Cover the Bases: Sports Betting News and Notes from the Past Week

Recent Massachusetts Sports Betting Proposal Features Significant Tax Hike and Restriction on In-Play Betting

Massachusetts sports betting could look totally various if a new costs proposed in the Senate is successful. And if history is any indication, regulated sports betting in other states might also change 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 existing sports betting tax rate from 20% to 51%. Additionally, Sen. Keenan requires a complete ban on live betting (in-game sports betting) and prop bets.

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

This bill was presented not long after former Massachusetts Governor and current 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 take a look at SD 1657

Tax

Beginning with the tax rate increase, bringing sports betting to 51% has been a target for Sen. Keenan before. Keenan proposed a tax increase at the last legal session, however it was rejected. This boost would have been available in the state’s spending 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 6th highest.

Banning live betting and prop betting

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

While Massachusetts and other markets have constraints on college betting, this would affect even professional sporting events.

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

Player Limits

SD 1657 also intends to produce compulsory everyday and month-to-month limitations for bettors. Bettors could not wager more than $1,000 a day and $10,000 a month without an ‘cost assessment’ which includes checking checking account. A gamer can not wager more than 15% of the amount in their account.

Massachusetts would become the first market to need a cost assessment on bettors.

Marketing limitations

Keenan also wishes to get rid of advertising during telecasted sporting events. The step would restrict sportsbooks from running advertisements throughout video games. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has actually checked out creating a ban on in-game ads before. However, this did not go through as national television deals make this difficult to enforce.

Will the step pass?

The measure is extreme 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 industry fans.

Because of this, the step will likely be fought in the Senate and your house of Representatives. In the previous session, Keenan stopped working to raise the tax rate.

He would have to persuade the other senators who did not his effort before to alter their minds. If and when the Senate discusses this procedure, it is impossible to tell how it will be gotten.