Massachusetts sports betting might look entirely various if a brand-new costs proposed in the Senate achieves success. And if history is any indication, controlled sports betting in other states might likewise 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 present sports betting tax rate from 20% to 51%. In Addition, Sen. Keenan requires a total restriction on live betting (in-game betting) and prop bets.

The main thing to bear in mind is that Massachusetts has been at the leading edge of more stringent sports betting policies. The 2nd thing to understand is that the language of this costs is similar to the SAFE Bet Act, a federal piece of legislation presented in 2024.

This bill was presented not long after former Massachusetts Governor and current 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 most likely to impact other states that provide regulated sports betting.

A closer look at SD 1657

Taxation

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

Only 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 highest.

Banning live betting and prop betting

The procedure prohibits in-play (live betting) or prop betting. Only straight wagers would be allowed, restricting sportsbooks to offering only moneyline, spread, and overalls.

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

The bill also looks for to include rewards and same-game parlays to the category of "unreasonable and deceptive practices." Sportsbooks favour same-game parlays due to their high "hold" portion, the amount of money they keep off each $1 bet.

Gamer Limits

SD 1657 also aims to produce mandatory day-to-day and regular monthly limitations for bettors. Bettors could not wager more than $1,000 a day and $10,000 a month without an 'affordability assessment' which involves examining savings account. A player can not wager more than 15% of the amount in their account.

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

Advertising restrictions

Keenan also wishes to remove advertising during televised sporting events. The procedure would prohibit sportsbooks from running ads during video games. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has checked out producing a restriction on in-game ads before. However, this did not go through as nationwide television offers make this difficult to impose.

Will the measure pass?

The procedure is extreme in its changes 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 industry advocates.

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 convince the other senators who did not support his initiative before to change their minds. If and when the Senate discusses this step, it is difficult to inform how it will be received.