Barstool Sportsbook went through a change recently and is now known as ESPN BET. If you're an existing user, your account has already been transferred, including your funds. No other major changes happened - as the rebranded platform still provides fantasy sports and casino games, including slots, blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and poker.
That said, this betting/gambling platform is still geo-restricted. Barstool Sportsbook works in certain US states only and uses geo-location measures to verify if you should have access. The only way to bypass those checks is to change your virtual location, which is why you need a VPN.
Using a VPN, you can change your IP address to one from a US state where Barstool works, allowing you to access it even while traveling. A VPN will also let you access region-specific casino games and hide and secure your traffic, keeping your use of Barstool Sportsbook invisible.
In this article, we'll talk about the best VPNs for Barstool Sportsbook. We'll also show you how to use a VPN, discuss why you need one, share where Barstool Sportsbook is legal, explain what you can play on it, help you troubleshoot issues when a VPN won't work with the platform, and we'll finish with a round of helpful FAQs.
The process of unblocking Barstool Sportsbook (ESPN BET) or securing your access to it begins with signing up for a VPN. You'll then download its app and connect to a suitable VPN server. Here are the steps to use a VPN for Barstool Sportsbook:
Due to legal reasons, Barstool Sportsbook is fervently against VPNs. It uses VPN-detection technologies to prevent users in unsupported regions from accessing their services. So, you need an ultra-powerful VPN, such as NordVPN, with advanced tools for bypassing geo-blocks and servers in US states like New Jersey or Pennsylvania, which typically offer the largest selection of games.
While deciding on the best provider aligned with your specific needs, stick to the criteria we determined for our list of the best gambling VPNs. First, pick a VPN to unblock Barstool Sportsbook and other gambling sites. In other words, your chosen VPN needs servers in the US states where the platform’s services are available, like New Jersey, Illinois, or Arizona.
Next, look for a VPN that has strong security and privacy measures like impenetrable encryption, robust VPN protocols, and a kill switch to secure your data even during disconnections. Also, obfuscated servers are also necessary for hiding that you’re using a VPN.
Next, a strict no-logs policy is vital so that none of your data is tracked or stored. Furthermore, all these features should be available on many different devices, and the provider should allow at least a few simultaneous connections.
Lastly, you'll want a VPN with a fair price and plenty of value overall. It needs to offer a money-back guarantee in case you decide you don’t like the service, as well as 24/7 customer support.
Based on the criteria above, these are the 5 best VPNs for accessing Barstool Sportsbook in 2024:
NordVPN is the best Barstool Sportsbook VPN if you prioritize privacy. It has more than 6,300 servers in 111 countries while offering 1,970+ servers in the US across 15 different locations, including Colorado, Illinois, and Arizona. There are also servers in New Jersey, so you’ll be able to effortlessly unblock all of ESPN BET's features.
No matter which server you pick, you can be sure that you'll get ultra-fast speeds. NordVPN can also create incredibly stable data tunnels, which means you'll end up with a smooth connection without any performance fluctuations.
This provider uses AES-256/ChaCha20 encryption and 3 tunneling protocols (NordLynx, OpenVPN, and IKEv2/IPsec) to safeguard your online traffic while connecting to Barstool. You can choose one of NordVPN’s obfuscated US servers to hide your VPN usage from the gambling service.
There is also a kill switch feature that will protect your activities if the VPN connection drops. Furthermore, this provider has an iron-clad no-logs policy, so your sensitive information will never be collected. With 10 simultaneous connections allowed, NordVPN can be installed on many devices and platforms, including laptops, desktops, mobile phones, routers, and other smart devices.
You can start using this VPN for $3.09/month (2-year subscription plan), and it has a 30-day money-back guarantee. Let's not forget to mention that NordVPN also offers reliable customer support. There's 24/7 live chat available, in addition to a wide range of tutorials, guides, and FAQs.
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Surfshark is an excellent VPN for Barstool Sportsbook that has 3,200+ servers in 100 countries. Its 600+ US servers are spread across Colorado, Arizona, Illinois, and Michigan, which is one of the states where both the sportsbook and casino options are available. Needless to say, Surfshark will seamlessly unblock all of Barstool Sportsbook’s features.
You'll be also pleasantly surprised by Surfshark's performance. You can expect extra-fast speeds no matter if you pick a nearby or remote server. And, yes, that happens even without any tinkering or fine-tuning. Just install the VPN, connect, and you'll be good to go.
