Recent MA Sports Betting Bill Features Substantial Tax Boost & Ban on …

Massachusetts sports betting could look entirely different if a new bill proposed in the Senate achieves success. And if history is any indication, managed sports betting in other states could also alter significantly.

SD 1657 existed 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 requires a complete ban on live sports 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 regulations. The second thing to know is that the language of this costs resembles the SAFE Bet Act, a federal piece of legislation presented in 2024.

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

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

A closer look at SD 1657

Tax

Starting with the tax rate increase, 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 turned down. This increase would have can be found in the state's spending plan expense.

Just three markets have tax rates of 51%, the greatest 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 restricts in-play (live sports betting) or prop betting. Just straight wagers would be permitted, limiting sportsbooks to offering only moneyline, spread, and overalls.

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

The expense likewise looks for to include rewards and same-game parlays to the category of "unfair and misleading practices." Sportsbooks favour same-game parlays due to their high "hold" portion, the amount of money they keep off each $1 wagered.

Gamer Limits

SD 1657 likewise aims to create compulsory day-to-day and month-to-month limits for bettors. Bettors might not wager more than $1,000 a day and $10,000 a month without an 'cost evaluation' which involves inspecting savings account. A gamer can not wager more than 15% of the amount in their account.

Massachusetts would end up being the first market to require an affordability evaluation on bettors.

Advertising limitations

Keenan likewise wants to eliminate marketing throughout televised sporting occasions. The procedure would restrict sportsbooks from running ads during video games. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has checked out producing a restriction on in-game advertisements before. However, this did not go through as national television offers make this hard to implement.

Will the procedure pass?

The procedure is harsh in its modifications to the sports betting industry in Massachusetts. Banning prop sports betting and increasing the sports betting tax rate will likely cause pushback from local sportsbooks and industry advocates.

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

He would have to convince the other senators who did not support his initiative before to alter their minds. If and when the Senate discusses this measure, it is impossible to tell how it will be gotten.