
Cover the Bases: Sports Betting News and Notes from the Past Week
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New MA Sports Betting Proposal Contains Substantial Tax Hike and Restriction on Real-Time Betting
Massachusetts sports betting might look entirely different if a brand-new bill proposed in the Senate succeeds. And if history is any sign, managed 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 existing sports betting tax rate from 20% to 51%. Furthermore, Sen. Keenan requires a total restriction on live sports betting (in-game betting) and prop bets.
The main point to keep in mind is that Massachusetts has actually been at the forefront of more stringent sports betting regulations. The second thing to understand 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 regulation.
So, while this is currently a Massachusetts expense, it’s likely to impact other states that offer managed sports betting.
A closer look at SD 1657
Tax
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 turned down. This increase would have come in the state’s budget plan bill.
Only three markets have tax rates of 51%, the greatest in the country: New York, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire. At 20%, Massachusetts currently ranks 6th greatest.
Banning live betting and prop betting
The procedure restricts in-play (live sports betting) or prop sports betting. Just straight wagers would be permitted, limiting sportsbooks to using just moneyline, spread, and totals.
While Massachusetts and other markets have limitations on collegiate wagering, this would impact even expert sporting events.
The costs likewise looks for to add bonuses and same-game parlays to the category of “unfair and misleading practices.” Sportsbooks favour same-game parlays due to their high “hold” portion, the quantity of cash they keep off each $1 wagered.
Player Limits
SD 1657 likewise intends to produce necessary daily and month-to-month limits for bettors. Bettors could not wager more than $1,000 a day and $10,000 a month without an ‘price evaluation’ which includes inspecting bank accounts. A gamer can not wager more than 15% of the amount in their account.
Massachusetts would become the first market to require an affordability assessment on bettors.
Advertising constraints
Keenan likewise wishes to get rid of marketing throughout televised sporting occasions. The procedure would prohibit sportsbooks from running advertisements during games. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has actually looked into developing a restriction on in-game ads before. However, this did not go through as nationwide TV deals make this tough to implement.
Will the procedure pass?
The procedure is severe in its changes to the sports betting industry in Massachusetts. Banning prop sports betting and increasing the sports betting tax rate will likely cause pushback from local sportsbooks and industry fans.
Because of this, the measure 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 need to encourage the other senators who did not support his effort before to change their minds. If and when the Senate discusses this step, it is impossible to inform how it will be gotten.