Hawaii Sports Betting Bill Moves Forward

It’s still a long way from legalizing sports betting in Hawaii, but at the very least, progress is being made. And that alone is cause for optimism in the Aloha State.

Hawaii’s House Committee on Economic Development & Technology advanced a bill to legalize online sports betting. The vote was 5-2 in favor of moving the bill forward.

The legislation, House Bill 2570 (HB 2570), would allow for the state to license a minimum of six online sports betting sites. Sports betting would only be available online and via mobile apps. There would be no retail sports betting component.

A tax rate of 15% would be established on adjusted gross gaming revenue. Online sports betting sites would be required to pay a $500,000 licensing fee. Licenses would be valid for five years. Hawaii’s Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism would be assigned the task of serving as the state’s gambling regulator.

Among the tasks assigned to the state regulator would be protocols to ensure game integrity and anti-money laundering compliance. Other responsibilities would include auditing, tax reporting, and revenue reconciliation, the testing of sports wagering equipment, ensuring data privacy, and cybersecurity.

It would also be the responsibility of the state regulator to establish a state-wide voluntary exclusion program, as well as implement programs to allow players to set limits for their wagers, deposits, and time spent on a sports betting platform.

Betting on in-state college sporting events, or on games involving schools from Hawaii, would be prohibited, as would wagering on any type of youth sports. Wagers on injuries, penalties, player discipline rulings, or replay reviews would be prohibited. It would also be illegal to target any form of advertising or marketing toward minors or individuals participating in the voluntary exclusion program.

The legal age to be able to bet on sports in Hawaii would be 21 years of age. This act would take effect within 180 days of the bill being passed into law.

There are still many opponents of legalized sports betting in Hawaii

Proponents of the legalization of sports betting in Hawaii believe that many residents are already placing illegal sports bets through offshore sports betting sites. By legalizing sports betting, that revenue would be directed into the state coffers, and there would be consumer protection guardrails put in place to protect bettors.

However, many stumbling blocks still remain to be overcome before legal and regulated sports betting becomes a reality in the Aloha State.

Opponents of the bill insist that legalization would increase the risk of gambling addiction in the state. The addition of legalized gambling would also present enforcement challenges to state regulators.

The state Attorney-General’s office, police departments, and the Department of Health all expressed reservations about the dilemmas that could be created by the legalization of sports betting.

Even some of the lawmakers who voted in favor of advancing the bill were cautious in doing so. There is worry whether the necessary resources are available to effectively monitor sportsbook operators that will move into the state.

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