By
Lisa Spencer
Senior Editor Updated: 27 January 2025
Lisa Spencer Senior Editor
As a Senior Editor at Betting.US, Lisa Spencer is a valuable member of our expert team. With a Master’s degree in Applied Mathematics, Lisa is adept in gambling theory and analyzing odds. She contributes by writing online sportsbook reviews and finding competitive markets to help our readers make an informed choice.
Massachusetts Senator John F. Keenan has introduced a new bill aimed at reshaping the state’s sports betting sector. If passed, the legislation will lead to a few significant changes, including a considerable tax increase for operators, affordability checks for gamblers, and the ban of the popular in-play wagering feature. Stay tuned to learn more about the bill and its provisions.
There are several major provisions included in Keenan’s bill titled “An Act Addressing Economic, Health and Social Harms Caused by Sports Betting”. Most of them are very similar to another recent bill – the federal SAFE Bet Act introduced in October 2024. You can find the main points included in the following table:
| Tax Increase | The bill calls for a massive betting tax increase for sportsbooks operating in the state. This could potentially hike to 50% from the current 15% on retail and 20% on online sportsbooks. The same rate is applied in New York, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire. |
|---|---|
| Ban on In-Play Betting | Another significant provision is the complete ban on in-play betting, which Keenan refers to as the “crack cocaine of sports betting”. Currently, prop bets are not allowed in Massachusetts, and the same goes for wagering on in-state college teams unless they’re playing in a tournament. |
| Affordability Checks | Unless an affordability check is performed, gamblers will be subjected to maximum wagering limits of $1,000 a day and $10,000 a month. If an affordability check is carried out, the limit will be set at 15% of the gambler’s bank account funds. |
| Increased Funding for Gambling Initiatives | If the bill is passed, sportsbooks will have to contribute $2 million a year (an increase from $1 million) to responsible gambling initiatives in the state. |
In addition, the “Act Addressing Economic, Health and Social Harms Caused by Sports Betting” bill (SD 1657) introduced by Senator Keenan will lead to advertising restrictions in gambling. Sports betting TV ads during sporting events could potentially be banned. Sportsbooks won’t be allowed to compensate employees based on a percentage of customer wagers or deposits to avoid conflict of interest.
This is not the first effort made by Massachusetts representatives and officials in this direction. Just last year, Keenan proposed an increase to the sports betting tax rate, but the proposition was rejected and not included in the state budget bill.
Compared to other US states like New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Michigan, for example, Massachusetts has a more restrictive approach towards online and land-based gambling activities. To be fair, we don’t see this changing anytime soon.
The future of gambling in Massachusetts depends entirely on the state’s residents and lawmakers. As already mentioned, the Bay State is more restrictive and cautious on this front. According to the Expanded Gaming Act of 2011, Massachusetts can have only three casinos and one slot parlor. Retail and online sports betting were legalized in August 2022 and went live in January 2023 and March 2023, respectively.
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