GeoComply Technology Allows DraftKings Illinois Customers to Enroll from Casino Parking Lot

Posted on: August 9, 2020, 08:19h. 

Last updated on: August 10, 2020, 01:07h.

Steve Bittenbender Read More

Expertise: Legislation, Sports Betting, Horse Racing.

When DraftKings launched its mobile sports betting product in Illinois earlier this week, some raised concerns about visiting a casino during a pandemic in order to register. However, thanks to a technology vendor, customers can sign up for mobile anywhere at the DraftKings at Casino Queen property.

On Friday, GeoComply announced that DraftKings was using its PinPoint technology at the East St. Louis, Ill. casino to guarantee on-premise registration.

Per Illinois state law, anyone who wants to use a mobile sports betting application must first sign up for the account physically on the campus of the sponsoring casino. GeoComply confirms the location using Bluetooth beacons and software to comply with state regulations.

That means a user can register for a DraftKings mobile account from the casino’s adjacent parking lot, GeoComply Head of Marketing Randy Halischuk confirmed to Casino.org.

GeoComply has provided us with a way to offer a more efficient, mobile experience to our customers when they register for their account at the DraftKings at Casino Queen property,” says Paul Liberman, DraftKings co-founder and president of global technology and product in a statement. “The PinPoint solution really streamlines the process and enables our customers to complete their registration quickly and efficiently on their mobile device, using digital ID verification.”

DraftKings is also using GeoComply to ensure all bets from its Illinois customers physically take place in the state.

Missed Opportunity

DraftKings just missed out on being able to take advantage of an emergency order issued by Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) that allowed mobile registration for online sports betting accounts.

That order was announced in early June when casinos in the state were still closed because of the coronavirus, but sports were beginning to return. Pritzker then extended the order for 30 days on June 26.

However, after casinos in the state reopened on July 1, the governor allowed the mobile registration order to lapse two weeks ago, as he chose to extend other orders related to the pandemic. That move means that bettors in Chicago who want to take advantage of DraftKings specials must first drive more than eight hours round-trip to East St. Louis to establish their account.

It is possible, though, Pritzker and state officials may reconsider waiving in-person registration. On Friday, the state announced that 11 counties are at a warning level for COVID-19, meaning there were increases in two or more risk indicators. One of those counties on the list was St. Clair, which is where DraftKings at Casino Queen is located.

The only other sportsbook currently offering mobile betting is BetRivers.com, based out of the Rivers Casino in the Chicago suburb of Des Plaines.

PinPoint Used Elsewhere, Too

PinPoint isn’t just being used in Illinois. GeoComply has clients using the technology in Mississippi and Montana as well.

In Mississippi, where online sports betting is not permitted outside of casinos, the Pearl River Casino uses the PinPoint to allow customers to place bets anywhere on the property.

Numerous taverns and restaurants in Montana also use PinPoint to enable their patrons to place bets on sports events. Montana’s law allows establishments to offer sports betting, but only within the confines of their establishments.