Massachusetts sports betting might look totally different if a new expense proposed in the Senate achieves success. And if history is any indicator, regulated sports betting in other states could also alter drastically.

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%. Additionally, Sen. Keenan requires a total restriction on live betting (in-game betting) and prop bets.

The main point to keep in mind is that Massachusetts has been at the forefront of more stringent sports betting regulations. The second thing to understand is that the language of this expense is similar to the SAFE Bet Act, a federal piece of legislation introduced in 2024.

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

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

A closer take a 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 increase at the last legal session, however it was rejected. This increase would have come in the state's spending plan expense.

Only three markets have tax rates of 51%, the highest in the nation: New York, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire. At 20%, Massachusetts presently ranks 6th greatest.

Prohibiting live betting and prop betting

The measure prohibits in-play (live betting) or prop betting. Only straight wagers would be permitted, restricting sportsbooks to using just moneyline, spread, and overalls.

While Massachusetts and other markets have constraints on college betting, this would affect even professional sporting events.

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

Player Limits

SD 1657 likewise aims to create obligatory daily and regular monthly limits for bettors. Bettors might not wager more than $1,000 a day and $10,000 a month without an 'affordability evaluation' which includes examining checking account. A player can not wager more than 15% of the quantity in their account.

Massachusetts would become the first market to require a price assessment on bettors.

Advertising restrictions

Keenan also wishes to get rid of marketing throughout telecasted sporting events. The procedure would forbid sportsbooks from running advertisements throughout games. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has actually checked out producing a restriction on in-game advertisements before. However, this did not go through as national television deals make this difficult to implement.

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 result in pushback from local sportsbooks and market advocates.

Because of this, the measure 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 have to persuade the other senators who did not support his effort before to change their minds. If and when the Senate discusses this measure, it is difficult to tell how it will be gotten.