Latest MA Sports Betting Legislation Includes Significant Tax Hike and Ban on In-Play Betting

Massachusetts sports betting could look completely different if a brand-new expense proposed in the Senate is successful. And if history is any sign, regulated sports betting in other states might also alter drastically.

SD 1657 was presented by Sen. John Keenan. “An Act Addressing Economic, Health, and Social Harms Caused by Sports Betting” intends to increase the current sports betting tax rate from 20% to 51%. Additionally, Sen. Keenan calls for a total restriction on live betting (in-game betting) and prop bets.

The main point to remember is that Massachusetts has actually been at the leading edge of stricter sports betting policies. The 2nd thing to understand is that the language of this costs resembles the SAFE Bet Act, a federal piece of legislation introduced in 2024.

This expense was introduced not long after former Massachusetts Governor and present NCAA president Charlie Baker affirmed 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 regulated sports betting.

A closer take a look at SD 1657

Taxation

Starting with the tax rate increase, bringing sports betting to 51% has been a target for Sen. Keenan before. Keenan proposed a tax increase at the last legislative session, but it was rejected. This increase would have can be found in the state’s budget plan expense.

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 sixth highest.

Banning live betting and prop betting

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

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

The expense also seeks to add benefits and same-game parlays to the category 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 wagered.

Gamer Limits

SD 1657 also intends to produce obligatory day-to-day and monthly limitations for bettors. Bettors might not wager more than $1,000 a day and $10,000 a month without an ‘affordability evaluation’ which involves examining savings account. A player can not wager more than 15% of the quantity in their account.

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

Marketing constraints

Keenan also wants to remove marketing during telecasted sporting occasions. The procedure would prohibit sportsbooks from running ads during games. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has actually looked into producing a restriction on in-game advertisements before. However, this did not go through as national TV deals make this hard to impose.

Will the step pass?

The measure is severe 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 market supporters.

Because of this, the measure will likely be fought in the Senate and the 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 initiative before to change their minds. If and when the Senate discusses this step, it is difficult to tell how it will be received.