
Cover the Bases: Sports Betting News and Notes from the Past Week
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New MA Sports Betting Proposal Includes Massive Tax Increase & Ban on Real-Time Betting
Massachusetts sports betting could look entirely various if a new bill proposed in the Senate achieves success. And if history is any sign, regulated sports betting in other states might likewise alter drastically.
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 betting (in-game wagering) and prop bets.
The main thing to remember is that Massachusetts has been at the leading edge of more stringent sports betting guidelines. The second thing to understand is that the language of this costs is similar to the SAFE Bet Act, a federal piece of legislation presented in 2024.
This expense was introduced not long after previous Massachusetts Governor and current NCAA president Charlie Baker testified in front of the Senate in a meeting on sports betting regulation.
So, while this is currently a Massachusetts expense, it’s most likely to affect other states that use controlled sports betting.
A closer 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 legislative session, however it was declined. This increase would have come in the state’s spending plan expense.
Only 3 markets have tax rates of 51%, the greatest in the nation: New York, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire. At 20%, Massachusetts presently ranks sixth highest.
Prohibiting live betting and prop betting
The measure restricts in-play (live betting) or prop betting. Just straight wagers would be permitted, restricting sportsbooks to providing just moneyline, spread, and overalls.
While Massachusetts and other markets have restrictions on college wagering, this would affect even expert sporting events.
The costs likewise seeks to add benefits and same-game parlays to the classification of “unreasonable and deceptive practices.” Sportsbooks favour same-game parlays due to their high “hold” percentage, the amount of money they keep off each $1 bet.
Player Limits
SD 1657 also aims to create necessary daily and regular monthly limits for bettors. Bettors might not wager more than $1,000 a day and $10,000 a month without an ‘affordability evaluation’ which includes inspecting savings account. A player can not wager more than 15% of the amount in their account.
Massachusetts would end up being the first market to require an affordability assessment on bettors.
Advertising restrictions
Keenan likewise wants to get rid of marketing throughout televised sporting occasions. The measure would forbid sportsbooks from running ads during video games. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has looked into creating a restriction on in-game ads before. However, this did not go through as nationwide TV offers make this hard to impose.
Will the step pass?
The measure is harsh in its modifications 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 market advocates.
Because of this, the procedure will likely be fought in the Senate and your house 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 effort before to change their minds. If and when the Senate discusses this measure, it is impossible to inform how it will be received.