Latest Massachusetts Sports Betting Legislation Contains Massive Tax Boost and Prohibition on In-Play Betting
Massachusetts sports betting might look entirely different if a brand-new bill proposed in the Senate achieves success. And if history is any sign, managed sports betting in other states might likewise change dramatically.
SD 1657 was presented by Sen. John Keenan. "An Act Addressing Economic, Health, and Social Harms Caused by Sports Betting" intends to increase the existing sports betting tax rate from 20% to 51%. Additionally, Sen. Keenan calls for a total restriction on live betting (in-game betting) and prop bets.
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The main thing to bear in mind is that Massachusetts has been at the leading edge of more stringent sports betting regulations. 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 existing NCAA president Charlie Baker affirmed in front of the Senate in a meeting on sports betting policy.
So, while this is presently a Massachusetts bill, it's most likely to affect other states that provide managed sports betting.
A closer look at SD 1657
Taxation
Beginning with the tax rate boost, bringing sports betting to 51% has actually been a target for Sen. Keenan before. Keenan proposed a tax increase at the last legislative session, but it was rejected. This boost would have can be found in the state's budget bill.
Just three markets have tax rates of 51%, the highest in the country: New York, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire. At 20%, Massachusetts currently 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, limiting sportsbooks to offering only moneyline, spread, and overalls.
While Massachusetts and other markets have constraints on collegiate wagering, this would affect even professional sporting occasions.
The costs also seeks to add perks and same-game parlays to the category of "unreasonable and deceptive practices." Sportsbooks favour same-game parlays due to their high "hold" percentage, the amount of money they deflect each $1 wagered.
Gamer Limits
SD 1657 likewise aims to create mandatory day-to-day and monthly limits for bettors. Bettors could not wager more than $1,000 a day and $10,000 a month without an 'cost assessment' which includes checking savings account. A player can not wager more than 15% of the quantity in their account.
Massachusetts would become the very first market to require an affordability assessment on bettors.
Advertising constraints
Keenan likewise wishes to get rid of advertising during televised sporting occasions. The measure would prohibit sportsbooks from running advertisements during video games. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has actually checked out developing a restriction on in-game advertisements before. However, this did not go through as national TV deals make this difficult to implement.
Will the procedure pass?
The measure is severe 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 industry fans.
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Because of this, the measure will likely be combated in the Senate and your house of Representatives. In the previous session, Keenan failed to raise the tax rate.
He would need to convince the other senators who did not support his initiative before to change their minds. If and when the Senate discusses this step, it is impossible to tell how it will be gotten.
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