Using the best VPN for PrizePicks makes a stark difference. For many, this popular DFS (Daily Fantasy Sports) website won’t work as a result of their physical location. While PrizePicks is extremely enticing and allows for some hefty prizes, sadly, it’s hard to access.
So, what is PrizePicks? It’s a Daily Fantasy Sports site based in the US – similar to DraftKings. However, the trick is that it works in only around 30 states, so even if you’re in the USA, you won’t always be able to access it. How can a VPN for PrizePicks help?
Simply put, by altering your online location. Once you get an IP address from the state in which PrizePicks works, you’ll be able to get on the site and start playing. In the following article, we explain how to unblock PrizePicks, which VPNs to use, and how to play games on this site.
Best PrizePicks VPN Providers in 2024 At a Glance
You don’t have time to read our entire article, or you just don’t feel like it? Whatever the case, we’ve put together a quick summary for you:
- ExpressVPN – the best overall VPN that works on Prizepicks
- CyberGhost – the most affordable VPN for PrizePicks
- NordVPN – ultra-secure service with lots of features
- Surfshark – unlimited simultaneous connections for cheap
- ProtonVPN – one of the top-rated services for privacy
To learn more about each of these VPNs that work on Prizepicks, read on. You won’t regret it.
Why Is PrizePicks Blocked?
PrizePicks is based in the US but its unavailability in some state seems strange. This stems from different gambling/betting laws in different states.
Gambling and betting laws are pretty complex and they’re different worldwide, not just in the United States.
Some countries, like Iran, deem online betting illegal. In some locations, they’re fine, while some block only specific types of betting and gambling. Regardless, we won’t go deep into these laws, as our site only dabbles in this subject but we’re not experts.
Apart from different laws regarding betting and gambling, some online gambling sites have no license to operate in specific countries. As we write this PrizePicks VPN guide, the website is unavailable in states like Montana, Idaho, Washington, Nevada, and Hawaii.
However, in all of them, betting/online betting is ILLEGAL. But then, PrizePicks is blocked in at least 10 more states like Connecticut, Maine, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, New Hampshire, and a few more. In these countries, online betting is LEGAL.
For this case, we’re not sure why PrizePicks won’t work and whether anything will change. If it does, we’ll update this article accordingly.
Where Is PrizePicks Available & Legal?
So far, 19 states have been prevented from accessing PrizePicks. The good news is that the remaining 30+ can access the site.
Some of them include Michigan, Alabama, New York, Virginia, Texas, Vermont, Nebraska, North Carolina, Colorado, California, and dozens more. For the full list, check the official site.
So, do you need the best VPN for PrizePicks in these countries? To access PrizePicks, a VPN obviously isn’t a must. But our experience tells us that using one is always a good thing, especially when enjoying betting and gambling sites in the US.
VPNs will encrypt your traffic and preserve your online privacy. They’ll also prevent ISP throttling and ensure a smooth DFS experience. We discuss how a VPN impacts online betting here and explain why we recommend using one.
For now, let us focus on the task at hand and see how to access PrizePicks from anywhere with a VPN.
How to Unblock PrizePicks With a VPN?
If you’re in one of 19 states where this site isn’t working, it’s not the end of the world. By using a VPN, you can switch your online location and get an IP address from another American state where PrizePicks works. Beware that this site can and WILL detect VPNs.
Therefore, even if you have the required IP address to access it, the aforementioned error message will appear. For this guide, we’ve chosen ExpressVPN. It offers 22+ US VPN locations with servers in the majority of states where PrizePicks is available.
On top of that, its native obfuscation makes it powerful for getting over geo-blocks and restrictions like this one. Here’s how to play on PrizePicks with a VPN in just 3 steps:
1. Get a VPN
First, you want to get a subscription to a VPN that works on Prizepicks. Our recommendation is ExpressVPN. This is a premium VPN but this is a good thing given that free VPNs don’t work on Prizepicks – more about that later.
An even better thing is a hefty 49% discount with 3 free months for the annual plan on ExpressVPN.
Using the button above, you can claim this time-limited discount. Click the button, select the subscription plan – it can also be a monthly deal if you want – and then provide your email. Now, pay for the service and confirm your email to finish the process.
This PrizePicks VPN supports all devices, so download it to the one you’re using. For this guide, we’re using a VPN on our Windows computer but rest assured, the solution works on phones, tablets, and laptops.
Once you install ExpressVPN, open it and sign in with your email/password provided during the subscription. With that in place, the app’s dashboard will open and will look like the one above.
