Massachusetts sports betting could look totally various if a new bill proposed in the Senate is successful. And if history is any indication, managed sports betting in other states might likewise alter dramatically.
SD 1657 was presented by Sen. John Keenan. "An Act Addressing Economic, Health, and Social Harms Caused by Sports Betting" aims to increase the existing sports betting tax rate from 20% to 51%. Furthermore, Sen. Keenan requires a complete ban on live betting (in-game wagering) and prop bets.
The main point to keep in mind is that Massachusetts has been at the leading edge of stricter sports betting policies. The second thing to understand is that the language of this expense resembles the SAFE Bet Act, a federal piece of legislation introduced in 2024.
This costs was introduced not long after former Massachusetts Governor and current NCAA president Charlie Baker testified in front of the Senate in a meeting on sports betting policy.
So, while this is currently a Massachusetts costs, it's likely to affect other states that use 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 boost at the last legislative session, but it was rejected. This boost would have come in the state's budget plan bill.
Only 3 markets have tax rates of 51%, the greatest in the country: New York, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire. At 20%, Massachusetts currently 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 restrictions on college wagering, this would affect even professional sporting events.
The expense likewise looks for to add bonus offers 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 cash they deflect each $1 bet.
Player Limits
SD 1657 also aims to create compulsory everyday and month-to-month limits for bettors. Bettors could not wager more than $1,000 a day and $10,000 a month without an 'cost assessment' which involves examining bank accounts. 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 a cost assessment on bettors.
Advertising constraints
Keenan likewise wishes to remove advertising throughout televised sporting occasions. The procedure would prohibit sportsbooks from running ads throughout video games. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has looked into developing a ban on in-game advertisements before. However, this did not go through as nationwide television deals make this tough to impose.
Will the procedure pass?
The measure is extreme in its changes 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 step will likely be combated in the Senate and your house of Representatives. In the previous session, Keenan stopped working to raise the tax rate.
He would have to persuade the other senators who did not support his initiative before to change their minds. If and when the Senate discusses this measure, it is impossible to tell how it will be gotten.