Massachusetts sports betting might look completely different if a new bill proposed in the Senate is successful. And if history is any indication, regulated sports betting in other states could likewise change 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%. In Addition, Sen. Keenan requires a total restriction on live betting (in-game betting) and prop bets.

The main point to remember is that Massachusetts has been at the forefront of stricter sports betting regulations. The second 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 costs 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 bill, it's most likely to affect other states that use regulated sports betting.

A closer look at SD 1657

Tax

Beginning with the tax rate boost, 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 turned down. This increase would have come in the state's budget bill.

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 sixth greatest.

Banning live betting and prop betting

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

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

The bill likewise seeks to include bonus offers 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 bet.

Gamer Limits

SD 1657 likewise intends to produce compulsory day-to-day and month-to-month limitations for bettors. Bettors could not wager more than $1,000 a day and $10,000 a month without an 'price evaluation' which involves examining savings account. A gamer can not wager more than 15% of the quantity in their account.

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

Marketing constraints

Keenan also wants to eliminate marketing throughout telecasted sporting occasions. The measure would restrict sportsbooks from running advertisements during games. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has checked out developing a restriction on in-game ads before. Nevertheless, this did not go through as national television offers make this hard to implement.

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