New MA Sports Betting Proposal Includes Significant Tax Hike & Prohibition on Live Betting
Massachusetts sports betting could look totally various if a brand-new bill proposed in the Senate achieves success. And if history is any indication, managed sports betting in other states could also change considerably.
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%. In Addition, Sen. Keenan requires a total ban on live betting (in-game betting) and prop bets.
The main point to bear in mind is that Massachusetts has actually been at the forefront of more stringent sports betting policies. The 2nd thing to know is that the language of this expense is similar to the SAFE Bet Act, a federal piece of legislation presented in 2024.
This bill was introduced not long after former Massachusetts Governor and present NCAA president Charlie Baker testified in front of the Senate in a meeting on sports betting guideline.
So, while this is currently a Massachusetts costs, it’s most likely to impact other states that use controlled sports betting.
A closer look at SD 1657
Taxation
Starting with the tax rate boost, bringing sports betting to 51% has actually been a target for Sen. Keenan before. Keenan proposed a tax boost at the last legal session, however it was turned down. This increase would have been available in the state’s budget plan bill.
Just three markets have tax rates of 51%, the greatest in the country: New York, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire. At 20%, Massachusetts presently ranks 6th highest.
Prohibiting live betting and prop betting
The procedure restricts in-play (live betting) or prop betting. Just straight wagers would be enabled, limiting sportsbooks to using just moneyline, spread, and overalls.
While Massachusetts and other markets have constraints on college betting, this would impact even professional sporting events.
The costs also seeks to add bonuses and same-game parlays to the classification of « unreasonable and misleading practices. » Sportsbooks favour same-game parlays due to their high « hold » percentage, the quantity of money they deflect each $1 wagered.
Player Limits
SD 1657 also aims to produce compulsory day-to-day and month-to-month limits for bettors. Bettors could not wager more than $1,000 a day and $10,000 a month without an ‘price assessment’ which involves checking checking account. A gamer can not wager more than 15% of the amount in their account.
Massachusetts would end up being the very first market to need a price evaluation on bettors.
Marketing constraints
Keenan also wishes to remove marketing throughout telecasted sporting events. The procedure would forbid sportsbooks from running advertisements during games. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has looked into developing a restriction on in-game ads before. However, this did not go through as national television offers make this tough to implement.
Will the step pass?
The step is harsh 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 industry advocates.
Because of this, the measure will likely be battled in the Senate and your house 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 initiative before to change their minds. If and when the Senate discusses this procedure, it is difficult to inform how it will be gotten.
