Massachusetts sports betting could look entirely various if a brand-new bill proposed in the Senate is successful. And if history is any indication, controlled sports betting in other states could likewise change considerably.

SD 1657 existed by Sen. John Keenan. "An Act Addressing Economic, Health, and Social Harms Caused by Sports Betting" aims to increase the existing sports betting tax rate from 20% to 51%. In Addition, Sen. Keenan calls for 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 stricter sports betting guidelines. The second thing to understand is that the language of this expense is similar to the SAFE Bet Act, a federal piece of legislation presented in 2024.

This costs was presented not long after former Massachusetts Governor and current 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 impact other states that use managed sports betting.

A closer take a look at SD 1657

Taxation

Starting with the tax rate boost, bringing sports betting to 51% has actually been a target for Sen. Keenan before. Keenan proposed a tax boost at the last legislative session, but it was rejected. This boost would have can be found 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 6th highest.

Banning live betting and prop betting

The procedure prohibits in-play (live betting) or prop betting. Only straight wagers would be enabled, restricting sportsbooks to providing only moneyline, spread, and totals.

While Massachusetts and other markets have restrictions on collegiate wagering, this would impact even expert sporting events.

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

Player Limits

SD 1657 likewise aims to develop mandatory daily and regular monthly limits for bettors. Bettors might not wager more than $1,000 a day and $10,000 a month without an 'cost evaluation' which includes examining bank accounts. A gamer can not wager more than 15% of the quantity in their account.

Massachusetts would become the first market to require a price evaluation on bettors.

Marketing limitations

Keenan likewise wants to remove advertising throughout telecasted sporting events. The procedure would restrict sportsbooks from running advertisements throughout games. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has actually checked out creating a ban on in-game ads before. However, this did not go through as national TV deals make this tough to impose.

Will the measure pass?

The procedure is extreme in its modifications 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 step will likely be combated in the Senate and the House of Representatives. In the previous session, Keenan failed 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 received.