Hawaii 2024 Regular Session

Hawaii Senate Bill SB2868 Compare Versions

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11 THE SENATE S.B. NO. 2868 THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024 STATE OF HAWAII A BILL FOR AN ACT relating to online fantasy sports. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
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4747 SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the determination that online fantasy sports contests constitute gambling under Hawaii law is not established in statute, administrative rule, or a court opinion, but the opinion from a previous attorney general. Online fantasy sports contests, unlike gambling activities, are predominantly a game of skill and not of chance. The notion that online fantasy sports contests are a game of chance has existed since the early days of online fantasy sports contests, but given overwhelming research to the contrary, this theory has been rejected by many states. The legislature further finds that studies have shown that the premise of daily fantasy sports is akin to solitaire and other entertainment recognized as games of skill in the State. For example, a leading study by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2018 looked at the seasonal win and loss record of skilled and unskilled players in a dataset. When all performances were plotted on the same graph, the graph skewed linear, which indicated a game of skill. The study subsequently found that if online fantasy sports contests were a game of chance, the graph would present circular with around a fifty per cent win fraction. In a separate study, the research team split the population into two groups; one of players who had played a significant number of games, and one of players who had played only a few. The group of players who had played more games had a statistically higher win fraction, even after a correction for biases, which the study reported indicated a game of skill. Furthermore, another rigorous data-driven study undertaken by the researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Columbia University and led by Professor Vishal Mishra, Professor Devavrat Shah, and Doctor Sudarsan V.S. Ranganathan, unequivocally quantifies the degree to which online fantasy sports contests exhibit the predominance of skill. The study found that the use of skill is more present in online fantasy sports contests than investing in mutual funds, which is a legally recognized activity in the State. The study also found that not only did the data indicate a predominance of skill in online fantasy sports contests, but that luck may play more of a role in mutual fund management than in team selection in online fantasy sports contests because the variance in skill was higher in online fantasy sports contests than in mutual fund management. The legislature further finds that the revenue from online fantasy sports contests, not only from the general excise tax but also an additional online fantasy sports contests tax, could create additional funding for the State. In addition to residents being able to participate in the highly regulated and recognized industry of online fantasy sports contests, visitors who are presently barred from participating would be able to continue to play in their leagues, which will provide a large stream of additional revenue for the State. The revenue generated through online fantasy sports contests could be used to grant funds with special concerns, such as for Lahaina community recovery efforts. Furthermore, many highly-regulated entities that are platforms for online fantasy sports contests have offered to act as a common collector of tax revenue for the State, which will ensure a readily available stream of income that will be meticulously monitored, reported on, and held accountable to generally accepted accounting principles and other principles of oversight. The legislature further finds that aligning Hawaii with other states that provide a legal avenue for online fantasy sports contests will not affect the legality of sports book betting, which would remain illegal. The purpose of this Act is to legalize online fantasy sports contests in Hawaii by: (1) Establishing an online fantasy sports contests registration and monitoring program under the department of the attorney general; (2) Imposing an online fantasy sports contests tax; (3) Establishing the online fantasy sports contests special fund and allocating proceeds of the fund for Lahaina community recovery efforts; (4) Exempting registered online fantasy sports contests from state gambling laws; and (5) Appropriating funds to the department of the attorney general to establish and implement a registration and monitoring program for online fantasy sports contests. SECTION 2. The Hawaii Revised Statutes is amended by adding a new chapter to be appropriately designated and to read as follows: "Chapter online fantasy sports § -1 Definitions. As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires: "Animal contest" means any event that competes animals against each other, including horses, dogs, or roosters. "Authorized player" means an individual residing in this State who is not a prohibited player and who participates in an online fantasy sports contest offered by a registrant. "Collegiate sport or athletic event" means a sport or athletic event offered or sponsored by or played in connection with a public or private institution that offers education services beyond the secondary level. "Department" means the department of the attorney general. "Entry fee" means cash or cash equivalent that is paid by an authorized player to an operator or