2. Connect to a Server in the PrizePicks-Supported State
To unblock PrizePicks with a VPN, the point is to obtain an IP address from a state in which it works. As we explained previously, PrizePicks works in New York – and many other states – but for this guide, we’ll use this one.
Open the server list to find a New York VPN server in ExpressVPN. You can do that through the three horizontal dots under “Selected Location.” Now, in the search bar (check the image above), type in New York and ExpressVPN will display its servers there.
Now, if you’re using a Windows or Mac PC, double-click on New York and ExpressVPN will connect in 2-3 seconds. The app should turn green, showing us that the connection is successful, as shown in the screenshot below.
3. Play on PrizePicks Anywhere
Given your IP address from New York, PrizePicks should now be accessible. When you visit the site, it’ll pick up your IP and check its location. In this case, you should be able to make a new account and start playing right away.
You can simply sign in and enjoy if you already have an account.
Remember that ExpressVPN has a 30-day refund policy. If you find PrizePicks boring and don’t want to mess around with it anymore, you can always get a refund in the first 30 days. However, most users keep using ExpressVPN for other plentiful benefits.
Best VPN for PrizePicks: Our Top 5 Favorites
As you can see, accessing this DFS site is a few-minute job. A piece of cake. We promised to provide you with the best VPNs for PrizePicks in 2024 and for this case, we prepared FIVE of them. Mind you, they’re all tested by our team of experts.
1. ExpressVPN
Pros
- Servers in 22+ US locations
- Private DNS servers
- ExpressVPN stores no logs
- Parental Control blocks adult sites
- Includes an ad blocker on all devices
- Lightway and OpenVPN protocols
Cons
- Expensive monthly plan
- Not the VPN with the most advanced features
ExpressVPN is the best VPN for PrizePicks in 2024. You saw how easy it is to use, and best of all, it REALLY works! Overall, this is also the fastest provider, which means gambling and enjoying DFS will be a breeze. Besides, ExpressVPN has the Lightway VPN protocol.
It’s extremely fast, with obfuscation that prevents the VPN from being detected. Another perk of ExpressVPN is the server count. It has 3,000 of them in 105 countries, with hundreds in the US alone. As a result, people can also unblock MAX or Netflix abroad.
ExpressVPN offers unlimited bandwidth, being a premium VPN. This allows you to play on PrizePicks with a VPN indefinitely. We love its security as well, which relies on 256-bit encryption, RAM-only servers, and Private DNS to ensure no online activity leaks.
Adding to the overall quality is a no-logging policy. ExpressVPN is in the British Virgin Islands, an offshore location with strict privacy laws. This means it won’t log your IP, online activities, DNS queries, and so forth. ExpressVPN has 8 simultaneous connections.
This is more than enough for a PrizePicks VPN to unblock the site on any device. 24/7 live chat support is there and ExpressVPN is fully optimized for torrenting. One of the best features is Threat Manager which effectively blocks ads, pop-ups, and dangerous trackers.
On top of that, Parental Control will block adult sites and prevent your children from watching porn. ExpressVPN has no compromises, except for a tad higher price compared to other best PrizePicks VPNs on this list. Albeit, there’s a 49% discount with 3 free months to iron things out.
2. CyberGhost
Cons
- Fast 10 Gbps servers in 100+ countries
- Dedicated IP addresses
- Torrenting & streaming capabilities
- Split tunneling is included
- Based in Romania (privacy-friendly)
Pros
- CyberGhost doesn’t have obfuscation
- Slightly convoluted desktop apps
CyberGhost simplifies the process of accessing PrizePicks abroad. As one of the top-rated PrizePicks VPN services, it packs nearly 12,000 servers in 100 countries. Moreover, it has servers in 10+ American states, allowing for swift access to this DFS website.
We love CyberGhost for its straightforwardness. It’s a no-quibble VPN with fast speeds, WireGuard support, and unlimited traffic. CyberGhost comes with bank-grade encryption to ensure additional security, but above all, there’s an ad blocker.
We found it handy for watching YouTube without ads while maintaining our privacy by blocking trackers. The VPN even has full streaming/torrenting optimization, so watching Netflix US while downloading torrents is possible.
CyberGhost is based in Romania – a privacy-friendly country. This allows it to maintain a no-logging policy, which was even audited by Deloitte. Furthermore, CyberGhost has several Dedicated IP locations, which can also be used for PrizePicks to prevent IP blacklisting.
