Massachusetts sports betting might look totally different if a brand-new bill proposed in the Senate is successful. And if history is any indication, regulated sports betting in other states could also alter drastically.

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%. Additionally, Sen. Keenan calls for a complete restriction on live betting (in-game wagering) and prop bets.

The main point to remember is that Massachusetts has actually been at the leading edge of more stringent sports betting regulations. The 2nd thing to understand is that the language of this costs resembles the SAFE Bet Act, a federal piece of legislation introduced in 2024.

This costs 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 policy.

So, while this is currently a Massachusetts bill, it's most likely to affect other states that use regulated sports betting.

A closer take a look at SD 1657

Taxation

Starting 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 boost would have come in the state's spending plan bill.

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

Prohibiting live betting and prop betting

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

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

The bill also looks for to include bonus offers and same-game parlays to the category of "unfair and deceptive practices." Sportsbooks favour same-game parlays due to their high "hold" percentage, the quantity of money they deflect each $1 wagered.

Player Limits

SD 1657 also aims to produce obligatory everyday and regular monthly limits for bettors. Bettors might not wager more than $1,000 a day and $10,000 a month without an 'cost evaluation' which involves examining bank accounts. A gamer can not wager more than 15% of the quantity in their account.

Massachusetts would become the very first market to require a cost evaluation on bettors.

Marketing constraints

Keenan also wishes to remove advertising throughout televised sporting events. The procedure would prohibit sportsbooks from running advertisements throughout games. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has actually checked out creating a restriction on in-game advertisements before. Nevertheless, this did not go through as nationwide TV deals make this tough to implement.

Will the measure pass?

The measure is severe in its changes 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 industry fans.

Because of this, the procedure will likely be combated in the Senate and your home 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 initiative before to alter their minds. If and when the Senate discusses this measure, it is difficult to inform how it will be gotten.