A Setback for Sports Betting in Hawaii
Legislation aimed at allowing sports betting fails to pass
Looks like Hawaii won't see any sports wagering bill become law this year.
On Friday afternoon, a House-Senate conference committee deferred House Bill 1308, which aimed to legalize online sports betting in the state and tax it at 10%.
"It's tough to find common ground," said Rep. Greggor Ilagan, a Puna Democrat serving as the House chair for the committee. "At this point, we've got a House and Senate disagreement. Our goal is to work on this so we can make a better bill during the next Legislative session."
Sen. Lynn DeCoite, a Democrat representing Maui, Molokai, and Lanai, and the Senate chair for the committee, agreed. "Sounds good to me," she replied.
With that, Ilagan tabled the measure until next year.
Introduced by Rep. Daniel Holt, an Oahu Democrat, and Rep. Chris Todd, a Hilo Democrat, the bill garnered support from various labor unions, online sports wagering services like DraftKings and BetMGM, and the trade organization Sports Betting Alliance.
However, it faced opposition from the state Office of the Attorney General, the Honolulu Police Department, Boyd Gaming, and Vacations Hawaii, the latter of which claims to have served over 1.5 million Hawaii residents with convenient and affordable direct flights to Las Vegas since 1996.
Hawaii's House Bill 1308, which sought to legalize digital sports wagering, passed both legislative chambers in amended forms. However, it failed in conference committee negotiations before the legislative deadline. Social concerns regarding gambling addiction and potential crime increases were among the key reasons for the deferral, as Hawaii is one of the two U.S. states without legal gambling.
Supporters of gambling legislation, including Governor Josh Green, have expressed openness with proper safeguards but, for now, Hawaii's gambling prohibition will remain intact. Those in favor plan to revisit the issue during the 2026 legislative session.
[1]: "Hawaii Sports Betting Bill Fails, Leaving Future Uncertain" (May 2025) - KHON2[2]: "Hawaii House Passes Sports Wagering Bill" (March 2025) - Honolulu Star-Advertiser[3]: "Gov. Green Weighs in on Hawaii's Sports Betting Bill" (April 2025) - Hawaii News Now[4]: "Senate Approves Hawaii Sports Wagering Bill" (April 2025) - KITV4[5]: "Inter-chamber Disagreements Derail Hawaii's Sports Betting Bill" (May 2025) - Pacific Business News
- Despite the supported House Bill 1308 aiming to legalize sports betting in Hawaii and garnering various endorsements, it failed in conference committee negotiations before the legislative deadline.
- The bill, which also proposed a 10% tax on online sports betting, was left unresolved for the year, with Rep. Greggor Ilagan, the House chair for the committee, tabling the measure until next year.
- The debate in Maui, where Sen. Lynn DeCoite represents, echoed Ilagan's sentiments, with both leaders acknowledging disagreements between the House and Senate on sports betting legislation.
- The deferral of House Bill 1308 marks a setback for sports-betting supporters, including Governor Josh Green, who have expressed openness to proper safeguards but must now revisit the issue during the 2026 legislative session.
