A Hawaii sports betting bill is still waiting for its date with a conference committee, but Gov. Josh Green is ready to approve the legislation.
Green said this week, per Hawaii News Now, that he will not veto a Hawaii sports betting bill if it reaches him. However, he does need the bill to include proper safeguards.
“Look, as long as there’s some safeguards with gambling addiction services and so on, if the Legislature goes to the full way and passes it, I’ll likely let it become law,” Green said.
A conference committee is needed because the House and Senate passed different bill versions. The legislative session runs until May 2.
Hawaii sports betting journey
Rep. Daniel Holt’s House Bill 1308 began its Cinderella journey earlier this session, making it past multiple committees and eventually the House. Before the House passed it, however, lawmakers stripped the tax rate and license fee figures.
In the Senate, legislators added back the original figures from Holt’s initial proposal: 10% and $250,000. The Senate passed the legislation.
Back in the House, lawmakers did not concur with the Senate’s version because they feared those numbers might be too low.
Conference committee ahead
The conference committee will consist of three senators and three representatives.
The Senate appointed its conferees on Tuesday and sent notice to the House.
They will look to agree on a suitable tax rate and license fee.
A long journey
Hawaii is one of two states without any legal form of gambling. Despite Holt’s multiple attempts, legislation had previously made it past one committee.
Few, if any, observers saw this year’s surprise push coming from the Aloha State. While the legislation has passed both chambers, many lawmakers approved it “with reservations.”
Holt’s bill would set up a market with at least four sportsbooks. Part of Holt’s desire to legalize the industry is to ensure consumer protection from something already happening on the islands.
“The risk is already out there,” Holt previously told KHON 2. “People already have access with their phones, and we’re just putting it into a legal market. Currently, with the illegal market, there are other illegal things that go along with it. The odds are different. Your odds of winning may be less.
“So, at least if we put it into a legal regulated market, the consumer has more of a fair shot to have a chance at winning. Also, we would have education to let people know that this is not a career choice. This is a form of entertainment.”
