New Massachusetts Sports Betting Bill Features Massive Tax Increase and Ban on Real-Time Betting

Massachusetts sports betting could look totally different if a new bill proposed in the Senate is successful. And if history is any indicator, managed sports betting in other states might also alter drastically.

SD 1657 existed 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 total restriction on live betting (in-game betting) and prop bets.

The main thing to remember is that Massachusetts has actually been at the forefront of more stringent sports betting guidelines. The second thing to understand is that the language of this bill is similar to the SAFE Bet Act, a federal piece of legislation presented in 2024.

This bill was presented not long after former Massachusetts Governor and existing NCAA president Charlie Baker affirmed in front of the Senate in a meeting on sports betting policy.

So, while this is currently a Massachusetts expense, it’s most likely to affect other states that use managed sports betting.

A closer look at SD 1657

Tax

Starting with the tax rate boost, bringing sports betting to 51% has been a target for Sen. Keenan before. Keenan proposed a tax boost at the last legal session, however it was turned down. This increase would have come in the state’s spending plan expense.

Just three markets have tax rates of 51%, the highest in the country: New York, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire. At 20%, Massachusetts presently ranks 6th highest.

Banning live betting and prop betting

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

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

The bill likewise looks for to add rewards and same-game parlays to the category of “unreasonable and misleading practices.” Sportsbooks favour same-game parlays due to their high “hold” portion, the quantity of cash they keep off each $1 bet.

Gamer Limits

SD 1657 also intends to produce compulsory daily and monthly limits for bettors. Bettors might not wager more than $1,000 a day and $10,000 a month without an ‘cost assessment’ which includes inspecting bank accounts. A player can not wager more than 15% of the quantity in their account.

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

Advertising limitations

Keenan also wants to eliminate marketing during televised sporting events. The measure would prohibit sportsbooks from running advertisements during video games. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has actually checked out producing a ban on in-game ads before. Nevertheless, this did not go through as national television deals make this difficult to implement.

Will the step pass?

The measure is severe 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 industry supporters.

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

He would have to encourage the other senators who did not support his initiative before to change their minds. If and when the Senate discusses this step, it is difficult to inform how it will be received.