Massachusetts sports betting could look completely different if a new bill proposed in the Senate achieves success. And if history is any sign, controlled sports betting in other states might also alter dramatically.

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 requires a total ban 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 2nd thing to know is that the language of this expense is similar to the SAFE Bet Act, a federal piece of legislation presented in 2024.

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

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

A closer take a look at SD 1657

Taxation

Beginning 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 legislative session, but it was turned down. This increase would have come in the state's spending plan costs.

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 sixth greatest.

Banning live betting and prop betting

The measure prohibits in-play (live betting) or prop betting. Only straight wagers would be enabled, restricting sportsbooks to using just moneyline, spread, and overalls.

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

The bill also seeks to include perks and same-game parlays to the classification of "unfair and misleading practices." Sportsbooks favour same-game parlays due to their high "hold" percentage, the amount of money they keep off each $1 bet.

Gamer Limits

SD 1657 also aims to produce obligatory day-to-day and monthly limits for bettors. Bettors could not wager more than $1,000 a day and $10,000 a month without an 'cost evaluation' which includes examining checking account. A player can not wager more than 15% of the quantity in their account.

Massachusetts would end up being the very first market to require a cost evaluation on bettors.

Marketing constraints

Keenan likewise wishes to remove marketing during televised sporting occasions. The step would forbid sportsbooks from running advertisements throughout games. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has looked into developing a ban on in-game advertisements before. However, this did not go through as nationwide TV offers make this tough to implement.

Will the step pass?

The procedure is extreme in its modifications 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 measure will likely be battled in the Senate and your house of Representatives. In the previous session, Keenan failed to raise the tax rate.

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