Recent MA Sports Gambling Legislation Features Significant Tax Increase & Ban on Real-Time Betting

Massachusetts sports betting might look completely various if a new bill proposed in the Senate achieves success. And if history is any indicator, regulated sports betting in other states might likewise change considerably.

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 requires a total ban on live betting (in-game wagering) and prop bets.

The main thing to remember is that Massachusetts has been at the forefront of stricter sports betting regulations. The 2nd 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 introduced not long after former Massachusetts Governor and present NCAA president Charlie Baker testified in front of the Senate in a meeting on sports betting guideline.

So, while this is presently a Massachusetts bill, it’s likely to impact other states that offer managed sports betting.

A closer take a look at SD 1657

Tax

Starting with the tax rate boost, bringing sports betting to 51% has actually been a target for Sen. Keenan before. Keenan proposed a tax boost at the last legislative session, however it was turned down. This boost would have can be found in the state’s budget costs.

Just 3 markets have tax rates of 51%, the greatest in the nation: New York, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire. At 20%, Massachusetts presently ranks 6th highest.

Prohibiting live betting and prop betting

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

While Massachusetts and other markets have limitations on collegiate betting, this would impact even professional sporting events.

The expense likewise looks for to include benefits and same-game parlays to the category of “unfair and misleading practices.” Sportsbooks favour same-game parlays due to their high “hold” percentage, the quantity of cash they deflect each $1 bet.

Player Limits

SD 1657 also intends to daily and month-to-month limitations for bettors. Bettors could not wager more than $1,000 a day and $10,000 a month without an ‘cost assessment’ which includes examining checking account. A gamer can not wager more than 15% of the quantity in their account.

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

Marketing constraints

Keenan likewise wishes to remove advertising during televised sporting events. The step would prohibit sportsbooks from running ads throughout video games. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has looked into producing a ban on in-game advertisements before. Nevertheless, this did not go through as nationwide TV deals make this hard to enforce.

Will the step 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 result in pushback from local sportsbooks and market fans.

Because of this, the step 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 encourage the other senators who did not support his initiative before to alter their minds. If and when the Senate discusses this step, it is difficult to tell how it will be gotten.