Massachusetts sports betting could look totally various if a brand-new costs proposed in the Senate achieves success. And if history is any indicator, controlled sports betting in other states could likewise alter dramatically.

SD 1657 was presented by Sen. John Keenan. "An Act Addressing Economic, Health, and Social Harms Caused by Sports Betting" aims to increase the current sports betting tax rate from 20% to 51%. Additionally, Sen. Keenan calls for a total restriction on live sports betting (in-game betting) and prop bets.

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

This costs was presented not long after former 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 presently a Massachusetts bill, it's likely to affect other states that offer managed sports betting.

A closer look at SD 1657

Tax

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

Just 3 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.

Banning live betting and prop betting

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

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

The expense also seeks to add perks and same-game parlays to the category of "unreasonable and misleading practices." Sportsbooks favour same-game parlays due to their high "hold" percentage, the amount of money they deflect each $1 bet.

Gamer Limits

SD 1657 also intends to develop necessary daily and month-to-month limits for bettors. Bettors might not wager more than $1,000 a day and $10,000 a month without an 'affordability assessment' which includes examining bank accounts. A player can not wager more than 15% of the amount in their account.

Massachusetts would end up being the very first market to need an affordability evaluation on bettors.

Marketing limitations

Keenan likewise wants to remove marketing during televised sporting events. The step would forbid sportsbooks from running ads during video games. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has actually checked out developing a restriction on in-game advertisements before. Nevertheless, this did not go through as nationwide television deals make this difficult to implement.

Will the measure pass?

The measure is extreme in its changes 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 supporters.

Because of this, the procedure will likely be combated in the Senate and the House of Representatives. In the previous session, Keenan failed 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 tell how it will be gotten.