Hawaii Sports Betting Bill Faces Uncertain Future

Hawaii’s long-standing opposition to gambling may be shifting—but the clock is running out fast. The state’s only active sports betting proposal, House Bill 1308, has hit a political roadblock after the House rejected amendments made by the Senate. With only days left in the 2024 legislative session, a deal must be struck soon—or Hawaii’s shot at legalized sports betting may vanish for another year. Stakeholders, lawmakers, and industry observers must act now if they hope to see progress before the May 1 deadline.

Clock Ticking on Hawaii Sports Betting Bill as House, Senate Remain at Odds

3 Key Points:

1. Hawaii’s House rejected Senate changes to HB 1308, sending it to conference with limited time remaining.
2. The bill would legalize online sports betting and fantasy sports, with licensing fees set at $250,000.
3. If no agreement is reached by May 1, Hawaii will remain one of the last U.S. states without legal gambling.

Hawaii’s attempt to legalize online sports betting faces a critical juncture, as lawmakers scramble to reconcile competing versions of House Bill 1308 (HB 1308) before the legislative session concludes on May 1. The House of Representatives has formally rejected the Senate’s amended version, forcing the bill into conference committee negotiations.

Time is now the biggest hurdle. With just weeks remaining, stakeholders are watching closely to see whether Hawaii will take a historic step toward becoming the 50th state to regulate sports wagering—or if this effort will be deferred once again.

What’s in HB 1308?

Introduced earlier this year, HB 1308 aims to establish a regulated market for online sports betting and fantasy sports. The bill allows for a minimum of four licensed sports betting platforms, setting a $250,000 licensing fee with an equivalent renewal fee. Operators would also pay a 10% tax on adjusted gross revenue.

While the bill passed the House in March by a 35–15 vote, the Senate Ways and Means Committee introduced amendments that shifted regulatory authority. Originally, the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs was expected to oversee the market. However, Director Nadine Ando argued the department was not suited for such enforcement, prompting the Senate to assign regulatory duties to the Department of Law Enforcement.

Under the latest version, the Hawaii Department of Taxation would handle enforcement of excise taxes related to sports betting.

Governor’s Support Hinges on Consumer Protections

Governor Josh Green has expressed conditional support for the legislation, stating that he would sign a bill into law if it includes adequate consumer protection provisions. This could become a sticking point during conference committee negotiations, where lawmakers must balance regulatory clarity with market feasibility.

Green’s approval would represent a monumental shift for a state that has resisted all forms of commercial gambling. Hawaii, alongside Utah, remains one of just two U.S. states with no legal gambling options—no casinos, no sports betting, and no lottery.

Casino Proposal Also Defeated

Earlier this year, Senate Bill 893, which proposed to legalize casino gambling, was indefinitely deferred. That bill faced fierce opposition from state agencies and community groups, highlighting the political sensitivity surrounding gambling expansion in Hawaii.

HB 1308 has emerged as the state’s most viable gaming initiative, offering a limited and highly regulated approach focused on mobile sports betting and fantasy contests.

Hawaii’s sports betting bill sits on a razor’s edge. With the House and Senate still divided over regulatory structure and little time left in the session, HB 1308 may not survive the political process this year. For advocates, the stakes are high: failure to act now means another year on the sidelines in the fast-growing U.S. sports betting market. Meanwhile, operators and fantasy platforms will watch closely, knowing Hawaii remains a valuable, untapped market—if the legislative stars ever align.