Massachusetts sports betting could look totally different if a brand-new costs proposed in the Senate succeeds. And if history is any indication, regulated sports betting in other states might also alter 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%. Additionally, Sen. Keenan requires a total restriction on live betting (in-game betting) and prop bets.

The main point to bear in mind is that Massachusetts has actually been at the leading edge of more stringent sports betting guidelines. The 2nd thing to understand 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 current NCAA president Charlie Baker testified in front of the Senate in a meeting on sports betting regulation.

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

A closer take a look at SD 1657

Taxation

Beginning 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 legislative session, but it was rejected. This increase would have come in the state's budget plan expense.

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

Prohibiting live betting and prop betting

The measure restricts in-play (live betting) or prop betting. Just straight wagers would be permitted, restricting sportsbooks to offering just moneyline, spread, and totals.

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

The bill likewise looks for to include perks and same-game parlays to the category of "unjust and misleading practices." Sportsbooks favour same-game parlays due to their high "hold" portion, the quantity of cash they keep off each $1 wagered.

Player Limits

SD 1657 also intends to develop mandatory day-to-day 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 assessment' which includes checking 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 need an affordability evaluation on bettors.

Advertising restrictions

Keenan also wants to remove advertising during televised sporting events. The step would forbid sportsbooks from running ads during games. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has checked out creating a restriction on in-game advertisements before. Nevertheless, this did not go through as nationwide television deals make this difficult to impose.

Will the measure pass?

The step is extreme in its changes to the sports betting industry in Massachusetts. Banning prop betting and increasing the sports betting tax rate will likely result in pushback from local sportsbooks and industry advocates.

Because of this, the measure will likely be battled 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 effort before to alter their minds. If and when the Senate discusses this measure, it is impossible to inform how it will be received.