Recent Massachusetts Sports Betting Legislation Features Significant Tax Hike and Restriction on Real-Time Betting

Massachusetts sports betting might look completely different if a new expense proposed in the Senate succeeds. And if history is any indicator, regulated sports betting in other states could likewise change dramatically.

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%. In Addition, Sen. Keenan requires a complete restriction on live betting (in-game wagering) and prop bets.

The main thing to remember is that Massachusetts has been at the forefront of stricter sports betting guidelines. 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 expense was presented not long after former Massachusetts Governor and existing NCAA president Charlie Baker testified in front of the Senate in a meeting on sports betting policy.

So, while this is presently a Massachusetts bill, it’s most likely to affect other states that use managed sports betting.

A closer take a look at SD 1657

Taxation

Starting 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 boost would have been available in the state’s budget expense.

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

Banning live betting and prop betting

The measure restricts in-play (live betting) or prop betting. Just straight wagers would be enabled, restricting sportsbooks to only moneyline, spread, and totals.

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

The expense likewise looks for to add bonuses and same-game parlays to the classification of “unjust and deceptive practices.” Sportsbooks favour same-game parlays due to their high “hold” portion, the quantity of cash they keep off each $1 wagered.

Player Limits

SD 1657 likewise intends to create compulsory everyday and month-to-month limitations for bettors. Bettors might not wager more than $1,000 a day and $10,000 a month without an ‘price assessment’ which includes checking checking account. A player can not wager more than 15% of the amount in their account.

Massachusetts would become the very first market to require an affordability assessment on bettors.

Advertising constraints

Keenan also wants to eliminate advertising throughout telecasted sporting events. The step would forbid sportsbooks from running advertisements during games. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has looked into producing a restriction on in-game advertisements before. However, this did not go through as national TV offers make this tough to impose.

Will the step pass?

The measure is severe 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 industry supporters.

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

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