Latest MA Sports Betting Proposal Features Significant Tax Hike & Ban on Real-Time Betting

Massachusetts sports betting could look entirely various if a brand-new expense proposed in the Senate is successful. And if history is any indicator, managed sports betting in other states might likewise alter considerably.

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

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

This expense 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 guideline.

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

A closer take a 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 legal session, however it was turned down. This boost would have come in the state’s budget plan costs.

Just 3 markets have tax rates of 51%, the highest in the country: New York, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire. At 20%, Massachusetts presently ranks 6th highest.

Prohibiting live betting and prop betting

The step restricts in-play (live betting) or prop betting. Just straight wagers would be allowed, limiting sportsbooks to using only moneyline, spread, and totals.

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

The costs likewise seeks to include bonus offers and same-game parlays to the category of “unfair and misleading practices.” Sportsbooks favour same-game parlays due to their high “hold” percentage, the amount of cash they deflect each $1 bet.

Gamer Limits

SD 1657 also aims to produce obligatory daily 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 includes examining savings account. A gamer can not wager more than 15% of the quantity in their account.

Massachusetts would become the first market to need a cost assessment on bettors.

Marketing restrictions

Keenan likewise wishes to get rid of advertising during telecasted sporting occasions. The procedure would prohibit sportsbooks from running advertisements throughout video games. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has looked into producing a ban on in-game advertisements before. However, this did not go through as national television offers make this hard to enforce.

Will the measure 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 supporters.

Because of this, the step will likely be fought 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 initiative before to change their minds. If and when the Senate discusses this measure, it is difficult to tell how it will be received.