Massachusetts sports betting could look totally different if a new bill proposed in the Senate is successful. And if history is any indication, managed sports betting in other states could also change considerably.

SD 1657 was presented by Sen. John Keenan. "An Act Addressing Economic, Health, and Social Harms Caused by Sports Betting" aims to increase the present sports betting tax rate from 20% to 51%. In Addition, Sen. Keenan calls for a total restriction on live betting (in-game wagering) and prop bets.

The main thing to keep in mind is that Massachusetts has actually been at the leading edge of more stringent sports betting regulations. The 2nd thing to understand is that the language of this costs resembles the SAFE Bet Act, a federal piece of legislation presented in 2024.

This costs was presented not long after previous Massachusetts Governor and current NCAA president Charlie Baker affirmed in front of the Senate in a meeting on sports betting policy.

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

A closer take a look at SD 1657

Tax

Beginning 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, but it was declined. This increase would have come in the state's budget expense.

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 6th highest.

Banning live betting and prop betting

The step restricts in-play (live betting) or prop betting. Only straight wagers would be enabled, restricting sportsbooks to offering just moneyline, spread, and overalls.

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

The costs also seeks to add bonus offers and same-game parlays to the category of "unfair and deceptive practices." Sportsbooks favour same-game parlays due to their high "hold" portion, the amount of money they deflect each $1 bet.

Player Limits

SD 1657 also intends to produce obligatory 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 'cost evaluation' which includes inspecting bank accounts. A gamer can not wager more than 15% of the quantity in their account.

Massachusetts would end up being the very first market to require a price assessment on bettors.

Marketing limitations

Keenan also wants to remove advertising during televised sporting occasions. The step would prohibit sportsbooks from running advertisements throughout video games. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has actually looked into producing a restriction on in-game ads before. However, this did not go through as national TV deals make this hard to impose.

Will the measure pass?

The procedure is severe in its modifications to the sports betting industry in Massachusetts. Banning prop betting and increasing the sports betting tax rate will likely result in pushback from local sportsbooks and market advocates.

Because of this, the procedure will likely be battled in the Senate and your house of Representatives. In the previous session, Keenan failed to raise the tax rate.

He would need to convince the other senators who did not support his effort before to alter their minds. If and when the Senate discusses this measure, it is difficult to tell how it will be received.