New MA Sports Betting Bill Includes Massive Tax Increase & Restriction on Live Betting

Massachusetts sports betting could look entirely various if a new expense proposed in the Senate achieves success. And if history is any sign, managed sports betting in other states might also change dramatically.

SD 1657 existed by Sen. John Keenan. “An Act Addressing Economic, Health, and Social Harms Caused by Sports Betting” intends to increase the current sports betting tax rate from 20% to 51%. In Addition, Sen. Keenan calls for a complete restriction on live betting (in-game betting) and prop bets.

The main point to keep in mind is that Massachusetts has been at the leading edge of stricter sports betting guidelines. The 2nd thing to know is that the language of this expense is similar to the SAFE Bet Act, a federal piece of legislation presented in 2024.

This costs was introduced not long after previous Massachusetts Governor and current NCAA president Charlie Baker testified in front of the Senate in a meeting on sports betting regulation.

So, while this is presently a Massachusetts bill, it’s most likely to impact other states that use controlled 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 boost at the last legal session, but it was rejected. This increase would have come in the state’s spending plan costs.

Just 3 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, limiting sportsbooks to offering only moneyline, spread, and overalls.

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

The expense likewise looks for to include bonuses and same-game parlays to the category of “unfair and deceptive practices.” Sportsbooks favour same-game parlays due to their high “hold” portion, the amount of cash they deflect each $1 wagered.

Player Limits

SD 1657 likewise aims to produce compulsory day-to-day and regular monthly limitations for bettors. Bettors might not wager more than $1,000 a day and $10,000 a month without an ‘affordability evaluation’ which includes inspecting checking account. A gamer can not wager more than 15% of the amount in their account.

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

Marketing restrictions

Keenan likewise wants to eliminate marketing throughout telecasted sporting events. The procedure would restrict sportsbooks from running advertisements throughout games. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has looked into producing a ban on in-game ads before. Nevertheless, this did not go through as national TV deals make this tough to enforce.

Will the measure pass?

The step 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 industry advocates.

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 need to convince the other senators who did not support his effort before to change their minds. If and when the Senate discusses this procedure, it is difficult to tell how it will be gotten.