Latest Massachusetts Sports Betting Bill Includes Substantial Tax Boost and Ban on Real-Time Betting

Massachusetts sports betting could look totally different if a new expense proposed in the Senate succeeds. And if history is any indicator, controlled sports betting in other states might likewise change 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 complete restriction on live betting (in-game wagering) and prop bets.

The main thing to bear in mind is that Massachusetts has actually been at the forefront of more stringent sports betting policies. The second thing to understand 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 present NCAA president Charlie Baker affirmed in front of the Senate in a meeting on sports betting policy.

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

A closer take a look at SD 1657

Taxation

Starting with the tax rate boost, 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 rejected. This boost would have been available in the state’s spending plan bill.

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 6th greatest.

Banning live betting and prop betting

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

While Massachusetts and other markets have restrictions on collegiate betting, this would affect even professional sporting occasions.

The costs likewise looks for to add benefits and same-game parlays to the category of “unreasonable and deceptive practices.” Sportsbooks favour same-game parlays due to their high “hold” percentage, the quantity of money they deflect each $1 wagered.

Player Limits

SD 1657 also aims to produce necessary everyday and month-to-month limits for bettors. Bettors might not wager more than $1,000 a day and $10,000 a month without an ‘price assessment’ which includes inspecting checking account. A gamer can not wager more than 15% of the quantity in their account.

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

Marketing constraints

Keenan likewise wants to get rid of marketing during televised sporting events. The procedure would prohibit sportsbooks from running advertisements during video games. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has looked into producing a ban on in-game advertisements before. However, this did not go through as nationwide television deals make this tough to impose.

Will the step pass?

The measure is extreme in its modifications to the sports betting industry in . 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 procedure will likely be battled in the Senate and the House of Representatives. In the previous session, Keenan stopped working to raise the tax rate.

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