registrant to participate in an online fantasy sports contest offered by the operator or registrant. "High school sport or athletic event" means a sport or athletic event offered or sponsored by or played in connection with a public or private institution that offers education services at the secondary level. "Highly experienced player" means an authorized player who has: (1) Entered more than one thousand contests offered by a single operator or registrant; or (2) Won more than three prizes valued at $1,000 each or more from a single operator or registrant. "Minor" means any person who is under the age of eighteen years. "Online fantasy sports contest" or "contest" means a game of skill in which one or more contestants compete against each other online by using their knowledge and understanding of athletic events and athletes to select and manage rosters of simulated players whose performance directly corresponds with the actual performance of human competitors on sports teams and in sports events. "Online fantasy sports operator" or "operator" means any person or entity that offers any online fantasy sports contest to any authorized player through any online fantasy sports platform. "Online fantasy sports platform" or "platform" means the combination of hardware, software, and data networks used to manage, administer, or control contests and any associated entry fees. "Online fantasy sports registrant" or "registrant" means an operator who is registered by the department. "Prohibited player" means: (1) Any member, officer, employee, or agent of an operator or registrant; (2) Any spouse, child, sibling, or parent residing as a member of the same household in the principal place of abode of any member, officer, employee, or agent of an operator or registrant; (3) Any individual with access to confidential information about contests; (4) Any amateur or professional athlete whose performance may be used to determine the outcome of a contest; (5) Any sports agent, team employee, referee, or league official associated with any sport or athletic event on which contests are based; (6) Any individual located in a state where the conduct of contests is expressly prohibited; or (7) Any minor. "Prohibited sports event" means any collegiate sport or athletic event, any high school sport or athletic event, or any animal contest. "Sports event" means any amateur or professional sport or athletic event except a prohibited sports event. § -2 Registration; operators. (a) No operator shall administer, manage, or otherwise make available an online fantasy sports platform to persons located in this State unless registered with the department pursuant to section -3. A registrant may use multiple online fantasy sports platforms and offer multiple types of contests; provided that each platform and each type of contest has been reviewed and approved by the department. This chapter shall apply only to online fantasy sports contests for which an authorized player pays an entry fee. (b) Registration issued by the department pursuant to section -3 shall remain in effect for three years. The department shall establish a process for renewal. (c) The department shall post a list of all operators registered in the State pursuant to this section on the department's website for public use. (d) The department shall adopt rules to implement this chapter, including the initial form of the application for registration. The rules shall provide for the registration and operation of contests in the State and include but not be limited to responsible protections with regard to compulsive play and safeguards for fair play. § -3 Scope of registration review. (a) The department shall prescribe the initial form of the application for registration that shall include but not be limited to: (1) The full name and principal address of the operator; (2) If a corporation, the name of the state in which incorporated and the full names and addresses of any partner, officer, director, shareholder holding ten per cent or more equity, and ultimate equitable owners; (3) If a business entity other than a corporation, the full names and addresses of the principals, partners, shareholders holding five per cent or more equity, and ultimate equitable owners; (4) Whether the corporation or business entity files information and reports with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission as required under section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or whether the securities of the corporation or business entity are regularly traded on an established securities market in the United States; (5) The type and estimated number of contests to be conducted annually; and (6) A statement of the assets and liabilities of the operator. (b) The department may require the full names and addresses of the officers and directors of any creditor of the operator and stockholders who hold more than ten per cent of the stock of the creditor. (c) Each individual listed on the application for registration as an officer or director shall be subject to a criminal history record check in accordance with section 846‑2.7, including providing a full set of electronic fingerprints for the purpose of obtaining federal and state criminal history record checks to the Hawaii criminal justice data center for processing with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The application shall not be considered complete until the results of the criminal history record check are received by the department. The department may obtain criminal history information through the Hawaii criminal justice data center in accordance with section 846-2.7 for the purposes of this section. (d) Upon receipt