Latest Massachusetts Sports Betting Legislation Includes Massive Tax Increase and Ban on Real-Time Betting

Massachusetts sports betting might look totally various if a new bill proposed in the Senate succeeds. And if history is any sign, controlled sports betting in other states might also alter significantly.

SD 1657 existed 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%. In Addition, Sen. Keenan calls for a complete ban on live sports betting (in-game wagering) and prop bets.

The main point to bear in mind is that Massachusetts has actually been at the forefront of more stringent sports betting policies. The second thing to know is that the language of this expense resembles the SAFE Bet Act, a federal piece of legislation presented in 2024.

This bill was introduced not long after previous 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 currently a Massachusetts costs, it’s most likely to impact other states that provide managed sports betting.

A closer look at SD 1657

Taxation

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

Just 3 markets have tax rates of 51%, the greatest in the country: New York, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire. At 20%, Massachusetts presently ranks sixth greatest.

Prohibiting live betting and prop betting

The procedure prohibits in-play (live betting) or prop sports betting. Just straight wagers would be allowed, limiting sportsbooks to providing just moneyline, spread, and totals.

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

The expense also looks for to add benefits and same-game parlays to the classification of “unreasonable and misleading practices.” Sportsbooks favour same-game parlays due to their high “hold” percentage, the amount of cash they keep off each $1 wagered.

Gamer Limits

SD 1657 also intends to create obligatory everyday and monthly limits for bettors. Bettors could not wager more than $1,000 a day and $10,000 a month without an ‘price evaluation’ which involves inspecting savings account. A player can not wager more than 15% of the quantity in their account.

Massachusetts would become the first market to need an affordability evaluation on bettors.

Marketing limitations

Keenan also wishes to eliminate marketing throughout televised sporting events. The step would restrict sportsbooks from running ads throughout video games. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has looked into developing a ban on in-game advertisements before. Nevertheless, this did not go through as national TV offers make this hard to implement.

Will the step 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 lead to pushback from local sportsbooks and industry advocates.

Because of this, the step will likely be battled in the Senate and your 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 effort before to change their minds. If and when the Senate discusses this procedure, it is difficult to tell how it will be received.