Massachusetts sports betting might look totally different if a new costs proposed in the Senate is successful. And if history is any indication, regulated sports betting in other states could also change dramatically.

SD 1657 was presented 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 requires a complete restriction on live sports betting (in-game wagering) and prop bets.

The main thing to bear in mind is that Massachusetts has been at the leading edge of more stringent sports betting regulations. The 2nd 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 presented not long after former 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 presently a Massachusetts costs, it's most likely to impact other states that use managed sports betting.

A closer look at SD 1657

Taxation

Starting with the tax rate increase, bringing sports betting to 51% has been a target for Sen. Keenan before. Keenan proposed a tax boost at the last legal session, however it was declined. This increase would have can be found in the state's budget plan bill.

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 highest.

Banning live betting and prop betting

The step prohibits in-play (live betting) or prop sports betting. Just straight wagers would be allowed, limiting sportsbooks to using only moneyline, spread, and overalls.

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

The expense likewise seeks to add bonuses and same-game parlays to the classification of "unfair and deceptive practices." Sportsbooks favour same-game parlays due to their high "hold" percentage, the quantity of money they deflect each $1 bet.

Gamer Limits

SD 1657 also intends to develop obligatory everyday and month-to-month limitations for bettors. Bettors might not wager more than $1,000 a day and $10,000 a month without an 'price evaluation' which involves examining bank accounts. A player can not wager more than 15% of the amount in their account.

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

Advertising constraints

Keenan likewise wants to remove advertising throughout televised sporting occasions. The procedure would forbid sportsbooks from running advertisements throughout games. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has looked into creating a restriction 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 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 market fans.

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

He would need to encourage the other senators who did not support his effort before to alter their minds. If and when the Senate discusses this procedure, it is difficult to inform how it will be gotten.