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Sports betting returned to the agenda in Hawaii after lawmakers came closer than expected to legalization last year. New bills introduced this session reopen the debate, even as a separate study group reviews broader gambling expansion across the state.
Momentum remains cautious but persistent in one of the few states without any legal gambling framework.
Good to Know
Lawmakers introduced Senate Bill 3303 and House Bill 2570 last week in a renewed effort to legalise sports betting in Hawaii. Committee hearings have not yet been scheduled, but supporters say early filing signals continued interest after last year narrow failure when House Bill 1308 got rejected.
One of the House sponsors, Daniel Holt, has backed sports betting legislation for multiple sessions. Holt played a key role last year in guiding a proposal through both chambers before negotiations broke down in conference committee. The House and Senate failed to agree on a final version before adjournment.
Despite the setback, Holt said last year the effort would continue.
“It is what it is, and we just got to work harder next year, try to answer the questions that the rest of the members and the public has and see if we can capture this tax revenue that we much need for our state.”
Support from the executive branch also remains notable. Josh Green has said he would not veto a sports betting bill if lawmakers deliver one to his desk.
Sports betting legislation now runs parallel to a broader gambling review. Lawmakers created the Tourism and Gaming Working Group last year to examine whether Hawaii should allow gambling in any form.
Key details about the study group include:
The group also must consider whether a casino could be included in the 98 acre New Aloha Stadium Entertainment District.
During a meeting last month, discussion focused largely on illegal gambling activity already present in the state. Mike Lambert, director of the Department of Law Enforcement, estimated that as much as $800 million is wagered illegally in Hawaii each year.
Hawaii remains one of only two states, along with Utah, without any form of legal gambling.
The companion sports betting bills introduced this year differ from last year proposal in several ways.
Major provisions include:
By comparison, last year legislation would have allowed four sportsbooks with a 10 percent tax rate. The House removed the tax rate before passage, while the Senate later reinstated it. Negotiators failed to bridge that gap before the conference committee deadline.
Sports betting is not the only gambling related issue under review.
Other proposals introduced this session include:
Scot Matayoshi introduced House Bill 2198, which would prohibit prediction markets from operating in Hawaii. Matayoshi chairs the House Consumer Protection and Commerce Committee. The bill followed reports that more than $488,000 was traded on prediction markets tied to the governor annual State of the State address.
Another proposal, House Bill 1945, would allow gambling on cruise ships while in Hawaiian waters. The bill sets a 20 percent tax rate on that activity.
No. Hawaii does not permit sports betting or any other form of legal gambling.
The proposal sets a 15 percent tax on sports betting revenue.
At least six licences would be available statewide.
Officials estimate up to $800 million is wagered illegally in Hawaii each year.