Sports Betting Changes Proposed In Massachusetts Bill

Traditionally, among the more restrictive states when it comes to sports betting, Massachusetts may be implementing further limitations on wagering if a new bill is passed into law.

Bill S302, referred to as the Better Health Act, proposes some dramatic changes to the sports betting industry in Massachusetts. A bill introduced by State Senator John F. Keenan, the Better Health Act, would place prohibitions on prop wagering and the placement of advertising by betting sites. The bill also proposes that the corporate tax rate for sports betting companies should be more than doubled.

If passed into law, Keenan’s bill would ban prop bets on sporting events, especially wagers that are unrelated to the outcome of a game. In-play wagers would also be prohibited.

“Public health experts warn (these types of bets) are designed to promote addictive behaviors,” Keenan said in a statement.

There would also be a complete restriction on any advertising from gambling companies during the broadcast of any sports events. Advertisements containing language that misrepresents a customer’s odds of winning would also be prohibited.

Loss limits that cap what a customer could lose betting with a sportsbook would also be implemented. The bill would add sports agents and promoters to the list of those prohibited from wagering on sporting events. Sports betting operators would be forbidden from paying employees based on a percentage of how much they convince a customer to bet. This measure would effectively eliminate predatory “host” employees.

Bill proposes increasing taxation on sports betting companies

Another measure included in the bill would be a significant tax increase implemented on all sports betting companies operating in Massachusetts. The corporate sports betting tax on operator adjusted gross revenue would jump from 20% to 51%.

“Currently, Massachusetts has one of the lowest such tax (rates) in the region,” Keenan said. “This change would raise the Commonwealth tax to the same levels as in New York, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire.”

Another provision of the bill would require online sports betting companies to double their financial contributions to the Commonwealth’s Public Health Trust Fund, which supports gambling addiction treatment services.

Other measures proposed within the Better Health Act that would impact sports betting include directing the Massachusetts Gaming Commission to research the links between problem gambling and suicide.

Massachusetts already has restrictive sports betting regulations in place

Among the US states that have legalized sports betting, Massachusetts is one of the stricter states in terms of regulations. Several limitations on what people can bet on and how they can place bets are already in place.

Massachusetts bettors are prohibited from wagering on college sports being played within state lines, or any games involving schools from Massachusetts. It’s also against the law to use credit cards to fund any form of gambling in the state.

There are also restrictive advertising regulations. Betting ads are prohibited within venues where the majority of attendees would be under the age of 21. It’s also mandatory for all betting sites to provide the ability for customers to set voluntary limits on betting amounts, or to be able to opt into self-exclusion.

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