Massachusetts sports betting could look entirely various if a brand-new bill proposed in the Senate achieves success. And if history is any indicator, controlled sports betting in other states might also change considerably.

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%. Additionally, Sen. Keenan calls for a complete ban on live betting (in-game wagering) and prop bets.

The main point to remember is that Massachusetts has been at the leading edge of stricter sports betting policies. The 2nd thing to understand is that the language of this bill resembles the SAFE Bet Act, a federal piece of legislation introduced in 2024.

This expense 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 guideline.

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

A closer 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 legislative session, however it was declined. This boost would have been available in the state's budget bill.

Only 3 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.

Prohibiting live betting and prop betting

The measure forbids in-play (live betting) or prop betting. Just straight wagers would be enabled, limiting sportsbooks to offering just moneyline, spread, and totals.

While Massachusetts and other markets have constraints on college wagering, this would impact even expert sporting events.

The expense also seeks to include bonus offers and same-game parlays to the category of "unfair and deceptive practices." Sportsbooks favour same-game parlays due to their high "hold" percentage, the quantity of cash they keep off each $1 wagered.

Player Limits

SD 1657 also intends to create mandatory daily and monthly limits for bettors. Bettors could not wager more than $1,000 a day and $10,000 a month without an 'price assessment' which includes inspecting checking account. A player can not wager more than 15% of the quantity in their account.

Massachusetts would become the very first market to need a price assessment on bettors.

Marketing limitations

Keenan also wishes to eliminate marketing during televised sporting occasions. The measure would prohibit sportsbooks from running advertisements throughout games. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has actually checked out developing a restriction on in-game advertisements before. However, this did not go through as national television deals make this hard to impose.

Will the step 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 industry advocates.

Because of this, the procedure will likely be fought in the Senate and your home of Representatives. In the previous session, Keenan failed to raise the tax rate.

He would need to persuade the other senators who did not support his effort before to alter their minds. If and when the Senate discusses this step, it is difficult to tell how it will be gotten.