Recent Massachusetts Sports Betting Legislation Features Significant Tax Increase and Restriction on Real-Time Betting
Massachusetts sports betting could look totally various if a new bill proposed in the Senate is successful. And if history is any indication, 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%. Furthermore, Sen. Keenan calls for a complete ban on live betting (in-game wagering) and prop bets.
The main thing to keep in mind is that Massachusetts has actually been at the forefront of more stringent 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 introduced in 2024.
This expense was introduced not long after previous Massachusetts Governor and present 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 most likely to impact other states that use managed sports betting.
A closer take a look at SD 1657
Tax
Beginning with the tax rate increase, bringing sports betting to 51% has been a target for Sen. Keenan before. Keenan proposed a tax increase at the last legal session, however it was rejected. This boost would have can be found in the state's budget bill.
Just 3 markets have tax rates of 51%, the greatest in the country: New York, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire. At 20%, Massachusetts presently ranks sixth highest.
Prohibiting live betting and prop betting
The measure forbids in-play (live betting) or prop betting. Just straight wagers would be permitted, limiting sportsbooks to offering just moneyline, spread, and overalls.
While Massachusetts and other markets have constraints on betting, this would affect even professional sporting events.
The expense also seeks to include perks and same-game parlays to the category of "unjust and deceptive practices." Sportsbooks favour same-game parlays due to their high "hold" percentage, the amount of money they keep off each $1 bet.
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Player Limits
SD 1657 likewise aims to create mandatory day-to-day and regular monthly limitations for bettors. Bettors might not wager more than $1,000 a day and $10,000 a month without an 'price evaluation' which includes checking checking account. A gamer can not wager more than 15% of the quantity in their account.
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Massachusetts would end up being the very first market to require a cost assessment on bettors.
Marketing restrictions
Keenan also wants to eliminate marketing during televised sporting occasions. The procedure would restrict sportsbooks from running advertisements during games. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has actually checked out producing a ban on in-game ads before. Nevertheless, this did not go through as national TV offers make this tough to implement.
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Will the step 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 lead to pushback from local sportsbooks and industry advocates.
Because of this, the step will likely be battled in the Senate and your home of Representatives. In the previous session, Keenan stopped working to raise the tax rate.
He would have to persuade the other senators who did not support his effort before to alter their minds. If and when the Senate discusses this step, it is difficult to inform how it will be gotten.
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