Surfshark uses AES-256/ChaCha20 encryption keys and highly secure VPN tunneling protocols like WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2/IPsec to protect all your devices. It also offers a kill switch, obfuscation, and a strong no-logs policy.
As a bonus, Surfshark has incorporated a unique GPS spoofing feature for Android users, which can definitely help when trying to avoid ESPN BET's VPN detection.
This VPN is available on all platforms, and it allows unlimited parallel connections, so no matter what device you use to gamble, you’ll ensure complete privacy and security for your data.
Surfshark starts at $2.29/month for its 2-year plan and offers a 30-day money-back policy on all its subscriptions. Finally, this VPN also features 24/7 live chat support.
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ExpressVPN is another capable VPN, with thousands of servers in 100+ countries, many of which are in the 15 US states it covers. That means you'll be able to unblock Barstool Sportsbook with fast and secure servers in many of the locations where the platform is available, including Arizona, Illinois, and Colorado. It also has servers in New Jersey, where both the sportsbook and casino games are available.
This VPN provides impenetrable security with AES-256/WolfSSL encryption backed by an audited no-logs policy. Its tunneling protocols (OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec, Lightway) are also very secure, and ExpressVPN offers a network kill switch to keep your IP hidden even if your VPN connection drops.
It also has a large number of obfuscated servers, making it the best option to bypass the Barstool's VPN detection measures. On top of that, you can install ExpressVPN on 60+ different devices, meaning you'll use ESPN BET on your phone, tablet, computer, and more.
You’re allowed up to 8 simultaneous connections, which seems quite generous. That said, if you want VPN security on all of your gadgets, you can also set up ExpressVPN on a router and avoid the device limit.
ExpressVPN's annual plan costs $6.67/month, the lowest price you can pay for this VPN. It also has a 30-day money-back guarantee, making it a risk-free investment. Lastly, you can count on ExpressVPN's reliable 24/7 live chat support.
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CyberGhost is another popular VPN for Barstool Sportsbook that offers 2,100+ high-speed servers in the US across 10+ locations, including Illinois and Arizona. It can easily unblock Barstool Sportsbook, but it doesn’t provide access to all its features as there are no servers in states where the Barstool's casino games are supported.
Overall, it has one of the largest networks on the market, with thousands of servers in 100 countries. No matter which location you pick, none of CyberGhost’s RAM-only servers will log your data or online activity. On top of that, they publish transparency reports periodically to show how they are keeping up with their strict no-log policy.Â
CyberGhost not only renders super-fast speeds but also delivers reliable performance across its whole network. It uses AES-256/ChaCha20 encryption, the most advanced VPN tunneling protocols (WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec), and a kill switch to protect your online traffic.
However, this provider does not offer obfuscated servers, which could make it a bit more difficult to bypass ESPN BET's location checks from more restricted countries.
This VPN supports up to 7 simultaneous connections, which should be enough to protect all your devices. Moreover, it can be easily installed on many devices and operating systems.
CyberGhost is priced at $2.03/month for its 2-year plan, and a unique feature of this VPN is its 45-day money-back policy, which applies to its long-term plans. Also, as you can expect from a capable VPN, 24/7 live chat support is available as well.
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Private Internet Access (PIA) is an advanced and reliable VPN service provider with a massive server network in 90+ countries. PIA has servers in all 50 US states (including Arizona, Colorado, and Illinois), so it can handily unblock Barstool Sportsbook. You can connect to servers in New Jersey and the 3 other states where its full suite of games and features are available.Â
When it comes to security, PIA uses AES-128, AES-256, and ChaCha20 encryption, robust protocols (OpenVPN, WireGuard, and IKEv2/IPsec), a kill switch, and obfuscated servers. Moreover, your privacy will be fully protected with its no-logs policy.Â
This provider delivers consistent performance, and it’s highly customizable, so you can modify your settings to prioritize either speed or security. That said, if you choose to max out your security levels, your speed will suffer, and vice versa.
PIA allows unlimited simultaneous connections with a single subscription package and supports a wide variety of platforms, so you can protect all your devices.
Despite its high-end features, PIA is an affordable option priced at $2.03/month for its 2-year plan. It comes backed by a solid 30-day money-back policy. Lastly, it also wouldn't be a top option if it didn't offer 24/7 live chat support.
