Cover the Bases: Sports Betting News and Notes from the Past Week

Recent MA Sports Gambling Legislation Includes Significant Tax Increase & Restriction on In-Play Betting

Massachusetts sports betting could look entirely different if a brand-new bill proposed in the Senate achieves success. And if history is any sign, managed sports betting in other states might 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 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 point to keep in mind is that Massachusetts has been at the forefront of stricter sports betting guidelines. 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.

This expense was presented not long after former Massachusetts Governor and existing 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 provide controlled sports betting.

A closer take a 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 increase at the last legal session, but it was declined. This boost would have come in the state’s budget expense.

Just 3 markets have tax rates of 51%, the highest in the nation: New York, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire. At 20%, Massachusetts presently ranks sixth greatest.

Prohibiting live betting and prop betting

The step forbids in-play (live betting) or prop betting. Just straight wagers would be permitted, restricting sportsbooks to using just moneyline, spread, and totals.

While Massachusetts and other markets have limitations on collegiate wagering, this would affect even professional sporting occasions.

The bill likewise seeks to include benefits and same-game parlays to the category of “unjust and deceptive practices.” Sportsbooks favour same-game parlays due to their high “hold” portion, the quantity of money they deflect each $1 .

Gamer Limits

SD 1657 likewise aims to develop mandatory day-to-day and monthly limits for bettors. Bettors could not wager more than $1,000 a day and $10,000 a month without an ‘cost assessment’ which includes examining savings account. A gamer can not wager more than 15% of the amount in their account.

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

Marketing restrictions

Keenan also wants to remove advertising during telecasted sporting events. The measure would restrict sportsbooks from running ads during video games. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has checked out developing a restriction on in-game ads before. Nevertheless, this did not go through as nationwide TV deals make this hard to impose.

Will the measure pass?

The step 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 supporters.

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 difficult to tell how it will be received.