Hawaii Pushes Online Sports Betting Bill to the House

At least one new gambling pitch during the legislative session will move forward in Hawaii, as the Aloha State is still a laggard and lacks any form of gambling.

Hawaii Clears a Small Hurdle on the Way to Online Sports Betting

As the Super Bowl is fast approaching one thing is certain – Hawaii won’t participate in the latest sports betting bonanza, but this may not be the case for long.

Rep. Daniel Holt has seen his latest online sports betting bill move forward to the House of Representatives, and this could be what it takes for the state to finally see regulated gambling.

Rep. Holt has not hidden his ambition for bringing sports gambling about. Year in and year out he has been at the dogged issue, mustering support and always coming short of garnering any meaningful momentum.

However, with 40-odd states regulating sports betting in some way, Hawaiian legislators may be losing some of their reluctance and lessening their hard-nosed opposition. While qualms about the way gambling is executed, and its link to increased societal ills, a more pressing need is at hand – propping up public finance.

Cody Sula from the Iron Workers Stabilization Fund, has spoken in favor of HB 1308, arguing that there were already many people using their phones to gamble elsewhere, but opposition has been mounting.

For example, the Honolulu Police Department submitted details during Friday’s hearing of the bill that the promise of significant revenue influx for the state is somewhat blown out of proportion, echoing the larger concern that mainland companies may simply set up shop but then transfer a big part of the money back home while Hawaii is left picking up the pieces.

Companies such as BetMGM have issued a warning to the state however, arguing that many Hawaiians are already gambling but using “social” platforms, arguing that these platforms are rogue gambling sites.

The debate surrounding sweepstakes platforms in the United States is entering a new phase with many mainstream companies going on the offensive against the sector and arguing against it although sweepstake contests are considered legal in the majority of states.

Private Companies Eager to Legalize Gambling but Local Opposition Persists

Hawaii is hoping to see legislation that could use the tax from gambling to generate additional financial cushion for the Aloha State as well as address illegal gambling and help treat gambling addiction.

Companies are similarly keen to assure skittish worrywarts and legislators that their models work as they introduce extensive verification processes in place that help safeguard consumers and reduce dependence on gambling.

With the House Committee on Economic Development and Technology backing the bill last week, there are two more committees in the chambers to please before the draft law can progress to the Senate and, eventually, to the governor’s office.