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Latest MA Sports Betting Legislation Includes Massive Tax Boost and Restriction on Real-Time 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, managed sports betting in other states could likewise change considerably.
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%. Furthermore, Sen. Keenan requires a total restriction on live betting (in-game betting) and prop bets.
The main point to keep in mind is that Massachusetts has actually been at the leading edge of stricter sports betting regulations. The 2nd thing to know is that the language of this expense is similar to the SAFE Bet Act, a federal piece of legislation introduced in 2024.
This expense 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 guideline.
So, while this is presently a Massachusetts expense, it’s most likely to impact other states that provide regulated 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 rejected. This boost would have can be found in the state’s budget bill.
Just 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 enabled, restricting sportsbooks to using just moneyline, spread, and totals.
While Massachusetts and other markets have constraints on collegiate betting, this would affect even professional sporting occasions.
The bill likewise looks for to add perks and same-game parlays to the category of “unjust and deceptive practices.” Sportsbooks favour same-game parlays due to their high “hold” percentage, the amount of money they keep off each $1 wagered.
Gamer Limits
SD 1657 likewise intends to produce necessary day-to-day and month-to-month limits for bettors. Bettors might not wager more than $1,000 a day and $10,000 a month without an ‘cost evaluation’ which includes inspecting savings account. A player can not wager more than 15% of the quantity in their account.
Massachusetts would become the first market to require a cost assessment on bettors.
Marketing restrictions
Keenan likewise wishes to remove marketing throughout telecasted sporting occasions. The measure would forbid sportsbooks from running ads throughout video games. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has looked into creating a restriction on in-game ads before. Nevertheless, this did not go through as nationwide television deals make this hard to implement.
Will the procedure pass?
The procedure is harsh in its modifications to the sports betting industry in Massachusetts. Banning prop betting and increasing the sports betting tax rate will likely lead to pushback from local sportsbooks and industry supporters.
Because of this, the procedure will likely be combated in the Senate and the House of Representatives. In the previous session, Keenan stopped working 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 step, it is impossible to tell how it will be gotten.