Sport Betting Industry Aims To Protect Itself

Recent MA Sports Gambling Proposal Contains Massive Tax Boost and Ban on In-Play Betting

Massachusetts sports betting could look completely different if a new costs proposed in the Senate achieves success. And if history is any sign, controlled sports betting in other states could also change 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 betting (in-game wagering) and prop bets.

The main thing to bear in mind is that Massachusetts has actually been at the leading edge of stricter sports betting regulations. 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 bill was introduced not long after former Massachusetts Governor and present NCAA president Charlie Baker testified in front of the Senate in a meeting on sports betting policy.

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

A closer take a look at SD 1657

Taxation

Starting with the tax rate boost, 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 declined. This boost would have come in the state’s budget expense.

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

Prohibiting live betting and prop betting

The procedure restricts in-play (live betting) or prop betting. Just straight wagers would be permitted, restricting sportsbooks to using only moneyline, spread, and .

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

The expense also seeks to add bonus offers and same-game parlays to the category of “unreasonable and deceptive practices.” Sportsbooks favour same-game parlays due to their high “hold” portion, the amount of cash they keep off each $1 bet.

Gamer Limits

SD 1657 likewise intends to produce mandatory everyday and monthly limits for bettors. Bettors could not wager more than $1,000 a day and $10,000 a month without an ‘price evaluation’ which involves inspecting bank accounts. A gamer can not wager more than 15% of the amount in their account.

Massachusetts would become the very first market to require a price evaluation on bettors.

Advertising restrictions

Keenan likewise wishes to eliminate advertising throughout televised sporting occasions. The step would forbid sportsbooks from running ads throughout games. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has actually checked out developing a ban on in-game advertisements before. Nevertheless, this did not go through as nationwide TV deals make this hard to impose.

Will the step pass?

The step is severe in its modifications 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 home 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 initiative before to change their minds. If and when the Senate discusses this measure, it is impossible to inform how it will be gotten.