Hawaii sports betting bill passes Senate committee
The Hawaii Senate Ways and Means Committee became the sixth committee to approve HB 1308, to legalize online sports betting.
While lawmakers amended the bill, it passed through the committee 11-2.
Donovan Dela Cruz, chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, has set the bill as effective 1 July, which will give the House time to accept amendments from the committee.
The bill must pass through the House and Senate negotiations before needing a signature from the governor. The Hawaii legislative session ends on 1 May.
The sports betting bill is one of the most successful in Hawaii’s history after gaining approval from the Hawaii House of Representatives with a 35-15 vote at the beginning of March.
If HB 1308 is approved, online sports betting would begin before 1 January, 2026, and at least four sportsbooks would receive a license. In the current language of the bill, the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism would be the state’s licensing body.
It would also impose a 10% tax on sportsbooks’ gross gaming revenue and establish the Problem Gambling Prevention and Treatment Special Fund.
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