
Cover the Bases: Sports Betting News and Notes from the Past Week
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Recent MA Sports Betting Legislation Contains Significant Tax Hike and Ban on Real-Time Betting
Massachusetts sports betting might look entirely various if a new expense proposed in the Senate achieves success. And if history is any indication, regulated sports betting in other states might likewise alter dramatically.
SD 1657 existed by Sen. John Keenan. “An Act Addressing Economic, Health, and Social Harms Caused by Sports Betting” aims to increase the present sports betting tax rate from 20% to 51%. In Addition, Sen. Keenan calls for a total ban on live betting (in-game sports betting) and prop bets.
The main point to remember is that Massachusetts has actually been at the forefront of more stringent sports betting guidelines. The 2nd thing to understand is that the language of this costs is similar to the SAFE Bet Act, a federal piece of legislation introduced in 2024.
This expense was presented not long after former Massachusetts Governor and current NCAA president Charlie Baker affirmed in front of the Senate in a meeting on sports betting guideline.
So, while this is presently a Massachusetts bill, it’s likely to affect other states that offer managed sports betting.
A closer look at SD 1657
Taxation
Starting 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, however it was rejected. This boost would have been available 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 6th greatest.
Banning live betting and prop betting
The step restricts in-play (live betting) or prop betting. Only straight wagers would be allowed, limiting sportsbooks to using only moneyline, spread, and overalls.
While Massachusetts and other markets have constraints on college wagering, this would impact even expert sporting events.
The costs also looks for to include rewards and same-game parlays to the category of “unfair and deceptive practices.” Sportsbooks favour same-game parlays due to their high “hold” percentage, the quantity of money they keep off each $1 wagered.
Player Limits
SD 1657 also intends to produce obligatory daily and month-to-month limitations for bettors. Bettors might not wager more than $1,000 a day and $10,000 a month without an ‘price evaluation’ which includes inspecting savings account. A gamer 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.
Marketing restrictions
Keenan also wants to get rid of advertising throughout telecasted sporting events. The measure would restrict sportsbooks from running ads throughout games. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has actually checked out producing a restriction on in-game ads before. However, this did not go through as national television deals make this difficult to implement.
Will the step pass?
The step is harsh in its changes 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 advocates.
Because of this, the procedure will likely be battled in the Senate and the House of Representatives. In the previous session, Keenan failed to raise the tax rate.
He would have 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 received.