Latest Massachusetts Sports Betting Proposal Contains Substantial Tax Hike And Ban On Live Betting

Massachusetts sports betting might look completely different if a new bill proposed in the Senate achieves success. And if history is any indication, controlled sports betting in other states could likewise change dramatically.
bet9ja.com

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%. In Addition, Sen. Keenan calls for a complete ban on live betting (in-game wagering) and prop bets.


The main thing to bear in mind is that Massachusetts has been at the forefront of more stringent sports betting policies. The second thing to understand is that the language of this costs resembles the SAFE Bet Act, a federal piece of legislation introduced in 2024.


This expense was introduced not long after previous Massachusetts Governor and existing NCAA president Charlie Baker testified in front of the Senate in a meeting on sports betting guideline.


So, while this is presently a Massachusetts costs, it's likely to affect other states that provide regulated sports betting.

A closer look at SD 1657
Tax

Starting with the tax rate boost, bringing sports betting to 51% has actually been a target for Sen. Keenan before. Keenan proposed a tax boost at the last legal session, however it was turned down. This increase would have come in the state's budget bill.
bet9ja.com

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

Prohibiting live betting and prop betting

The measure restricts in-play (live betting) or prop betting. Just straight wagers would be permitted, limiting sportsbooks to providing just moneyline, spread, and totals.


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


The costs also seeks to include rewards and same-game parlays to the classification 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.

Gamer Limits

SD 1657 likewise intends to produce compulsory everyday and monthly limitations for bettors. Bettors might not wager more than $1,000 a day and $10,000 a month without an 'affordability evaluation' which includes examining savings account. A player can not wager more than 15% of the quantity in their account.


Massachusetts would become the very first market to require a cost assessment on bettors.

Marketing constraints

Keenan likewise wants to eliminate advertising during televised sporting occasions. The procedure would prohibit sportsbooks from running advertisements throughout video games. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has actually checked out developing a restriction on in-game advertisements before. Nevertheless, this did not go through as national television offers make this hard to impose.

Will the step pass?

The step is extreme in its changes 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 supporters.
bet9ja.com

Because of this, the step 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 persuade the other senators who did not support his initiative before to change their minds. If and when the Senate discusses this procedure, it is difficult to tell how it will be received.
bit.ly