
Cover the Bases: Sports Betting News and Notes from the Past Week
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Recent Massachusetts Sports Betting Legislation Includes Significant Tax Increase and Ban on In-Play Betting
Massachusetts sports betting could look totally various if a new expense proposed in the Senate achieves success. And if history is any indicator, regulated sports betting in other states could likewise 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 existing sports betting tax rate from 20% to 51%. Additionally, 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 been at the leading edge of stricter sports betting policies. The second thing to understand is that the language of this costs 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 testified in front of the Senate in a meeting on sports betting regulation.
So, while this is presently a Massachusetts bill, it’s likely to impact other states that provide managed sports betting.
A closer look at SD 1657
Taxation
Beginning with the tax rate increase, bringing sports betting to 51% has actually been a target for Sen. Keenan before. Keenan proposed a tax boost at the last legislative session, but it was declined. This increase would have been available in the state’s budget costs.
Only 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 measure prohibits in-play (live sports betting) or prop sports betting. Just straight wagers would be permitted, restricting sportsbooks to using only moneyline, spread, and totals.
While Massachusetts and other markets have restrictions on college wagering, this would impact even professional sporting events.
The expense also seeks to add rewards 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 money they keep off each $1 wagered.
Gamer Limits
SD 1657 likewise aims to create obligatory day-to-day and month-to-month limits for bettors. Bettors could not wager more than $1,000 a day and $10,000 a month without an ‘cost assessment’ which involves examining checking account. A player can not wager more than 15% of the amount in their account.
Massachusetts would end up being the very first market to need a price assessment on bettors.
Advertising limitations
Keenan also wishes to get rid of advertising during telecasted sporting events. The procedure would prohibit sportsbooks from running advertisements during games. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has looked into developing a ban on in-game ads before. However, this did not go through as national TV offers make this hard to enforce.
Will the step pass?
The step is extreme in its modifications to the sports betting industry in Massachusetts. Banning prop sports betting and increasing the sports betting tax rate will likely lead to pushback from local sportsbooks and industry fans.
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 encourage the other senators who did not support his effort before to change their minds. If and when the Senate discusses this step, it is impossible to inform how it will be gotten.