Sports Betting Attempts, Accounts Grow In Unregulated States


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Sports betting

Residents in unregulated sports betting states are increasingly looking for legal options, according to a new report from GeoComply

The geolocation company published a post on its website Wednesday highlighting the number of unregulated users’ attempts to access sportsbooks in legal states. The data looked at seven unregulated online sports betting markets. 

“GeoComply’s analysis of data from seven unregulated states reveals a compelling story of untapped potential,” the post reads. “With each of these states preparing to consider sports betting legislation in their 2025 legislative sessions, the time is ripe to examine the demand and the opportunities that legalization can bring.”

Sports betting check-ins 

The data tracked geolocation checks from Sept. 5, 2024, to Jan. 5, 2025. GeoComply looked at seven states without legal online sports betting: 

All seven states saw a year-over-year increase in number of active sports betting accounts. That includes more than 100% account growth in Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina — the Palmetto State saw an eye-popping 436.67% increase in accounts. 

“The remarkable year-over-year increase in active accounts from South Carolina is directly linked to North Carolina’s launch of statewide mobile sports betting in 2024,” the GeoComply post reads. “This data point alone provides clear evidence of how legalized sports betting in one state can influence consumer behavior in neighboring states.”

Key takeaways from GeoComply data

In South Carolina, GeoComply tracked more than 7.7 million checks from 365,808 accounts. After online sportsbooks launched in North Carolina last year, South Carolina legislators could consider legislation

Alabama saw a nearly 160% year-over-year increase in accounts. Those pinged 2.9 million times, and legislators might discuss gambling issues yet again this year

Georgia, which has been on a bumpy path to legalization for several years, received 3.7 million checks from 297,239 accounts, a 101% year-over-year increase. Similar to Georgia, Minnesota will look at legalization again this year. More than 86,000 accounts checked in 1.3 million times in Minnesota.

Texas grows again

The sports betting industry is focused on the enormous potential of the Lone Star State. 

There were 4.5 million checks recorded in Texas from 333,458 accounts. There was a 55% year-over-year growth in accounts. 

Bills have been filed to expand gambling in Texas, but despite surging momentum, key roadblocks remain.

In-person states worth expansion? 

Mississippi, which has in-person sportsbooks, recorded nearly 10 million checks from 212,363 users. Mobile sportsbooks are allowed on casino property, but no bill has been filed for online expansion yet this session. The more than 212,000 users is a 77% increase year over year. 

Nebraska recorded nearly 3.4 million checks from 76,000 accounts, a 62% year-over-year increase. Nebraska online sportsbooks could be on the legislative agenda this year.

GeoComply’s data included a fun note about “The Busiest Field in Iowa,” a rural area just across the border from Omaha, Nebraska. GeoComply recorded more than 326,000 pings from the cornfield.

Photo by Shutterstock / Andrew Angelov