ll enjoy speedy servers in over 90 countries around the world. Your personal information isn’t kept on file and you can enjoy ExpressVPN on a Mac, PC, Android or iOS smartphone.

Pros: Smartphone app lets you connect in seconds, 'favourite' most-used VPN servers for quick access, performed remarkably well in our chat support speed test

Cons: Rival VPNs are cheaper, can't use many devices at once

Try ExpressVPN today

Ivacy

• 1-month subscription: £8.62 per month
• 1-year subscription: £3 per month (65% off)
• 5-year subscription + FREE password manager: 80p per month (90% off)

🌎 Number of servers	5,700
📈 Bandwidth	Unlimited
🗣️ 24/7 live chat service	Yes
📱 Number of devices	10

Ivacy works really well with the Betfair website – it’s a top option if you don’t fancy spending lots of money every month on a reliable VPN. The cheapest package starts at around $2.45 per month, which isn’t bad at all. Give Ivacy a try for yourself if you’d like to be able to access Betfair from anywhere in the world.

This is one of the most popular VPNs compatible with Betfair. If you sign up using our exclusive discount code, you’ll have access to over 1,000 VPN servers across the globe. A subscription has you covered on 10 different devices at any one time, and Ivacy comes with an internet kill switch that keeps your identity hidden even if your VPN connection drops without warning.

Pros: Connection is steady when using multiple devices, notifications mention if Ivacy is disabled, server locations split by country and city

Cons: We think the ExpressVPN mobile app is faster, below-average results in our chat support speed test

Try Ivacy today

NordVPN

• 1-month subscription: £10.49 per month
• 1-year subscription: £3.99 per month (40% off)
• 2-year subscription: £2.79 per month (58% off)

🌎 Number of servers	5,200+
📈 Bandwidth	Unlimited
🗣️ 24/7 live chat service	Yes
📱 Number of devices	6
⏱️ Our speed test results	-14% download, -7% upload (London)

Here’s another VPN to take a closer look at if you want to use Betfair while you’re abroad. NordVPN has servers across the globe and all of them are protected by military-grade encryption. They’re extremely secure and you can connect without handing over your personal data to companies that shouldn’t have it.

If you run into trouble while getting to grips with NordVPN, you can rely on the live chat feature to lend a helping hand.

Pros: Built-in internet kill switch works well, profile page on app includes 'Security score' with privacy tips, takes less than a minute to reach a live chat agent (based on our tests)

Cons: Other VPNs tested are cheaper, some streaming services require multiple resets to work

Try NordVPN today

PureVPN

• 1-month subscription: $10.95 per month (12% off)
• 1-year subscription: $3.74 per month (70% off)
• 2-year subscription + 4 extra months: $1.96 per month (84% off)

🌎 Number of servers	6,500+
📈 Bandwidth	Unlimited
🗣️ 24/7 live chat service	Yes
📱 Number of devices	10

If your current VPN is failing to give you access to Betfair, treat yourself to a better service. PureVPN is the perfect example, being powerful enough to bypass geo-locked websites and services so you can enjoy without a fuss. You’ll be able to log in to your Betfair account even if you’re in a country where it doesn’t usually work.

Aside from Betfair, PureVPN also works with ITV Hub, Hulu and Amazon Prime. There are around 2,000 secure PureVPN servers based in over 130 different countries.

Pros: Surprisingly affordable considering features, lots of UK and US-based servers, generous with simultaneous devices

Cons: Takes a couple of minutes to reach live chat agents (based on our tests), performs better on iOS compared to Android (in our experience)

Try PureVPN today

FAQs: Using Betfair

What is Betfair?

Betfair is an online exchange that lets you bet against other users rather than the bookmaker. It enables users to set odds and place bets both for and against outcomes, creating a unique betting experience.

The service obviously works on PC, but you can access it through a phone or tablet too.

How do I create an account on Betfair?

If you want to create a Betfair account, you’ll need to be of age and provide personal details. Your account will be tied to a username and password. Note that verification will be required if you want to withdraw assets.

How does the Betfair exchange work?

Betfair is different to many other betting services we’ve seen. The Betfair exchange matches bettors who want to back an outcome with those who want to lay the same outcome. This creates a marketplace for betting, where odds are determined by the users themselves.

Can I use a free VPN with Betfair?

If your VPN isn’t letting you place bets, you might be thinking about a free VPN to save money. However, we recommend that you stay away from free VPNs for the following reasons:

Some free VPNs aren’t safe. Because you don’t pay a monthly fee, free VPNs will often sell your personal data just to make a profit.

Free VPNs can be slow. They might take a long time to connect to a server that works with your bookie, and your connection could drop without warning.

You might not get many servers. The best VPNs have servers all over the world, which means you can instantly unlock in-play bets. However, free VPNs only cover a small number of countries.

How do I contact Betfair?

Betfair doesn’t have a phone number listed on its website, but you can reach out to the company via its Contact us page. Alternatively, you can send questions directly to an agent through the company’s X account at @BetfairCS. Note that daily opening hours are between 8am and 11pm (UK time).

As per our affiliate policy, we might earn affiliate commission when you select a retailer link. Prices and information correct at time of publication.