Efforts to legalize sports betting in Hawaii have come to a halt, at least for now. Despite signs of progress and support, House Bill 1308 stalled before the legislative deadline. This is another missed opportunity to bring regulated sports wagering to one of the few remaining states without it.

The bill, which was introduced by Representative Daniel Holt, scaled the House and Senate, before negotiations broke down. Lawmakers couldn’t reach a consensus on several key issues, as they were too complex to resolve before the deadline, which was April 25.

While lawmakers debate the issue, some locals interested in gaming have been sticking with legal options like online casinos. Even though Hawaii doesn’t have any physical casinos, many locals explore digital platforms that offer blackjack, roulette, and poker. These games attract players for the thrill and strategy. Anyone interested can simply play or learn the basics at PokerStrategy to enjoy a fun and competitive way to engage with the game while staying within legal boundaries.

Reflecting on the outcome, Holt said that they had made a strong push this year and managed to advance the proposal further than in previous sessions. However, he noted that disagreements remained over critical details – including the tax structure, who would oversee operations, and how the licensing would be handled. “We didn’t quite get there,” he said. “Next year, we’ll need to work even harder to address the concerns raised by both legislators and the public, and hopefully secure the tax revenue our state really needs.”

The bill called for at least four licenses, plus a $250,000 payment for every operator, along with a 10% tax on adjusted gross revenue. The projected return would be between $10 and $20 million annually, and these funds would be invested in the state’s infrastructure and public needs. It also proposed bringing back daily fantasy sports contests, which have been dormant in Hawaii for a while.

Governor Josh Green was among those who were supporting the bill. He pointed out its potential to fund the Aloha Stadium redevelopment. It would rebuild the iconic venue and create an entire entertainment district around it, complete with hotels, housing, restaurants, etc.

Still, resistance came from various corners, including members of Hawaii’s Department of Law Enforcement. Police Chief Joe Logan issued a statement, warning that regulation wouldn’t be enough to protect residents, and mentioning the rise in gambling-related crime and the difficulty in monitoring it. He pointed out that it’s almost impossible to regulate it in a way that protects consumers.

According to Holt, sports betting is already taking place across the islands, but it’s happening underground, with no oversight and no protections. He mentioned that those events usually take place on unregulated offshore websites and bookies, which can’t protect consumers. He believes that by creating a legal, regulated market, Hawaii would protect its residents and tap into revenue that is currently flowing into the shadows.

The Sports Betting Alliance echoed those thoughts in a public statement, warning that the state can no longer turn a blind eye to the illegal sports betting market. According to the statement, the state safeguards via a regulated market, to protect players and generate revenue.

With the 2025 session closed and the bill now shelved, the earliest Hawaii could revisit the issue is 2026. For proponents of sports betting, that means regrouping, refining the legislation, and trying again with a clearer, more unified strategy. For opponents, it’s a sigh of relief – for now.

But one thing is clear: the conversation isn’t over. Hawaii remains one of the few states without any form of legal sports betting, and the pressure to modernize continues to grow.