Hawaii Sports Betting Measure Moves to Full Senate Floor, Odds Remain Long

Posted on: April 3, 2025, 08:54h. 

Last updated on: April 3, 2025, 09:28h.

Devin O'Connor @CasinoorgDevinO Read More
Expertise: Asia Pacific Gaming, Commercial Gaming, Legislation, Politics.
  • Hawaii sports betting legislation has arrived on the Senate floor
  • The bill suggests authorizing four online sportsbooks
  • Native Hawaiians say they should be included

On Wednesday, a bill to legalize sports betting in Hawaii advanced out of the Senate Ways and Means Committee. The statute now moves to the full Senate floor.

Hawaii sports betting legislation
Hawaii lawmakers are considering taking a shot at legal sports betting. A bill to authorize online sportsbooks continues to make progress in the Honolulu capital. (Image: Hawaii Athletics)

House Bill 1308 cleared the state House of Representatives early last month with a 35-15 vote. The Senate’s consideration of the online sports gambling statute has amended the proposed law as it made its way through the Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee, Economic Development and Technology Committee, and Ways and Means Committee.

While HB1308 moving to the chamber floor is a milestone for proponents seeking to end Hawaii’s prohibition of gambling, much work lies ahead in finding common ground between the House and Senate language.

Should the Senate vote in favor of the latest HB1308 draft that includes several amendments to the original language, the bill would be returned to the lower chamber for concurrence. The many differences present a difficult timeline for lawmakers to reach a compromise before their 2025 legislative session concludes on May 2. 

Latest Hawaii Sports Betting Text

As HB1308 arrives on the Senate floor, the online sports betting bill includes the authorization of four sportsbook licenses. The Hawaii Department of Law Enforcement would regulate sports betting, not the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs as the House version originally intended.

Another key issue to iron out is whether one of the licenses would be earmarked for a qualified Native Hawaiian organization, as determined by the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement (CNHA).

It’s important for Native Hawaiians to be involved,” said Tyler Gomes, the CNHA’s  chief administrator. “There is a lot of revenue to go around and we know there are a lot of Native Hawaiian entities and organizations that would really benefit from that revenue.”

Each license would cost $250K every five years. Revenue kept by the oddsmakers would be subject to a 10% tax.

The proposed license fee and tax, however, would be insufficient to cover the state’s regulatory costs. That’s according to several Finance Committee members who said a higher tax is needed.

Much Opposition 

Hawaii is closer than it’s ever been to legalizing a form of gambling. Still, barriers stand between HB1308 and Gov. Josh Green’s (D) desk. The governor says he’s neutral on gaming.

Several state senators have spoken publicly against sports betting, including Sen. Lorraine Inouye (D-Hilo) who says many Hawaiians are already battling gambling addiction despite the absence of legal gambling. She said she’s heard from many women living in fear of their husbands because they have gambling problems that have created “very emotional instances within their families.”

Honolulu Prosecutor Steve Alm has also spoken out against HB1308 on addiction worries.

When you watch pro football, half the commercials are for gambling,” Alm said. “I’m afraid that in a couple of years, we are going to have a whole generation of problem gamblers — typically young men. This would just be opening up Pandora’s box.”

While DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and Fanatics are lobbying lawmakers to pass HB1308, Boyd Gaming is lobbying to retain Hawaii’s status quo on gaming and sports betting.

Hawaii is a major feeder for Boyd’s casinos in Las Vegas. The company is partnered with Hawaiian Airlines in running special group travel packages between the islands and its three downtown Las Vegas casino properties — The California, Main Street Station, and Fremont.