Hawaii House committee advances online sports betting bill

Hawaii took a step toward legalizing online sports betting last week as a House committee unanimously voted to advance House Bill 1308 on Friday. The move signals the strongest push in favor of regulation so far this legislative session, with the Aloha State traditionally opposing any form of gambling expansion.

Lawmakers in favor of the move see sports betting as a way to regulate offshore gambling and generate tax revenue. However, other stakeholders such as the Honolulu Police Department remain opposed, warning it could lead to addiction, financial hardship, and increased crime.

Las Vegas casino operator Boyd Gaming has also questioned whether the potential profits would outweigh social risks. In contrast, Governor Josh Green has expressed cautious support, noting that residents are already betting through illegal channels.

Despite the committee’s endorsement, the bill still faces multiple legislative challenges and could take years to implement. The effort is spearheaded by Rep. Daniel Holt, who year after year has attempted to advance the issue to no avail.

Still, the push seems to be gaining momentum this year. Cody Sula from the Iron Workers Stabilization Fund has backed HB 1308, noting that many people are already gambling on their phones through unregulated platforms.

BetMGM also weighed in, claiming that Hawaiians are already gambling on "social" platforms, which they describe as unregulated gambling sites. The debate over sweepstakes is also intensifying nationwide, with mainstream companies pushing back against these platforms.

In addition to House Bill 1308, Hawaii is considering Senate Bill 1507, which proposes a state-run online gaming syste featuring Hawaiian-themed games. However, concerns about problem gambling and regulatory challenges make its passage unlikely.

Hawaii has long opposed gambling, with over 30 bills introduced in the 1990s to establish casinos, lotteries, and other forms of wagering, all of which failed. In recent years, however, the state’s focus has shifted to online gambling proposals.