Massachusetts sports betting could look entirely various if a brand-new costs proposed in the Senate achieves success. And if history is any sign, managed sports betting in other states might likewise alter significantly.

SD 1657 existed 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%. Additionally, Sen. Keenan calls for a complete restriction on live betting (in-game betting) and prop bets.

The main point to bear in mind is that Massachusetts has actually been at the leading edge of more stringent sports betting regulations. The second thing to understand is that the language of this costs is similar to the SAFE Bet Act, a federal piece of legislation presented in 2024.

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

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

A closer look at SD 1657

Taxation

Starting with the tax rate increase, 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 budget costs.

Only 3 markets have tax rates of 51%, the greatest in the country: 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 betting) or prop betting. Just straight wagers would be enabled, limiting sportsbooks to offering only moneyline, spread, and totals.

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

The expense likewise seeks to include benefits and same-game parlays to the category of "unreasonable and misleading practices." Sportsbooks favour same-game parlays due to their high "hold" percentage, the quantity of money they keep off each $1 wagered.

Player Limits

SD 1657 likewise intends to develop obligatory everyday and monthly limitations for bettors. Bettors could not wager more than $1,000 a day and $10,000 a month without an 'price assessment' which involves examining savings account. A gamer can not wager more than 15% of the amount in their account.

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

Advertising limitations

Keenan likewise wants to remove marketing throughout televised sporting events. The step would prohibit sportsbooks from running advertisements during games. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has checked out producing a ban on in-game advertisements before. Nevertheless, this did not go through as nationwide television deals make this tough to implement.

Will the measure pass?

The measure is severe in its changes to the sports betting industry in Massachusetts. Banning prop sports betting and increasing the sports betting tax rate will likely lead to pushback from local sportsbooks and market fans.

Because of this, the measure will likely be combated in the Senate and the House 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 effort before to alter their minds. If and when the Senate discusses this step, it is impossible to tell how it will be received.