Hawaii lawmakers introduce longshot sports betting bills

Field Level Media|published: Fri 24th January, 20:42 2025

Ryan Cristman, 35, of Ferndale is suing DraftKings, an online sports betting operator, and seeking class action status claiming they are cheating gamblers out of their winnings. Cristman, who is photographed at home on Friday, June 4, 2021; says that he made a bet in February against the Bruins and after making a screen shot of the winnings, DraftKings informed him that he did not win. Draftkings 060421 Kpm 374

State lawmakers introduced several bills that aim to legalize sports betting, fantasy sports and online casino gaming in Hawaii.

None of the bills, however, are considered likely to pass given the opposition similar measures have faced in the recent past.

Hawaii is one of 12 states in the U.S. where sports betting remains fully illegal.

Companion bills HB 1308 and SB 1569 would legalize sports betting and fantasy sports within the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism's oversight. A minimum of four online platforms would be allowed to open up shop in Hawaii as of July 1, should the bill pass.

State Sen. Kim Decoite introduced SB 1572, which instead proposes the forming of a Hawaii State Sports Wagering Commission within that department. Her bill would seek a tax rate of 15 percent of adjusted gross receipts, higher than the 10 percent proposed in the companion bills.

There's also an effort by State Sen. Ron Kouchi (SB 1507) to set up the Hawaii Lottery and Gaming Corporation. Kouchi's bill is focused only on games of chance and games of skill, like poker and casino games, and does not encompass sports betting.

Authorizing fantasy sports is also on the table as a standalone measure in SB 373.

Efforts in 2024 to legalize online sports betting were met with resistance and quashed by the state legislature.

--Field Level Media