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On March 10, online sports betting became operational in Massachusetts, offering six sportsbook apps to residents. Prior to account creation and placing bets, all platforms require customers to adhere to geocompliance measures.
The online sports betting market is exclusively available for residents of Massachusetts only, excluding anyone residing outside the state.
In this article, we will discuss the concept of geocompliance, its demonstration, and potential obstacles that may hinder its implementation. This information aims to ensure a seamless experience for bettors engaging in online sports betting in Massachusetts.
What is geocompliance, and why do you need to show it?
Geocompliance refers to the digital method of displaying one’s geographical location over the internet.
In simple terms, it is the method by which you demonstrate to an online entity (specifically, an online sportsbook) that you are in the physical location you claim to be.
The US sports betting industry is mandated due to the lack of availability in all states. Following the Supreme Court’s decision to invalidate PASPA, the responsibility of determining the legality of sports betting was delegated to individual states. To date, 33 states along with Washington, DC have exercised their authority in this matter.
If you reside in a state where sports betting is not legal, attempting to place a bet on an app will be unsuccessful. You might have already experienced this situation, and if so, there’s no need to feel embarrassed. However, it’s important to recognize that you encountered a geofence.
If you reside in a state such as Massachusetts, where sports betting is allowed, but you happen to visit your grandparents’ lake house in Vermont, where sports betting is prohibited, your home state’s sports betting apps will restrict your ability to place bets.
In order to comply with Geocompliance, you must adhere to the laws of the state you are currently in, as opposed to the state of your residence.
How do you show geocompliance?
There are several ways to indicate that you are in Massachusetts, depending on whether you are betting using a mobile device or a PC or Mac.
Check out the top Massachusetts Sportsbook Promos.
Mobile devices
The simplest way is to utilize phones and tablets by enabling location services.
If you use Apple products, please follow this pathway:
Go to the Settings menu, then navigate to Privacy and Security. From there, select Location Services and ensure it is set to “On”. Proceed to access the sports betting app and verify your willingness to share your location.
If you are utilizing an Android device, the pathway is quite similar.
Go to Settings, then go to Location and set it to “On”. Next, go to App Permissions and find the sports betting app you prefer. Choose either “allow location services all the time” or “only when using the app” according to your preference.
PC or Mac
Geocompliance is demonstrated by laptops and desktops through their distinct IP addresses, which are associated with your home internet and indicate the actual physical location of your internet connection.
Your IP address is automatically transmitted to the sports book without any action required from you, regardless of whether you are using a PC or Mac.
What might cause you to be geofenced out of your sportsbook app?
There are several factors linked to geolocation that could prevent you from placing a bet. Certain factors are tied to particular locations, while others are concerned with how your devices collect geolocation data.
Geofenced venues
In certain states where online sports betting is allowed in specific establishments, geocompliance mandates bettors to provide evidence that they are not only present in the state but also within the physical structure designated for sports betting. While GPS services are proficient in determining your location accurately, they fall short when it comes to precisely identifying whether you are situated at the correct spot to place a bet, such as being inside the designated building.
When such situations arise, venues utilize complex bluetooth-powered geofences to accurately determine your exact location within a small radius. Therefore, to proceed with placing a bet in those scenarios, bluetooth connectivity is required.
Bay Staters need not worry about this, as mobile sports betting is legal throughout the state. However, it is important to be aware of the regulations when traveling to different states or districts. For instance, hockey enthusiasts planning a road trip to Washington, DC to catch the Bruins versus Capitals game should take into account geofencing laws. The Capital One Arena, where the Capitals play, permits mobile sports betting within a two-block perimeter of the stadium.
Starting from March 28, the review process for the Caesars Sportsbook At Raynham Park application will commence. Additionally, make sure to read this important update.
Geolocation services
There are several factors that can affect geocompliance for individuals betting at home using a PC or Mac.
- The IP address is the distinctive physical address assigned to your home internet connection. While generally accurate, residing near a border might result in being geofenced out of certain applications due to the IP address’s insufficient precision. To address this issue, it is advisable to communicate with your internet service provider for a resolution.
- If your wifi signal is weak, your laptop may be geofenced out of a program, so the strength of the signal is crucial.
- Interference in geolocation services can occur in houses located near major lakes, rivers, and other large bodies of water. People living in Bay State, especially in areas such as the Cape, Gloucester, and Rockport, might experience this interference.
Placing bets online using mobile devices is the simplest solution to bypass all of this, as phones come equipped with precise GPS-based location services integrated into their 4G, 5G, and wifi connections.
VPNs and remote desktop programs can stop you from placing a bet
If you’re considering using VPNs to bypass geofenced apps, the straightforward advice is: refrain from doing so.
If you use a VPN, it is highly probable that you will be instantly blocked from accessing the apps, and there is a chance of being permanently barred from using them again. Although the possibility of facing legal consequences for such deceptive actions is unlikely, it is important to note that the industry is constantly evolving.
Using remote desktop programs that enable individuals from different states to remotely access your computer can also lead to encountering geofencing issues when attempting to access a mobile sportsbook. This occurs because the sportsbook may perceive someone from another state as “tunneling” into your computer system to place bets.
If you are experiencing geofencing issues with your sportsbook app, ensure that you do not have any remote desktop programs running in the background.
GeoComply is a simple geocompliance solution
To ensure geocompliance, another option is to utilize plugins that aid in accurately determining your location. GeoComply, recognized as the leading provider of geolocation services for the sports betting sector, offers a plugin specifically designed for bettors. In certain states, certain sportsbook apps make it mandatory to use this plugin. Simply download and activate it on your desktop, or alternatively, download the app and enable it on your mobile device.
Utilizing GeoComply not only enhances the security of sportsbooks, but also instills a greater sense of assurance, as it reduces the chances of being geofenced out of an app.
Geocompliance in Massachusetts is straightforward
Geocompliance in Massachusetts is relatively straightforward.
Bettors no longer need to navigate physical locations with the availability of all operators through mobile apps.
According to Jon Pappas, a public affairs expert at Geocomply, Massachusetts bettors will not face any issues requiring a GeoComply plugin. All the apps being launched already possess built-in GeoComply capabilities, as stated to Play MA.
The concern regarding the “large body of water” may impact residents of Massachusetts living along the coast, as well as individuals interested in placing bets up to 3 miles off the state’s coastline, which falls within the boundaries for sports betting. In such instances, utilizing a mobile device to demonstrate geocompliance offers a solution to bypass the obstacle posed by the water.
However, it should be noted that there may still be occasional hiccups and software glitches. At the launch of Play MA, app performance will be closely monitored and updates on its performance will be provided by Massachusetts bettors. This way, you will always be aware of the best place to go for a seamless experience in this emerging market.
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