New MA Sports Gambling Proposal Includes Significant Tax Hike & Restriction on Real-Time Betting

Massachusetts sports betting could look entirely different if a brand-new costs proposed in the Senate achieves success. And if history is any indication, managed sports in other states could also change significantly.

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%. Furthermore, Sen. Keenan calls for a total restriction on live betting (in-game betting) and prop bets.

The main thing to bear in mind is that Massachusetts has actually been at the forefront of stricter sports betting regulations. The 2nd thing to understand is that the language of this bill is similar to the SAFE Bet Act, a federal piece of legislation introduced in 2024.

This bill was presented not long after former Massachusetts Governor and existing NCAA president Charlie Baker affirmed in front of the Senate in a meeting on sports betting regulation.

So, while this is currently a Massachusetts expense, it’s most likely to impact other states that use regulated sports betting.

A closer take a look at SD 1657

Taxation

Starting with the tax rate boost, bringing sports betting to 51% has 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 spending plan expense.

Only 3 markets have tax rates of 51%, the greatest in the country: New York, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire. At 20%, Massachusetts presently ranks 6th highest.

Prohibiting live betting and prop betting

The step forbids in-play (live betting) or prop betting. Just straight wagers would be permitted, limiting sportsbooks to providing just moneyline, spread, and totals.

While Massachusetts and other markets have limitations on college wagering, this would affect even professional sporting events.

The expense also looks for to add bonuses and same-game parlays to the category of “unreasonable 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 intends to develop mandatory daily and monthly limitations for bettors. Bettors could not wager more than $1,000 a day and $10,000 a month without an ‘cost evaluation’ which includes examining savings account. A gamer 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.

Advertising restrictions

Keenan likewise wants to eliminate marketing throughout televised sporting events. The step would forbid sportsbooks from running ads during video games. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has checked out creating a restriction on in-game ads before. However, this did not go through as national TV offers make this hard 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 result in pushback from local sportsbooks and market fans.

Because of this, the step will likely be combated in the Senate and your home of Representatives. In the previous session, Keenan failed to raise the tax rate.

He would have to encourage the other senators who did not support his effort before to alter their minds. If and when the Senate discusses this step, it is impossible to tell how it will be gotten.