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Latest Massachusetts Sports Betting Bill Features Significant Tax Increase and Restriction on Live Betting
Massachusetts sports betting might look totally different if a brand-new costs proposed in the Senate achieves success. And if history is any indicator, controlled sports betting in other states could also change drastically.
SD 1657 was presented by Sen. John Keenan. “An Act Addressing Economic, Health, and Social Harms Caused by Sports Betting” aims to increase the present sports betting tax rate from 20% to 51%. In Addition, Sen. Keenan requires a complete restriction on live sports betting (in-game wagering) and prop bets.
The main point to remember is that Massachusetts has actually been at the leading edge of stricter sports betting policies. The second thing to understand is that the language of this costs resembles the SAFE Bet Act, a federal piece of legislation presented in 2024.
This costs was introduced not long after previous Massachusetts Governor and current NCAA president Charlie Baker affirmed in front of the Senate in a meeting on sports betting policy.
So, while this is presently a Massachusetts expense, it’s likely to impact other states that provide controlled sports betting.
A closer take a 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 legislative session, but it was rejected. This increase would have can be found in the state’s budget bill.
Only three 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.
Prohibiting live betting and prop betting
The step forbids in-play (live sports betting) or prop betting. Just straight wagers would be permitted, limiting sportsbooks to providing only moneyline, spread, and totals.
While Massachusetts and other markets have restrictions on collegiate sports betting, this would affect even expert sporting events.
The expense also looks for to add benefits and same-game parlays to the category of “unjust and deceptive practices.” Sportsbooks favour same-game parlays due to their high “hold” percentage, the amount of cash they deflect each $1 wagered.
Player Limits
SD 1657 also aims to create obligatory everyday and monthly limitations for bettors. Bettors might not wager more than $1,000 a day and $10,000 a month without an ‘price assessment’ which involves examining bank accounts. A player can not wager more than 15% of the amount in their account.
Massachusetts would become the first market to need a cost assessment on bettors.
Marketing restrictions
Keenan also wishes to get rid of marketing during televised sporting events. The procedure would restrict sportsbooks from running advertisements during video games. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has looked into developing a restriction on in-game ads before. However, this did not go through as national television deals make this hard to enforce.
Will the measure pass?
The step is severe in its changes to the sports betting industry in Massachusetts. Banning prop betting and increasing the sports betting tax rate will likely cause pushback from local sportsbooks and industry supporters.
Because of this, the step will likely be battled 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 effort before to change their minds. If and when the Senate discusses this measure, it is impossible to inform how it will be received.
