Latest Massachusetts Sports Betting Bill Features Substantial Tax Boost & Ban on Live Betting

Massachusetts sports betting might look totally different if a brand-new costs proposed in the Senate is successful. And if history is any sign, regulated sports betting in other states might also change considerably.

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 calls for a total restriction on live betting (in-game wagering) and prop bets.

The main point to keep in mind is that has been at the leading edge of more stringent sports betting guidelines. 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 bill was presented not long after previous 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 presently a Massachusetts costs, it’s most likely to impact other states that use managed sports betting.

A closer take a look at SD 1657

Taxation

Starting with the tax rate boost, 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 turned down. This boost would have come in the state’s budget costs.

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 greatest.

Banning live betting and prop betting

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

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

The bill also seeks to include bonuses and same-game parlays to the category of “unreasonable and misleading practices.” Sportsbooks favour same-game parlays due to their high “hold” percentage, the quantity of money they keep off each $1 wagered.

Player Limits

SD 1657 also aims to develop necessary everyday and month-to-month limits for bettors. Bettors might not wager more than $1,000 a day and $10,000 a month without an ‘price evaluation’ which includes inspecting savings account. A gamer can not wager more than 15% of the amount in their account.

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

Marketing constraints

Keenan also wants to eliminate marketing during televised sporting occasions. The procedure would prohibit sportsbooks from running advertisements throughout games. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has looked into producing a restriction on in-game ads before. However, this did not go through as national television offers make this difficult to implement.

Will the step pass?

The procedure is extreme in its modifications 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 fought in the Senate and your 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 alter their minds. If and when the Senate discusses this procedure, it is difficult to inform how it will be received.