Sport Betting Industry Looks To Protect Itself

Latest MA Sports Gambling Legislation Contains Significant Tax Boost & Prohibition on Live Betting

Massachusetts sports betting might look entirely different if a new bill proposed in the Senate is successful. And if history is any indicator, managed sports betting in other states might also alter significantly.

SD 1657 existed 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 requires a complete restriction on live sports betting (in-game wagering) and prop bets.

The main thing to remember is that Massachusetts has actually been at the leading edge of stricter sports betting policies. The second thing to know is that the language of this costs resembles the SAFE Bet Act, a federal piece of legislation presented in 2024.

This bill was introduced not long after former Massachusetts Governor and existing NCAA president Charlie Baker testified 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 use regulated 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, but it was turned down. This boost would have come in the state’s budget bill.

Only 3 markets have tax rates of 51%, the greatest in the nation: New York, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire. At 20%, Massachusetts currently ranks sixth highest.

Prohibiting live betting and prop betting

The step forbids in-play (live sports betting) or prop sports betting. Just straight wagers would be permitted, restricting sportsbooks to using just moneyline, spread, and overalls.

While Massachusetts and other markets have limitations on collegiate wagering, this would affect even professional sporting occasions.

The bill also looks for to include benefits and same-game parlays to the category of “unfair and deceptive practices.” Sportsbooks favour same-game parlays due to their high “hold” portion, the amount of cash they keep off each $1 wagered.

Gamer Limits

SD 1657 also intends to develop mandatory day-to-day and regular monthly limitations for bettors. Bettors could not wager more than $1,000 a day and $10,000 a month without an ‘affordability assessment’ which includes inspecting . 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 evaluation on bettors.

Advertising limitations

Keenan also wishes to get rid of marketing throughout televised sporting occasions. The measure would prohibit sportsbooks from running ads during games. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has actually looked into creating a ban on in-game advertisements before. However, this did not go through as national TV deals make this hard to enforce.

Will the step pass?

The step is harsh in its changes to the sports betting industry in Massachusetts. Banning prop sports betting and increasing the sports betting tax rate will likely result in pushback from local sportsbooks and industry supporters.

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