Massachusetts sports betting might look completely various if a brand-new costs proposed in the Senate is successful. And if history is any indicator, controlled sports betting in other states could also alter significantly.

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

The main thing to remember is that Massachusetts has actually been at the forefront of stricter sports betting policies. The second thing to know 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 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 guideline.

So, while this is presently a Massachusetts bill, it's likely to impact other states that provide controlled sports betting.

A closer take a look at SD 1657

Tax

Starting with the tax rate boost, bringing sports betting to 51% has actually 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 come in the state's spending plan bill.

Only three 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.

Banning live betting and prop betting

The procedure restricts in-play (live betting) or prop betting. Only straight wagers would be enabled, restricting sportsbooks to offering only moneyline, spread, and overalls.

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

The bill also seeks to add bonus offers and same-game parlays to the classification of "unreasonable and misleading practices." Sportsbooks favour same-game parlays due to their high "hold" portion, the quantity of money they keep off each $1 wagered.

Gamer Limits

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

Massachusetts would end up being the very first market to need an affordability evaluation on bettors.

Advertising limitations

Keenan likewise wishes to eliminate marketing during telecasted sporting occasions. The step would prohibit sportsbooks from running ads throughout games. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has actually checked out creating a ban on in-game advertisements before. Nevertheless, this did not go through as nationwide TV offers make this hard to implement.

Will the procedure pass?

The measure is extreme 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 procedure will likely be battled in the Senate and your home of Representatives. In the previous session, Keenan stopped working to raise the tax rate.

He would have to persuade the other senators who did not support his effort before to change their minds. If and when the Senate discusses this step, it is impossible to tell how it will be received.