The Hawaii House Committee on Economic Development gave its blessing to an amended House Bill 2765, the sports betting legislation supporters hope will find enough friendly voices. A companion bill—House Bill 2762— authorizes development of a casino resort in Oahu.
Both bills garnered 5-2 votes in the affirmative and will move down the chain to the House Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce or Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs. The legislative session runs to early May.
A lobbyist promised passage of the sports betting bill would put an end to illicit sportsbooks.
One significant amendment reduced the minimum age to wager to 18. Another amendment moved sports betting tax revenue to a fund dedicated to eliminating illegal gambling. The law would also create a gambling mitigation program for the first time.
The legislation has yet to approve a tax rate, but supporters anticipate $9 million a year in tax revenues to pour in.
Primary sponsor, Rep. Daniel Holt, Chair of the Economic Development Committee, sees the proposals to stimulate the top industry, tourism. Still, both pieces of legislation face anti-gambling forces. Whether the opposition is enough remains to be seen.
