New Massachusetts Sports Gambling Proposal Contains Substantial Tax Hike and Prohibition on In-Play Betting

Massachusetts sports betting might look completely various if a brand-new expense proposed in the Senate is successful. And if history is any sign, managed sports betting in other states could also change dramatically.

SD 1657 was presented by Sen. John Keenan. “An Act Addressing Economic, Health, and Social Harms Caused by Sports Betting” aims to increase the current sports betting tax rate from 20% to 51%. Furthermore, Sen. Keenan calls for a total ban on live betting (in-game wagering) and prop bets.

The main point to remember is that Massachusetts has actually been at the forefront of more stringent sports betting policies. The 2nd thing to understand is that the language of this expense resembles the SAFE Bet Act, a federal piece of legislation introduced in 2024.

This costs 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 policy.

So, while this is currently a Massachusetts costs, it’s most likely to impact other states that provide controlled sports betting.

A closer take a look at SD 1657

Tax

Beginning 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 turned down. This increase would have come in the state’s budget plan bill.

Only three 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.

Prohibiting live betting and prop betting

The procedure prohibits in-play (live betting) or prop betting. Only straight wagers would be enabled, limiting sportsbooks to offering just moneyline, spread, and totals.

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

The bill also seeks to add perks and same-game parlays to the classification of “unreasonable and deceptive practices.” Sportsbooks favour same-game parlays due to their high “hold” percentage, the amount of cash they deflect each $1 bet.

Player Limits

SD 1657 also intends to develop necessary daily and regular monthly limits for bettors. Bettors could not wager more than $1,000 a day and $10,000 a month without an ‘cost assessment’ which involves inspecting checking account. A player 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 also wishes to eliminate advertising during telecasted sporting occasions. The procedure would forbid sportsbooks from running ads throughout video games. The Massachusetts has actually checked out creating a restriction on in-game ads before. However, this did not go through as nationwide television deals make this tough to implement.

Will the measure pass?

The measure is extreme in its changes 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 fans.

Because of this, the procedure will likely be fought in the Senate and your 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 alter their minds. If and when the Senate discusses this procedure, it is difficult to inform how it will be received.