New Massachusetts Sports Betting Proposal Features Significant Tax Increase and Ban on Real-Time Betting

Massachusetts sports betting could look entirely various if a new bill proposed in the Senate achieves success. And if history is any indicator, managed sports betting in other states might likewise alter drastically.

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

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

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

A closer look at SD 1657

Tax

Starting with the tax rate boost, 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 rejected. 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 highest.

Prohibiting live betting and prop betting

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

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

The expense likewise looks for to include perks 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 deflect each $1 wagered.

Player Limits

SD 1657 also intends to create obligatory 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 checking bank accounts. A player can not wager more than 15% of the quantity in their account.

Massachusetts would become the first market to need an affordability evaluation on bettors.

Advertising limitations

Keenan also wants to eliminate marketing throughout telecasted sporting events. The step would prohibit sportsbooks from running advertisements throughout games. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has checked out creating a ban on in-game ads before. Nevertheless, this did not go through as national television deals make this difficult to implement.

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 lead to pushback from local sportsbooks and market supporters.

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 encourage the other senators who did not support his initiative before to change their minds. If and when the Senate discusses this step, it is impossible to tell how it will be received.