Massachusetts sports betting could look totally different if a new expense proposed in the Senate is successful. And if history is any sign, managed sports betting in other states might 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 current sports betting tax rate from 20% to 51%. In Addition, Sen. Keenan calls for a complete restriction on live betting (in-game wagering) and prop bets.

The main thing to bear in mind is that Massachusetts has actually been at the leading edge of stricter sports betting guidelines. The second thing to understand is that the language of this expense is similar to the SAFE Bet Act, a federal piece of legislation introduced in 2024.

This bill was introduced not long after previous Massachusetts Governor and current NCAA president Charlie Baker testified in front of the Senate in a meeting on sports betting regulation.

So, while this is presently a Massachusetts bill, it's most likely to affect other states that offer regulated sports betting.

A closer look at SD 1657

Tax

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 legislative session, however it was turned down. This boost would have can be found in the state's spending plan costs.

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

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 using only moneyline, spread, and totals.

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

The expense likewise looks for to add bonus offers and same-game parlays to the category of "unjust and misleading practices." Sportsbooks favour same-game parlays due to their high "hold" portion, the quantity of cash they deflect each $1 bet.

Gamer Limits

SD 1657 also aims to develop mandatory day-to-day and month-to-month limits for bettors. Bettors might not wager more than $1,000 a day and $10,000 a month without an 'price assessment' which includes examining checking account. A player can not wager more than 15% of the amount in their account.

Massachusetts would become the first market to need a price assessment on bettors.

Marketing restrictions

Keenan likewise wishes to remove marketing during televised sporting occasions. The step would prohibit 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 offers make this tough to enforce.

Will the measure pass?

The step is harsh in its changes to the sports betting industry in Massachusetts. Banning prop betting and increasing the sports betting tax rate will likely cause pushback from local sportsbooks and market advocates.

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

He would need to persuade the other senators who did not support his effort before to change their minds. If and when the Senate discusses this measure, it is difficult to inform how it will be gotten.