Latest MA Sports Betting Bill Includes Significant Tax Increase and Ban on In-Play Betting
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Massachusetts sports betting might look entirely different if a brand-new costs proposed in the Senate achieves success. And if history is any indication, managed sports betting in other states could also change considerably.
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SD 1657 was presented 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 ban on live betting (in-game betting) and prop bets.
The main thing to bear in mind is that Massachusetts has actually been at the leading edge of stricter sports betting guidelines. The second thing to understand is that the language of this bill is similar to the SAFE Bet Act, a federal piece of legislation presented in 2024.
This bill was introduced not long after former 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 expense, it's likely to impact other states that offer controlled 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 legal session, but it was rejected. This boost would have been available in the state's spending plan costs.
Only 3 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.
Prohibiting live betting and prop betting
The procedure prohibits in-play (live betting) or prop betting. Just straight wagers would be enabled, limiting sportsbooks to using only moneyline, spread, and totals.
While Massachusetts and other markets have limitations on college wagering, this would affect even professional sporting events.
The costs also seeks to add 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 money they deflect each $1 wagered.
Player Limits
SD 1657 likewise intends to develop mandatory 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 involves inspecting bank accounts. A gamer can not wager more than 15% of the amount in their account.
Massachusetts would become the first market to need a cost assessment on bettors.
Marketing constraints
Keenan also wishes to remove marketing throughout telecasted sporting events. The step would restrict sportsbooks from running ads during video games. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has actually checked out developing a ban on in-game ads before. However, this did not go through as national TV offers make this hard to impose.
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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 result in pushback from local sportsbooks and industry supporters.
Because of this, the procedure will likely be battled in the Senate and the House of Representatives. In the previous session, Keenan stopped working to raise the tax rate.
He would need to convince the other senators who did not support his effort before to alter their minds. If and when the Senate discusses this procedure, it is impossible to tell how it will be received.