Recent Massachusetts Sports Betting Legislation Contains Substantial Tax Boost and Prohibition on Real-Time Betting

Massachusetts sports betting might look entirely different if a new expense proposed in the Senate succeeds. And if history is any sign, controlled sports betting in other states might also alter dramatically.

SD 1657 existed 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 requires a complete ban on live betting (in-game wagering) and prop bets.

The main thing to keep in mind is that Massachusetts has been at the leading edge of more stringent sports betting guidelines. The second thing to understand is that the language of this bill is similar to the SAFE Bet Act, a federal piece of legislation presented in 2024.

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

So, while this is currently a Massachusetts bill, it’s most likely to impact other states that offer controlled sports betting.

A closer take a 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 boost at the last legislative session, but it was declined. This increase would have can be found in the state’s spending plan costs.

Only three 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. Only straight wagers would be enabled, limiting sportsbooks to using only moneyline, spread, and totals.

While Massachusetts and other markets have restrictions on collegiate wagering, this would impact even professional sporting occasions.

The costs also looks for to add bonus offers 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 bet.

Gamer Limits

SD 1657 also aims to produce obligatory daily and monthly limitations for bettors. Bettors could not wager more than $1,000 a day and $10,000 a month without an ‘cost assessment’ which involves checking bank accounts. 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.

Advertising constraints

Keenan also wishes to eliminate advertising throughout telecasted sporting events. The procedure would prohibit sportsbooks from running advertisements throughout games. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has actually checked out producing a restriction on in-game advertisements before. However, this did not go through as nationwide television deals make this difficult to enforce.

Will the step pass?

The step 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 market advocates.

Because of this, the measure 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 need 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 received.