MA Sports Betting Bill Looks To Overhaul System With Higher Taxes, Banned Bets

A pair of bills introduced in Massachusetts look to change the course of the MA sports betting industry two years into its journey.

SD 1657, introduced by Sen. John Keenan, aims to increase the tax on sportsbook revenue to 51%. It would also sharply ramp up responsible gambling efforts, which would cause sweeping changes to Massachusetts sports betting for bettors and sportsbook operators.

SD 2428, introduced by Sen. Jacob Oliveira, would prohibit gambling on political outcomes in the Bay State.

Changes would restrict MA sports betting

SD 1657 primarily seeks to address numerous areas related to problem gambling in sports betting. If passed, it would amend the Massachusetts sports betting law in a constraining fashion.

New restrictions:

  • Banning in-play bets and prop bets.
  • Prohibiting sports betting ads during televised sporting events.
  • Limiting bettors’ wagers to $1,000 per day and $10,000 per month per operator.
  • Increasing the sports betting tax rate to 51% from 20%.
  • Requiring operators to contribute $2 million annually to the state’s Public Health Trust Fund, up from $1 million.
  • Adding various wager types to the state’s list of “unfair methods of competition and unfair or deceptive acts or practices.” These would include bonus promotions, same-game parlays, odds boosts, reload bonuses, and “no-sweat” bets.

Additionally, the bill would require the Massachusetts Gaming Commission to contract with an “experienced nonprofit research entity” to conduct an anonymous player-tracking study to learn more about gambling addiction. These responsible gambling measures intend to understand how gambling addiction develops, how to minimize its effects, and how to identify and intervene with high-risk gambling behaviors.

Responsible gambling component builds on SAFE Bet Act

Keenan’s bill, titled “An act addressing economic, health and social harms caused by sports betting,” clearly states its intentions to promote responsible gambling in the title. RG efforts and strategies continue to develop as gambling industries mature nationwide, receiving focus from state and federal lawmakers.

Last year, Rep. Paul Tonko (D-NY) and Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) introduced the SAFE Bet Act, which proposes similar RG measures on a federal level.

The SAFE Bet Act establishes stricter responsible gambling compliance standards, including advertising restrictions, wagering and deposit limits, and the prohibition of artificial intelligence in sports betting

The bill would also ban college prop bets and wagers on college athletes. Lastly, it would add further resources to mental health and other RG-related studies.

Oliveira’s bill aligns with national concerns about political betting

Election betting was another subject last year that drew attention at the national level. 

Prediction trading exchange Kalshi legally allowed users to bet on the outcomes of political races during the 2024 elections, sparking discussions of how political markets might affect election outcomes.

Rep. Andrea Salinas (D-OR), Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) and Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) introduced legislature to institute a federal ban on election wagering. However, Oliveira’s SD 2428 will advance those discussions within the commonwealth, regardless of federal outcomes. A similar bill exists in Indiana, authored by Rep. J.D. Prescott.

Post
Hill Kerby has been involved in the gaming industry for more than 5 years. That started with one of his intense passions: poker (and online poker). However, since then, he has also developed a love for all verticals within online gaming, and he now writes about sports betting, icasinos, social casinos, horse betting, and ilottery in addition to his poker coverage. Hill has a background in psychology, which gives him an ability to offer rare insights and analysis in his writing. Hill is a proponent of safe, legal betting and is grateful to be able to contribute to growing the industry.

Hot Betting News Stories