Massachusetts sports betting could look entirely different if a brand-new expense proposed in the Senate succeeds. And if history is any sign, controlled sports betting in other states might likewise change 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 current sports betting tax rate from 20% to 51%. Furthermore, Sen. Keenan calls for a complete ban on live betting (in-game betting) and prop bets.

The main thing to bear in mind is that Massachusetts has been at the forefront of more stringent sports betting guidelines. The 2nd thing to know is that the language of this expense resembles the SAFE Bet Act, a federal piece of legislation presented in 2024.

This bill was presented 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 likely to impact other states that offer controlled sports betting.

A closer 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 increase at the last legal session, however it was turned down. This increase would have come in the state's spending plan bill.

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 sixth greatest.

Prohibiting live betting and prop betting

The step prohibits in-play (live sports betting) or prop sports betting. Only straight wagers would be allowed, restricting sportsbooks to providing just moneyline, spread, and totals.

While Massachusetts and other markets have restrictions on collegiate wagering, this would affect even expert sporting events.

The bill also seeks to add rewards 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 cash they keep off each $1 bet.

Gamer Limits

SD 1657 also aims to produce compulsory everyday and monthly limitations for bettors. Bettors might not wager more than $1,000 a day and $10,000 a month without an 'affordability assessment' which involves checking bank accounts. 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 price evaluation on bettors.

Advertising restrictions

Keenan likewise wants to remove marketing during televised sporting events. The procedure would restrict sportsbooks from running advertisements during video 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 deals make this difficult to enforce.

Will the measure pass?

The procedure is extreme 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 industry advocates.

Because of this, the procedure will likely be combated in the Senate and your house of Representatives. In the previous session, Keenan stopped working 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 procedure, it is difficult to inform how it will be gotten.