New Massachusetts Sports Gambling Bill Includes Massive Tax Boost & Prohibition on Live Betting
Massachusetts sports betting could look totally different if a brand-new bill proposed in the Senate is successful. And if history is any sign, controlled sports betting in other states might likewise alter dramatically.
SD 1657 was presented by Sen. John Keenan. “An Act Addressing Economic, Health, and Social Harms Caused by Sports Betting” aims to increase the current sports betting tax rate from 20% to 51%. Furthermore, Sen. Keenan requires a total ban on live betting (in-game wagering) and prop bets.
The main thing to keep in mind is that Massachusetts has actually been at the forefront of more stringent sports betting regulations. The second thing to know is that the language of this bill is similar to the SAFE Bet Act, a federal piece of legislation presented in 2024.
This expense 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 guideline.
So, while this is currently a Massachusetts costs, it’s likely to impact other states that provide controlled sports betting.
A closer look at SD 1657
Taxation
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 legal session, but it was turned down. This increase would have been available in the state’s budget plan bill.
Just 3 markets have tax rates of 51%, the greatest in the nation: New York, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire. At 20%, Massachusetts presently ranks sixth greatest.
Prohibiting live betting and prop betting
The measure forbids in-play (live betting) or prop betting. Just straight wagers would be permitted, limiting sportsbooks to using just moneyline, spread, and totals.
While Massachusetts and other markets have constraints on college betting, this would affect even professional sporting events.
The expense likewise looks for to add perks and same-game parlays to the category of “unjust and misleading practices.” Sportsbooks favour same-game parlays due to their high “hold” percentage, the quantity of money they deflect each $1 bet.
Player Limits
SD 1657 likewise aims to produce obligatory day-to-day and month-to-month limitations for bettors. Bettors could not wager more than $1,000 a day and $10,000 a month without an ‘cost assessment’ which involves inspecting savings account. A player can not wager more than 15% of the quantity in their account.
Massachusetts would become the first market to require a price assessment on bettors.
Marketing limitations
Keenan likewise wishes to get rid of marketing during televised sporting occasions. The step would restrict sportsbooks from running ads throughout 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 hard to impose.
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 industry advocates.
Because of this, the will likely be fought in the Senate and the House 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 initiative before to change their minds. If and when the Senate discusses this procedure, it is difficult to tell how it will be received.
