Hawaii Governor signals support for online sports betting bill, casino study measure also advances 

Hawaii Governor Josh Green on Monday said he is unlikely to veto a bill legalizing online sports betting if it reaches his desk with appropriate protections, opening the door for the state to potentially embrace gambling for the first time in its history.

Speaking on Hawaii News Now Sunrise, Green said that a recent survey suggested public opinion may be shifting in favor of gambling, particularly if tax revenues are channeled into social needs such as affordable housing. 

“The world’s changing quite a lot, and what people said in our survey was if you spend the revenues in a good place, like on Hawaiian Home Lands housing or housing for the workforce, a lot of people supported it,” he said.

Although Green referred to it as “our survey,” his office later clarified that the poll was conducted by a private entity and that the administration does not possess a copy of the findings. Still, Green indicated that if the Legislature approves an online sports betting measure that includes safeguards against gambling addiction, “I’ll likely let it become law.”

The comments come as lawmakers continue to explore broader forms of gambling. On Monday, the state House passed Senate Concurrent Resolution 121, which would create a working group to study the legalization of casinos in Hawaii. The group would include members from law enforcement, the tourism sector, and government, along with industry stakeholders.

Supporters of the measure argue that casino development could provide a much-needed economic jolt, particularly in the context of the stalled Aloha Stadium redevelopment project. “It’s possible to increase our job count by 6,000 jobs and a benefit of $250 million plus to our economy,” said state Rep. Daniel Holt, who represents parts of Kalihi and has championed the cause.

Developers involved in the stadium project have also voiced support. In March, Stanford Carr, the lead developer for the district, and Aloha Stadium Authority Chair Brennon Morioka requested that the development team be given a seat on the proposed working group. “We always encourage the exploration of new revenue or alternative revenue streams that are meant to be reinvested into building a new stadium,” Morioka said.

However, not everyone is on board. Opponents of gambling, including progressive Democrats and several Republicans, voiced concerns about social costs and questioned the motivation behind the resolution. “I just hope that there will be some consideration given to mitigating instead of just looking to allow for profits to be generated for these companies,” said Rep. Kim Coco Iwamoto.

Rep. Andrew Garrett of Manoa offered one of the strongest rebukes, calling the casino push a thinly veiled attempt to finance a project that lacks adequate planning. “When you need a casino to make your stadium pencil out, that’s not planning. That’s panic. That’s a bailout dressed up as a policy discussion,” Garrett said on the House floor.

Holt rejected that claim, saying: “This is not a bailout to Aloha Stadium… this is to study it.”

The resolution passed the House despite 14 "no" votes. Versions have passed both chambers, and negotiations will now begin to reconcile the differences.