Hawaii’s HB 1308 Sports Betting Bill Advances in Legislature
Hawaii’s HB 1308, a bill to legalize online sports betting, is moving forward in the state legislature. It’s already passed the House of Representatives and secured unanimous approval from two Senate committees: Commerce and Consumer Protection (CPN) and Economic Development and Tourism (EDT), though some senators voiced reservations. Next, it heads to the Senate Ways and Means Committee, a critical step before a full Senate vote.

Regulatory Shift and Financial Framework
A key change emerged during Senate hearings. Initially, the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) was set to regulate the market, but DCCA Director Nadine Ando pushed back. The Senate pivoted, assigning oversight to the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) instead.
Early drafts proposed a $250,000 five-year license fee and a 10% tax rate, but the House scrapped those, deeming them too low. Now, tax and fee details remain undefined, awaiting Senate input. Supporters, including DraftKings and BetMGM reps, argue it’s a smart move.
Additionally, senator Donna Mercado Kim, despite hesitations, added an amendment to direct some funds to education, nodding to the reality of underground gambling.
Opposition and Uncertain Outcomes
Despite its progress, HB 1308 faces pushback from multiple fronts. State agencies like Justice, Taxation, and Budget and Finance, along with Native Hawaiian groups, are raising red flags.
Deputy Attorney General David Williams pointed to studies showing legal gambling can increase debt, bankruptcies, and social problems.
Brandon Maka’awa’awa, from the Independent Sovereign Nation State of Hawaii, criticized the rush to pass the bill before completing an economic impact study, calling it irresponsible. Ando also referenced testimony from Boyd Gaming, which warned that many states overestimate sports betting revenue, often falling short of covering regulatory costs.
These concerns, spanning social risks, logistical challenges, and uncertain financial returns, loom large as the bill heads to Ways and Means. HB 1308 is Hawaii’s furthest step toward legal gambling, but its fate hinges on whether the Senate can reconcile these doubts with the promise of a regulated market joining 38 other states.
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