Massachusetts sports betting could look completely various if a new bill proposed in the Senate is successful. And if history is any indication, controlled sports betting in other states might also alter significantly.

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%. Furthermore, 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 been at the leading edge of more stringent sports betting regulations. The second thing to understand is that the language of this costs resembles the SAFE Bet Act, a federal piece of legislation introduced in 2024.

This costs 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 regulation.

So, while this is presently a Massachusetts expense, it's likely to impact other states that provide managed sports betting.

A closer look at SD 1657

Taxation

Beginning with the tax rate boost, bringing sports betting to 51% has been a target for Sen. Keenan before. Keenan proposed a tax increase at the last legislative session, however it was declined. This boost would have come in the state's budget bill.

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

Prohibiting live betting and prop betting

The procedure forbids in-play (live betting) or prop betting. Just straight wagers would be enabled, limiting sportsbooks to using only moneyline, spread, and overalls.

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

The expense likewise looks for to add benefits and same-game parlays to the classification of "unreasonable and misleading practices." Sportsbooks favour same-game parlays due to their high "hold" percentage, the amount of money they keep off each $1 wagered.

Player Limits

SD 1657 likewise intends to produce mandatory everyday and month-to-month limitations for bettors. Bettors might not wager more than $1,000 a day and $10,000 a month without an 'affordability evaluation' which includes examining savings account. A player can not wager more than 15% of the amount in their account.

Massachusetts would become the first market to need an affordability evaluation on bettors.

Marketing limitations

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

Will the measure 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 cause pushback from local sportsbooks and market advocates.

Because of this, the step will likely be fought in the Senate and the House of Representatives. In the previous session, Keenan stopped working to raise the tax rate.

He would have to convince the other senators who did not support his effort before to alter their minds. If and when the Senate discusses this measure, it is difficult to inform how it will be received.