Massachusetts sports betting might look entirely various if a new bill proposed in the Senate is successful. And if history is any indicator, regulated sports betting in other states could also alter significantly.
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%. Additionally, Sen. Keenan calls for a complete ban on live sports betting (in-game sports betting) and prop bets.
The main thing to keep in mind is that Massachusetts has been at the forefront of more stringent sports betting guidelines. The 2nd thing to understand is that the language of this bill is similar to the SAFE Bet Act, a federal piece of legislation introduced 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 costs, it’s likely to affect other states that use controlled sports betting.
A closer look at SD 1657
Taxation
Beginning with the tax rate boost, 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 turned down. This boost would have can be found in the state’s budget bill.
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 greatest.
Prohibiting live betting and prop betting
The measure prohibits in-play (live sports betting) or prop sports betting. Just straight wagers would be allowed, limiting sportsbooks to providing only moneyline, spread, and overalls.
While Massachusetts and other markets have constraints on collegiate betting, this would impact even expert sporting occasions.
The expense also looks for to include perks and same-game parlays to the classification of “unfair and misleading practices.” Sportsbooks favour same-game parlays due to their high “hold” percentage, the quantity of money they keep off each $1 bet.
Gamer Limits
SD 1657 likewise aims to create mandatory everyday and regular monthly limitations for bettors. Bettors could not wager more than $1,000 a day and $10,000 a month without an ‘affordability evaluation’ which involves examining savings account. A gamer can not wager more than 15% of the amount in their account.
Massachusetts would become the first market to require a price evaluation on bettors.
Advertising constraints
Keenan also wants to remove advertising throughout telecasted sporting events. The measure would prohibit 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 TV deals make this tough to implement.
Will the step pass?
The procedure is severe in its changes to the sports betting industry in Massachusetts. Banning prop sports betting and increasing the sports betting tax rate will likely cause pushback from local sportsbooks and industry fans.
Because of this, the procedure 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 have to convince the other senators who did not support his initiative before to alter their minds. If and when the Senate discusses this procedure, it is difficult to tell how it will be gotten.