of the criminal history record check pursuant to subsection (c), the department shall determine whether to approve or deny any application for registration. The department shall deny any application for registration or suspend, refuse to renew, or revoke any existing registration issued pursuant to this chapter upon the finding that the operator or registrant, or any partner, officer, director, or shareholder has: (1) Knowingly made a false statement of material fact or deliberately failed to disclose any information required by the department; (2) Possessed a registration or license to offer or conduct contests that was denied, suspended, or revoked in any other state or country for just cause; (3) Legally defaulted in the payment of any obligation or debt due to any state or political subdivision; or (4) Knowingly failed at any time to comply with any requirement under this chapter, adopted rule, or requirement prescribed by the department. (e) If an application for registration is denied or an existing registration is suspended, denied renewal, or revoked, the department shall notify the operator or registrant of the right to submit a request for a contested case hearing pursuant to chapter 91 within sixty days of the department's decision. The contested case hearing shall be conducted in accordance with chapter 91. § -4 Safeguards; minimum standards. (a) As a condition of registration in the State, each operator or registrant shall implement the following safeguards: (1) Limit each authorized player to one active and continuously used account, and prevent prohibited players from maintaining accounts or participating in any contest offered by that operator or registrant; (2) Prohibit minors from participating in any contest, including: (A) If a registrant becomes or is made aware that a minor has participated in one of its contests, the registrant shall promptly refund any deposit received from the minor no later than two business days after the registrant is aware of the minor's participation regardless of whether the minor engaged or attempted to engage in a contest; provided that any refund may be offset by any prizes already awarded; (B) Each registrant shall publish and facilitate parental control procedures to allow parents or guardians to exclude minors from access to any contest or platform. These procedures shall include a toll-free number to call for help in establishing the parental controls; and (C) Each registrant shall take appropriate steps to confirm that an individual opening an account is not a minor; (3) When referencing the chances or likelihood of winning in advertisements or upon contest entry, make clear and conspicuous, accurate statements that are not misleading concerning the chances of winning and the number of winners; (4) Enable authorized players to exclude themselves from contests and take reasonable steps to prevent these players from entering a contest from which they have excluded themselves; (5) Permit any authorized player who requests to be excluded from contests to permanently close an account registered to that player on any platforms supported by the operator or registrant at any time and for any reason; (6) Offer introductory procedures for authorized players, which shall be prominently displayed on the main page of the operator's or registrant's platform, that explain contest play and how to identify a highly experienced player; (7) Identify all highly experienced players in any contest by a symbol attached to the highly experienced players' usernames or by any other easily visible means on all platforms supported by the operator or registrant; (8) Disclose the number of entries a single authorized player may submit to each contest; (9) Disclose the maximum number of total entries allowed for each contest; (10) Implement measures to protect the privacy and online security of authorized players and their accounts; (11) Offer all authorized players access to their account history and account details; (12) Ensure authorized players' funds are protected upon deposit and segregated from the operating funds of the operator or registrant and otherwise protected from corporate insolvency, financial risk, or criminal or civil actions against the operator or registrant; (13) List on each website, in a prominent place, information concerning assistance for compulsive play in the State, including a toll-free number directing callers to reputable resources containing further information that shall be free of charge; (14) Ensure the value of any prizes and awards offered to authorized players is established and made known to the authorized players in advance of the contest, and that the value is not determined by the number of authorized players or the amount of any entry fee paid by the authorized players; (15) Ensure all winning outcomes reflect the relative knowledge and skill of the authorized players and is determined predominately by accumulated statistical results of the performance of individuals in sports events; (16) Ensure no winning outcome is based on the score, point spread, or performance of a single sports team, or any combination of teams; (17) Ensure no winning outcome is based solely on any single performance of an individual athlete in a single sport or athletic event; (18) Ensure no game or contest is based on a prohibited sports event; and (19) Assess and collect any tax or fee as provided by law. (b) Each registrant shall restrict the number of entries submitted by a single authorized player for any contest to a maximum of one hundred fifty entries per player per contest, or a maximum of three per cent of the total number of entries by all authorized players for any