Bill Progressing from House to Senate: Proposed Legislation on Hawaii Sports Betting
Hawaii just took a significant step forward in its quest to join the ranks of states with legal sports betting. The House recently granted 35-15 approval to sports betting bill HB 1308, propelling it into the Senate for further scrutiny. This burst of progress marks the most progress Hawaii has ever made in the last decade towards legitimizing online sports wagering.
Hawaii lies amongst seven states vying to construct a homegrown industry for sports gambling. House Bill 1308, as it stands, outlines the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs' role in regulating online sports betting and iGaming within the state.
Regrettably, the Senate bill, SB 1569, was deferred during its public hearing. Nevertheless, anticipation for legal sports betting in the Aloha State remains high given the encouraging sneak peek provided by the upsurge in support for HB1308.
House Members Striving to Block Sports Betting Expansion
15 members of the House stood firm against the sports betting expansion, including:
- David Alcos
- Della Au Belatti
- Diamond Garcia
- Andrew Takuya Garrett
- Tina Grandinetti
- Kim Coco Iwamoto
- Lisa Marten
- Scot Matayoshi
- Lauren Matsumoto
- Chris Muraoka
- Amy Perruso
- Julie Reyes Oda
- Garner Shimizu
- Gregg Takayama
- Shirley Ann Templo
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News tags: Hawaii | HI HB 1308 | HI SB 1569 | Honolulu
More Context:- Primary sponsor: Initially introduced by Rep. Daniel Holt1- Commitee votes: Gained strong majorities across six committees, although some members expressed apprehensions[4]- Notable opposition: The Attorney General’s office, Boyd Gaming, anti-gambling organizations, and Sen. Sharon Y. Moriwaki5
[4]: https://www.staradvertiser.com/2022/03/30/local-news/hawaii-online-sports-betting-bill-advances-but-faces- doubts-from-some-top-officials/
- The approval of HB 1308, which received a vote of 35-15 in the House, suggests a growing acceptance of sports betting in Hawaii, a move towards legalizing online wagering on sports.
- House Bill 1308, given the green light, mandates the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to regulate online sports betting and iGaming within the state, making way for potential sports gambling opportunities.
- Odds for the legalization of sports betting in Hawaii continue to favor the Aloha State, despite the Senate bill, SB 1569, being deferred for further deliberation.
- Notably, 15 members of the House, including individuals such as David Alcos, Chris Muraoka, and Garner Shimizu, have voiced opposition to the expansion of sports betting in the state, creating a divide in the legislative process.
- In the broader context, Hawaii's foray into sports betting is a significant development, as it attempts to join the ranks of states offering regulated online sports-betting services, positioning itself in the competitive sports betting market.
