Massachusetts sports betting might look entirely different if a brand-new costs proposed in the Senate achieves success. And if history is any indication, controlled sports betting in other states might likewise alter significantly.

SD 1657 existed 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 complete ban on live sports betting (in-game wagering) and prop bets.

The main point to remember is that Massachusetts has been at the forefront of stricter sports betting policies. The 2nd thing to know is that the language of this costs resembles the SAFE Bet Act, a federal piece of legislation introduced in 2024.

This expense 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 guideline.

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

A closer look at SD 1657

Taxation

Beginning with the tax rate increase, 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 rejected. This boost would have can be found in the state's budget plan bill.

Only 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.

Banning live betting and prop betting

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

While Massachusetts and other markets have limitations on college wagering, this would impact even professional sporting occasions.

The expense also looks for to add perks and same-game parlays to the classification of "unreasonable and misleading practices." Sportsbooks favour same-game parlays due to their high "hold" percentage, the amount of cash they keep off each $1 bet.

Gamer Limits

SD 1657 also intends to create mandatory daily and month-to-month limitations for bettors. Bettors might not wager more than $1,000 a day and $10,000 a month without an 'cost assessment' which includes examining checking account. A player can not wager more than 15% of the quantity in their account.

Massachusetts would become the very first market to need an affordability assessment on bettors.

Advertising restrictions

Keenan also wishes to get rid of marketing during telecasted sporting events. The step would forbid 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 national TV deals make this tough to impose.

Will the procedure pass?

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

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 need to convince 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 inform how it will be gotten.