GeoComply Blocked 5,000 Transactions Over Massachusetts Launch Weekend

During the weekend of the Massachusetts sports betting launch (March 10-12), over 5,000 geolocation transactions were attempted by devices and accounts that had previously engaged in fraudulent activities.

GeoComply, the primary geolocation company utilized by the majority of US sportsbooks, reveals that geolocation transactions are essential at various stages of the Massachusetts sports betting process. These include activities like signing up and wagering.

The exact number of transactions from accounts outside Massachusetts attempting to place bets was not specified by GeoComply. However, it is reasonable to assume that a substantial portion of those 5,000 transactions falls into this category. It is worth noting that sports betting is currently prohibited in Vermont, which shares a border with Massachusetts. On the other hand, Maine, which is located in close proximity to Massachusetts, has legalized sports betting, although it has not been implemented yet.

More than 406,000 users in Massachusetts

GeoComply reported that in Massachusetts from March 10-12, there were 8.1 million legal transactions from over 406,000 customer accounts. This level of activity was almost double that of Arizona and Virginia, which are states of similar size. Massachusetts ranked fifth in the US in terms of transaction volume, only trailing behind New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Ohio.

According to Play MA’s projections, Massachusetts will become the eighth-largest sports betting market in the US, generating an annual sports betting handle of $5.7 billion once it reaches full maturity. This estimate is in line with Play MA’s projections for the rest of the US in 2023.

Snapshot of online sportsbooks in MA

On March 10, a total of six online sportsbooks in Massachusetts were launched.

• DraftKings Sportsbook
• BetMGM
• Caesars Sportsbook
• WynnBET
• FanDuel
• Barstool Sportsbook

In the near future, a total of 10 apps are set to be introduced. Betr has scheduled its live launch for April, offering both microbetting and traditional sports betting. Bally Bet and Fanatics Sportsbook anticipate their launch in May, while Betway is planning to go live in January 2024.

Massachusetts law permits a maximum of 15 online sports betting operators, but the uncertainty arises due to market saturation and increasing focus of companies on bolstering their online casino offerings. As a result, it remains unclear if Massachusetts will eventually witness the existence of all 15 sportsbook apps.

If you or someone you care about is facing gambling difficulties, feel free to contact a trained specialist at 1-800-327-5050 or visit www.mahelpline.org/problemgambling. Assistance is available around the clock, at no cost.