GeoComply Blocked 5,000 Transactions Over Massachusetts Launch Weekend

Massachusetts sports betting News Sports Betting
Written By Matthew Bain on March 20, 2023 – Last Updated on April 18, 2023
GeoComply blocked 5,000 MA sportsbook transactions over launch weekend, from play-ma.com
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Devices and accounts with a known history of fraud attempted more than 5,000 geolocation transactions over Massachusetts sports betting launch weekend (March 10-12).

That’s according to GeoComply, the geolocation company most US sportsbooks use to verify bettors’ locations. A geolocation transaction occurs at several points in the MA sports betting process, including signing up and placing a bet.

GeoComply didn’t specify how many of those 5,000 transactions came from accounts outside Massachusetts attempting to place bets. However, it’s same to assume that was a significant chunk. Sports betting is currently illegal in Vermont, which shares a border with Massachusetts. Maine, which is a short drive from Massachusetts, has legalized sports betting, but it’s not yet live.

More than 406,000 users in Massachusetts

In addition to blocking over 5,000 transactions, GeoComply reported there were 8.1 million legal transactions in Massachusetts from March 10-12, from more than 406,000 customer accounts. That level of activity was nearly twice of Arizona and Virginia, states of comparable size. It was fifth-most in the US, behind only New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Ohio.

At full maturity, Play MA projects Massachusetts will generate $5.7 billion in annual sports betting handle. Based on Play MA  projections for the rest of the US in 2023, that would make Massachusetts the eighth-largest sports betting market in the US.

Snapshot of online sportsbooks in MA

Six Massachusetts online sportsbooks launched March 10:

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

Soon, there will be 10 apps. Betr plans to go live in April with microbetting and traditional sports betting. Bally Bet and Fanatics Sportsbook expect a May launch. And Betway will launch in January 2024.

Massachusetts law allows for up to 15 online sports betting operators. However, with market saturation and more companies putting resources in their online casino products, it’s unclear whether Massachusetts will ever actually have 15 sportsbook apps.

If you or a loved one is experiencing problems with gambling, call 1-800-327-5050 or visit www.mahelpline.org/problemgambling to speak with a trained specialist for free, 24/7

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Matthew Bain

Matthew Bain started as Content Manager at Play MA in 2022. Before that, he spent six years as a sports reporter and then deputy sports editor for the Des Moines Register, during which time he won nine statewide journalism awards, including the Genevieve Mauck Stoufer Outstanding Young Iowa Journalists Award. As deputy sports editor, Matthew oversaw the Register’s recruiting coverage while also innovating the outlet’s high school sports coverage. Matthew graduated from San Diego State and grew up in California, but he’s somehow a Boston Celtics fan. Long story. Matthew also led coverage of Prop 26 vs. Prop 27 in the California sports betting election battle for Catena Media.

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