New MA Sports Betting Bill Includes Significant Tax Increase & Restriction on Real-Time Betting

Massachusetts sports betting might look totally various if a brand-new costs proposed in the Senate is successful. 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” intends to increase the present sports betting tax rate from 20% to 51%. Furthermore, Sen. Keenan requires a total restriction on live 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 regulations. The second thing to understand is that the language of this costs 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 NCAA president Charlie Baker testified in front of the Senate in a meeting on sports betting regulation.

So, while this is currently a Massachusetts bill, it’s most likely to impact other states that provide managed sports betting.

A closer take a look at SD 1657

Tax

Beginning 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 legislative session, but it was turned down. This increase would have been available in the state’s budget bill.

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 sixth greatest.

Prohibiting live betting and prop betting

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

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

The costs likewise looks for to include bonus offers and same-game parlays to the category of “unreasonable 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 create compulsory daily and monthly limits for bettors. Bettors could not wager more than $1,000 a day and $10,000 a month without an ‘price evaluation’ which includes inspecting savings account. A gamer can not wager more than 15% of the quantity in their account.

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

Marketing constraints

Keenan likewise wishes to eliminate marketing during telecasted sporting occasions. The step would forbid sportsbooks from running ads during games. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has actually looked into developing a restriction on in-game ads before. However, this did not go through as national TV deals make this hard to enforce.

Will the measure pass?

The step is harsh 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 market supporters.

Because of this, the procedure will likely be battled in the Senate and your home 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 effort before to alter their minds. If and when the Senate discusses this step, it is impossible to inform how it will be gotten.