Canada legalized single-game betting in 2021, making online sports betting in the country bigger and more popular than ever. The latest changes in laws and regulations presented an excellent opportunity for well-known sports betting brands to tap into the new market, and many of them opened their doors to Canadian bettors.
However, to obtain a license and operate legally in the country, sportsbooks must adhere to strict rules issued by regulatory bodies, such as to ensure the players are making bets only from the locations where online betting is legal—and that’s where tools like GeoComply come in handy.
What Is GeoComply and How Does it Work?
GeoComply is a geolocation tool used to verify a player’s physical location. In order to bet in licensed and trustworthy sportsbooks available in Canada, players must verify their physical location before they are granted access to the sportsbook or allowed to place a bet.
The good news is that GeoComply is easy to set up. LegalBet Canada has a thorough guide on how to install GeoComply, and the article even tells you how to fix the most common issues with GeoComply.
However, before you grab it, here’s everything you should know about GeoComply.
GeoComply uses Wi-Fi triangulation, GPS technology, and IP address tracking to verify your physical location. That way, the sportsbook can confirm you are within state borders where online gambling is legal and accept your bet.
Now, you might wonder, can’t I just install a VPN and not have to worry about GeoComply? Unfortunately, the answer to that is a resounding no.
GeoComply has a massive IP database and is adept at identifying location fraud. The app offers multi-layered fraud protection against proxies, peer-to-peer networks, and VPNs. Moreover, even if you manage to get past GeoComply, you will likely fail a KYC check.
Every licensed and reputable sportsbook is required to use KYC procedures to confirm the player’s identity and prevent fraudulent activities.
If the sportsbook catches you red-handed and you fail to verify your identity, they will most likely ban your account and may even seize your winnings for breaching terms and conditions.
On a brighter note, GeoComply is 100% safe and there are virtually no downsides to using it. You can either download and install the app for your PC or get a GeoComply browser plugin, which serves the same function.
And the best part? Once you have it up and running, the program simply works in the background and you won’t even notice it’s there.
The Importance of Geo-Location in Sports Betting
Despite its numerous benefits, GeoComply is not without its flaws. For example, the app relies on an interrupted Wi-Fi connection to triangulate your position. If you don’t have a stable connection, the app might stop working, requiring you to reconnect to the sportsbook or preventing you from making a bet.
Additionally, your access to the sportsbook might be severely limited by the Wi-Fi connection you are using. In some situations, you might have to contact your ISP and set a static IP address from your state, while in others you may be unable to bet using a public Wi-Fi if it has an out-of-state IP address.
Even though GeoComply, or any other geo-location tool, for that matter, are often considered a nuisance by players, it is unlikely that they are going anywhere any time soon.
While various KYC procedures can prevent money laundering or underage gambling, geolocation tools help sportsbook and online casino operators feel at ease.
As we mentioned earlier, online sportsbooks and casinos are required by law to provide gambling services only to players who are physically located within the state where online gambling is legal. Failing to do so will result in a hefty lawsuit, and reputable sportsbooks are unlikely to risk legal trouble over a few illegal bets.
The Wrap Up
Geo-location tools like GeoComply are a must-have for sportsbook operators that want to do everything by the book. At the same time, the same technology is necessary for players who want to take advantage of licensed and regulated sports betting markets.
Granted, GeoComply can be inconvenient at times, and can even interfere with your betting process. However, the good far outweighs the bad.
Not only that, but the developers are continuously looking for new ways to provide players with an even more seamless betting experience. At the same time, tools like GeoComply allow sportsbook operators to stay in line with strict gambling laws and regulations, making them essential in the online gambling industry.
