- New data from GeoComply shows thousands of Missourians are crossing state lines to bet on sports
- The geolocation compliance company identified over 216,000 online sports betting accounts in the Show-Me State
- From Sept. 5 through Oct. 21, the company blocked 11.1 million geolocation checks from devices in the state trying to access legal sportsbooks in other states
New data published today by GeoComply, a geolocation compliance company, shows Missourians are trying to access legal sportsbooks in droves and will go as far as crossing state lines to do so.
GeoComply reported that from Sept. 5, 2024, through Oct. 21, 2024, more than 11.1 million geolocation checks were blocked from devices located in Missouri trying to access legal online sportsbooks in other states.
The company also identified thousands of Missourians during that time period who traveled across state lines to place online sports bets in legalized markets.
Thousands of Missourians Crossing State Lines to Bet
The data, which was published by GeoComply and shared by the Winning for Missouri Education campaign, comes less than week prior to state voters deciding the fate of legalized sports betting in the Show-Me State. Residents voting in this year’s election will decide on Amendment 2, which seeks to legalize retail and online sports betting in the state.
The company identified more than 216,000 online sports betting user accounts in Missouri, which accounted for the 11.1 million geolocation checks in the state. According to GeoComply, 37% of the checks were attempting to access legal sportsbooks in Kansas and 57% of the checks were attempting to access legal sportsbooks in Illinois.
The attempts to access the Kansas and Illinois online sportsbooks from Missouri were blocked by the company, but that didn’t necessarily stop Missourians from placing bets in those states. According to the company, since Sept. 5, 2024, 3,745 sportsbook accounts originating in Missouri were also geolocated in Kansas a short time later, which likely shows that they were crossing the border to place sports bets in the legal Kansas market.
Additionally, 2,807 accounts originating in Missouri were then geolocated in Illinois a short time later as well, another legalized sports betting state.
The company also analyzed geolocation checks on Monday, Sept. 5, 2024 at Arrowhead Stadium, home of the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs hosted the Baltimore Ravens on this date for the first Monday Night Football game of the NFL season and GeoComply blocked nearly 21,000 geolocation checks from devices at the stadium. The company identified over 3,600 online sports betting account users at the stadium during the game as well.
Sports Betting Answer By Next Week
Missouri’s sports betting fate will be decided by voters during next week’s Nov. 5 general election. After years of failed legislative efforts to legalize sports betting, Missouri voters will make a determination at the polls when deciding on Amendment 2.
If approved, each Missouri sports team and casino would be eligible to operate retail and online sports betting. Each team and land-based casino would be eligible for one retail sports betting license and one online sports betting license each. Each individual team and casino would be able to partner with up to one online sports betting operator.
In total, the state could see 19 retail sports betting licenses and 21 online sports betting licenses under this framework.
In recent years, there has been a growing trend of Missourians crossing state borders to place sports bets. With neighboring states like Illinois and Iowa legalizing sports betting, many residents of Missouri are taking advantage of the opportunity to wager on their favorite teams and events.
One of the main reasons for this trend is the lack of legal sports betting options in Missouri. Despite efforts to legalize sports betting in the state, legislation has not yet been passed. This has left many sports fans in Missouri frustrated and looking for alternatives.
Another factor driving Missourians to cross state borders for sports betting is the convenience and accessibility of online betting platforms. With the rise of mobile sports betting apps, residents can easily place bets from the comfort of their own homes or while on the go. This convenience has made it even more tempting for Missourians to seek out legal betting options in neighboring states.
Additionally, the potential for larger payouts and better odds in states with legal sports betting is a major draw for many Missourians. By crossing state borders, residents can take advantage of competitive odds and promotions that may not be available in their home state.
However, it’s important for Missourians to be aware of the legal implications of crossing state borders to place sports bets. While it is not illegal for residents to bet in neighboring states where sports betting is legal, they may still be subject to certain restrictions or limitations. It’s crucial for individuals to understand the laws and regulations surrounding sports betting in both their home state and the state where they are placing bets.
Overall, the trend of Missourians crossing state borders to place sports bets highlights the demand for legal betting options in the state. As neighboring states continue to legalize sports betting, it will be interesting to see how Missouri responds and whether legislation will be passed to allow residents to legally wager on sports within their own borders.
