Massachusetts State Senator John Keenan is concerned about the growing popularity of sports betting in the state. He fears that the situation could escalate and result in a gambling-related crisis, so he proposes a bill to limit certain sports betting options.
Keenan believes that major gambling companies depend on aggressive marketing tactics to promote a betting product that can ruin many lives. He observes the operators blaming players for their inability to control their gambling habits while profiting from their operations.
The senator continued and even compared gaming companies to those who sell drugs like OxyContin. Here’s what he had to say:
“They target these people, knowing that they are addicted, and they make most of their money off of those that are addicted. And they do it with very aggressive marketing, much like Purdue Pharma did.”
Keenan Has a Solution
Keenan already has a strategy for addressing the rising popularity of sports betting. He recently submitted the “Bettor Health Act, ” which aims to target practices that contribute to gambling addictions among players.
If enacted as law, Keenan’s legislation would prohibit prop betting and sports betting ads during games, mandate operators to double the funds provided for addiction treatment, and increase tax revenue for companies.
The bill would also limit the amount a person can spend daily on betting without being subject to an “affordability check” and require brands to share more gambling data with the state.
Keenan submitted the “Bettor Health Act” with assistance from state Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa and state Sen. Patricia Jehlen. He noted that concerns about gambling-related issues have increased since the state regulated online sports betting over two years ago.
Online Sports Betting Fueled Addictions
When Massachusetts legalised mobile sports betting, there were almost instant complaints about the flood of sports betting commercials. Keenan noted that these ads frequently featured misleading promotions. However, these promotions often include requirements that many players are unaware of.
Massachusetts quickly gained momentum, and its handle reached billions of dollars. Not long after that, Keenan heard that more and more people started experiencing gambling-related issues and often addictions.
In his words, the senator learned of stories of individuals not going to work to gamble, others missing out on rent and mortgage payments, and others resorted to criminal activities to fuel their gambling habits. Meanwhile, some people sought professional help and discovered that it could be expensive.
Time is Running Out, says Keenan
Keenan says the state has little time and must act quickly on sports betting and its potential harms.
“If we don’t learn from what happened with the opioid epidemic and get out in front of this as fast as we can — and I think we are already behind — then we’re going to have a public health crisis.”
ESPN previously reported that in 2024, the sports betting sector generated a record-setting US$13.71 billion in revenue. Additionally, research by Siena College and St. Bonaventure University found that 22% of all Americans are active sports bettors. Furthermore, most Americans support regulated mobile sports betting.
Massachusetts Helpine Sees Uptick in Calls
Massachusetts sports fans quickly embraced digital betting. Since legalisation, local players have wagered nearly US$14 billion on sports betting, with the majority placed online.
In 2024, the state reported a concerning 121% increase in calls to its gambling helpline, along with a 41% rise in referrals to treatment and a 40% increase in calls seeking assistance for a family member.
However, the state also saw more consumers requesting technical help with their online sports betting apps rather than aid regarding their playing habits. This could be due to the large volume of sports betting ads, which also feature the helpline’s contact information.
Currently, mobile sports wagering is prohibited for individuals under the age of 21 in the Bay State. However, many are concerned about young people who find ways to bypass age restrictions and develop gambling-related issues early on.
Prop Bets are an Issue, says the Senator
With his legislation, Keenan is targeting so-called prop bets. These wagers are not related to the outcome of a game. Instead, they focus on individual player stats for a game, like the number of pitches or individual plays during a game.
The Senator states that these prop bets are addictive because they are easy to place and make games more engaging. They also provide an opportunity for bettors to win back their losses from previous bets. He even compared them to drugs like cocaine:
“I’ve heard prop bets called the crack cocaine of sports betting. It gives that instant gratification, it triggers the same receptors as what crack cocaine and other drugs do.”
Operators Disagree
In the meantime, the Sports Betting Alliance, a group of private operators including DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and others, doesn’t agree with Keenan’s comments. The SBA argues that legal sports betting is well-regulated and does not significantly risk underage demographics.
The organisation even highlighted that according to studies, problem gambling rates have remained at 1-2% for a while now and that the recent launch of mobile sports betting doesn’t fuel addictions.
Here’s what Nathan Click, a representative of SBA, said in a statement:
“Data shows that problem gambling rates remain low since the rise of legal sports betting, consumer protections on the legal market are stronger than ever, and that most people spend less per month on sports betting than they spend in a week on their morning Starbucks.”
Still, private operators argue that an increase in tax rates on regulated betting will drive players back to illegal platforms. However, Keenan disagrees, asserting that this has not occurred in New Hampshire and Rhode Island, which have implemented similar changes to their sports betting models.
Keenan also mentioned that “whenever there’s big money involved, they are formidable. They will do what they must to keep earning the money they’re making.” The senator recognises that. However, he asserted that when their product can be addictive and destroy lives, there must be stricter regulations.