contest, whichever is less, or as determined by the department. Registrants shall take reasonable steps to prevent authorized players from submitting more than the allowable number of entries per contest. The department shall adopt rules to further effectuate this section to ensure that the number of entries submitted by a single authorized player for any contest will lead to a fair and equitable distribution of the number of entries. (c) Operators shall not directly or indirectly operate, promote, or advertise any platform or contest to individuals located in the State unless registered pursuant to this chapter. Unless otherwise approved by the department, operators and registrants shall not directly or indirectly promote or advertise any online fantasy or simulation sports games or contests with an entry fee during the conduct of any online fantasy or simulation sports games or contests without an entry fee. This subsection shall not apply to any operator or registrant that prohibits prohibited players from participating in online fantasy or simulation sports games or contests without an entry fee. (d) Registrants shall not offer any contest based on any prohibited sports event. (e) Registrants shall not permit any minor or prohibited participant to enter any contest. (f) Advertisements for contests and prizes offered by a registrant shall not target prohibited participants, minors, or self-excluded individuals. Representations or implications about average winnings from contests shall be fair and not be misleading, and shall, at a minimum, include: (1) The median and mean net winnings of all authorized players participating in contests offered by the registrant; and (2) The percentage of winnings awarded by the registrant to highly experienced players participating in contests offered by the registrant within the preceding calendar year. (g) Registrants shall prohibit the use of third-party scripts or scripting programs for any contest and ensure that measures are in place to deter, detect, and, to the extent reasonably possible, prevent cheating, including collusion, and the use of cheating devices or software programs that submit entry fees or adjust the athletes selected by an authorized player. (h) Operators and registrants shall develop and prominently display procedures on the main page of the operator's or registrant's platform for the filing of a complaint by the authorized player against the registrant. An initial response shall be given by the registrant to the player filing the complaint within forty-eight hours. A complete response shall be given by the registrant to the player filing the complaint within ten business days. An authorized player may file a complaint alleging a violation of this chapter with the department. (i) Registrants shall maintain records of all accounts belonging to authorized players and retain these records for five years from the date an account was created. § -5 Department powers and duties. (a) The department shall have the following powers and duties for purposes of administering and enforcing this chapter: (1) Approve and deny applications for registration to conduct contests in the State and to suspend, refuse or renew, or revoke any registration issued to the registrant pursuant to this chapter; (2) Review and approve each platform and contest offered by an operator or registrant; (3) Accept and investigate complaints of any kind from an authorized player and attempt to mediate these complaints where appropriate; (4) Investigate alleged violations of this chapter; (5) Initiate proper enforcement proceedings where action is deemed by the department to be necessary or appropriate; and (6) Execute all powers and duties assigned by and necessary to implement this chapter. (b) The department shall adopt rules, pursuant to chapter 91, to effectuate the purposes of this chapter. The rules shall include but not be limited to the following: (1) Guidelines for the development of the initial form of the application for registration; (2) Procedures for the registration and operation of contests in the State; (3) Responsible protections with regard to compulsive play and safeguards for fair play; and (4) Procedures for the collection and payment of taxes and fees as provided by law. The rules may monitor the conduct and operation of contests and platforms, protect authorized players, and promote the fairness, honestly, and integrity of contests. § -6 Penalties. Any individual, operator, or registrant that violates this chapter shall be liable for a civil penalty of not more than $1,000 for each violation that shall accrue to the State and may be recovered in a civil action brought by the department. § -7 Annual report. (a) Each registrant shall annually submit a report to the department no later than June 30 of each year that shall include the following information that applies to accounts held by authorized players located in the State: (1) The number of accounts held by authorized players on all platforms offered by the registrant and the number of accounts held by highly experienced players on all platforms offered by the registrant; (2) The total number of new accounts established in the preceding year as well as the total number of accounts permanently closed in the preceding year; (3) The total amount of entry fees received from authorized players; (4) The total amount of prizes awarded to authorized players; (5) The total amount of online fantasy sports revenue received by the registrant; (6) The total number of authorized players that requested to exclude themselves from contests; and (7) Any additional information that the department deems necessary to carry out this chapter. (b) Upon