Massachusetts sports betting might look totally various if a new expense proposed in the Senate achieves success. And if history is any indication, controlled sports betting in other states could also change drastically.

SD 1657 existed 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 restriction on live sports betting (in-game betting) and prop bets.

The main thing to remember is that Massachusetts has been at the leading edge of stricter sports betting policies. The second thing to know is that the language of this bill resembles the SAFE Bet Act, a federal piece of legislation introduced in 2024.

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

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

A closer take a look at SD 1657

Tax

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 boost would have come in the state's budget bill.

Only three markets have tax rates of 51%, the highest in the nation: New York, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire. At 20%, Massachusetts presently ranks sixth highest.

Banning live betting and prop betting

The measure forbids in-play (live sports betting) or prop betting. Just straight wagers would be allowed, limiting sportsbooks to using just moneyline, spread, and totals.

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

The costs likewise seeks to add bonus offers and same-game parlays to the classification of "unfair and deceptive practices." Sportsbooks favour same-game parlays due to their high "hold" percentage, the amount of cash they keep off each $1 bet.

Player Limits

SD 1657 likewise aims to produce mandatory daily and month-to-month limitations for bettors. Bettors might not wager more than $1,000 a day and $10,000 a month without an 'affordability evaluation' which involves inspecting savings account. A gamer can not wager more than 15% of the amount in their account.

Massachusetts would become the first market to require a cost evaluation on bettors.

Marketing restrictions

Keenan likewise wishes to eliminate marketing during televised sporting events. The procedure would forbid sportsbooks from running advertisements throughout video games. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has actually checked out producing a restriction on in-game advertisements before. However, this did not go through as national TV deals make this tough to implement.

Will the step pass?

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

Because of this, the measure 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 encourage the other senators who did not support his effort before to alter their minds. If and when the Senate discusses this measure, it is difficult to tell how it will be received.