OpenBet Enters Geolocation Arena, Launches Amazon-Powered ‘Locator’ Product

Sportsbook technology content and services provider OpenBet is taking on the geolocation segment. It announced Wednesday morning that it has enhanced its compliance technologies with the introduction of a new geolocation product, OpenBet Locator, powered by Amazon Web Services (AWS). 

This product represents a significant advancement in the gaming industry, according to OpenBet, offering a highly flexible, low latency, and scalable solution for global operators. It arrives at a time when GeoComply, a veteran in geolocation services, is facing backlash over its role in the Iowa betting scandal. 

OpenBet, which last year acquired Neccton, a responsible gaming, anti-money laundering (AML), and fraud detection technology company, has been a player in sports betting for over 25 years. The company’s technology is designed to work across multiple languages and currencies, allowing users to bet and play across various products and platforms, including web, mobile, retail outlets, call centers, and interactive television, all with a single sign-in to a centralized OpenBet account.

The launch of OpenBet Locator lines up with OpenBet’s stated commitment to innovation and regulatory compliance. Leveraging the infrastructure of AWS, OpenBet Locator can provide operators with the ability to accurately locate, target, and monitor users while ensuring adherence to regulatory standards. This is particularly crucial in the highly regulated betting industry, where operators must navigate complex compliance requirements across different jurisdictions.

OpenBet Locator at a glance

OpenBet Locator includes several key features that the company says set it apart from other geolocation solutions. It offers flexible geofence management and high-precision location tracking, which are essential for operators to provide services tailored to specific regions while preventing access from restricted areas. Additionally, the product integrates fraud prevention features that detect the use of virtual private networks and location spoofing in real-time, enhancing the security of the platform.

Another significant aspect of OpenBet Locator is its player targeting capabilities, which are crucial for customer relationship management, data analysis, and in-venue promotions. Moreover, OpenBet Locator supports traveling wallets, which offers greater flexibility to the user.

The configuration options of OpenBet Locator are designed to be easy and adaptable, streamlining workflows for operators.

OpenBet’s extensive regulatory coverage and numerous licenses allow brands to easily integrate the technology into their operations. The company asserts that it has “75 global customers” to which it offers a “100% uptime record.”

Geolocation compliance a growing field

Initially focusing on the North American market, OpenBet Locator hopes to simplify the geolocation process for end customers during onboarding. Because it already has an international presence, OpenBet expects to be able to expand into other markets with relative ease. 

However, it may run into friction with GeoComply, which previously initiated a patent infringement lawsuit against Xpoint, a competitor in the geolocation market. A federal court judge dismissed the suit last February, ruling that GeoComply’s geolocation patent was invalid as it attempted to claim un-patentable subject matter. 

However, the ruling also kept the door open for GeoComply to sue using different arguments. It has yet to do so, but could try to apply the same arguments to OpenBet’s new tool. 

Geolocation support is increasingly more important, especially as the U.S. online betting markets grow. Xpoint has been taking advantage of this, having signed several new clients and introduced products like Trust Mode, which optimizes geolocation checks for compliance and efficiency. 

Trust Mode, launched in April, is expected to reduce geolocation service checks by over 20%, according to the company. It also offers cost savings to partners and enhances the user experience with less battery usage. In addition, it could fuel greater competition among geolocation services providers, increasing the adoption and sophistication of the tools.