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

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 calls for a total restriction on live sports betting (in-game wagering) and prop bets.

The main point to remember is that Massachusetts has actually been at the forefront of stricter sports betting guidelines. The 2nd thing to understand is that the language of this bill is similar to the SAFE Bet Act, a federal piece of legislation introduced in 2024.

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

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

A closer look at SD 1657

Taxation

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

Just 3 markets have tax rates of 51%, the highest in the country: New York, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire. At 20%, Massachusetts currently ranks 6th highest.

Banning live betting and prop betting

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

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

The costs likewise seeks to add bonus offers and same-game parlays to the category of "unreasonable and misleading practices." Sportsbooks favour same-game parlays due to their high "hold" portion, the quantity of money they deflect each $1 wagered.

Gamer Limits

SD 1657 likewise intends to produce mandatory day-to-day and monthly 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 quantity in their account.

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

Advertising constraints

Keenan also wishes to get rid of advertising during televised sporting occasions. The procedure would prohibit sportsbooks from running ads throughout video games. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has actually looked into creating a ban on in-game advertisements before. Nevertheless, this did not go through as nationwide TV deals make this hard to implement.

Will the measure pass?

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

Because of this, the procedure will likely be combated in the Senate and your house of Representatives. In the previous session, Keenan failed 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 procedure, it is difficult to inform how it will be received.