Hawaii Online Sports Betting Bill Advances in Hous Committee

Michael Savio
By: Michael Savio
02/01/2025
Sports Betting
Photo by Sajith T S, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo by Sajith T S, CC BY-SA 2.0

Key Takeaways

  • A House bill would legalize online sports betting in 2025
  • Hawaii is one of two states that do not allow any form of gambling
  • There is also a Senate bill looking to legalize iGaming

Sports betting could soon be a reality in the Aloha State.

A Hawaii House committee has unanimously voted to advance an online sports betting bill this week. No committee member spoke out against the bill during deliberations, making this one of the most promising efforts to legalize the industry yet. While the road to becoming law remains long, support has grown heading into 2025.

Hawaii is one of two US states that do not offer some form of gambling.

Local Police Decry Effort

The Honolulu Police Department has expressed its concerns about legalizing sports betting. They pointed out the many dangers of the industry and questioned if the tax revenue generated would be as much as promised.  

The department’s concerns were echoed by a surprising ally: Boyd Gaming. The Las Vegas gaming giant agreed with the police's concerns, warning that the money generated will not be enough to offset the damaging effects gambling can have on residents. 

Proponents Warn of Illegal Gambling

Hawaii is a unique market because it doesn’t share a border with other states. Its remote location allows residents to fly several hours to Las Vegas if they wish to wager. However, proponents believe residents are finding different options.

Like the rest of the US, Hawaii has seen residents wager with offshore sportsbooks over the years. These unregulated options are far more dangerous than a legal market, which would at least generate funds to help combat problem gambling. This was a driving reason behind Governor Josh Green’s support of (carefully) exploring a legal sports betting market.

Online Casino Bill Also Proposed

Sports betting isn’t the only form of gambling being considered by Hawaiian lawmakers. Senate Bill 1507 would allow the Hawaii Lottery and Gaming Corporation to create a framework for an iGaming industry. The industry would be Hawaiann-themed, offering the state’s many visitors a unique experience from what they get in the continental US.

Like sports betting, many lawmakers have voiced concerns over the impact on the state’s residents. While problem gambling programs would be created, they would likely be more limited than those in the rest of the country. This makes the passage of SB1507 unlikely, though it should give an indication of just how realistic legalization is.

Michael Savio covers the US online casino industry, giving readers insights and information they won’t find anywhere else. He has followed the retail industry since his time living in Las Vegas and has continued to do so as the online industry has taken off. Michael covers everything from online casino reviews to industry news, making him one of the most trusted insiders in the business. Check out Michael’s latest articles at casinos.com to see what he has to offer!