Cover the Bases: Sports Betting News and Notes from the Past Week

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New Massachusetts Sports Betting Proposal Features Significant Tax Hike & Ban on Live Betting

Massachusetts sports betting might look totally various if a new bill proposed in the Senate is successful. And if history is any indicator, managed sports betting in other states could likewise alter dramatically.

SD 1657 was presented 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 requires a complete ban on live betting (in-game betting) and prop bets.

The main thing to remember is that Massachusetts has actually been at the forefront of more stringent sports betting policies. The second thing to know is that the language of this expense is similar to the SAFE Bet Act, a federal piece of legislation introduced in 2024.

This bill was presented not long after former 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 currently a Massachusetts expense, it’s likely to affect other states that provide regulated sports betting.

A closer take a look at SD 1657

Taxation

Beginning with the tax rate boost, 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 declined. This increase would have come in the state’s budget costs.

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 sixth highest.

Prohibiting live betting and prop betting

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

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While Massachusetts and other markets have restrictions on collegiate sports betting, this would impact even professional sporting events.

The costs also looks for to add benefits and same-game parlays to the classification of “unreasonable and deceptive practices.” Sportsbooks favour same-game parlays due to their high “hold” portion, the quantity of cash they keep off each $1 bet.

Gamer Limits

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

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

Advertising constraints

Keenan likewise wants to remove marketing during telecasted sporting events. The measure would forbid sportsbooks from running ads during games. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has looked into developing a restriction on in-game advertisements before. However, this did not go through as national TV deals make this difficult to implement.

Will the measure pass?

The measure is harsh in its modifications 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 fans.

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Because of this, the step will likely be combated 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 initiative before to change their minds. If and when the Senate discusses this procedure, it is difficult to tell how it will be received.