How I bypass geoblocks, protect my data, and still bet on my favorite matches while living or traveling in Albania
Betting in Albania: It’s Back, But Still… Weird
So here’s the deal.
Albania officially brought back online sports betting in 2024 after a years-long ban. There’s now a legal way to place bets online – but only through approved and licensed operators (and trust me, there aren’t many of them yet).
The catch? Most of the platforms people actually use – like Bet365, 22Bet, 1xBet, or even PokerStars – either aren’t licensed locally or have weird limitations when accessed from inside the country.
In some cases, the site just straight-up won’t load. In others, your IP gets flagged and the login doesn’t go through. Or worse – the betting page loads blank and your account gets frozen for “security reasons.”
Sound familiar? It’s annoying as hell. But there’s a way around it.
Why I Use a VPN for Betting in Albania
I’ve been working remotely from Tirana and Durrës on and off for a few years now. And if there’s one tool I never turn off, it’s my VPN – especially when I’m betting online.
Here’s what a VPN actually solves:
- Unblocks global betting sites like Bet365, Unibet, GG.BET, etc.
- Makes local platforms like 22Bet or Mozzart more stable, especially on mobile
- Protects your connection on public Wi-Fi (and Albania has a lot of open Wi-Fi)
- Prevents login issues when switching networks or devices
- Lets you keep your activity private – no logs, no snooping, no random “access denied” messages
With a good VPN, I don’t have to think about it. I log in, place my bets, withdraw when needed — and that’s that.
Betting Sites I Use (or Have Tested) from Albania
Here’s a mix of international and local platforms I’ve personally tested while in Albania – or I know friends use regularly. Some of them work natively, others need a VPN to behave properly.
🌍 Global platforms
- Bet365 – works perfectly with VPN set to UK or Germany
- PokerStars – needs VPN (I use Ireland)
- Unibet – stable with VPN, especially Austria or Sweden
- Bwin – no issues via Spain
- Stake – crypto-based, accepts VPNs
- GG.BET – works via VPN, great for esports
- MEGAPARI / Vulkan Vegas – usually require VPN to load fully
🇦🇱 Local/regional platforms
- 22Bet – surprisingly popular, supports Lek, works better with VPN (I use Netherlands or Albania servers)
- 1xBet – loads in Albania, but works smoother through VPN
- Mozzart – Balkan favorite, VPN sometimes helps if site is slow
- Superbast / Bast Arena – local-only, limited access abroad
- Eurolloto – known in Albania, mainly physical shops
- ibd Gaming – smaller, niche operator
- MightyTips – not a bookie, just odds + reviews (helpful tool tho)
Best VPNs for Betting in Albania (My Tested Picks)
I’ve used more VPNs than I care to admit, but these are the five I keep coming back to.
Why? They’re fast, reliable, and most importantly — they actually have servers in or near Albania (yes, even Tirana in some cases), so you’re not rerouting halfway across the world just to place a bet.
1. NordVPN
NordVPN is my default. It’s fast, works great with Bet365, 1xBet, and even crypto platforms like Stake. They have servers in Albania (Tirana), so if you’re accessing local bookies, you don’t need to fake your location.
Double bonus? It works with Revolut, Skrill, and even PayPal logins — no region errors.
2. Surfshark
👉 Try Surfshark – 87% off + 3 months free
Unlimited devices = pure freedom. I use this on my phone, laptop, and even my Fire Stick when watching matches.
Works great with 22Bet, PokerStars, and Mozzart, and it also has virtual servers near Albania, which is helpful for speed.
3. ExpressVPN
👉 Try ExpressVPN – 73% off + 4 months free
When I’m betting live and watching the game on another screen, I switch to ExpressVPN.
It’s incredibly fast — no buffering, no lag, even during peak hours. Servers in Greece and Italy make it perfect for Balkan connections.
4. CyberGhost
👉 Try CyberGhost – 82% off + 2 months free
If you just want something simple that works, CyberGhost is solid. Their app literally shows “Betting & Sports” optimized servers. Works well with Bwin, GG.BET, and Betfair, plus it doesn’t eat your phone battery like some others do.
5. PIA (Private Internet Access)
👉 Try PIA – 85% off + 2 months free
I use this when I want more control. It’s more technical — lets you change ports, encryption, all that stuff. But it’s also great for torrenting sports streams and betting quietly in the background. Supports crypto too.
Pro Tips: What to Watch Out For
Here’s what I’ve learned betting from Albania over the past year:
- Clear cookies before switching VPN locations — sites remember
- Use the same country as your registered account — don’t mix your UK login with a Serbian IP
- Stick to clean payment methods — Revolut, crypto, Skrill = smoothest
- Always enable the kill switch — you don’t want your real IP leaking mid-bet
- Incognito mode helps — especially on PokerStars and GG.BET
Final Thoughts
Online betting in Albania is technically allowed again — but only a few platforms are actually licensed, and most people are still using the ones they know and trust, whether that’s Bet365, 1xBet, or 22Bet.
If you want full access, fewer headaches, and better odds (literally and figuratively), you need a VPN.
Not for cheating — just for leveling the field.
I’ve been doing this from beach cafés in Himarë, coworking spaces in Tirana, and rural guesthouses up in the mountains. A good VPN is the one thing that keeps the experience smooth, secure, and actually enjoyable.
