Massachusetts sports betting could look completely various if a new bill proposed in the Senate is successful. And if history is any sign, regulated sports betting in other states could likewise change 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 present sports betting tax rate from 20% to 51%. Additionally, Sen. Keenan requires a total ban on live sports betting (in-game sports betting) and prop bets.
The main point to bear in mind is that Massachusetts has actually been at the forefront of more stringent sports betting guidelines. The second thing to know 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 present NCAA president Charlie Baker affirmed in front of the Senate in a meeting on sports betting regulation.
So, while this is presently a Massachusetts expense, it's most likely to impact other states that use controlled sports betting.
A closer look at SD 1657
Tax
Starting with the tax rate increase, bringing sports betting to 51% has actually been a target for Sen. Keenan before. Keenan proposed a tax boost at the last legal session, however it was rejected. This boost would have been available in the state's budget plan expense.
Just three markets have tax rates of 51%, the highest in the country: New York, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire. At 20%, Massachusetts presently ranks sixth highest.
Prohibiting live betting and prop betting
The procedure forbids in-play (live sports betting) or prop sports betting. Only straight wagers would be permitted, limiting sportsbooks to offering just moneyline, spread, and totals.
While Massachusetts and other markets have limitations on college wagering, this would affect even professional sporting events.
The bill likewise seeks to include benefits and same-game parlays to the classification of "unfair and misleading practices." Sportsbooks favour same-game parlays due to their high "hold" portion, the amount of money they keep off each $1 wagered.
Player Limits
SD 1657 also aims to create necessary daily and month-to-month limitations for bettors. Bettors could not wager more than $1,000 a day and $10,000 a month without an 'affordability 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 need a price evaluation on bettors.
Marketing restrictions
Keenan also wishes to remove marketing during telecasted sporting events. The measure would restrict sportsbooks from running advertisements during video games. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has actually checked out creating a restriction on in-game ads before. However, this did not go through as national TV deals make this hard to enforce.
Will the procedure pass?
The step is extreme 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 measure 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 step, it is impossible to inform how it will be gotten.
