Massachusetts sports betting could look totally different if a new bill proposed in the Senate achieves success. And if history is any indicator, controlled sports betting in other states could likewise change dramatically.

SD 1657 existed by Sen. John Keenan. “An Act Addressing Economic, Health, and Social Harms Caused by Sports Betting” aims to increase the current sports betting tax rate from 20% to 51%. Furthermore, Sen. Keenan calls for a complete ban on live betting (in-game betting) and prop bets.

The main thing to bear in mind is that Massachusetts has been at the forefront of more stringent sports betting guidelines. The 2nd thing to know is that the language of this costs resembles the SAFE Bet Act, a federal piece of legislation presented in 2024.

This costs was presented not long after former Massachusetts Governor and existing NCAA president Charlie Baker testified in front of the Senate in a meeting on sports betting policy.

So, while this is currently a Massachusetts expense, it’s most likely to impact other states that provide controlled sports betting.

A closer look at SD 1657

Taxation

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 legislative session, but it was turned down. This increase would have can be found in the state’s spending plan expense.

Only three markets have tax rates of 51%, the highest in the nation: New York, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire. At 20%, Massachusetts currently ranks sixth highest.

Banning live betting and prop betting

The measure restricts in-play (live betting) or prop betting. Only straight wagers would be enabled, restricting sportsbooks to using just moneyline, spread, and overalls.

While Massachusetts and other markets have limitations on collegiate wagering, this would impact even professional sporting occasions.

The expense 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 cash they keep off each $1 wagered.

Gamer Limits

SD 1657 also aims to create mandatory everyday and regular monthly limits for bettors. Bettors might not wager more than $1,000 a day and $10,000 a month without an ‘affordability assessment’ which includes examining checking account. A player can not wager more than 15% of the amount in their account.

Massachusetts would become the first market to require a price evaluation on bettors.

Marketing constraints

Keenan also wishes to get rid of marketing during televised sporting occasions. The procedure would forbid sportsbooks from running advertisements throughout video games. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has looked into developing a restriction on in-game advertisements before. However, this did not go through as national television deals make this tough to impose.

Will the measure pass?

The step is severe 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 market supporters.

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

He would need 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.