Latest MA Sports Betting Bill Includes Significant Tax Hike and Restriction on Real-Time Betting

Massachusetts sports betting could look totally different if a brand-new bill proposed in the Senate succeeds. And if history is any sign, managed sports betting in other states could likewise alter significantly.

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 requires a complete restriction on live sports betting (in-game betting) and prop bets.

The main thing to bear in mind is that Massachusetts has actually been at the leading edge of stricter sports betting regulations. The 2nd thing to know is that the language of this bill is similar to the SAFE Bet Act, a federal piece of legislation presented in 2024.

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

So, while this is presently a Massachusetts costs, it’s likely to affect 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 been a target for Sen. Keenan before. Keenan proposed a tax boost at the last legislative session, but it was rejected. This boost would have been available in the state’s budget bill.

Just 3 markets have tax rates of 51%, the greatest in the nation: New York, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire. At 20%, Massachusetts currently ranks 6th highest.

Banning live betting and prop betting

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

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

The costs also looks for to include bonuses and same-game parlays to the category of “unreasonable and misleading practices.” Sportsbooks favour same-game parlays due to their high “hold” portion, the amount of cash they deflect each $1 wagered.

Gamer Limits

SD 1657 likewise aims to create mandatory day-to-day and month-to-month limits for bettors. Bettors could not wager more than $1,000 a day and $10,000 a month without an ‘affordability assessment’ which involves checking bank accounts. A player can not wager more than 15% of the amount in their .

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

Marketing constraints

Keenan likewise wants to get rid of advertising throughout telecasted sporting events. The step would forbid sportsbooks from running ads during video games. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has actually checked out creating a ban on in-game advertisements before. However, this did not go through as national TV offers make this difficult to impose.

Will the step pass?

The procedure 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 market advocates.

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

He would need to convince the other senators who did not support his initiative before to change their minds. If and when the Senate discusses this procedure, it is impossible to inform how it will be gotten.