This VPN for PrizePicks includes apps for all devices but unlike ExpressVPN, has 7 simultaneous connections. For us, this is enough because it also supports Smart DNS for streaming and works with plenty of router models for added connectivity.
Now, CyberGhost has no obfuscation and for users in China, it’s a problem. However, we tested it for PrizePicks in Europe and the US and the VPN works without a hitch. Our team recommends its 2-year deal with a 45-day refund policy that you can claim below.
It’s easily THE cheapest, yet one of the most reliable VPNs for PrizePicks in 2024!
3. NordVPN
Pros
- Lightning-fast NordLynx protocol
- Over 2,000 US servers for PrizePicks
- Works with various torrent clients
- RAM-based servers
- Automatic kill switch
Cons
- Rare connection slowdowns
- Only 6 simultaneous connections per account
Reliability is the name of the game today, so NordVPN is a must-have. This VPN rocks 2,000 or so US servers, all working with PrizePicks like a charm. NordVPN is blazing-quick, with the NordLynx protocol that takes WireGuard and injects some of the magic to improve it.
The VPN displays sheer technical prowess through the use of Double VPN servers. They will double your encryption and provide the security you need to stay untraceable. Moreover, NordVPN’s apps are feature-rich, including Meshnet for remote control.
Every app offers Threat Protection, which removes malware, viruses, and ads. Who said VPNs don’t have antiviruses?! This VPN for PrizePicks offers an automatic kill switch and split tunneling to route only specific apps through the VPN tunnel – PrizePicks, for example.
Also, you’ll like its focus on streaming and P2P, which will come in handy between gambling pauses. NordVPN unblocks 20 and more Netflix catalogs and its P2P servers are impeccable for torrenting with clients like BitTorrent, uTorrent, and Vuze.
NordVPN’s 24/7 support is state-of-the-art and its RAM servers will be wiped clean with each restart, preventing unwanted data from lingering around. Needless to say, the VPN keeps no logs either, so playing on PrizePicks will be private and secure.
This VPN has a few downsides, one of which is a 6-device limit on simultaneous connections. It’s also slow to connect at times but connection problems are seldom. On a good note, it’s more than affordable, especially its 2-year plans at just above three bucks a month.
4. Surfshark
Pros
- No limits on simultaneous connections
- MultiHop servers add another encryption layer
- 256-bit AES encryption standard
- NoBorders adds obfuscation to the VPN connection
Cons
- Not the best-performing VPN
- Based in the Netherlands (14 Eyes)
A PrizePicks VPN like Surfshark is surely a welcome addition to this list. First of all, it’s famous for its unlimited concurrent connections that allow you to use it on as many devices as you want. Second, Surfshark is incredibly safe and secure for online gambling.
We should mention its high-speed US servers, many of which are in New York, Detroit, California, and other cities. Surfshark VPN covers 100 countries and gives you access to WireGuard, which ensures connection stability. Granted, it’s not the fastest VPN.
However, it’s pretty good for streaming, torrenting, and occasional online gaming on Xbox. Surfshark comes with NoBorders, which is a fancy name for obfuscation. This allows you to use this VPN for PrizePicks even in censored countries.
Another benefit is the addition of MultiHop servers. They’ll double your encryption by routing the traffic through two servers in different countries. Surfshark, despite its overly affordable price, includes an ad blocker, RAM servers, and even Static IPs.
Rest assured, the VPN has 10 Gbps servers and its infrastructure has been audited by Deloitte and Cure53. We dislike its Dutch jurisdiction, as it’s inside the 14 Eyes Alliance. However, Surfshark’s privacy hasn’t changed and its no-logging policy is still valid.
The VPN offers several subscription tiers, two of which are One and One+. We recommend one of these plans because both offer antivirus, incognito search mode, and a dark web monitor to notify you of email breaches. Try this best VPN for PrizePicks for 2024 below.
5. ProtonVPN
Pros
- NetShield blocks ads, trackers, and malicious sites
- Tor Over VPN servers
- Simple-to-use applications
- Includes a free unlimited VPN plan
Cons
- Not the most extensive device support
- Average speeds
- Slightly expensive
To top off our list, we’ll go over ProtonVPN. It’s not our go-to option when using a VPN for PrizePicks but it’s surprisingly capable. With a heap of security functions like Secure Core, NetShield, and port forwarding, it’s hard to keep your excitement low.
