A few Massachusetts lawmakers are aiming to put in multiple guardrails for MA sports betting, including taking cues from a proposed federal bill focused on responsible gambling.
Sen. Jacob Oliveira and Sen. John Keenan have introduced bills that would alter the Massachusetts sports betting ecosystem. The bills would implement multiple responsible gambling measures that would likely be too far for many in the industry.
Oliveira’s SD 2428 and Keenan’s SD 1657 were introduced last week as the Bay State’s legislative session got underway.
MA sports betting guardrails
Keenan’s bill borrows many of its components from the SAFE Bet Act, a US congressional bill focused on tighter limits on the sports betting industry.
The bill seeks to do the following:
- Increase tax rate to 51% from 20%.
- Prohibit in-play and prop bets.
- Implement $1,000 a day and $10,000 a month wagering limits.
- Prohibit sports betting ads during sports.
- Add bonuses and single-game parlays to unfair and deceptive practices.
Keenan attempted to raise the sports betting tax rate to 51% last year, but it did not gain momentum.
SAFE Bet Act details
Rep. Paul Tonko and Sen. Richard Blumenthal introduced the SAFE Bet Act last year. The Public Health Advocacy Institute supports the legislation.
The bill would ban prop bets and betting on college athletes. It also calls for greater restrictions on advertising and places limits on wagering.
“This bill is an effort designed to prevent harm before it occurs,” Tonko said at a press conference. “To be clear, we are in no way attempting to ban sports gambling; our goal is the opposite. The SAFE Bet Act will ensure that gambling on sports is safe for the public to enjoy.”
The bills are not alone in scrutinizing the industry. In December, the US Senate held a hearing on sports betting, with indications the inquiries would continue even with a new presidential administration.
MA election betting scrutiny
Oliveira’s bill takes aim at political election betting.
This year, Kalshi was allowed to take wagers on the US presidential election. Operators offering the election odds took more than $900 million during US House, Senate and presidential races.
There is election betting scrutiny at the federal level, as well as in other states.