Recent MA Sports Betting Legislation Includes Significant Tax Boost & Prohibition on Real-Time Betting 100 views

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Recent MA Sports Betting Legislation Includes Significant Tax Boost & Prohibition on Real-Time Betting

Massachusetts sports betting could look completely various if a brand-new bill proposed in the Senate is successful. And if history is any sign, managed sports betting in other states could also change considerably.

SD 1657 existed by Sen. John Keenan. “An Act Addressing Economic, Health, and Social Harms Caused by Sports Betting” intends to increase the present sports betting tax rate from 20% to 51%. In Addition, Sen. Keenan calls for a total restriction on live betting (in-game wagering) and prop bets.

The main thing to remember is that Massachusetts has been at the leading edge of stricter sports betting guidelines. The 2nd thing to understand is that the language of this costs resembles the SAFE Bet Act, a federal piece of legislation presented 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 guideline.

So, while this is presently a Massachusetts costs, it’s likely to impact other states that offer managed sports betting.

A closer take a look at SD 1657

Taxation

Starting with the tax rate increase, 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 boost would have been available in the state’s budget expense.

Only 3 markets have tax rates of 51%, the greatest in the country: New York, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire. At 20%, Massachusetts presently ranks 6th greatest.

Prohibiting live betting and prop betting

The step forbids in-play (live betting) or prop betting. Just straight wagers would be enabled, limiting sportsbooks to providing only moneyline, spread, and overalls.

While Massachusetts and other markets have constraints on college betting, this would impact even expert sporting occasions.

The expense also looks for to add bonus offers and same-game parlays to the category of “unjust and misleading practices.” Sportsbooks favour same-game parlays due to their high “hold” percentage, the quantity of cash they deflect each $1 wagered.

Gamer Limits

SD 1657 also intends to produce obligatory day-to-day and monthly limits for bettors. Bettors might not wager more than $1,000 a day and $10,000 a month without an ‘price evaluation’ which involves checking checking account. A player can not wager more than 15% of the quantity in their account.

Massachusetts would end up being the very first market to need an affordability assessment on bettors.

Advertising constraints

Keenan likewise wants to get rid of marketing throughout televised sporting events. The step would forbid sportsbooks from running ads throughout games. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has looked into developing a ban on in-game advertisements before. However, this did not go through as nationwide TV deals make this hard to implement.

Will the procedure pass?

The procedure is extreme in its changes 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 advocates.

Because of this, the step will likely be battled in the Senate and your house of Representatives. In the previous session, Keenan stopped working to raise the tax rate.

He would have to convince the other senators who did not support his effort before to change their minds. If and when the Senate discusses this step, it is difficult to inform how it will be received.