receipt of the annual report submitted by each registrant, the department shall be authorized, to the extent that the department deems to be in the public interest, to conduct a financial audit of any registrant, at any time, to ensure compliance with this chapter. (c) The department shall annually publish a report based on the aggregate information provided by all registrants pursuant to this section. The department shall submit this annual report to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of each year and post this annual report on the department's website no later than one hundred eighty days after the deadline for the submission of individual reports as required under subsection (a). § -8 Online fantasy sports contests tax; rate; disposition. An online fantasy sports contests tax shall be imposed on the gross revenues of each registrant at the rate of per cent. Tax revenues collected under this section shall be deposited into the online fantasy sports contests special fund and directed for Lahaina community recovery efforts. § -9 Online fantasy sports contests special fund; purposes and use. There is created within the state treasury a special fund to be known as the online fantasy sports contests special fund, into which shall be deposited all fees, taxes, and fines collected under this chapter. Moneys from the online fantasy sports contests special fund shall be used for Lahaina community recovery efforts." SECTION 3. Chapter 712, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part III to be appropriately designated and to read as follows: "§712- Online fantasy sports contests. (1) Online fantasy sports contests registered and conducted pursuant to chapter shall be exempt from this part. (2) The conduct of unregistered online fantasy sports contests is prohibited and may be subject to this part." SECTION 4. Section 712-1220, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended as follows: 1. By adding a new definition to be appropriately inserted to read: ""Online fantasy sports contest" means a game of skill in which one or more contestants compete against each other online by using their knowledge and understanding of athletic events and athletes to select and manage rosters of simulated players whose performances directly corresponds with the actual performance of human competitors on sports teams and in sports events." 2. By amending the definition of "contest of chance" to read: ""Contest of chance" means any contest, game, gaming scheme, or gaming device in which the outcome depends in a material degree upon an element of chance, notwithstanding that skill of the contestants may also be a factor therein[.]; provided that a contest of chance shall not include online fantasy sports contests registered and conducted pursuant to chapter ." 3. By amending the definition of "gambling" to read: ""Gambling"[. A person engages in gambling if he stakes or risks] means staking or risking something of value upon the outcome of a contest of chance or a future contingent event not under [his] the person's control or influence, upon an agreement or understanding that [he] the person or someone else will receive something of value in the event of a certain outcome. [Gambling] "Gambling" does not include [bona]: (1) Bona fide business transactions valid under the law of contracts, including but not limited to contracts for the purchase or sale at a future date of securities or commodities[, and agreements]; (2) Agreements to compensate for loss caused by the happening of chance, including but not limited to contracts of indemnity or guaranty and life, health, or accident insurance[.]; and (3) Online fantasy sports contests registered and conducted pursuant to chapter ." SECTION 5. In accordance with section 9 of article VII of the Hawaii State Constitution and sections 37-91 and 37-93, Hawaii Revised Statutes, the legislature has determined that the appropriations contained in Act 164, Regular Session of 2023, and this Act will cause the state general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024-2025 to be exceeded by $ or per cent. This current declaration takes into account general fund appropriations authorized for fiscal year 2024-2025 in Act 164, Regular Session of 2023, and this Act only. The reasons for exceeding the general fund expenditure ceiling are that: (1) The appropriation made in this Act is necessary to serve the public interest; and (2) The appropriation made in this Act meets the needs addressed by this Act. SECTION 6. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 to establish and implement a registration and monitoring program for online fantasy sports contests. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of the attorney general for the purposes of this Act. SECTION 7. This Act does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun before its effective date. SECTION 8. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored. SECTION 9. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2024. INTRODUCED BY: _____________________________
4848
4949 SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the determination that online fantasy sports contests constitute gambling under Hawaii law is not established in statute, administrative rule, or a court opinion, but the opinion from a previous attorney general. Online fantasy sports contests, unlike gambling activities, are predominantly a game of skill and not of chance. The notion that online fantasy sports contests are a game of chance has existed since the early days of online fantasy sports contests, but given overwhelming research to the contrary, this theory has been rejected by many states.
