Hawaii House passes sports betting bill, faces uncertain future in Senate

The Hawaii House of Representatives has passed House Bill 1308, a measure that would legalize online sports betting in the state, by a vote of 35-15. The bill now moves to the Senate, marking the furthest progress any sports betting legislation has made in Hawaii, one of only two U.S. states without any form of legal gambling.

If enacted, the bill would allow at least four online sportsbooks to operate under the regulation of the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. The measure also includes provisions to legalize fantasy sports betting.

The bill's path in the Senate remains uncertain, as a similar measure, Senate Bill 1569 (SB 1569), has already failed in the Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee. The bill faces opposition from state agencies, including the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney, the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, and the Attorney General.

Critics argue that legalizing sports betting could increase crime and other societal harms.

“Studies have shown that legalized online sports betting results in adverse societal impacts, high costs to address those adverse impacts, and increased crime,” said Oihana I Ka Loio Kuhina, Hawaii’s Attorney General.

Les Bernal, National Director of Stop Predatory Gambling, also expressed concerns about the impact on residents. “There is no citizens grassroots movement for online gambling in Hawaii or in any other state. The lobbying effort in Hawaii is being driven by the greed of powerful, out-of-state financial interests who stand to reap hundreds of millions of dollars in profits at the expense of your constituents,” he said.

Key financial aspects of the bill, including an initially proposed 10% tax rate and a $250,000 licensing fee, were removed during the committee phase. These details are expected to be debated further if the bill progresses through the Senate.

Hawaii’s 2025 legislative session ends on May 2, the deadline for HB 1308 to pass. Should the Senate approve the measure, it would require the signature of Governor Josh Green to become law.