Surging Demand for Sports Betting in U.S. States Without Legal Online Options
As excitement surrounding the NFL playoffs reaches its peak, sports fans in states without legalized online sports betting are actively seeking avenues to place legal wagers. The growing demand for regulated sports betting in these unregulated states highlights the immense potential of the market. Recent data from GeoComply, a leader in geolocation technology, reveals a significant opportunity for legalization in seven states: Texas, Nebraska, Alabama, Georgia, Minnesota, South Carolina, and Mississippi. With legislative sessions for 2025 just beginning, this is an opportune moment for lawmakers to weigh the potential benefits of regulated sports betting.
Demand Revealed Through GeoComply Data
GeoComply’s proprietary PinPoint technology tracked over 33 million geolocation requests from residents in these states between September 2024 and January 2025. The data highlights a staggering demand for legal sports betting, with Mississippi—where only retail sports betting is legal—leading the way at nearly 10 million check-ins. South Carolina followed with 7.7 million, and Texas accounted for 4.5 million. This growth in geolocation activity mirrors a broader trend of increasing account registrations, signaling strong consumer interest in regulated betting options.
South Carolina experienced an incredible 437% increase in active accounts, attributed to the recent launch of mobile sports betting in neighboring North Carolina. This data underscores how legalization in one state can influence consumer behavior in bordering areas. Alabama and Georgia also reported year-over-year growth, with more than double the number of active accounts compared to the prior year.
Cross-Border Betting: A Trend with Significant Implications
GeoComply’s data also shed light on cross-border betting trends, particularly in Nebraska. Residents from Omaha frequently cross into Iowa—where sports betting is legal—to place their wagers. This trend, humorously referred to as “The Busiest Cornfield in Iowa,” highlights the lengths to which consumers will go to access legal sports betting. Over 326,000 geolocation check-ins were recorded in rural areas just across the state line.
Similar patterns have been observed nationwide. In states like New York and Kentucky, lawmakers acted to address the economic loss caused by residents crossing borders to bet legally elsewhere. These examples illustrate the high demand for legal sports betting and the potential revenue that states could harness by regulating the market.
Benefits of Legalizing Sports Betting
The GeoComply report also emphasized the broader advantages of legalization, including economic growth and enhanced consumer protection. In states without regulation, residents often resort to illegal sportsbooks, exposing themselves to risks such as fraud and exploitation. Legalization not only ensures a safer betting environment but also provides tools for responsible gaming and fraud prevention.
Financially, the impact of legal sports betting cannot be ignored. Since 2018, regulated markets have generated more than $7.1 billion in tax revenue. For states like Texas, legalization could yield significant financial benefits—potentially generating over $300 million in tax revenue within three years at a minimum 15% tax rate. Minnesota, Alabama, and Texas are among the states expected to introduce or revisit sports betting legislation in the near future, driven by these promising figures.


Sasuke12345678 Finally, some sensible limits! Protecting younger players with lower stake caps is a smart move, though I do wonder if high-stakes enthusiasts will simply migrate to less regulated platforms.


YellowKetch Great move by LeoVegas! Excited to see how this transition improves the sportsbook experience. Hope they bring better odds and more live betting options!


yellowpine I really don’t understand how the government can make these changes without proper safeguards in place. Northern Ireland already has one of the highest gambling addiction rates, and now we’re increasing the risks with higher stakes. Where’s the plan to protect vulnerable players? It feels like the government is prioritizing revenue over public health.


TheHereTom It's mind-blowing how these gambling giants rake in massive profits while their customers, often struggling with addiction, lose everything. The tax payments might be high, but what about the social impact? It’s time for tighter regulations to protect vulnerable players.


YellowThundy It's great to see Turkey taking a strong stand against illegal gambling. Ontario could definitely benefit from a similar crackdown to protect players and ensure the integrity of the gambling market.


PaulTheYouthful It's disappointing to see Virginia’s online gambling proposal shelved for further review. The state was making strides towards expanding gambling options, which could bring in significant tax revenue and provide more entertainment options for residents. Hopefully, lawmakers will reconsider sooner rather than later.


CarolThePassionate It's disappointing to see sports organizations like UFC and WWE promoting gambling so aggressively. These events should be about athleticism and entertainment, not pushing risky behaviors onto fans, especially younger ones. Where’s the responsibility?
This debate keeps happening, but it’s clear: people want legal sports betting. Lawmakers should just focus on creating a safe, regulated environment instead of delaying progress.
It’s surprising how much money is being left on the table. The report about $7.1 billion in tax revenue since 2018 really drives home what these states are missing out on.
Legal sportsbooks provide consumer protections that illegal ones never will. If states are serious about protecting their residents, they need to pass these laws.
I live in South Carolina, and it's wild how many people I know drive to North Carolina just to place a bet. Legalizing it here would save everyone time and bring in much-needed revenue.
I get the appeal of legalized sports betting, but I’m worried about problem gambling and whether states are equipped to handle that responsibly.