Why do location checks fail near state borders?

Last reviewed 20 October 2026

Near a border, the uncertainty in a location estimate can cover both sides of the line, so a careful check refuses rather than guesses, and regulators require more frequent re-checks there because a player can cross in a minute.

Every estimate has a margin

A location system returns a position and an uncertainty: “here, give or take 50 metres.” In the middle of a state, that circle sits well inside the line and the answer is easy. Near a border, part of the circle can fall in the next state. The check then has three choices: say yes, say no, or say it cannot tell.

When the margin crosses a state line, “cannot tell” is the correct answer.

Why regulators tighten the schedule there

Several states require a re-check every 20 minutes, or every 5 minutes within one mile of the border, because a moving player can cross the line between checks. Maine, Pennsylvania and Connecticut all use that pattern. See how often betting apps must re-check location.

What makes it worse

• Rivers and irregular lines. Many state lines follow rivers, so homes on one bank can be within metres of another state.
• Desktop computers. Without GPS they rely on nearby Wi-Fi networks, which can be less precise. See Wi-Fi triangulation.
• Cell towers across the line. A phone near the border may connect to a tower in the next state.

What helps

• Moving a short way inland, or to a window or outdoors, so the device gets a better fix.
• Turning on precise location and Wi-Fi.
• For operators, a check that reports INDETERMINATE with a reason, separately from NO, so the app can tell the player what to do instead of telling them they are in the wrong state. See location verdicts.