Massachusetts sports betting could look completely different if a new expense proposed in the Senate is successful. And if history is any indicator, controlled sports betting in other states might likewise alter dramatically.

SD 1657 was presented by Sen. John Keenan. "An Act Addressing Economic, Health, and Social Harms Caused by Sports Betting" aims to increase the present sports betting tax rate from 20% to 51%. In Addition, Sen. Keenan calls for a total restriction on live betting (in-game wagering) and prop bets.

The main thing to keep in mind is that Massachusetts has been at the leading edge of stricter sports betting regulations. The second thing to understand is that the language of this costs is similar to the SAFE Bet Act, a federal piece of legislation introduced in 2024.

This costs was presented not long after previous Massachusetts Governor and existing 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 most likely to affect other states that provide regulated sports betting.

A closer look at SD 1657

Tax

Beginning with the tax rate increase, bringing sports betting to 51% has actually been a target for Sen. Keenan before. Keenan proposed a tax increase at the last legislative session, but it was turned down. This increase would have come in the state's budget plan bill.

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

Prohibiting live betting and prop betting

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

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

The expense also seeks to include bonus offers and same-game parlays to the classification of "unjust and deceptive practices." Sportsbooks favour same-game parlays due to their high "hold" portion, the quantity of cash they keep off each $1 bet.

Player Limits

SD 1657 also intends to produce compulsory everyday and monthly limitations for bettors. Bettors might not wager more than $1,000 a day and $10,000 a month without an 'affordability assessment' which includes checking bank accounts. A player can not wager more than 15% of the quantity in their account.

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

Marketing limitations

Keenan likewise wants to remove marketing throughout telecasted sporting occasions. The step would restrict sportsbooks from running advertisements during video games. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has looked into producing a ban on in-game ads before. Nevertheless, this did not go through as nationwide television offers make this tough to implement.

Will the measure pass?

The step is harsh 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 market advocates.

Because of this, the procedure will likely be combated in the Senate and the House of Representatives. In the previous session, Keenan failed to raise the tax rate.

He would have to encourage 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 inform how it will be received.