New MA Sports Betting Bill Includes Significant Tax Increase and Ban on In-Play Betting

Massachusetts sports betting could look completely 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 also alter significantly.

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%. Additionally, Sen. Keenan requires a total restriction on live betting (in-game wagering) and prop bets.

The main point to bear in mind is that Massachusetts has actually been at the forefront of stricter sports betting policies. The second thing to understand is that the language of this costs is similar to the SAFE Bet Act, a federal piece of legislation introduced in 2024.

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

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

A closer look at SD 1657

Taxation

Starting with the tax rate increase, bringing sports betting to 51% has actually been a target for Sen. Keenan before. Keenan proposed a tax increase at the last legal session, but it was turned down. This increase would have come in the state’s spending plan expense.

Only 3 markets have tax rates of 51%, the highest in the country: New York, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire. At 20%, Massachusetts currently ranks sixth highest.

Banning live betting and prop betting

The step restricts in-play (live betting) or prop betting. Just straight wagers would be enabled, restricting sportsbooks to using just moneyline, spread, and totals.

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

The bill also seeks to include benefits and same-game parlays to the category of “unjust and misleading practices.” Sportsbooks favour same-game parlays due to their high “hold” portion, the quantity of cash they deflect each $1 wagered.

Gamer Limits

SD 1657 likewise intends to develop necessary daily and regular monthly limits for bettors. Bettors might not wager more than $1,000 a day and $10,000 a month without an ‘cost evaluation’ which involves examining bank accounts. A player can not wager more than 15% of the amount in their .

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

Advertising limitations

Keenan also wants to remove marketing during telecasted sporting occasions. The measure would prohibit sportsbooks from running ads throughout video games. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has actually looked into creating a ban on in-game ads before. However, this did not go through as nationwide TV offers make this hard to enforce.

Will the procedure pass?

The measure is harsh 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 step will likely be fought in the Senate and the House of Representatives. In the previous session, Keenan stopped working to raise the tax rate.

He would need to convince the other senators who did not support his initiative before to alter their minds. If and when the Senate discusses this procedure, it is difficult to tell how it will be received.