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

SD 1657 existed by Sen. John Keenan. "An Act Addressing Economic, Health, and Social Harms Caused by Sports Betting" intends to increase the current sports betting tax rate from 20% to 51%. In Addition, Sen. Keenan requires a total ban on live betting (in-game betting) and prop bets.

The main thing to bear in mind is that Massachusetts has been at the leading edge of more stringent sports betting regulations. The 2nd thing to know is that the language of this costs resembles the SAFE Bet Act, a federal piece of legislation introduced in 2024.

This expense was presented not long after previous Massachusetts Governor and present 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 likely to affect other states that use regulated sports betting.

A closer look at SD 1657

Tax

Starting 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 legal session, however it was rejected. This boost would have can be found in the state's budget plan expense.

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

Prohibiting live betting and prop betting

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

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

The costs also seeks to add bonuses and same-game parlays to the category of "unreasonable and misleading practices." Sportsbooks favour same-game parlays due to their high "hold" portion, the quantity of cash they deflect each $1 bet.

Gamer Limits

SD 1657 likewise intends to create obligatory day-to-day and month-to-month limitations for bettors. Bettors might not wager more than $1,000 a day and $10,000 a month without an 'cost evaluation' which involves inspecting checking account. A gamer can not wager more than 15% of the quantity in their account.

Massachusetts would become the very first market to need an affordability assessment on bettors.

Advertising limitations

Keenan also wishes to eliminate marketing throughout telecasted sporting occasions. The step would forbid sportsbooks from running advertisements throughout games. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has actually checked out producing a ban on in-game advertisements before. However, this did not go through as national TV deals make this difficult to impose.

Will the procedure 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 result in pushback from local sportsbooks and industry supporters.

Because of this, the measure will likely be fought in the Senate and your house of Representatives. In the previous session, Keenan failed to raise the tax rate.

He would have 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 tell how it will be received.