GeoComply, a provider of geolocation services for the online sports betting market, announced a substantial surge in geolocation checks during Super Bowl LVIII weekend. The surge in activity marked a 22.3% year-on-year increase, indicating the growing interest and participation in legal online sports betting across the United States.
Super Bowl LVIII, which witnessed the Kansas City Chiefs clinching victory over the San Francisco 49ers with a score of 25-22, was hosted at Nevada’s Allegiant Stadium. Throughout the weekend, GeoComply conducted geolocation checks in states where sports betting is legal, as well as in the unincorporated territory of Puerto Rico.
This excluded Florida, where the Seminole tribe launched online betting with Hard Rock Bet in November last year. The increase in geolocation checks is seen as a positive indicator for legal betting in the US, reflecting a shift towards a regulated, taxed, and secure betting environment.
The surge in activity highlights the growing acceptance and adoption of legal sports betting, providing a significant boost to the burgeoning industry. Key data from GeoComply’s report includes record pre-game activity, with a peak of 14.75 thousand transactions per second recorded in the minutes leading up to kick-off.
This marked the highest transaction rate on record, nearly double the peak observed during last year’s Super Bowl. Additionally, GeoComply noted a 15% increase in active accounts, with a total of 8.5 million accounts reported across 28 legal US markets.
In the two weeks preceding Super Bowl LVIII, GeoComply recorded over 1.7 million new user sign-ups for legal online betting accounts. Looking at the entire 2023-24 NFL season, GeoComply customers added more than 13.7 million new accounts, representing a 28% increase compared to the previous campaign.
Anna Sainsbury, Co-founder and CEO of GeoComply, commented on the historic event, stating: “The continued transition to the legal market set the stage for a historic first Super Bowl in Las Vegas, and the record-breaking results we saw did not disappoint. We are proud to help foster the growth of a regulated industry that puts accountability, security, and player protection at the forefront.”
Sainsbury emphasized the importance of compliance in driving GeoComply’s mission to support reliable and responsible expansion within the industry. She added: “Every year the legal market grows is good news for consumers and states and bad news for illegal offshore sportsbooks that become marginalized.”
As more data from Super Bowl LVIII becomes available in the coming weeks, the American Gaming Association (AGA) forecasted record activity for the event, with Americans expected to bet $23.10 billion on the game. This surge in betting activity reflects the growing popularity of sports betting in the United States, driven in part by the accessibility and convenience of online platforms.
The hosting of the Super Bowl in Las Vegas also sparked discussions about its potential impact on the city, with analysts anticipating significant economic benefits for the region. As legal sports betting continues to gain momentum, the industry is poised for further growth, offering consumers a safe and regulated platform to engage in sports wagering activities.
