Hawaii House Bill HCR155

Hawaii 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/8/24
• Refer: 3/14/24

Caption

Requesting The Department Of Business, Economic Development, And Tourism To Study The Potential Effects Of Legalizing Sports Betting.

Impact

The resolution aims to consider the economic and social impacts of sports betting legalization in Hawaii. It notes that while some states, such as West Virginia, have seen significant tax revenues—over $2.8 million in their first year—Hawaii currently receives none of these funds due to the absence of a legal framework. The study is expected to explore not only the potential for increased state revenues through taxation but also the efficacy of implementing consumer protections to combat issues such as underage betting.

Summary

HCR155, introduced in the Thirty-second Legislature of Hawaii in 2024, requests the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to study the potential effects of legalizing sports betting in the state. This comes in the wake of a 2018 Supreme Court ruling that enabled states to authorize sports betting, a practice that has been embraced by thirty-eight states to date. The resolution highlights the urgency for Hawaii to evaluate the implications of this trend, particularly as many residents already engage in illegal online gambling activities that are neither regulated nor taxed.

Contention

There are concerns associated with the legalization of sports betting, particularly in relation to problem gambling. The resolution acknowledges that many states have reported spikes in calls to gambling addiction hotlines following legalization. For instance, around two million adults in the country are identified as having severe gambling problems, suggesting the need for careful consideration of the associated risks. Stakeholders will need to balance economic incentives with the potential for increased gambling addiction among residents.

Notable_points

HCR155 emphasizes the importance of gathering data and recommendations before making any legislative moves toward legalization. The findings from this study are expected to be presented to the legislature by 2025, which will guide future legislative discussions on potential sports betting laws. This cautious approach reflects a desire to avoid hasty decisions that could impact public welfare negatively while simultaneously assessing the opportunities for economic growth.