Massachusetts sports betting could look entirely various if a new bill proposed in the Senate achieves success. And if history is any indicator, regulated sports betting in other states could also change significantly.

SD 1657 was presented 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 calls for a complete restriction on live sports betting (in-game wagering) and prop bets.

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

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

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

A closer look at SD 1657

Taxation

Beginning with the tax rate boost, bringing sports betting to 51% has been a target for Sen. Keenan before. Keenan proposed a tax boost at the last legal session, but it was rejected. This boost would have come in the state's budget costs.

Just three markets have tax rates of 51%, the greatest in the nation: New York, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire. At 20%, Massachusetts currently ranks 6th greatest.

Prohibiting live betting and prop betting

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

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

The bill likewise seeks to include bonus offers and same-game parlays to the category of "unjust and misleading practices." Sportsbooks favour same-game parlays due to their high "hold" percentage, the quantity of cash they deflect each $1 bet.

Gamer Limits

SD 1657 also aims to produce obligatory everyday and regular monthly limits for bettors. Bettors could not wager more than $1,000 a day and $10,000 a month without an 'price assessment' which includes checking bank accounts. A player can not wager more than 15% of the amount in their account.

Massachusetts would end up being the very first market to require an affordability assessment on bettors.

Advertising restrictions

Keenan also wants to remove marketing during televised sporting events. The step would forbid sportsbooks from running ads throughout video games. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has checked out developing a ban on in-game advertisements before. Nevertheless, this did not go through as national TV deals make this tough to impose.

Will the procedure pass?

The measure is harsh in its changes to the sports betting industry in Massachusetts. Banning prop sports betting and increasing the sports betting tax rate will likely cause pushback from local sportsbooks and market supporters.

Because of this, the procedure will likely be combated in the Senate and your house of Representatives. In the previous session, Keenan failed to raise the tax rate.

He would need to convince the other senators who did not support his effort before to alter their minds. If and when the Senate discusses this procedure, it is impossible to inform how it will be gotten.