Relating To Online Fantasy Sports.
By legitimizing online fantasy sports, SB1146 is expected to generate state revenue through the imposition of a tax on the gross revenues of registrants. Additionally, the bill proposes that the funds accrued from this taxation be allocated to the Department of Education and for infrastructure projects like the maintenance and improvement of highways and county thoroughfares. This could enhance funding for critical state projects, potentially alleviating congestion and improving public services.
SB1146 aims to establish a framework for legalizing online fantasy sports contests in Hawaii, aligning state law with evolving perspectives on what constitutes gambling. The bill sets out to create a registration and monitoring program for these contests under the Department of the Attorney General. It stipulates that these contests are primarily games of skill rather than chance, thus exempting them from existing gambling laws and paving the way for regulated participation by residents and visitors alike.
While the bill positions online fantasy sports as a viable economic activity, it may face opposition from traditional gambling advocates and those concerned about the implications of expanding gambling-like activities within the state. Concerns range from understanding the nature of these contests—whether they truly operate solely on skill as claimed—to how they might affect gambling addiction in the state. The discussion around who is considered an ‘authorized player’ also raises points of contention, particularly with respect to minors and individuals associated with the sports involved.