Massachusetts sports betting could look completely different if a new expense proposed in the Senate is successful. And if history is any sign, controlled sports betting in other states could also alter considerably.

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 ban 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 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 introduced in 2024.

This costs was presented not long after former Massachusetts Governor and current NCAA president Charlie Baker affirmed in front of the Senate in a meeting on sports betting regulation.

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

A closer look at SD 1657

Taxation

Starting 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 legal session, but it was turned down. This boost would have come in the state's spending plan costs.

Just 3 markets have tax rates of 51%, the greatest 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 prohibits in-play (live betting) or prop betting. Just straight wagers would be allowed, restricting sportsbooks to providing just moneyline, spread, and overalls.

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

The costs likewise seeks to include benefits 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 cash they deflect each $1 bet.

Gamer Limits

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

Massachusetts would become the very first market to need a price evaluation on bettors.

Marketing constraints

Keenan likewise wishes to remove advertising throughout telecasted sporting events. The measure would forbid sportsbooks from running advertisements during video games. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has actually looked into creating a restriction on in-game advertisements before. However, this did not go through as national TV offers make this hard to implement.

Will the procedure pass?

The procedure is extreme in its modifications to the sports betting industry in Massachusetts. Banning prop betting and increasing the sports betting tax rate will likely lead to pushback from local sportsbooks and market advocates.

Because of this, the procedure will likely be combated in the Senate and your house of Representatives. In the previous session, Keenan stopped working to raise the tax rate.

He would need to persuade the other senators who did not support his initiative before to alter their minds. If and when the Senate discusses this procedure, it is impossible to tell how it will be received.