Also, ProtonVPN is based in Switzerland, so its no-logs practices are guaranteed. Our team uses ProtonVPN for streaming on Netflix and downloading torrents. In addition, some users enjoy this VPN for FanDuel betting and other DFS platforms.
ProtonVPN comes with nearly 4,000 servers in under 90 countries, so the coverage is impressive. The VPN employs 10 Gbps servers in all countries, with WireGuard and the VPN Accelerator to give you a bit of a performance boost. A much-needed one!
This VPN caps at 10 simultaneous connections, which is more than ExpressVPN or NordVPN. The premium plan includes 24/7 support with access to Tor over VPN servers as well. Users can test ProtonVPN’s free plan with unlimited traffic and 3 server locations.
Logically, this plan is limited in terms of P2P and speeds. On the other hand, ProtonVPN’s 30-day refund policy allows for risk-free testing of a premium plan. Speaking of that, the VPN is on the expensive side despite the current price reduction.
This shouldn’t be surprising, as it’s a Swiss VPN with above-average security and privacy. Nowadays, these qualities are immensely valued, hence the higher price. One more thing – ProtonVPN lacks Smart DNS, which might be disappointing for streaming enthusiasts.
Is It Legal to Use a VPN on Prizepicks?
Now that we’re over the most reliable VPNs for PrizePicks, we’ll address another serious topic. First, when it comes to gambling and betting, unblocking these sites with a VPN is illegal if your jurisdiction deems gambling and betting illegal. That should be clear.
But what about the states or any other non-American country where these activities are legal, yet PrizePicks won’t work? In that case, you can use a VPN for PrizePicks legally and won’t get fined, jailed, or anything similar. Though, it’s worth looking at ToS on this site.
As you can see, PrizePicks wants to ensure only people from the 32 allowed states can participate in Daily Fantasy Sports. Using a VPN to unblock PrizePicks will work but you risk account suspension. Worse yet, the site can block your account from depositing, withdrawing, and placing entries if you’re detected using a VPN.
You can complain to the support team and lift the restriction. However, if you’ve really used a PrizePicks VPN, chances are this won’t work. Don’t get us wrong. PrizePicks won’t detect EVERY provider, so using a VPN doesn’t necessarily mean the worst.
But if this happens to you, you should know about the reason behind it. As for legal issues, you have nothing to worry about. The worst that can happen is your account suspension on PrizePicks. That’s nothing compared to dealing with the law violations in our book.
Will Free VPNs Unblock PrizePicks?
According to our test results, no. Free VPNs are easily detected by restricted sites because they’re unoptimized for unblocking them.
That’s why most free VPNs don’t work with BBC iPlayer, MAX, or Netflix. Besides, PrizePicks’ VPN detection isn’t something you want.
Your account can be banned and all earnings forfeited. The trick is that most free VPNs – if not all – offer US VPN servers. That’s where people get baited into thinking that there’s the best free VPN for PrizePicks. But once they try one and see the results, they’re shocked.
These services come with plenty of issues, such as slow speeds, often limited bandwidth, privacy problems, the lack of simultaneous connections, and so on. Whether you’re using one for PrizePicks or anything else, a free VPN’s user experience is vastly inferior.
The Final Verdict
So, can you use a VPN for PrizePicks to unblock this DFS website? Of course. Whether you should do it is up to you – we’re here to provide you with the best options that work. ExpressVPN is a solid provider, with plenty of “firepower” to safely unblock PrizePicks.
However, don’t hesitate to try other VPNs from our list. CyberGhost and NordVPN are more affordable, while Surfshark offers unlimited connections. Lastly, ProtonVPN’s security and privacy are impeccable, which many will find satisfying for online gambling.
Connect to a VPN server, go online, and play on PrizePicks from anywhere – couldn’t be simpler.
FAQs
Let us cover a few more questions related to the subject.
Is PrizePicks legal in PA (Pennsylvania)?
No, it’s not, although online betting is legal in Pennsylvania. You can still use a VPN for PrizePicks to access the site in this state – ExpressVPN will work.
Is PrizePicks legit?
Yes, it’s a legit DFS website, with secure payments and verification. It has more than a few awards from fantasy sports experts and is compliant with numerous betting/gambling regulations in the US. Finally, it has 1M+ registered users, so it’s pretty popular.
Can I play on PrizePicks in Maryland?
No, Maryland outlaws this website, so it’s inaccessible without a VPN. Before using one, find out more about Maryland’s fantasy sports betting laws to avoid trouble.
