Massachusetts sports betting could look totally various if a new bill proposed in the Senate achieves success. And if history is any indicator, controlled sports betting in other states could also alter considerably.

SD 1657 was presented by Sen. John Keenan. "An Act Addressing Economic, Health, and Social Harms Caused by Sports Betting" intends to increase the existing sports betting tax rate from 20% to 51%. Furthermore, Sen. Keenan requires a complete ban on live betting (in-game betting) and prop bets.

The main point to remember is that Massachusetts has been at the leading edge of stricter sports betting regulations. The 2nd 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 bill was presented not long after previous Massachusetts Governor and current 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 can be found in the state's budget costs.

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

Prohibiting live betting and prop betting

The procedure restricts in-play (live betting) or prop betting. Just straight wagers would be enabled, limiting sportsbooks to offering only moneyline, spread, and overalls.

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

The bill also looks for to include bonuses and same-game parlays to the classification of "unjust and misleading practices." Sportsbooks favour same-game parlays due to their high "hold" percentage, the quantity of money they deflect each $1 wagered.

Player Limits

SD 1657 also aims to create 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 'affordability assessment' which includes inspecting savings account. 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 wants to remove marketing throughout televised sporting occasions. The step would prohibit sportsbooks from running advertisements throughout games. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has looked into creating a restriction on in-game advertisements before. However, this did not go through as nationwide television deals make this tough to impose.

Will the procedure pass?

The procedure is harsh 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 market advocates.

Because of this, the measure will likely be battled in the Senate and the House of Representatives. In the previous session, Keenan stopped working to raise the tax rate.

He would have to convince the other senators who did not support his initiative before to alter their minds. If and when the Senate discusses this procedure, it is impossible to inform how it will be gotten.