Legislation advancing sports betting in Hawaii, setting sights on a 2026 launch in the senate.
Hawaii's Sports Betting Bill Advances, Facing Challenges
Hawaii is taking a significant step forward in its approach to sports betting legislation with the advancement of HB 1308 to the full Senate floor. However, the bill faces opposition from various governmental bodies, religious groups, and anti-gambling groups, reflective of Hawaii's complex relationship with gambling.
First introduced in 2022, HB 1308 aims to regulate online sports betting. Previous bills, such as HB 1815 and HB 1973, also targeted online sports betting but failed to gain sufficient support. This current advancement of HB 1308 in 2023 marks a notable shift in Hawaii's stance on sports betting legislation.
The bill authorizes a minimum of four sports betting licenses for digital platforms, with no retail sportsbooks planned. The regulatory authority designated in HB 1308 is the "Secretary of State." The Department of Law Enforcement has been designated as the regulatory body for the sports betting market under the bill.
Under HB 1308, a 10% tax rate and a $250,000 fee for a five-year license have been reinstated. These tax rates and fees are among the lowest in the United States, sparking debates about their adequacy for effective market regulation.
Hawaii's cautious stance on gambling has been consistent across multiple years and various bills. In 2023, HB 344, a bill seeking to legalize sports betting, was defeated. Previous attempts to introduce gambling legislation in Hawaii, including HB 344, have consistently failed.
Concerns have been raised about potential social and regulatory costs that may outweigh the generated revenues. These concerns, along with opposition from community groups, have been recurring themes in the discussion of gambling legislation in Hawaii.
If approved, the law would go into effect on July 1, 2025, with legal betting expected to begin by January 1, 2026. The bill is currently awaiting further debate in the Senate chamber. Despite the advancement of HB 1308, the state's approach to sports betting legislation remains complex and challenging.
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