Latest MA Sports Betting Bill Includes Significant Tax Hike & Prohibition on In-Play Betting

Massachusetts sports betting might look completely various if a new costs proposed in the Senate succeeds. And if history is any indicator, managed sports betting in other states might also change 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 current sports betting tax rate from 20% to 51%. Furthermore, Sen. Keenan calls for a complete ban on live betting (in-game wagering) and prop bets.

The main thing to bear in mind is that Massachusetts has been at the forefront of stricter sports betting guidelines. The 2nd thing to understand is that the language of this bill is similar to the SAFE Bet Act, a federal piece of legislation presented in 2024.

This expense was presented not long after former Massachusetts Governor and current NCAA president Charlie Baker affirmed in front of the Senate in a meeting on sports betting policy.

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

A closer take a 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 boost at the last legal session, however it was rejected. This increase would have can be found in the state’s budget expense.

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 6th greatest.

Banning live betting and prop betting

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

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

The costs likewise looks for to include rewards and same-game parlays to the classification of “unjust and misleading practices.” Sportsbooks favour same-game parlays due to their high “hold” portion, the amount of cash they keep off each $1 wagered.

Player Limits

SD 1657 also intends to produce obligatory day-to-day and monthly limitations for bettors. Bettors might not wager more than $1,000 a day and $10,000 a month without an ‘price evaluation’ which includes examining 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 cost assessment on bettors.

Marketing limitations

Keenan likewise wants to get rid of marketing during televised sporting events. The step would forbid sportsbooks from running advertisements throughout video games. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has actually checked out producing a restriction on in-game advertisements before. Nevertheless, this did not go through as national TV offers make this difficult to enforce.

Will the measure pass?

The step is severe in its changes 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 market advocates.

Because of this, the measure will likely be combated in the Senate and your house of Representatives. In the previous session, Keenan stopped working 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 step, it is difficult to inform how it will be gotten.