On Tuesday, the Hawaii sports betting bill passed through the lower chamber of the State Legislature. 

In a 35-15 vote, House Bill 1308 became the first legislation to pass through a chamber of the Hawaii Legislature in many years. Hawaii’s House of Representatives passed the bill that would permit as many as four online sportsbooks. 

Bill sponsor Rep. Dan Holt (D-Honolulu), who presented the legislation alongside Reps. Darius Kila (D-Honokai Hale) and Chris Todd (D-Hilo), argued that Hawaii’s prohibition on sports gambling is ineffective, as numerous individuals are placing bets online via illegal, offshore gambling sites. A lot of people rely on bookies.

"[Sports betting’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.”

Financial forecasts suggest that the state might generate up to $20 million annually by permitting online sports wagering. 

Opposition to Sports Betting in Hawaii 

Hawaii continues to be one of the most limiting states regarding gambling. In the islands, there are no commercial or tribal casinos, lottery games, parimutuel betting, sports wagering, fantasy sports, or even charitable gambling. Only Utah has similar restrictions. 

House lawmakers opposing HB1308 voiced worries regarding gambling addictions, which may result in financial issues, fractured marriages, and various societal expenses. 

“There are a lot of bad things that follow [gaming authorization],” opined Rep. David Alcos (R-Ewa). “From sex trafficking to stealing to all kinds of bad things. Do you want to see Hawaii be like Las Vegas?”

Rep. Andrew Garrett (D-Manoa) mentioned that a friend of his, who struggled with a serious gambling addiction, ultimately went bankrupt. 

“I wouldn’t wish that pain on anyone,” Garrett said.

Rep. Kim Coco Iwamoto (D-Honolulu), Hawaii's first transgender legislator, opposed the online sports betting legislation as it would mainly advantage the operators. She concluded that unlawful, covert gambling operations could potentially be more advantageous.

"Local game rooms and chicken fights, which I do not support, contribute to a circular economy because that money is staying within the community,” Iwamoto said.

Nadine Ando, head of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, expressed her disapproval of the bill, stating it would not allocate sufficient funding for her agency to effectively oversee online sportsbooks. 

Will the Senate Embrace Sports Betting? 

With HB1308 gaining sufficient backing in the House, it’s now the Senate’s turn to determine if a sports betting bill will reach Gov. Josh Green’s (D) desk. Regrettably for those in favor of legal sports betting, Senate Bill 1569, the corresponding bill from the upper chamber, has come to a standstill. 

SB1569 passed the Senate Committee on Economic Development and Technology in February. The gaming bill has been postponed by both the Commerce and Consumer Protection and Ways and Means committees. 

“Deferring a bill may allow the committee more time to consider it, gain consensus, or prepare an amended draft for the future vote by the committee. If a bill is deferred, the committee must bring the bill back for public decision-making to pass it. If not, the bill simply stays in that committee,” the Hawaii Legislative Reference Bureau explained.

Hawaii's legislative session for 2025 continues until May 2.