One of the two remaining states with no form of gaming at all, including no lottery, Hawaii, has a very receptive population to the idea of ending that stance.
A poll that was conducted by the new Civil Beat Poll indicated 55 percent of those surveyed supported a statewide or multi-state lottery, compared to 34 percent against, 4 percent unsure and 7 percent saying that they didn’t care.
Recently the House dipped a toe in the water of setting up a state lottery commission, but quickly withdrew it.
The legislature looks likely to at least reintroduce a lottery bill in 2018, although its chances are seen as unlikely. Previous efforts at breaking the gaming ban have included a proposal for casino boats in state waters and a casino at Waikiki.
The Civil Beat Poll questioned 843 registered voters, with 70 conducted on landlines and the rest on cellphones. Those polled who lack college degrees favored a lottery by an even larger percentage, 63 percent, compared to 27 percent against. Persons in lower income brackets also tended to support a lottery more than people with higher incomes.