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A VPN is an indespensable tool for bypassing Barstool Sportsbook's geo-blocks, allowing you to use the platform from any country. Even if you're in a supported US state, a VPN will help change your virtual location, giving you access to a wider range of casino games.
Without a VPN, you’ll see the following location error message when trying to access Barstool Casino or Sportsbook: "Looks like you're outside of an operating area. You can still browse markets and deposit funds, but you must be physically located in an operating area to wager."
A VPN can help you change your virtual location by giving you a new IP address, which is how you'll gain access to the platform from anywhere in the world. It’ll provide you with some other benefits as well, including the following:
It's crucial to pick a VPN provider with strong privacy and security features when using one with Barstool Sportsbook. You'll also need strong content-unblocking capabilities, a worldwide server network, and fast speeds. Let's go over everything in greater detail:
Barstool Sports was rebranded to ESPN BET on November 14, 2023, and is now fully operated by PENN Entertainment, following a split between PENN Entertainment and Barstool Sports.
The two companies have had a turbulent relationship that prevented the online betting platform from being approved in a number of US states, limiting its expansion. Thanks to its partnership with ESPN, ESPN BET can now look forward to becoming more widely available in the future.
If you already had a Barstool Sportsbook account, that information is now part of ESPN BET. That means your account funds have been transferred, and you also view all your wagering history over at ESPN BET. Online casinos are also available, operating under the Hollywood Casino brand.
For more information on what to expect from ESPN BET and how the recent transition affects your account, check out this Bartstool Sportsbooks support page.
Barstool Sportsbook (ESPN BET) is legal in 17 US states, so you can’t use the platform to place bets or play casino games outside the US. However, with a suitable VPN for Barstool Sportsbook, you’ll be able to bypass these geo-restrictions to gamble freely from anywhere.
Below is a list of all the Barstool Sportsbook legal states:
As you can see, there are only 4 casino states where Barstool works, and those locations are - Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. If you try to play from any other location, you won’t be able to access them. However, if you use a VPN and connect to a server in one of those 4 states, you’ll be able to play your favorite casino games.
Also, states and locations like NY, FL, CT, and Canada aren't on the list of places where Barstool casino games are allowed. We know many of you ask questions about those locations, so we wanted to highlight those as well.
Keep in mind that no matter which state you’re in, you’ll be able to log in, deposit, withdraw, and check your transaction history - you just need to be in the United States to do so.
Barstool Sportsbook allows you to bet on various types of sports, and there are also casino games that are available in a handful of US states. Here's more information:
Keep in mind that Barstool Sportsbook has been renamed to ESPN BET recently. Its casino section is still available through its website, but it's under the 'Hollywood Casino' brand.
Connecting to an overcrowded server, using a less powerful VPN protocol, or having your firewall set to high settings can all be why your VPN doesn't work with Barstool Sportsbook. Let's walk you through a series of troubleshooting steps:
Yes, you can use a free VPN with Barstool Sportsbook, as some of them have US servers, but we don’t recommend you do so. Free VPNs come with super limited features and services, and they can’t get through the VPN-detection measures that the platform has in place.
For example, free VPNs offer low data caps, slow speeds, and bandwidth restrictions that will prevent you from enjoying the site to its fullest. Also, they have small server networks and usually sell their users’ data to make a profit.Â
So, a free VPN won’t protect you online or provide you with a smooth gambling experience. Thus, we recommend you go for a premium VPN. Or, if you'd like to try before you buy, get a VPN trial, which allows you to use premium VPN features with ESPN BET for a limited time.
Speaking of free trials, we highly recommend you try NordVPN for free, as its trial is available for 7 days on Android. When it comes to other supported platforms, you can take full advantage of NordVPN's 30-day money-back guarantees.
Barstool Sportsbook (ESPN BET) has a limited number of locations where it can be accessed from. If you live or travel outside of the 17 US states where it’s available, you won’t be able to place bets. This is why you’ll need a VPN to change your virtual location, unblock the platform, use it when traveling, and even gain access to region-specific casino games.
Your pick should be NordVPN if you want truly the best VPN for Barstool Sportsbook because it’s the fastest and most powerful VPN on the market. It offers excellent security features that bypass all the defense measures that Barstool employs. And, aside from letting you bypass geo-blocks, you'll also get to protect your privacy and make sure you're not tracked on the Web.
That's it for our guide on how to pick a VPN for Barstool Sportsbook. If you have any questions, let us know via the comments section below. Thanks for reading!