A Hawaii sports betting bill continued its unexpected journey last week.
House Bill 1308, which would legalize Hawaii sports betting, has advanced through two Senate committees after a surprising push through the House. It must still clear the Senate Ways and Means Committee before a floor vote.
Hawaii is one of two states without any form of gambling. This is the farthest a sports betting bill has made it in the Aloha State.
Hawaii sports betting moves forward
Last week, both the Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection and Economic Development and Tourism committees advanced Rep. Daniel Holt’s legislation. The bills would set up sports betting and daily fantasy sports regulations.
As in other committee hearings this year, proponents discussed the financial benefits of the increased tax revenue the industry would bring and the robust illegal market available in Hawaii.
Opponents doubt the fiscal estimates and worry about the potential societal harms associated with the industry. A study group was also set up to examine the industry, and some lawmakers feel that it should conclude before setting up policies.
Gambling is ‘already there’
While Hawaiian lawmakers have been cool on the issue in previous sessions, the illegal market is better known now.
“I play games on my phone, and it always pops up that I can play bingo and win money, or I can play solitaire and win money,” Sen. Donna Mercado Kim said in a hearing, per the Hawaii Tribune-Herald. “It’s already there. I’m sure a lot of people are doing it already, it’s so easy.”
Similarly, Sen. Lynn DeCoite said there needs to be regulations to meet the existing gambling concerns.
Blank slate
While multiple lawmakers said the state would not be starting from scratch with the industry, the House made a few amendments to the bill, keeping it malleable.
It does not carry a license fee or tax rate after initially setting them at $250,000 for a five-year license and a 10% tax on sports betting revenue.
The legislation would legalize up to four online sportsbooks in the state. The Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism would oversee the industry after an amendment last week.
