Hawaii Renews Legal Gambling Push

Imagine Hawaii—one of only two states without any gambling—suddenly allowing online gaming and sports betting.

That’s precisely what new legislation tries to achieve, with multiple bills seeking to transform Hawaii’s gambling-free identity.

Think of lotteries, poker, sports wagering, and even fantasy sports launching across these tropical isles.

Read on to see if these proposals can overcome Hawaii’s storied resistance to gambling and at last reshape its future.

Hawaii’s High-Stakes Gamble: New Bills Aim to Finally Legalise iGaming & Sports Betting

3 Key Points

1. SB 1507 proposes a Hawaii Lottery and Gaming Corporation offering iGaming and sweepstakes, excluding sports wagering.
2. House Bill 1308 and Senate Bill 1569 plan to regulate sports betting and fantasy sports under the DBEDT.
3. Previous attempts have failed, yet lawmakers try again, facing cultural opposition and concerns about problem gambling.

Hawaii might soon move away from its near-total ban on gambling. State legislators introduced several bills to authorise online gaming, sports betting, and even fantasy sports. However, Hawaii’s history suggests these proposals face an uphill fight.

SB 1507: A Lottery and iGaming Framework

Senate Bill 1507 (SB 1507), introduced by Senate President Ron Kouchi, proposes creating a Hawaii Lottery and Gaming Corporation. This entity would oversee online gaming, which includes lottery, poker, and casino offerings. It aims to attract tourists with free-play games and Hawaii-themed prizes, plus the possibility of multi-state player pools to expand reach.

Yet, SB 1507 excludes sports wagering. Instead, it confers tax-exempt status on the new corporation and directs revenues into a special fund for community programs. Proponents believe this approach could introduce new income streams while upholding responsible gambling. Critics question whether these games align with Hawaii’s cultural sensibilities and longstanding anti-gambling tradition.

Sports Betting and Fantasy Sports: HB 1308 & SB 1569

On the sports wagering side, House Bill 1308 and Senate Bill 1569 attempt to regulate fantasy sports and sports betting under the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism (DBEDT). Both bills require at least four online sports betting platforms from 1 July, with a 10% tax on adjusted gross receipts.

They also define fantasy sports separately to cement its legitimacy. Meanwhile, supporters hope regulated sports betting can bring tax dollars for housing or education, mimicking frameworks in other states. Skeptics claim regulation will spur gambling addiction, making it vital to ensure robust responsible gambling measures.

SB 1572: Hawaii State Sports Wagering Commission

State Senator Kim Decoite introduced SB 1572. This measure outlines the creation of the Hawaii State Sports Wagering Commission, part of the DBEDT. It would license retail and online sportsbooks, with a 15% tax on adjusted gross receipts, plus a $250,000 licence fee for five years. Decoite’s proposal differs by allowing prop bets, college sports wagering, and exchange wagering. It also requires operators to be licensed in three other jurisdictions.

Prior Efforts That Came Up Short

Hawaii has tried multiple times to legalise gambling. In 2022, Representative John Mizuno floated a sportsbook plan for a single site on Oahu, but it stalled. In 2023, House Bill 344 sought to legalise online sports wagering with a limited number of platforms, yet lawmakers again balked, citing moral concerns and an incomplete regulatory infrastructure. In 2024, two more bills, SB 929 and HB 2259, proposed broader online gaming, including sports betting and online poker, but also failed to gain traction.

Opposition comes from community groups, cultural voices, and religious advocates wary of gambling’s social costs. Hence, each legislative attempt fizzles. Nevertheless, lawmakers push on. They hope funneling tax revenue to public initiatives—housing or education—could sway opponents.

Hawaii lawmakers are trying once more to legalise iGaming and sports betting. With proposals like SB 1507 for a lottery corporation and others targeting broader sports wagering, the state edges closer to an unprecedented shift. Yet, the path remains rocky. Longstanding cultural resistance, moral opposition, and past legislative failures mean these bills face a crucial test. If they succeed, Hawaii’s regulated gambling scene might finally take shape in America’s most unlikely destination.