Massachusetts sports betting might look entirely different if a new expense proposed in the Senate succeeds. And if history is any indication, regulated sports betting in other states might also 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 present 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 been at the leading edge of more stringent sports betting policies. The 2nd thing to know is that the language of this bill resembles the SAFE Bet Act, a federal piece of legislation introduced in 2024.

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

So, while this is currently a Massachusetts costs, it's most likely to affect other states that provide managed sports betting.

A closer look at SD 1657

Taxation

Starting with the tax rate boost, bringing sports betting to 51% has 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 can be found in the state's budget plan bill.

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 6th greatest.

Prohibiting live betting and prop betting

The step restricts in-play (live betting) or prop betting. Only straight wagers would be allowed, limiting sportsbooks to offering just moneyline, spread, and totals.

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

The expense also seeks to add bonuses and same-game parlays to the category of "unjust and deceptive practices." Sportsbooks favour same-game parlays due to their high "hold" portion, the amount of money they keep off each $1 wagered.

Player Limits

SD 1657 likewise intends to create necessary daily and regular monthly limits for bettors. Bettors might not wager more than $1,000 a day and $10,000 a month without an 'price evaluation' which involves inspecting savings account. A player can not wager more than 15% of the amount in their account.

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

Marketing constraints

Keenan also wishes to remove marketing throughout televised sporting occasions. The procedure would restrict sportsbooks from running advertisements during video games. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has actually looked into developing a ban on in-game ads before. Nevertheless, this did not go through as national TV deals make this hard to impose.

Will the procedure pass?

The measure is harsh in its modifications 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 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 persuade the other senators who did not support his initiative before to change their minds. If and when the Senate discusses this step, it is impossible to inform how it will be received.