New MA Sports Betting Proposal Includes Substantial Tax Hike And Prohibition On Real-Time Betting

Massachusetts sports betting could look totally different if a brand-new costs proposed in the Senate achieves success. And if history is any indication, regulated sports betting in other states might also alter 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%. Additionally, Sen. Keenan calls for a total ban on live betting (in-game wagering) and prop bets.


The main thing to remember is that Massachusetts has actually been at the leading edge of more stringent sports betting regulations. The second thing to know is that the language of this costs is similar to the SAFE Bet Act, a federal piece of legislation introduced in 2024.
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This bill was introduced not long after former Massachusetts Governor and current 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 likely to affect other states that provide regulated sports betting.

A closer look at SD 1657
Taxation

Starting with the tax rate increase, bringing sports betting to 51% has actually been a target for Sen. Keenan before. Keenan proposed a tax boost at the last legal session, but it was turned down. This boost would have been available in the state's spending plan bill.


Only 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 step restricts in-play (live betting) or prop betting. Only straight wagers would be allowed, limiting sportsbooks to offering only moneyline, spread, and totals.


While Massachusetts and other markets have restrictions on college betting, this would impact even expert sporting occasions.


The costs also seeks to include perks and same-game parlays to the classification of "unfair and misleading practices." Sportsbooks favour same-game parlays due to their high "hold" percentage, the amount of cash they deflect each $1 wagered.
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Player Limits

SD 1657 likewise aims to develop mandatory daily and regular monthly limits for bettors. Bettors could not wager more than $1,000 a day and $10,000 a month without an 'price evaluation' which includes inspecting savings account. A player can not wager more than 15% of the quantity in their account.


Massachusetts would end up being the very first market to require a price assessment on bettors.

Advertising constraints

Keenan likewise wishes to remove advertising throughout televised sporting events. The procedure would restrict sportsbooks from running ads during video games. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has actually looked into creating a restriction on in-game advertisements before. However, this did not go through as national television offers make this difficult to implement.
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Will the step pass?

The step is extreme 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 fans.


Because of this, the measure will likely be combated in the Senate and the 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 change their minds. If and when the Senate discusses this step, it is difficult to inform how it will be gotten.