Latest Massachusetts Sports Betting Bill Features Substantial Tax Hike & Restriction on Live Betting

Massachusetts sports betting might look entirely different if a brand-new expense proposed in the Senate is successful. And if history is any indicator, managed sports betting in other states could likewise alter drastically.

SD 1657 existed 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 complete restriction on live betting (in-game wagering) and prop bets.

The main thing to bear in mind is that Massachusetts has been at the leading edge of more stringent sports betting regulations. The 2nd thing to know is that the language of this bill resembles the SAFE Bet Act, a federal piece of legislation introduced in 2024.

This expense was introduced 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 currently a Massachusetts bill, it’s most likely to affect other states that provide managed sports betting.

A closer take a look at SD 1657

Tax

Beginning with the tax rate increase, bringing sports betting to 51% has actually been a target for Sen. Keenan before. Keenan proposed a tax boost at the last legal session, but it was declined. This increase would have been available in the state’s budget bill.

Only three markets have tax rates of 51%, the highest in the country: New York, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire. At 20%, Massachusetts currently ranks 6th greatest.

Prohibiting live betting and prop betting

The step restricts in-play (live betting) or prop betting. Just straight wagers would be allowed, limiting sportsbooks to offering only moneyline, spread, and totals.

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

The expense also 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 deflect each $1 wagered.

Player Limits

SD 1657 likewise intends to create compulsory day-to-day and regular monthly limits for bettors. Bettors could not wager more than $1,000 a day and $10,000 a month without an ‘affordability assessment’ which involves checking savings account. A gamer can not wager more than 15% of the quantity in their account.

Massachusetts would end up being the very first market to need a price assessment on bettors.

Advertising constraints

Keenan also wants to remove advertising throughout televised sporting events. The step would forbid sportsbooks from running advertisements throughout video games. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has actually looked into creating a ban on in-game advertisements before. Nevertheless, this did not go through as national TV deals make this hard to impose.

Will the measure pass?

The step is extreme 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 fans.

Because of this, the step will likely be battled in the Senate and the House of Representatives. In the previous session, Keenan stopped working to raise the tax rate.

He would have to convince the other senators who did not support his effort before to change their minds. If and when the Senate discusses this measure, it is impossible to tell how it will be received.