Massachusetts sports betting might look entirely different if a new bill proposed in the Senate succeeds. And if history is any indicator, controlled sports betting in other states could likewise alter drastically.
SD 1657 existed 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%. In Addition, Sen. Keenan calls for a complete restriction on live betting (in-game betting) and prop bets.
The main point to remember is that Massachusetts has been at the leading edge of stricter sports betting policies. The 2nd thing to know is that the language of this costs is similar to the SAFE Bet Act, a federal piece of legislation presented in 2024.
This expense was introduced not long after previous Massachusetts Governor and current 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 most likely to affect other states that offer 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 legislative session, however it was declined. This increase would have come in the state's budget 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 sixth greatest.
Banning live betting and prop betting
The step restricts in-play (live sports betting) or prop sports betting. Just straight wagers would be permitted, restricting sportsbooks to using just moneyline, spread, and overalls.
While Massachusetts and other markets have restrictions on collegiate sports betting, this would affect even professional sporting events.
The bill likewise looks for to include bonus offers and same-game parlays to the category 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.
Gamer Limits
SD 1657 also intends to create mandatory day-to-day and month-to-month limits for bettors. Bettors could not wager more than $1,000 a day and $10,000 a month without an 'affordability assessment' which includes checking savings account. A player can not wager more than 15% of the quantity in their account.
Massachusetts would become the very first market to need a cost assessment on bettors.
Marketing limitations
Keenan likewise wishes to eliminate advertising throughout telecasted sporting events. The step would prohibit sportsbooks from running advertisements during video games. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has looked into developing a ban on in-game advertisements before. However, this did not go through as nationwide TV offers make this tough to implement.
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 lead to pushback from local sportsbooks and industry supporters.
Because of this, the measure will likely be battled in the Senate and the House 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 support his effort before to alter their minds. If and when the Senate discusses this procedure, it is impossible to tell how it will be received.
