Massachusetts sports betting might look completely different if a brand-new bill proposed in the Senate succeeds. And if history is any sign, regulated sports betting in other states might also alter drastically.

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

The main thing to bear in mind is that Massachusetts has been at the leading edge of stricter sports betting policies. 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 costs was introduced not long after previous Massachusetts Governor and current NCAA president Charlie Baker testified in front of the Senate in a meeting on sports betting guideline.

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

A closer take a look at SD 1657

Taxation

Starting 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 legal session, but it was turned down. This boost would have come in the state's spending plan bill.

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

Banning live betting and prop betting

The measure restricts in-play (live sports betting) or prop betting. Just straight wagers would be enabled, limiting sportsbooks to offering only moneyline, spread, and totals.

While Massachusetts and other markets have restrictions on collegiate sports betting, this would affect even expert sporting events.

The costs also looks for to add rewards and same-game parlays to the classification of "unreasonable and misleading practices." Sportsbooks favour same-game parlays due to their high "hold" portion, the quantity of cash they deflect each $1 bet.

Gamer Limits

SD 1657 likewise aims to produce obligatory daily and regular monthly limitations for bettors. Bettors could not wager more than $1,000 a day and $10,000 a month without an 'price assessment' which includes examining savings account. A gamer can not wager more than 15% of the amount in their account.

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

Advertising restrictions

Keenan also wants to remove advertising during televised sporting events. The step would forbid sportsbooks from running ads during video games. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has actually checked out producing a restriction on in-game ads before. However, this did not go through as nationwide television deals make this hard to impose.

Will the step pass?

The measure is harsh in its modifications 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 market advocates.

Because of this, the procedure will likely be battled in the Senate and the House of Representatives. In the previous session, Keenan failed 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 measure, it is difficult to tell how it will be received.