Hawaii’s Senate has pushed ahead with an essential bill that might provide the green light for online sports betting in the state.
House Bill 1308 has passed multiple committees and received a strong majority vote on the floor.
Earlier this week, the Aloha State took another significant step toward making regulated sportsbooks available to residents.
The Senate Ways and Means Committee voted in support of the package, despite several members’ “reservations,” which reflect persistent political concerns.
Nonetheless, the most recent vote is the longest course a sports betting measure has ever taken in Hawaii.
Rethinking Views on Sports Betting
Until now, the Senate has been considered less sympathetic to the concept of sports betting than the House. However, recent occurrences may indicate a significant shift in opinion.
HB 1308 passed the Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection before moving on to the powerful Ways and Means Committee, which could indicate expanding support.
If the Senate passes the measure, the House must approve any Senate amendments before it becomes law.
While the odds have undoubtedly increased, House-Senate negotiations are still expected to be heated. With the legislative session ending in less than a month, the governor’s support is not guaranteed.
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Sportsbook may generate $20 million in annual tax revenue
Big figures in the sports betting sector, as well as the state’s labor organizations, have all become strong supporters of the initiative.
If everything goes as planned, advocates believe that legalizing online sports betting will generate approximately $20 million in tax revenue from licensed sportsbooks each year.
Compared to Hawaii’s overall budget, the sum may appear tiny. Proponents say that the money may still be used to pay education and other public services.
The bill is also opposed by the Hawaii Attorney General’s Office, the state Department of Commerce, Honolulu Prosecutor Steve Alm, and a number of religious and anti-gambling organizations.
Opponents are concerned that legalized sports betting may lead to addiction and other gambling-related disorders, ultimately damaging local communities.
“I’m afraid that in a couple of years, we’ll have a whole generation of problem gamblers, mostly young men.” So I believe this would just be opening a Pandora’s box,” the prosecutor said.
Boyd Gaming, a Las Vegas casino operator that already benefits from the regular influx of Hawaiian residents who opt to gamble in Nevada, is another strong opponent of the bill.
Excellent circumstances for operators
The present proposal would provide bettors physically located in Hawaii with access to at least four sportsbook providers.
Leading brands, like BetMGM, DraftKings, FanDuel, and Fanatics, have expressed great interest in entering the industry. Caesars, BetRivers, and ESPN BET are among the other prospective participants.
The law would impose a $250,000 license fee and a 10% tax on gross gaming revenue, making Hawaii one of the least expensive states for operators to enter.
If legalized, all regulated sportsbooks would debut on a single universal start date, with operations beginning before January 1, 2026, as directed by Ways and Means chair Donovan Dela Cruz.
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