PointsBet might be a relatively new online betting site in the United States, but the online sports betting platform has become sought-after by American bettors. While you can attribute this unprecedented growth to the innovative features of PointsBet, you will also love the site for its robust sports selections. This gives bettors more betting options and allows them to bet on many popular sports, including Soccer, Hockey, Baseball, Basketball, Football, etc.
The sportsbook is popular among American bettors for the impressive number of betting markets available on the site and other exciting features like the Points Betting option. All you need to do is familiarize yourself with the site and master how to locate your favorite betting market.
PointsBet is restricted to certain states in the United States due to differences in state laws and regulations related to gambling. This makes accessing the betting platform impossible if you are presently located outside a state where it is authorized. However, this is a way to bypass these restrictions so you can enjoy everything PointsBet offers. Read on to see how you can use PointsBet outside its operating states.
Reason You Can’t Use PointsBet Out of State
Sports betting is arguably one of the most booming industries in the United States; hence there is a need for proper regulation by the state governments. Although some American states disapprove of gambling, others embrace it while enforcing state-level laws on sportsbooks.
So, a sportsbook must be licensed before commencing operations in a state. Geo-restrictions are enforced to stop an unlicensed sportsbook from operating in a state, preventing users from accessing the sportsbook. This technology uses IP addresses to determine a user’s location These restrictions are often put in place to ensure that sportsbooks comply with state laws and regulations. However, the implication is that the site will become inaccessible to bettors from such states.
PointsBet, like other online sportsbooks, is subject to state regulations. This means the site is legal and accessible to bettors only in states where it is licensed. In other words, if you are outside of its operating states, you cannot legally access the PointsBet platform. PointsBet is currently licensed to operate in specific states, including Illinois, Kansas, Colorado, Maryland, Iowa, Indiana, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and West Virginia.
What Are Geo Restrictions & Getting Past Them?
Think of geo-restrictions as limitations put in place by companies or governments to restrict people living in certain geographical locations from accessing certain internet content or services. This technology works by tracking the user’s IP address and comparing it with a list of approved locations. Users with IP addresses not found in the list of approved locations can’t access any platform using geo-restrictions.
In the case of PointsBet, the sports betting site uses Geo Restrictions to comply with state laws by ensuring that users are located within the approved operating states. This allows PointsBet to operate legally and avoid any potential legal issues in states where it does not hold a license. However, with technological advancements, it is easy to get past these restrictions — all you need is a Virtual Private Network (VPN).
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) works by creating a private network between your device and a remote server, causing the encryption of all data transmitted between them. This technology masks your IP address and replaces it with the IP address of the remote server. With the new IP address, which must be any location within the approved operating states, you can bypass the geo-restrictions and access PointsBet as if you were within the approved state.
Top 3 VPN Services for PointsBet
As demands continue to rise, more and more companies are venturing into the VPN business, giving users many options. All VPN providers may share similar goals, but their services are different. In fact, some are better than others.
However, several factors, such as speed, security, and the number of servers in the approved operating states, are worth considering when choosing a VPN service for Pointsbet. Out of the numerous VPNs on the market, here are the top three VPN services you can use for Pointsbet:
1. NordVPN
Based in Panama, NordVPN is perhaps the most popular VPN in the world, which is it ranks top on our list of the top 3 VPNs for PointsBet. Over the years, NordVPN has built a reputation as a reliable and secure VPN service with 5000 servers in 59 countries. On top of that, NordVPN is easy to use and delivers fast connection speeds, making it excellent for accessing geo-restricted websites and streaming.
NordVPN is also popular for its no-logs policy. This means the VPN provider doesn’t store any information about your online activities. This only points to the fact that NordVPN cares about the privacy and safety of its user. The AES-256-CBC encryption standard used by NordVPN and its Threat Protection feature shield users from hackers and other malicious attacks. Using NordVPN to access PointsBet from states where the betting platform is inaccessible is a smart move to enjoy the breathtaking betting opportunities available on the website. You can get started on NordVPN here.
Pros
- Increased server speed
- Excellent security features
- Wide server network
Cons
- Slightly more expensive
2. Surfshark VPN
Without a doubt, Surfshark VPN is one of the most affordable VPN services with strong security features. The VPN provider offers fast connection speeds and roughly 3200 servers in 95 countries, including servers in all PointsBet operating states. Surfshark is headquartered in the Netherlands, a country with no data retention laws. This confirms that your online activities are safe without hackers, your internet service provider, or the government accessing your sensitive data on the betting platform.
Aside from security features like Kill Switch, Split tunneling, Camouflage and No-borders mode, Surfshark also uses AES 256-bits to encrypt users’ information in order to ensure maximum security. Unlike most VPNs, Surfshark allows unlimited device connections, meaning you can connect multiple devices with one account. Also, the VPN’s CleanWeb feature allows users to access PointsBet or other websites without any concerns about ads, malware, trackers, and other harmful materials. You can get started on Surfshark VPN here.
Pros
- Great at unblocking geo-restricted betting sites
- Strict no-logs policy
- Affordable subscription options
- Excellent security features
Cons
- Smaller server network
3. ExpressVPN
With more than 3000 VPN servers across 94 countries, ExpressVPN remains one of the top VPN services on the market and offers all the important features you might need in a VPN. Its privacy features and military-grade encryption are reasons most people prefer the VPN provider to its competitors. Like the first two VPNs, ExpressVPN has a strict no-logs policy.
ExpressVPN also offers an excellent feature known as Split tunneling. This feature allows you to select which apps or websites on your device use the VPN. So, if you have an app or want to visit a website that doesn’t support connections via a VPN, you can easily configure the app or website to bypass the VPN. You can get started on ExpressVPN here.
Pros
- Strong security features
- Offers fast servers in 94 countries
- Offers no-logs policy
Cons
- Expensive subscription plans
Added Benefits of Using a VPN Service
Using a VPN service not only allows you to access PointsBet from outside of a legal state but also offers a range of additional benefits.
- Enhanced Security: When you use a VPN service, your internet connection is encrypted, meaning no one can see your online activities. This is particularly important if you’re using public Wi-Fi networks, which are often unsecured and can be easily hacked.
- Access to Geo-Restricted Content: A VPN service allows you to access restricted content based on your geographic location. This means you can access streaming services, websites, and other content that may be blocked in your country.
- Protection against ISP Throttling: Internet service providers (ISPs) sometimes throttle (slow down) internet speeds for certain types of traffic, such as streaming or gaming. When you use a VPN service, your ISP can’t see what type of traffic you’re using, so they can’t throttle your speeds.
Final Thoughts
Using a VPN service is a great way to access PointsBet from outside of a legal state. While there are many VPN services on the market, we recommend NordVPN, Surfshark VPN, and ExpressVPN as the top choices for sports bettors. Not only do VPN services allow you to access geo-restricted content, but they also offer enhanced security and protection against ISP throttling. So, if you want to use Pointsbet out of state, using a VPN service is the way to go.
