The push to legalize online sports betting in Hawaii has come to an end for 2025 after a conference committee failed to reconcile differences between House and Senate versions of a bill that had advanced further than any previous gambling legislation in the state.
House Bill 1308, introduced by Rep. Daniel Holt, passed both chambers but stalled when lawmakers could not agree on key provisions before a critical April 25 deadline. With the legislative session set to adjourn on May 2, the bill is now officially dead.
"We put our best effort forward; we got it very far this year, this deep into conference, but it seems as if we have not come to agreement on details: the tax amount, who would operate, would house the operation of the sports betting and give out the license and licensing fees," Holt said.
The primary points of contention centered around the tax rate and licensing structure. The original bill proposed a 10% tax on adjusted gross revenue and a $250,000 licensing fee, provisions that were removed by the House before being reinstated by the Senate.
Had the bill passed, Hawaii would have become the 40th state to legalize sports betting, joining jurisdictions like Maine, Vermont, and Wyoming in allowing mobile-only wagering without in-person sportsbooks. Governor Josh Green had previously signaled he would likely sign the legislation if it reached his desk.
The bill called for:
At least four online sports betting licenses
Regulation by the Hawaii Department of Law Enforcement
Legalization of daily fantasy sports competitions
Launch of operations by January 1, 2026
Supporters argued the measure would have captured an estimated $300 million in illegal annual wagers, generated tax revenue, and funded problem gambling prevention services.
While the bill advanced further than expected, opposition remained significant throughout the process. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi, Prosecutor Steve Alm, and Police Chief Arthur Logan issued a joint statement opposing the legislation.
"Online sports betting is not harmless entertainment — it's a high-tech pipeline to addiction and financial ruin," Alm said.
During legislative debates, Sen. Sharon Y. Moriwaki cited concerns from "parents and ex-gamblers writing of the tragic loss of life and homes due to addiction of sports gambling," while Rep. David Alcos III argued that gambling revenue could be considered "dirty" money.
Despite the setback, lawmakers indicated interest in reviving efforts during the next legislative cycle. The legislature did approve a work group to study the gambling industry, which could inform future legislation.
"At this moment, it's very hard to get a compromise," Rep. Greggor Ilagan said during the conference committee meeting. "We could work on this so we can meet the deadlines and get a better bill at the next legislative session."
Hawaii and Utah remain the only two states without any form of legalized gambling, maintaining a status quo that has persisted despite multiple attempts at legalization over the years.