A bill to legalize sports betting in Hawaii advanced last week, while a separate proposal to allow casinos in Honolulu was rejected by state lawmakers.
The Hawaii sports betting bill (HB 1308) cleared the House Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs Committee with a 6-4 vote, following unanimous approval from the Economic Development and Technology Committee last month. The legislation now moves to the Committee on Finance, though it faces mounting opposition from government agencies.
Hawaii is one of only two U.S. states without any form of legal gambling. Supporters of the bill, including its sponsor Rep. Daniel Holt, argue that unregulated sports betting is already taking place and should be taxed to generate state revenue.
“The reality is that residents are already engaging in illegal sports betting,” Holt said. “It’s time to regulate this industry and bring those dollars into the state’s economy.”
The bill proposes to legalize at least four sportsbooks and set a 10% tax on sports betting revenue. Industry leaders BetMGM and DraftKings have voiced support for the measure, urging lawmakers to bring sports wagering into a legal framework.
Despite legislative progress, law enforcement and government officials have expressed concerns. The Honolulu Police Department warned of potential increases in problem gambling, while the state attorney general’s office recommended keeping social wagering as Hawaii’s only legal form of gambling.
Additionally, the Honolulu prosecuting attorney’s office cited homelessness, drug use, and alcohol addiction as more pressing social concerns than expanding gambling options.
Meanwhile, Senate Bill 893, which would have introduced casinos to Honolulu, failed to pass. The proposal sought to create a Hawaii Gaming Control Commission to oversee gambling establishments in the proposed Aloha Stadium Entertainment District. It also aimed to issue 20-year casino licenses and levy a 15% tax on gambling revenue.
Both the attorney general and Honolulu’s prosecuting attorney opposed the bill, contributing to its downfall.
While Hawaii lawmakers continue to debate the future of sports betting, the rejection of casino legislation signals the state’s ongoing resistance to broader gambling expansion. The fate of HB 1308 now rests with the Committee on Finance as stakeholders await the next round of deliberations.
Original article: https://www.yogonet.com/international/news/2025/02/21/95897-hawaii-sports-betting-bill-moves-forward-as-casino-legislation-fails
