Massachusetts sports betting might look entirely various if a brand-new costs proposed in the Senate succeeds. And if history is any indication, controlled sports betting in other states might likewise alter 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%. Furthermore, Sen. Keenan requires a total restriction on live betting (in-game sports betting) and prop bets.

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

This bill was presented not long after previous Massachusetts Governor and existing NCAA president Charlie Baker affirmed in front of the Senate in a meeting on sports betting guideline.

So, while this is presently a Massachusetts bill, it's most likely to impact other states that offer managed sports betting.

A closer take a look at SD 1657

Tax

Beginning with the tax rate boost, bringing sports betting to 51% has been a target for Sen. Keenan before. Keenan proposed a tax increase at the last legislative session, however it was declined. This increase would have come in the state's budget 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 presently ranks sixth highest.

Prohibiting live betting and prop betting

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

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

The expense likewise looks for to add bonuses and same-game parlays to the classification of "unreasonable and deceptive practices." Sportsbooks favour same-game parlays due to their high "hold" portion, the quantity of money they keep off each $1 bet.

Player Limits

SD 1657 likewise aims to produce necessary daily and monthly limitations for bettors. Bettors might not wager more than $1,000 a day and $10,000 a month without an 'affordability evaluation' which involves checking checking account. A gamer can not wager more than 15% of the quantity in their account.

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

Advertising limitations

Keenan likewise wants to remove advertising throughout televised sporting events. The step would restrict sportsbooks from running advertisements during games. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has actually checked out creating a ban on in-game ads before. However, this did not go through as nationwide television offers make this hard to enforce.

Will the procedure pass?

The step is severe 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 supporters.

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

He would have to persuade the other senators who did not support his effort before to alter their minds. If and when the Senate discusses this step, it is difficult to tell how it will be gotten.