Massachusetts sports betting could look totally various if a brand-new bill proposed in the Senate achieves success. And if history is any sign, managed sports betting in other states might also change significantly.

SD 1657 was presented by Sen. John Keenan. "An Act Addressing Economic, Health, and Social Harms Caused by Sports Betting" intends to increase the existing sports betting tax rate from 20% to 51%. Furthermore, Sen. Keenan requires a complete ban on live betting (in-game wagering) and prop bets.

The main thing to keep in mind is that Massachusetts has actually been at the forefront of more stringent sports betting policies. The second thing to know is that the language of this bill resembles the SAFE Bet Act, a federal piece of legislation presented in 2024.

This costs 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 policy.

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

A closer look at SD 1657

Tax

Beginning with the tax rate increase, bringing sports betting to 51% has actually been a target for Sen. Keenan before. Keenan proposed a tax boost at the last legislative session, however it was rejected. This increase would have been available in the state's budget plan costs.

Only three markets have tax rates of 51%, the highest in the nation: New York, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire. At 20%, Massachusetts currently ranks 6th greatest.

Prohibiting live betting and prop betting

The procedure restricts in-play (live betting) or prop sports betting. Only straight wagers would be permitted, limiting sportsbooks to using just moneyline, spread, and overalls.

While Massachusetts and other markets have constraints on collegiate sports betting, this would affect even professional sporting occasions.

The bill likewise seeks to include benefits and same-game parlays to the category of "unjust and deceptive practices." Sportsbooks favour same-game parlays due to their high "hold" percentage, the amount of cash they keep off each $1 wagered.

Gamer Limits

SD 1657 likewise intends to create necessary everyday and monthly limits for bettors. Bettors could not wager more than $1,000 a day and $10,000 a month without an 'affordability evaluation' which includes checking bank accounts. A gamer can not wager more than 15% of the amount in their account.

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

Marketing constraints

Keenan also wishes to eliminate marketing throughout telecasted sporting events. The step would forbid sportsbooks from running ads throughout games. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has looked into producing a ban on in-game ads before. Nevertheless, this did not go through as nationwide TV deals make this hard to implement.

Will the measure pass?

The procedure is extreme 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 market fans.

Because of this, the procedure will likely be fought in the Senate and the House of Representatives. In the previous session, Keenan stopped working 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 procedure, it is impossible to inform how it will be gotten.