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

SD 1657 existed 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%. In Addition, Sen. Keenan calls for 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 stricter sports betting regulations. 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 bill was introduced not long after previous Massachusetts Governor and existing NCAA president Charlie Baker testified in front of the Senate in a meeting on sports betting policy.

So, while this is presently a Massachusetts expense, it's most likely to affect other states that provide controlled sports betting.

A closer look at SD 1657

Tax

Beginning 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 legislative session, but it was declined. This boost would have been available in the state's budget costs.

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

Prohibiting live betting and prop betting

The measure forbids in-play (live betting) or prop betting. Only straight wagers would be permitted, limiting sportsbooks to offering just moneyline, spread, and overalls.

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

The bill also seeks to include benefits and same-game parlays to the classification of "unjust and deceptive practices." Sportsbooks favour same-game parlays due to their high "hold" percentage, the amount of money they deflect each $1 bet.

Player Limits

SD 1657 likewise aims to produce necessary daily and regular monthly limitations for bettors. Bettors might not wager more than $1,000 a day and $10,000 a month without an 'affordability assessment' 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 very first market to require a cost evaluation on bettors.

Marketing constraints

Keenan likewise wishes to remove marketing throughout televised sporting occasions. The measure would forbid sportsbooks from running advertisements during video games. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has actually looked into developing a ban on in-game ads before. However, this did not go through as national TV deals make this difficult to enforce.

Will the procedure pass?

The procedure is harsh in its modifications 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 fans.

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 need to convince the other senators who did not support his effort before to change their minds. If and when the Senate discusses this step, it is difficult to inform how it will be gotten.