Proponents of legalized mobile sports betting in Hawaii made progress on April 2, as the Senate Ways and Means Committee approved HB 1308, advancing it to the full Senate for consideration. The bill secured an 11-2 vote, with four senators expressing their support with reservations. This committee's approval marked the third and final endorsement needed after similar support from the Economic Development and Tourism Committee and the Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee.
Despite the bill's advancement, it faces significant opposition from various groups within the state. Notably, the office of the state attorney general submitted written testimony highlighting concerns related to problem gambling and proposed changes to fantasy sports that could lead to unregulated gambling activities.
In its journey through the lower chamber, HB 1308 initially passed without licensing fees and a tax rate, which were eliminated during amendments in late February. However, the Ways and Means Committee addressed these omissions, proposing an initial licensing fee of $250,000 and a renewal supplier licensing fee of $10,000. Additionally, the committee reinstated a 10% tax rate on adjusted gross revenue, one of the lowest in the U.S. for states that allow commercial wagering. According to the bill, 7% of tax revenue would go towards a specialized fund for problem gambling prevention and treatment, while another 7% is allocated to support education programs in the state.
