A bill seeking to legalize gambling in Hawaii has failed at the state’s legislature. The decision to suspend the bill was caused by opposition from several agencies who were considerably against its passage.

If Senate Bill 893 succeeded, casinos to be established at the Hawaii Convention Center and the new Aloha Stadium Entertainment District would be licensed for 20 years. The bill also sought to establish a Hawaii Gaming Control Commission that would govern all casino activity in the state.

This isn’t the first time such bills have been proposed; they’ve failed every time. This doesn’t mean that local people can’t or don’t visit online platforms. Those interested in some available iGames from Hawaii can click here to explore such games online, with some interesting perks and bonuses. Gamblers can join exclusive tournaments, place wagers on sporting events, and enjoy a wide array of unique games, much more varied than available at land-based establishments.

However, several law enforcement and other government authorities kicked against the bill. These agencies include the Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, the Department of the Attorney General, and the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.

Hawaii Senator Lynn DeCoite announced the suspension, emphasizing that the state is not very eager to levy additional taxes on the residents. Specifically on gambling, DeCoite said:

“Casino gambling has not always been a favorite subject.”

The bill’s failure is also a concern for developers in the state. According to Stanford Carr, a developer behind the new Aloha Stadium project, the construction is not feasible without casino revenue. He noted:

“The shortfall is over $550 million, and you just can’t make that up with the real estate investments…Realistically, we would be pencils down and walk away from the project.”

Gambling enthusiasts believe Hawaii will enjoy a wide range of benefits from legalization, including an increase in revenue from applicable taxes. There are also other relevant fees, including a $250,000 licensing fee payable by service providers, in addition to $10,000 payable by companies providing related services. Furthermore, proponents believe that legalizing gambling and casino activities in the state would significantly reduce the spread of illegal gambling operators. However, these reasons have not convinced opposing agencies.

Several pro-gambling bills have previously been introduced in Hawaii. However, lawmakers have consistently opposed the bills, adding to the state’s long history of aversion to gambling. In 2019, SB 2571 and HB 1107, which sought to legalize sports betting eventually failed. HB 1962, to legalize casino gambling, failed in 2022. In 2024, sports betting bills HB 2762 and HB 2765 also failed.

Interestingly, the House Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs Committee passed House Bill 1308 after it received approval from the Economic Development and Technology Committee. The bill seeks to legalize four sportsbooks at least and has received support from private gambling industry giants likely looking to set up shop in Hawaii. House Bill 1308 proposes a 10% tax on all revenue from sports betting.

Furthermore, the bill requires that licensees design and adopt comprehensive rules for governing transactions, such as specific amounts winning wagers receive, conditions for voiding a bet, and other rules regarding late bets, errors, and other contingencies. To protect legal establishments, the bill provides penalties for unlicensed sports wagering, including a $10,000 fee or up to 90 days in prison, or both, for a first violation. A second violation would be subject to $50,000, or six months in prison, or both.