Recent MA Sports Betting Proposal Includes Significant Tax Hike & Prohibition on In-Play Betting

Massachusetts sports betting might look completely various if a new costs proposed in the Senate achieves success. And if history is any indication, managed sports betting in other states could likewise change considerably.

SD 1657 was presented by Sen. John Keenan. “An Act Addressing Economic, Health, and Social Harms Caused by Sports Betting” aims to increase the existing sports betting tax rate from 20% to 51%. Additionally, Sen. Keenan requires a complete restriction on live betting (in-game betting) and prop bets.

The main point to keep in mind is that Massachusetts has actually been at the leading edge of stricter sports betting policies. The second thing to understand is that the language of this bill resembles the SAFE Bet Act, a federal piece of legislation introduced in 2024.

This bill was presented not long after previous 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 use 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 legislative session, but it was rejected. This increase would have been available in the state’s budget bill.

Only three markets have tax rates of 51%, the highest 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 restricts in-play (live betting) or prop betting. Just straight wagers would be enabled, restricting sportsbooks to providing just moneyline, spread, and overalls.

While Massachusetts and other markets have constraints on college wagering, this would impact even professional sporting events.

The bill likewise looks for 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” portion, the quantity of money they deflect each $1 wagered.

Gamer Limits

SD 1657 likewise aims to create obligatory day-to-day and month-to-month limitations for bettors. Bettors could not wager more than $1,000 a day and $10,000 a month without an ‘cost evaluation’ which involves examining bank accounts. A player can not wager more than 15% of the amount in their account.

Massachusetts would become the first market to need a price evaluation on bettors.

Advertising limitations

Keenan also wishes to remove marketing during televised sporting occasions. The procedure would restrict sportsbooks from running advertisements during games. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has looked into developing a restriction on in-game advertisements before. However, this did not go through as national TV deals make this tough to enforce.

Will the step pass?

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

Because of this, the measure will likely be combated in the Senate and the 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 step, it is impossible to tell how it will be gotten.