Recent Massachusetts Sports Betting Proposal Contains Massive Tax Increase & Prohibition on Real-Time Betting

Massachusetts sports betting could look totally various if a brand-new costs proposed in the Senate succeeds. And if history is any sign, managed sports betting in other states might also alter drastically.
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%. Furthermore, Sen. Keenan calls for a complete restriction on live betting (in-game 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 policies. The second 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 present NCAA president Charlie Baker affirmed in front of the Senate in a meeting on sports betting regulation.
So, while this is currently a Massachusetts bill, it’s most likely to impact other states that offer 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 increase at the last legal session, however it was declined. This boost would have come in the state’s budget costs.
Only 3 markets have tax rates of 51%, the highest in the country: New York, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire. At 20%, Massachusetts currently ranks 6th greatest.

Prohibiting live betting and prop betting

The measure prohibits in-play (live betting) or prop betting. Just straight wagers would be allowed, restricting sportsbooks to offering just moneyline, spread, and totals.
While Massachusetts and other markets have limitations on collegiate wagering, this would affect even expert sporting occasions.
The bill also seeks to add bonuses and same-game parlays to the category of “unjust and misleading practices.” Sportsbooks favour same-game parlays due to their high “hold” percentage, the quantity of money they keep off each $1 wagered.

Gamer Limits

SD 1657 also aims to develop necessary everyday and regular monthly limits for bettors. Bettors could not wager more than $1,000 a day and $10,000 a month without an ‘affordability assessment’ which includes checking checking account. A player can not wager more than 15% of the quantity in their account.
Massachusetts would end up being the first market to require a cost evaluation on bettors.

Marketing restrictions

Keenan also wishes to remove advertising during televised sporting events. The procedure would restrict sportsbooks from running advertisements throughout games. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has checked out creating a restriction on in-game advertisements before. Nevertheless, this did not go through as nationwide TV deals make this tough to enforce.

Will the step pass?

The procedure is severe 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 supporters.
Because of this, the step will likely be battled in the Senate and your house of Representatives. In the previous session, Keenan stopped working to raise the tax rate.
He would have to persuade the other senators who did not support his initiative before to change their minds. If and when the Senate discusses this measure, it is difficult to inform how it will be gotten.