Latest MA Sports Betting Legislation Contains Massive Tax Hike & Restriction on Live Betting

Recent MA Sports Betting Bill Features Massive Tax Hike & Prohibition on In-Play Betting

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

The main point to keep in mind is that Massachusetts has actually been at the forefront of stricter sports betting policies. 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 expense was introduced not long after previous Massachusetts Governor and existing NCAA president Charlie Baker affirmed in front of the Senate in a meeting on sports betting policy.

So, while this is currently a Massachusetts expense, it’s likely to impact other states that provide managed sports betting.

A closer look at SD 1657

Tax

Starting 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 currently ranks 6th greatest.

Prohibiting live betting and prop betting

The procedure restricts in-play (live sports betting) or prop sports betting. Only straight wagers would be enabled, limiting sportsbooks to offering just moneyline, spread, and totals.

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

The bill also seeks to add rewards and same-game parlays to the classification of “unreasonable and misleading practices.” Sportsbooks favour same-game parlays due to their high “hold” portion, the amount of cash they keep off each $1 bet.

Gamer Limits

SD 1657 likewise aims to develop compulsory daily and month-to-month limitations for bettors. Bettors might not wager more than $1,000 a day and $10,000 a month without an ‘price evaluation’ which involves checking 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 a price assessment on bettors.

Advertising limitations

Keenan likewise wishes to eliminate advertising during televised sporting occasions. The measure would restrict sportsbooks from running ads throughout 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 nationwide television deals make this hard to enforce.

Will the step pass?

The procedure is extreme in its changes to the sports betting industry in Massachusetts. Banning prop sports betting and increasing the sports betting tax rate will likely cause pushback from local sportsbooks and market fans.

Because of this, the step 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 need to 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 inform how it will be received.