Geolocation is the technical process by which online gambling operators confirm a player is physically located within a jurisdiction where they are licensed to operate. AGCO-registered Ontario operators must verify the player is inside Ontario at the time of each bet; PlayAlberta does the same for Alberta.
Also known as: geo-check, location verification
Geolocation typically combines GPS (mobile), IP address, Wi-Fi triangulation, and sometimes browser fingerprinting. Specialized providers like GeoComply supply the verification stack to most regulated North American operators.
Common failure modes: VPN use (will block all bets), border proximity (signal bleed between provinces), and indoor environments with weak GPS. If geolocation fails, the operator must refuse the bet — there is no override.
If you’re an Ontario player and PlayNow Ontario or BetMGM Ontario keeps refusing your bets, the cause is almost always geolocation: disable VPNs, allow location services, and ensure your device GPS isn’t blocked.