Latest MA Sports Gambling Legislation Includes Massive Tax Boost & Ban on In-Play Betting

New Massachusetts Sports Gambling Legislation Features Massive Tax Increase & Ban on In-Play Betting

Massachusetts sports betting could look completely different if a new bill proposed in the Senate achieves success. And if history is any indicator, controlled sports betting in other states could likewise 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%. Furthermore, 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 forefront of more stringent sports betting regulations. The 2nd thing to know is that the language of this expense is similar to the SAFE Bet Act, a federal piece of legislation introduced in 2024.

This bill was introduced not long after previous Massachusetts Governor and existing NCAA president Charlie Baker affirmed in front of the Senate in a meeting on sports betting policy.

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

A closer 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 boost at the last legal session, however it was rejected. This boost would have come in the state’s budget 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 greatest.

Banning live betting and prop betting

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

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

The expense likewise looks for to include bonus offers and same-game parlays to the classification of “unfair and deceptive practices.” Sportsbooks favour same-game parlays due to their high “hold” percentage, the amount of money they deflect each $1 bet.

Player Limits

SD 1657 likewise intends to develop compulsory day-to-day and monthly limitations for bettors. Bettors could not wager more than $1,000 a day and $10,000 a month without an ‘cost assessment’ which involves inspecting checking 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.

Advertising constraints

Keenan likewise wants to get rid of marketing throughout telecasted sporting events. The measure would prohibit sportsbooks from running advertisements throughout games. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has checked out producing a ban on in-game ads before. However, this did not go through as nationwide television offers make this difficult to enforce.

Will the procedure pass?

The measure is severe in its changes 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 your house of Representatives. In the previous session, Keenan stopped working to raise the tax rate.

He would have to convince 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.