Latest Massachusetts Sports Betting Bill Features Massive Tax Increase and Restriction on Live Betting

Massachusetts sports betting could look totally different if a new expense proposed in the Senate achieves success. And if history is any sign, regulated sports betting in other states could also change considerably.

SD 1657 existed by Sen. John Keenan. "An Act Addressing Economic, Health, and Social Harms Caused by Sports Betting" aims to increase the present sports betting tax rate from 20% to 51%. In Addition, Sen. Keenan calls for a total ban on live betting (in-game wagering) and prop bets.

The main point to remember is that Massachusetts has been at the forefront of more stringent sports betting regulations. The 2nd thing to understand is that the language of this costs resembles the SAFE Bet Act, a federal piece of legislation introduced in 2024.

This expense was introduced not long after previous Massachusetts Governor and current NCAA president Charlie Baker testified in front of the Senate in a meeting on sports betting regulation.

So, while this is currently a Massachusetts bill, it's likely to impact other states that use managed sports betting.

A closer look at SD 1657

Tax

Starting with the tax rate increase, bringing sports betting to 51% has actually been a target for Sen. Keenan before. Keenan proposed a tax boost at the last legal session, however it was declined. This increase would have can be found in the state's budget bill.

Just three markets have tax rates of 51%, the greatest in the nation: New York, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire. At 20%, Massachusetts presently ranks sixth highest.

Banning live betting and prop betting

The step prohibits in-play (live betting) or prop betting. Only straight wagers would be enabled, restricting sportsbooks to providing just moneyline, spread, and totals.

While Massachusetts and other markets have constraints on college betting, this would impact even expert sporting occasions.

The expense likewise seeks to include rewards and same-game parlays to the classification of "unreasonable and deceptive practices." Sportsbooks favour same-game parlays due to their high "hold" percentage, the quantity of cash they keep off each $1 bet.

Player Limits

SD 1657 also intends to develop necessary day-to-day and month-to-month limits for bettors. Bettors might not wager more than $1,000 a day and $10,000 a month without an 'affordability evaluation' which involves inspecting savings account. A gamer can not wager more than 15% of the amount in their account.

Massachusetts would end up being the very first market to need a cost assessment on bettors.

Advertising constraints

Keenan also wishes to get rid of marketing during televised sporting events. The measure would restrict sportsbooks from running advertisements throughout video games. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has looked into developing a restriction on in-game ads before. Nevertheless, this did not go through as nationwide TV offers make this hard to implement.

Will the procedure pass?

The procedure is harsh in its modifications to the sports betting industry in Massachusetts. Banning prop betting and increasing the sports betting will likely lead to pushback from local sportsbooks and market fans.

Because of this, the procedure will likely be combated in the Senate and your home of Representatives. In the previous session, Keenan failed to raise the tax rate.

He would need to persuade the other senators who did not support his effort before to alter their minds. If and when the Senate discusses this step, it is difficult to tell how it will be gotten.