5050
5151 The legislature further finds that studies have shown that the premise of daily fantasy sports is akin to solitaire and other entertainment recognized as games of skill in the State. For example, a leading study by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2018 looked at the seasonal win and loss record of skilled and unskilled players in a dataset. When all performances were plotted on the same graph, the graph skewed linear, which indicated a game of skill. The study subsequently found that if online fantasy sports contests were a game of chance, the graph would present circular with around a fifty per cent win fraction. In a separate study, the research team split the population into two groups; one of players who had played a significant number of games, and one of players who had played only a few. The group of players who had played more games had a statistically higher win fraction, even after a correction for biases, which the study reported indicated a game of skill. Furthermore, another rigorous data-driven study undertaken by the researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Columbia University and led by Professor Vishal Mishra, Professor Devavrat Shah, and Doctor Sudarsan V.S. Ranganathan, unequivocally quantifies the degree to which online fantasy sports contests exhibit the predominance of skill. The study found that the use of skill is more present in online fantasy sports contests than investing in mutual funds, which is a legally recognized activity in the State. The study also found that not only did the data indicate a predominance of skill in online fantasy sports contests, but that luck may play more of a role in mutual fund management than in team selection in online fantasy sports contests because the variance in skill was higher in online fantasy sports contests than in mutual fund management.
5252
5353 The legislature further finds that the revenue from online fantasy sports contests, not only from the general excise tax but also an additional online fantasy sports contests tax, could create additional funding for the State. In addition to residents being able to participate in the highly regulated and recognized industry of online fantasy sports contests, visitors who are presently barred from participating would be able to continue to play in their leagues, which will provide a large stream of additional revenue for the State. The revenue generated through online fantasy sports contests could be used to grant funds with special concerns, such as for Lahaina community recovery efforts. Furthermore, many highly-regulated entities that are platforms for online fantasy sports contests have offered to act as a common collector of tax revenue for the State, which will ensure a readily available stream of income that will be meticulously monitored, reported on, and held accountable to generally accepted accounting principles and other principles of oversight.
5454
5555 The legislature further finds that aligning Hawaii with other states that provide a legal avenue for online fantasy sports contests will not affect the legality of sports book betting, which would remain illegal.
5656
5757 The purpose of this Act is to legalize online fantasy sports contests in Hawaii by:
5858
5959 (1) Establishing an online fantasy sports contests registration and monitoring program under the department of the attorney general;
6060
6161 (2) Imposing an online fantasy sports contests tax;
6262
6363 (3) Establishing the online fantasy sports contests special fund and allocating proceeds of the fund for Lahaina community recovery efforts;
6464
6565 (4) Exempting registered online fantasy sports contests from state gambling laws; and
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6767 (5) Appropriating funds to the department of the attorney general to establish and implement a registration and monitoring program for online fantasy sports contests.
6868
6969 SECTION 2. The Hawaii Revised Statutes is amended by adding a new chapter to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
7070
7171 "Chapter
7272
7373 online fantasy sports
7474
7575 § -1 Definitions. As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:
7676
7777 "Animal contest" means any event that competes animals against each other, including horses, dogs, or roosters.
7878
7979 "Authorized player" means an individual residing in this State who is not a prohibited player and who participates in an online fantasy sports contest offered by a registrant.
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8181 "Collegiate sport or athletic event" means a sport or athletic event offered or sponsored by or played in connection with a public or private institution that offers education services beyond the secondary level.
8282
8383 "Department" means the department of the attorney general.
8484
8585 "Entry fee" means cash or cash equivalent that is paid by an authorized player to an operator or registrant to participate in an online fantasy sports contest offered by the operator or registrant.
8686
8787 "High school sport or athletic event" means a sport or athletic event offered or sponsored by or played in connection with a public or private institution that offers education services at the secondary level.
8888
8989 "Highly experienced player" means an authorized player who has:
9090
9191 (1) Entered more than one thousand contests offered by a single operator or registrant; or
9292
9393 (2) Won more than three prizes valued at $1,000 each or more from a single operator or registrant.
9494
9595 "Minor" means any person who is under the age of eighteen years.
9696
9797 "Online fantasy sports contest" or "contest" means a game of skill in which one or more contestants compete against each other online by using their knowledge and understanding of athletic events and athletes to select and manage rosters of simulated players whose performance directly corresponds with the actual performance of human competitors on sports teams and in sports events.
