Massachusetts sports betting could look entirely different if a new expense proposed in the Senate is successful. And if history is any sign, regulated sports betting in other states might also alter significantly.

SD 1657 was presented 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%. In Addition, Sen. Keenan calls for a complete ban on live sports betting (in-game wagering) and prop bets.

The main point to bear in mind is that Massachusetts has been at the forefront 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 bill was introduced not long after previous Massachusetts Governor and current NCAA president Charlie Baker affirmed in front of the Senate in a meeting on sports betting regulation.

So, while this is currently a Massachusetts bill, it's likely to affect other states that provide controlled sports betting.

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 come in the state's budget plan bill.

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 greatest.

Banning live betting and prop betting

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

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

The expense also looks for to include perks and same-game parlays to the category of "unfair and misleading practices." Sportsbooks favour same-game parlays due to their high "hold" percentage, the amount of cash they keep off each $1 wagered.

Player Limits

SD 1657 also intends to produce compulsory everyday and regular monthly limits for bettors. Bettors could not wager more than $1,000 a day and $10,000 a month without an 'price evaluation' which includes checking checking account. A player can not wager more than 15% of the amount in their account.

Massachusetts would become the very first market to require an affordability assessment on bettors.

Advertising constraints

Keenan also wishes to eliminate marketing throughout telecasted sporting events. The step would restrict sportsbooks from running advertisements throughout games. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has actually looked into producing a ban on in-game advertisements before. However, this did not go through as national TV deals make this hard to implement.

Will the measure 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 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 encourage the other senators who did not support his initiative before to change their minds. If and when the Senate discusses this measure, it is difficult to tell how it will be gotten.