New Massachusetts Sports Betting Bill Includes Significant Tax Boost and Restriction on Live Betting

Massachusetts sports betting could look entirely various if a brand-new costs proposed in the Senate is successful. And if history is any indication, regulated sports betting in other states might likewise change significantly.

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

The main thing to keep in mind is that Massachusetts has actually been at the forefront of stricter sports betting policies. The second thing to know is that the language of this bill resembles the SAFE Bet Act, a federal piece of legislation presented in 2024.

This bill 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 regulation.

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

A closer take a look at SD 1657

Tax

Beginning with the tax rate increase, bringing sports betting to 51% has been a target for Sen. Keenan before. Keenan proposed a tax increase at the last legal session, however it was declined. This increase would have can be found in the state’s spending plan bill.

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

Prohibiting live betting and prop betting

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

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

The costs also seeks to include perks 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 keep off each $1 wagered.

Player Limits

SD 1657 likewise aims to develop mandatory everyday and monthly limitations for bettors. Bettors might not wager more than $1,000 a day and $10,000 a month without an ‘price assessment’ which involves examining checking account. A player can not wager more than 15% of the quantity in their account.

Massachusetts would end up being the first market to need a cost assessment on bettors.

Advertising limitations

Keenan also wants to get rid of marketing during televised sporting occasions. The procedure would forbid sportsbooks from running advertisements during games. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has actually looked into creating a restriction on in-game advertisements before. However, this did not go through as nationwide TV offers make this tough to implement.

Will the measure pass?

The measure is severe in its modifications 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 supporters.

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

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