- The Hawaii House of Representatives approved an online sports betting bill
- The bill will only legalize online sports betting in the state
- The measure passed by a two to one margin 35-10 vote
Mahalo! A Hawaii sports betting bill has advanced farther than it ever has in the state legislature.
The Hawaii House of Representatives approved Rep. Daniel Holt’s bill, HB 1308, to legalize online sports betting in the Aloha State by a 35-10 vote.
“This is great news for Hawaii. Sports betting is already happening across our islands — it’s just happening through bookies and unsafe offshore websites that don’t have any consumer protections and allow minors to bet. With this legislation, we can join the 38 other states that have created regulated, consumer-protected sports betting markets and create millions in revenue for our state,” Holt said in a prepared statement to Sports Betting Dime.
Work Still to Be Done
Holt’s bill calls for at least four online sports betting licenses to be awarded to operators in the state. Originally, it listed a license fee at $250,000 to acquire and a 10% tax rate on adjusted gross sports betting revenue.
However, the sports betting license fee and tax rates have yet to be fully decided. Finance Committee Chair Rep. Kyle T. Yamashita (D-12) last week amended the bill to leave the potential tax rate and licensing fee blank, as several members of the committee believed they were too low. Holt agreed and the bill was amended to allow for further discussion on the rates.
“The license fee is rather low for an industry that makes billions of dollars. I’d like to see this license fee go up exponentially,” Rep. Sue L. Keohokapu-Lee Loy (D-2) said at the hearing.
Holt did say during the House hearing that fiscal estimates show Hawaii can bring in nearly $20 million annually through the new form of gaming.
While the rates are still blank, the legislation is the farthest an online sports betting bill has been advanced in the Hawaii legislature.
The bill now moves to the Senate.
Challenges Still Remain
Despite the approval, several Hawaiian lawmakers were vociferous in their opposition to the bill.
“Maybe I’m being overly dramatic to make a point, but I believe there will be serious consequences that will reshape our culture and history. I truly pray and hope that we do not go down this path by opening this door,” Rep. Garner M. Shinzu (R-32) said.
Gambling and sports wagering, he said, is not a good career choice or means to make a living, he said.
Rep. David Alcos III (R-41) said the tax dollars that come in from gambling can be considered “dirty” and the less Hawaii is like than Las Vegas the better.
“I haven’t seen one person who has made a living, or has moved up, because they made so much more money (from sports betting). Most of my friends went the opposite way. This bill to legalize gambling is a question. Do we want this kind of money in the state of Hawaii to fix our roads? Sometimes, taking care of our families more ethically might be the better choice,” he said.
The Hawaii House of Representatives recently approved a bill that would legalize online sports betting in the state. This decision comes after years of debate and discussion on the topic, with proponents arguing that it could bring in much-needed revenue for the state while also providing a safe and regulated way for residents to bet on their favorite sports.
The bill, which was passed by a vote of 36-15, would allow for online sports betting to be conducted through licensed operators. These operators would be required to adhere to strict regulations and guidelines set forth by the state, including measures to prevent problem gambling and ensure the integrity of sports betting.
Supporters of the bill argue that legalizing online sports betting would help to curb the black market for sports betting, which currently thrives in Hawaii. By bringing the activity into a regulated and legal framework, they believe that the state can better protect consumers and generate revenue that can be used for important initiatives such as education and infrastructure.
Opponents of the bill, however, have raised concerns about the potential negative impacts of legalizing online sports betting. They argue that it could lead to an increase in problem gambling and addiction, particularly among vulnerable populations. Some also worry about the potential for match-fixing and other forms of corruption in sports.
Despite these concerns, the bill has garnered significant support from lawmakers and stakeholders in Hawaii. If it is ultimately signed into law by Governor David Ige, Hawaii would join a growing number of states that have legalized online sports betting in recent years.
Overall, the approval of the online sports betting bill by the Hawaii House of Representatives represents a significant step forward for the state in terms of modernizing its gambling laws. It remains to be seen how the bill will fare in the Senate and whether it will ultimately become law, but it is clear that the conversation around online sports betting in Hawaii is far from over.
