Sport Betting Industry Wants To Protect Itself

Recent MA Sports Betting Bill Contains Significant Tax Increase & Restriction on Live Betting

Massachusetts sports betting might look completely different if a new costs proposed in the Senate is successful. And if history is any indication, regulated sports betting in other states might likewise alter considerably.

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%. Additionally, Sen. Keenan calls for a complete ban on live betting (in-game wagering) and prop bets.

The main point to remember is that Massachusetts has actually been at the leading edge of more stringent sports betting policies. The second thing to know is that the language of this bill is similar to the SAFE Bet Act, a federal piece of legislation introduced in 2024.

This expense was presented not long after previous Massachusetts Governor and existing NCAA president Charlie Baker testified in front of the Senate in a meeting on sports betting regulation.

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

A closer look at SD 1657

Taxation

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, but it was rejected. This boost would have been available in the state’s budget plan expense.

Just 3 markets have tax rates of 51%, the highest in the country: New York, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire. At 20%, Massachusetts presently ranks 6th highest.

Banning live betting and prop betting

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

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

The bill also looks for to add bonuses and same-game parlays to the classification of “unfair and misleading practices.” Sportsbooks favour same-game parlays due to their high “hold” percentage, the amount of cash they deflect each $1 bet.

Gamer Limits

SD 1657 also aims to develop compulsory everyday and monthly limits for bettors. Bettors could not wager more than $1,000 a day and $10,000 a month without an ‘cost evaluation’ which includes examining checking account. A gamer can not wager more than 15% of the amount in their account.

Massachusetts would end up being the very first market to need an affordability evaluation on bettors.

Marketing limitations

Keenan likewise wishes to remove advertising throughout telecasted sporting occasions. The step would prohibit sportsbooks from running advertisements during video games. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has looked into developing a ban on in-game advertisements before. However, this did not go through as nationwide TV offers make this difficult to impose.

Will the procedure pass?

The procedure 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 industry advocates.

Because of this, the procedure will likely be fought in the Senate and the 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 support his effort before to change their minds. If and when the Senate discusses this measure, it is difficult to inform how it will be gotten.