More than 11,000 accounts in Georgia tried to access legal mobile sportsbooks in other states over Super Bowl weekend. And those 11,000-plus accounts attempted more than 70,000 geolocation checks.
That’s according to GeoComply, the leading geolocation technology provider for US sportsbooks.
87% more betting activity in Georgia compared to last year
Per GeoComply, there were 87% more geolocation checks in Georgia this year compared to last year. The number of accounts swelled by 74%, compared to last year’s Super Bowl weekend. In addition, GeoComply shared that 33% of these geolocation checks occurred from accounts attempting to access online sportsbooks in Tennessee.
GeoComply’s numbers paint an easy-to-understand picture: There is a clear demand for sports betting in Georgia. What’s more, these geolocation checks further bolster the point some Georgia lawmakers have repeatedly made — that Georgians are already betting on sports via unregulated offshore sports betting sites.
These GeoComply numbers only represent bettors attempting bets at regulated sites. They do not represent the precipitous amounts of money residents of states without legal sports betting spend on the Super Bowl at offshore sites every year.
Sports betting stands a fighting chance right now
Sports betting is again on the table in the Georgia Legislature this year. The Georgia Senate recently passed a bill, Senate Bill 386, but attached an amendment that makes it so sports betting can only be legalized if approved via a voter referendum at this November election. That bill now sits in the House — specifically the House Higher Education Committee.
SB386 has received support from commercial sportsbook operators, as well as a bipartisan coalition of Georgia lawmakers.
The House Higher Education Committee does not currently have a next meeting scheduled. If the committee approves the bill, it will go to the House floor for a full vote. If the House passes the bill, it will go to Gov. Brian Kemp for his signature, and then to the November polls for final approval from voters.
