Massachusetts lawmakers are weighing a sweeping consumer‑protection bill that would dramatically reshape the state’s sports betting landscape, including strict wagering limits unless bettors undergo an affordability assessment.
The Bettor Health Act Advances
Senate Bill 302, known as the Bettor Health Act, was unanimously approved last week by the Senate Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies. The measure, introduced by Sen. John Keenan (D‑Quincy), now heads to the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, though a hearing date has not yet been scheduled.
The bill proposes major reforms to the state’s sports wagering framework, most notably:
- A $1,000 wagering limit per 24 hours
- A $10,000 wagering limit per 30 days
To exceed those thresholds, bettors would need to consent to an affordability check.
Many provisions mirror the federal SAFE Bet Act, a national proposal that failed in Congress but sought to standardize consumer protections across U.S. sports betting markets.
How the Affordability Check Would Work
Keenan argues that sportsbooks must do more to ensure customers are not gambling beyond their means. Under SB302, an affordability assessment would need to verify that:
- A bettor’s daily or monthly wagering does not exceed 15% of the funds available in their bank account.
Massachusetts has the highest median household income in the U.S., at roughly $100,000, but Keenan says income alone does not protect consumers from addiction or financial harm.
Additional Restrictions: Advertising, In‑Play Bets, and Props
The Bettor Health Act also proposes:
- A ban on sportsbook advertising during sports events broadcast on FCC‑regulated channels
- This would exclude most cable and streaming platforms (Netflix, Amazon Prime, Peacock)
- A ban on in‑play betting and proposition bets, which have been linked to player harassment and integrity concerns
Tax Hike and Data Reporting Requirements
SB302 would also impose significant operational changes on sportsbooks:
- Increase the state tax on gross sports betting revenue from 20% to 51%
- Require operators to submit annual anonymized player‑data reports to the state
Keenan says these measures are necessary to rein in what he calls an “unleashed” industry.
“We unleashed an industry that now promotes betting on anything and everything imaginable 24 hours a day,” Keenan said.
He also issued a public apology to individuals harmed by gambling addiction and to families affected by gambling‑related suicides.
Keenan previously voted in favor of the 2022 bill that legalized sports betting in Massachusetts.
A Record Year for Massachusetts Sports Betting
In 2025, Massachusetts bettors wagered a record $8.5 billion through legal channels. Sportsbooks kept $865 million, generating $151.7 million in state tax revenue.
