New Massachusetts Sports Gambling Bill Features Massive Tax Increase & Prohibition on Real-Time Betting

Massachusetts sports betting might look completely various if a new costs proposed in the Senate is successful. And if history is any sign, regulated sports betting in other states could also alter 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%. Additionally, Sen. Keenan calls for a total ban on live betting (in-game betting) and prop bets.

The main point to bear in mind is that Massachusetts has actually been at the forefront of stricter sports betting . The 2nd thing to understand is that the language of this bill resembles the SAFE Bet Act, a federal piece of legislation presented in 2024.

This expense was introduced not long after former Massachusetts Governor and current NCAA president Charlie Baker affirmed in front of the Senate in a meeting on sports betting guideline.

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

A closer take a look at SD 1657

Tax

Starting 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 legal session, however it was turned down. This boost would have been available in the state’s spending plan bill.

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

Banning live betting and prop betting

The measure restricts in-play (live betting) or prop sports betting. Just straight wagers would be allowed, restricting sportsbooks to providing only moneyline, spread, and totals.

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

The bill likewise looks for to add rewards and same-game parlays to the classification of “unreasonable and misleading practices.” Sportsbooks favour same-game parlays due to their high “hold” portion, the quantity of money they keep off each $1 bet.

Player Limits

SD 1657 likewise aims to develop compulsory day-to-day 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 evaluation’ which includes inspecting checking account. A player can not wager more than 15% of the quantity in their account.

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

Marketing limitations

Keenan likewise wishes to eliminate marketing throughout telecasted sporting occasions. The measure would prohibit sportsbooks from running ads during games. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has actually checked out producing a ban on in-game ads before. However, this did not go through as national television deals make this difficult to impose.

Will the measure pass?

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

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 persuade 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.