Massachusetts sports betting could look entirely various if a brand-new bill proposed in the Senate succeeds. And if history is any indicator, managed sports betting in other states could likewise alter 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 existing 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 point to remember is that Massachusetts has been at the forefront of stricter sports betting guidelines. The second thing to know is that the language of this costs resembles the SAFE Bet Act, a federal piece of legislation presented in 2024.

This bill 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 guideline.

So, while this is presently a Massachusetts costs, it's most likely to affect other states that offer managed sports betting.

A closer take a look at SD 1657

Tax

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, but it was rejected. This increase would have can be found in the state's budget plan bill.

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

Prohibiting live betting and prop betting

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

While Massachusetts and other markets have limitations on collegiate betting, this would affect even professional sporting occasions.

The expense likewise seeks to include rewards and same-game parlays to the classification 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.

Player Limits

SD 1657 likewise intends to create necessary daily and regular monthly limits 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 player can not wager more than 15% of the amount in their account.

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

Marketing constraints

Keenan likewise wishes to get rid of marketing during telecasted sporting occasions. The step would forbid sportsbooks from running ads during video games. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has checked out creating a ban on in-game advertisements before. However, this did not go through as national television offers make this difficult to enforce.

Will the measure pass?

The procedure is extreme 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 combated in the Senate and your house of Representatives. In the previous session, Keenan failed to raise the tax rate.

He would need to persuade the other senators who did not support his initiative before to alter their minds. If and when the Senate discusses this measure, it is impossible to tell how it will be gotten.