Hawaii’s House Vice Speaker John Mizuno has introduced House Bill 1829 that would authorize a casino in Waikiki—a bill even he doesn’t think will pass this year.
He told the Honolulu Civil Beat, “I just don’t feel the legislature is ready to go all out and pass a casino bill,” but added, “A lot of our people are concerned about the social ills that can be attached to gaming. A lot of that fear can be taken out by saying this casino is for people that are actually staying in a Waikiki hotel or any hotel on Oahu.”
It’s the latest in a series of proposals that have been aired in the last 30 years. A 1995 study by the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism estimated that shipboard gaming could generate up to $104 million in tax revenues.
A later study estimated that six casino boats could generate $105 million in state revenues, assuming a taxation rate of 15 percent.
Despite all the studies, Hawaii remains one of two states (Utah is the other) where gaming is not allowed in any form.
The proposals that have been made usually limited themselves to proposal one licensed casino. Mizuno’s does the same, but that’s to keep regulation costs at a minimum. The bill would prevent a hotel from hosting a casino.
It would create a commission to oversee the one casino and create a process for choosing between applicants.
HB 1820 does not specify a tax rate, but is author hopes the rate will be very high. He would also limit players to those who can prove they are staying at an Oahu hotel and pay a $20 entry fee. In other words, locals need not try to play.
That may work with most local residents, but it wouldn’t deter the state’s problem gamblers, say some critics. Mizuno would like to see funds raised spent to build housing for local indigenous residents.
