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

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

The main thing to remember 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 introduced not long after former Massachusetts Governor and existing NCAA president Charlie Baker testified in front of the Senate in a meeting on sports betting policy.

So, while this is presently a Massachusetts bill, it's likely to affect other states that use managed sports betting.

A closer look at SD 1657

Taxation

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

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 sixth highest.

Banning live betting and prop betting

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

While Massachusetts and other markets have restrictions on college betting, this would impact even expert sporting events.

The bill likewise seeks to include bonus offers and same-game parlays to the category of "unreasonable and misleading practices." Sportsbooks favour same-game parlays due to their high "hold" percentage, the quantity of cash they deflect each $1 wagered.

Player Limits

SD 1657 likewise intends to create mandatory daily and regular monthly limitations for bettors. Bettors might not wager more than $1,000 a day and $10,000 a month without an 'price assessment' which includes inspecting savings account. A player can not wager more than 15% of the quantity in their account.

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

Advertising constraints

Keenan also wishes to remove advertising throughout telecasted sporting events. The measure would restrict sportsbooks from running ads during games. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has checked out creating a restriction on in-game advertisements before. However, this did not go through as nationwide TV offers make this tough to impose.

Will the procedure pass?

The step is harsh in its modifications to the sports betting industry in Massachusetts. Banning prop betting and increasing the sports betting tax rate will likely result in pushback from local sportsbooks and industry supporters.

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

He would need to convince 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 gotten.