GeoComply Data Drives the Sports Betting Debate in Kentucky

Statement from John Pappas, SVP of Government & Public Affairs

Last Friday, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear signed landmark legislation that brings regulated sports betting to Kentucky. The law ushers in a new era of consumer protection and new revenues for the Commonwealth to invest in infrastructure, schools, and local communities.

A central theme throughout this year’s legislative process was lawmakers relying on data to make a case for legalization. GeoComply’s data and maps were critical in explaining the demand for legal betting in Kentucky and the breadth of the opportunity to protect consumers and raise new revenues.

After Ohio launched on January 1, the data was impossible to ignore. In the first month alone, we processed more than 1 million geolocation checks and identified nearly 60,000 player accounts in Kentucky accessing legal sports betting apps licensed in Ohio. Of course, our technology prevented those individuals in Kentucky from placing a bet.

These numbers continued to soar, and our government affairs team continually shared updated figures with Kentucky lawmakers around the Super Bowl and other key moments. GeoComply data was cited repeatedly at public House and Senate hearings, and in private meetings throughout the Frankfort capital buildings.

Our time-lapse map showing legal bets in Ohio and blocks in Kentucky during March Madness was a powerful image that told a clear story that people in Kentucky want to be able to place a sports bet legally.