New MA Sports Gambling Proposal Features Substantial Tax Boost and Ban on Real-Time Betting

Recent Massachusetts Sports Gambling Bill Includes Massive Tax Increase and Ban on Real-Time Betting

Massachusetts sports betting might look totally various if a brand-new expense proposed in the Senate succeeds. And if history is any sign, controlled sports betting in other states might also alter dramatically.

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%. Furthermore, Sen. Keenan requires a complete ban on live betting (in-game wagering) and prop bets.

The main thing to remember is that Massachusetts has actually been at the leading edge of stricter sports betting guidelines. The second thing to understand is that the language of this bill resembles the SAFE Bet Act, a federal piece of legislation introduced in 2024.

This expense was presented 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 bill, it’s likely to affect other states that use regulated sports betting.

A closer take a 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, but it was turned down. This boost would have can be found in the state’s budget plan costs.

Only 3 markets have tax rates of 51%, the greatest in the nation: New York, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire. At 20%, Massachusetts currently ranks 6th highest.

Prohibiting live betting and prop betting

The step prohibits in-play (live betting) or prop betting. Just straight wagers would be enabled, limiting sportsbooks to using only moneyline, spread, and totals.

While Massachusetts and other markets have constraints on college wagering, this would affect even professional sporting events.

The costs likewise seeks to include perks and same-game parlays to the classification of “unreasonable and deceptive practices.” Sportsbooks favour same-game parlays due to their high “hold” portion, the quantity of cash they keep off each $1 bet.

Gamer Limits

SD 1657 also aims to produce compulsory everyday and month-to-month limits for bettors. Bettors could not wager more than $1,000 a day and $10,000 a month without an ‘price evaluation’ which involves examining checking account. A player can not wager more than 15% of the amount in their account.

Massachusetts would end up being the first market to require a price evaluation on bettors.

Marketing restrictions

Keenan also wishes to get rid of advertising throughout televised sporting occasions. The procedure would forbid sportsbooks from running advertisements throughout games. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has looked into producing a restriction on in-game ads before. Nevertheless, this did not go through as nationwide TV deals make this difficult to implement.

Will the step pass?

The procedure is severe in its changes 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 advocates.

Because of this, the procedure will likely be fought in the Senate and your home 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 before to alter their minds. If and when the Senate discusses this procedure, it is impossible to tell how it will be received.