New MA Sports Betting Bill Features Substantial Tax Increase & Ban on Live Betting

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

SD 1657 was presented by Sen. John Keenan. “An Act Addressing Economic, Health, and Social Harms Caused by Sports Betting” intends 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 betting) and prop bets.

The main thing to remember is that Massachusetts has actually been at the leading edge 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 costs 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 regulation.

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

A closer look at SD 1657

Taxation

Beginning 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 legislative session, but it was declined. This increase would have been available in the state’s budget plan expense.

Just 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 step prohibits in-play (live betting) or prop betting. Just straight wagers would be enabled, limiting sportsbooks to offering only moneyline, spread, and overalls.

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

The costs likewise looks for to add bonuses and same-game parlays to the category of “unreasonable and deceptive practices.” Sportsbooks favour same-game parlays due to their high “hold” portion, the amount of money they keep off each $1 bet.

Player Limits

SD 1657 likewise aims to create obligatory daily and regular monthly limits 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.

would end up being the first market to require an affordability assessment on bettors.

Marketing constraints

Keenan also wants to eliminate advertising during televised sporting events. The measure would forbid sportsbooks from running ads during games. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has actually looked into developing a ban on in-game ads before. However, this did not go through as national television offers make this hard to impose.

Will the measure pass?

The measure is severe in its changes 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 procedure will likely be combated in the Senate and the 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 initiative before to alter their minds. If and when the Senate discusses this procedure, it is impossible to tell how it will be received.