Recent MA Sports Betting Bill Includes Massive Tax Increase & Restriction on In-Play Betting

Massachusetts sports betting might look entirely different if a new expense proposed in the Senate is successful. And if history is any indicator, regulated sports betting in other states could likewise change 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 present sports betting tax rate from 20% to 51%. Additionally, Sen. Keenan calls for a total ban on live betting (in-game wagering) and prop bets.

The main thing to bear in mind is that Massachusetts has actually been at the forefront of stricter sports betting guidelines. 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 bill was introduced not long after former Massachusetts Governor and present NCAA president Charlie Baker testified in front of the Senate in a meeting on sports betting regulation.

So, while this is presently a Massachusetts costs, it’s most likely to impact 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 declined. This increase would have come in the state’s spending plan expense.

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

Banning live betting and prop betting

The step prohibits 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 limitations on collegiate betting, this would impact even professional sporting occasions.

The expense likewise looks for to add benefits and same-game parlays to the classification of “unjust and misleading practices.” Sportsbooks favour same-game parlays due to their high “hold” percentage, the quantity of cash they deflect each $1 bet.

Player Limits

SD 1657 likewise aims to create mandatory day-to-day and monthly limitations for bettors. Bettors could not wager more than $1,000 a day and $10,000 a month without an ‘cost assessment’ which involves inspecting checking account. A player can not wager more than 15% of the amount in their account.

Massachusetts would become the very first market to need a cost evaluation on bettors.

Marketing restrictions

Keenan likewise wants to eliminate marketing during televised sporting occasions. The step would prohibit sportsbooks from running ads throughout games. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has actually checked out developing a ban on in-game advertisements before. However, this did not go through as national television offers make this difficult to enforce.

Will the step pass?

The procedure is extreme 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 fans.

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

He would need to encourage the other senators who did not support his initiative before to alter their minds. If and when the Senate discusses this step, it is impossible to inform how it will be gotten.