Recent MA Sports Betting Bill Contains Substantial Tax Hike & Ban on Live Betting

New Massachusetts Sports Betting Proposal Contains Substantial Tax Boost & Restriction on Real-Time Betting

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

SD 1657 was presented by Sen. John Keenan. « An Act Addressing Economic, Health, and Social Harms Caused by Sports Betting » aims to increase the current sports betting tax rate from 20% to 51%. In Addition, Sen. Keenan calls for a complete restriction on live betting (in-game wagering) and prop bets.

The main thing to keep in mind is that Massachusetts has been at the leading edge of more stringent sports betting guidelines. 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 introduced not long after previous Massachusetts Governor and present NCAA president Charlie Baker affirmed in front of the Senate in a meeting on sports betting guideline.

So, while this is presently a Massachusetts costs, it’s most likely to impact other states that offer 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, however it was turned down. This increase would have come in the state’s budget bill.

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

Prohibiting live betting and prop betting

The procedure forbids in-play (live betting) or prop betting. Only straight wagers would be allowed, limiting sportsbooks to providing only moneyline, spread, and totals.

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

The costs also seeks to include benefits and same-game parlays to the classification of « unjust and misleading practices. » Sportsbooks favour same-game parlays due to their high « hold » portion, the amount of money they deflect each $1 wagered.

Player Limits

SD 1657 likewise intends to create obligatory day-to-day 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 assessment’ which includes inspecting 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 require an affordability assessment on bettors.

Marketing limitations

Keenan also wishes to get rid of marketing during televised sporting events. The procedure would forbid sportsbooks from running ads throughout video games. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has looked into producing a ban on in-game ads before. Nevertheless, this did not go through as national TV offers make this tough to implement.

Will the procedure pass?

The measure is extreme in its modifications 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 industry fans.

Because of this, the procedure will likely be fought in the Senate and your house of Representatives. In the previous session, Keenan failed 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 impossible to tell how it will be received.