9898
9999 "Online fantasy sports operator" or "operator" means any person or entity that offers any online fantasy sports contest to any authorized player through any online fantasy sports platform.
100100
101101 "Online fantasy sports platform" or "platform" means the combination of hardware, software, and data networks used to manage, administer, or control contests and any associated entry fees.
102102
103103 "Online fantasy sports registrant" or "registrant" means an operator who is registered by the department.
104104
105105 "Prohibited player" means:
106106
107107 (1) Any member, officer, employee, or agent of an operator or registrant;
108108
109109 (2) Any spouse, child, sibling, or parent residing as a member of the same household in the principal place of abode of any member, officer, employee, or agent of an operator or registrant;
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111111 (3) Any individual with access to confidential information about contests;
112112
113113 (4) Any amateur or professional athlete whose performance may be used to determine the outcome of a contest;
114114
115115 (5) Any sports agent, team employee, referee, or league official associated with any sport or athletic event on which contests are based;
116116
117117 (6) Any individual located in a state where the conduct of contests is expressly prohibited; or
118118
119119 (7) Any minor.
120120
121121 "Prohibited sports event" means any collegiate sport or athletic event, any high school sport or athletic event, or any animal contest.
122122
123123 "Sports event" means any amateur or professional sport or athletic event except a prohibited sports event.
124124
125125 § -2 Registration; operators. (a) No operator shall administer, manage, or otherwise make available an online fantasy sports platform to persons located in this State unless registered with the department pursuant to section -3. A registrant may use multiple online fantasy sports platforms and offer multiple types of contests; provided that each platform and each type of contest has been reviewed and approved by the department. This chapter shall apply only to online fantasy sports contests for which an authorized player pays an entry fee.
126126
127127 (b) Registration issued by the department pursuant to section -3 shall remain in effect for three years. The department shall establish a process for renewal.
128128
129129 (c) The department shall post a list of all operators registered in the State pursuant to this section on the department's website for public use.
130130
131131 (d) The department shall adopt rules to implement this chapter, including the initial form of the application for registration. The rules shall provide for the registration and operation of contests in the State and include but not be limited to responsible protections with regard to compulsive play and safeguards for fair play.
132132
133133 § -3 Scope of registration review. (a) The department shall prescribe the initial form of the application for registration that shall include but not be limited to:
134134
135135 (1) The full name and principal address of the operator;
136136
137137 (2) If a corporation, the name of the state in which incorporated and the full names and addresses of any partner, officer, director, shareholder holding ten per cent or more equity, and ultimate equitable owners;
138138
139139 (3) If a business entity other than a corporation, the full names and addresses of the principals, partners, shareholders holding five per cent or more equity, and ultimate equitable owners;
140140
141141 (4) Whether the corporation or business entity files information and reports with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission as required under section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or whether the securities of the corporation or business entity are regularly traded on an established securities market in the United States;
142142
143143 (5) The type and estimated number of contests to be conducted annually; and
144144
145145 (6) A statement of the assets and liabilities of the operator.
146146
147147 (b) The department may require the full names and addresses of the officers and directors of any creditor of the operator and stockholders who hold more than ten per cent of the stock of the creditor.
148148
149149 (c) Each individual listed on the application for registration as an officer or director shall be subject to a criminal history record check in accordance with section 846‑2.7, including providing a full set of electronic fingerprints for the purpose of obtaining federal and state criminal history record checks to the Hawaii criminal justice data center for processing with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The application shall not be considered complete until the results of the criminal history record check are received by the department. The department may obtain criminal history information through the Hawaii criminal justice data center in accordance with section 846-2.7 for the purposes of this section.
150150
151151 (d) Upon receipt of the criminal history record check pursuant to subsection (c), the department shall determine whether to approve or deny any application for registration. The department shall deny any application for registration or suspend, refuse to renew, or revoke any existing registration issued pursuant to this chapter upon the finding that the operator or registrant, or any partner, officer, director, or shareholder has:
152152
153153 (1) Knowingly made a false statement of material fact or deliberately failed to disclose any information required by the department;
154154
155155 (2) Possessed a registration or license to offer or conduct contests that was denied, suspended, or revoked in any other state or country for just cause;
156156
157157 (3) Legally defaulted in the payment of any obligation or debt due to any state or political subdivision; or
158158
159159 (4) Knowingly failed at any time to comply with any requirement under this chapter, adopted rule, or requirement prescribed by the department.
