New MA Sports Gambling Proposal Contains Massive Tax Boost & Prohibition on In-Play Betting

Recent MA Sports Gambling Bill Includes Significant Tax Hike and Prohibition on Live Betting

Massachusetts sports betting could look totally various if a brand-new bill proposed in the Senate is successful. 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 existing sports betting tax rate from 20% to 51%. Additionally, Sen. Keenan calls for a complete restriction on live sports betting (in-game betting) and prop bets.

The main thing to remember is that Massachusetts has actually been at the forefront of more stringent sports betting policies. 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 bill 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 regulation.

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

A closer look at SD 1657

Taxation

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 legislative session, however it was declined. This increase would have can be found in the state’s spending plan bill.

Just three markets have tax rates of 51%, the greatest in the nation: New York, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire. At 20%, Massachusetts presently ranks 6th greatest.

Banning live betting and prop betting

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

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

The costs also looks for to add bonus offers 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 money they deflect each $1 bet.

Gamer Limits

SD 1657 likewise intends to produce necessary everyday and regular monthly limits for bettors. Bettors could not wager more than $1,000 a day and $10,000 a month without an ‘cost evaluation’ which involves inspecting bank accounts. A player can not wager more than 15% of the quantity in their account.

Massachusetts would end up being the first market to need a cost assessment on bettors.

Marketing constraints

Keenan also wants to remove advertising during televised sporting events. The procedure would prohibit sportsbooks from running advertisements throughout video games. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has looked into creating a ban on in-game ads before. However, this did not go through as national television offers make this hard to impose.

Will the measure 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 supporters.

Because of this, the procedure will likely be combated in the Senate and your home of Representatives. In the previous session, Keenan stopped working to raise the tax rate.

He would need to encourage the other senators who did not his effort before to alter their minds. If and when the Senate discusses this step, it is impossible to inform how it will be received.