Massachusetts sports betting could look totally various if a new bill proposed in the Senate achieves success. And if history is any indicator, managed sports betting in other states could also change considerably.

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

The main point to keep in mind is that Massachusetts has been at the forefront of more stringent sports betting policies. The 2nd thing to know is that the language of this costs resembles the SAFE Bet Act, a federal piece of legislation presented in 2024.

This costs was presented not long after former Massachusetts Governor and current NCAA president Charlie Baker testified in front of the Senate in a meeting on sports betting guideline.

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

A closer look at SD 1657

Taxation

Starting with the tax rate increase, bringing sports betting to 51% has been a target for Sen. Keenan before. Keenan proposed a tax increase at the last legal session, however it was rejected. This boost would have been available in the state's budget plan costs.

Just 3 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.

Prohibiting live betting and prop betting

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

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

The expense also looks for to include rewards and same-game parlays to the classification of "unfair and deceptive practices." Sportsbooks favour same-game parlays due to their high "hold" percentage, the amount of money they deflect each $1 bet.

Gamer Limits

SD 1657 also aims to produce obligatory day-to-day and monthly limits for bettors. Bettors might not wager more than $1,000 a day and $10,000 a month without an 'price assessment' which involves examining checking account. A player can not wager more than 15% of the quantity in their account.

Massachusetts would end up being the very first market to need an affordability assessment on bettors.

Marketing restrictions

Keenan likewise wants to remove marketing during telecasted sporting events. The procedure would restrict sportsbooks from running ads throughout video games. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has checked out creating a ban on in-game advertisements before. However, this did not go through as nationwide television offers make this difficult to enforce.

Will the procedure pass?

The measure is harsh in its modifications to the sports betting industry in Massachusetts. Banning prop betting and increasing the sports betting tax rate will likely result in pushback from local sportsbooks and market advocates.

Because of this, the measure will likely be battled in the Senate and your house 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 initiative before to alter their minds. If and when the Senate discusses this procedure, it is impossible to inform how it will be received.