Massachusetts sports betting could look totally different if a new expense proposed in the Senate achieves success. And if history is any indicator, regulated sports betting in other states could likewise change significantly.

SD 1657 was presented 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 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 forefront of stricter sports betting guidelines. The 2nd thing to understand is that the language of this bill resembles the SAFE Bet Act, a federal piece of legislation presented in 2024.

This expense was presented not long after previous Massachusetts Governor and existing NCAA president Charlie Baker testified in front of the Senate in a meeting on sports betting regulation.

So, while this is currently a Massachusetts expense, it's likely to affect other states that use regulated sports betting.

A closer take a 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 boost at the last legislative session, but it was turned down. This increase would have can be found in the state's budget plan bill.

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

Banning live betting and prop betting

The step forbids in-play (live betting) or prop betting. Just straight wagers would be allowed, limiting sportsbooks to offering just moneyline, spread, and totals.

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

The expense also seeks to include perks and same-game parlays to the classification of "unjust and misleading practices." Sportsbooks favour same-game parlays due to their high "hold" percentage, the amount of cash they keep off each $1 bet.

Gamer Limits

SD 1657 likewise intends to develop obligatory daily and monthly limits for bettors. Bettors might not wager more than $1,000 a day and $10,000 a month without an 'price evaluation' which includes examining checking account. A player can not wager more than 15% of the amount in their account.

Massachusetts would end up being the very first market to need a cost evaluation on bettors.

Marketing limitations

Keenan also wants to remove marketing throughout televised sporting events. The procedure would forbid sportsbooks from running advertisements during video games. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has actually looked into developing a restriction on in-game advertisements before. Nevertheless, this did not go through as nationwide TV offers make this hard to impose.

Will the procedure pass?

The step is harsh in its modifications to the sports betting industry in Massachusetts. Banning prop betting and increasing the sports betting tax rate will likely cause 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 stopped working to raise the tax rate.

He would need to encourage 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 inform how it will be gotten.