160160
161161 (e) If an application for registration is denied or an existing registration is suspended, denied renewal, or revoked, the department shall notify the operator or registrant of the right to submit a request for a contested case hearing pursuant to chapter 91 within sixty days of the department's decision. The contested case hearing shall be conducted in accordance with chapter 91.
162162
163163 § -4 Safeguards; minimum standards. (a) As a condition of registration in the State, each operator or registrant shall implement the following safeguards:
164164
165165 (1) Limit each authorized player to one active and continuously used account, and prevent prohibited players from maintaining accounts or participating in any contest offered by that operator or registrant;
166166
167167 (2) Prohibit minors from participating in any contest, including:
168168
169169 (A) If a registrant becomes or is made aware that a minor has participated in one of its contests, the registrant shall promptly refund any deposit received from the minor no later than two business days after the registrant is aware of the minor's participation regardless of whether the minor engaged or attempted to engage in a contest; provided that any refund may be offset by any prizes already awarded;
170170
171171 (B) Each registrant shall publish and facilitate parental control procedures to allow parents or guardians to exclude minors from access to any contest or platform. These procedures shall include a toll-free number to call for help in establishing the parental controls; and
172172
173173 (C) Each registrant shall take appropriate steps to confirm that an individual opening an account is not a minor;
174174
175175 (3) When referencing the chances or likelihood of winning in advertisements or upon contest entry, make clear and conspicuous, accurate statements that are not misleading concerning the chances of winning and the number of winners;
176176
177177 (4) Enable authorized players to exclude themselves from contests and take reasonable steps to prevent these players from entering a contest from which they have excluded themselves;
178178
179179 (5) Permit any authorized player who requests to be excluded from contests to permanently close an account registered to that player on any platforms supported by the operator or registrant at any time and for any reason;
180180
181181 (6) Offer introductory procedures for authorized players, which shall be prominently displayed on the main page of the operator's or registrant's platform, that explain contest play and how to identify a highly experienced player;
182182
183183 (7) Identify all highly experienced players in any contest by a symbol attached to the highly experienced players' usernames or by any other easily visible means on all platforms supported by the operator or registrant;
184184
185185 (8) Disclose the number of entries a single authorized player may submit to each contest;
186186
187187 (9) Disclose the maximum number of total entries allowed for each contest;
188188
189189 (10) Implement measures to protect the privacy and online security of authorized players and their accounts;
190190
191191 (11) Offer all authorized players access to their account history and account details;
192192
193193 (12) Ensure authorized players' funds are protected upon deposit and segregated from the operating funds of the operator or registrant and otherwise protected from corporate insolvency, financial risk, or criminal or civil actions against the operator or registrant;
194194
195195 (13) List on each website, in a prominent place, information concerning assistance for compulsive play in the State, including a toll-free number directing callers to reputable resources containing further information that shall be free of charge;
196196
197197 (14) Ensure the value of any prizes and awards offered to authorized players is established and made known to the authorized players in advance of the contest, and that the value is not determined by the number of authorized players or the amount of any entry fee paid by the authorized players;
198198
199199 (15) Ensure all winning outcomes reflect the relative knowledge and skill of the authorized players and is determined predominately by accumulated statistical results of the performance of individuals in sports events;
200200
201201 (16) Ensure no winning outcome is based on the score, point spread, or performance of a single sports team, or any combination of teams;
202202
203203 (17) Ensure no winning outcome is based solely on any single performance of an individual athlete in a single sport or athletic event;
204204
205205 (18) Ensure no game or contest is based on a prohibited sports event; and
206206
207207 (19) Assess and collect any tax or fee as provided by law.
208208
209209 (b) Each registrant shall restrict the number of entries submitted by a single authorized player for any contest to a maximum of one hundred fifty entries per player per contest, or a maximum of three per cent of the total number of entries by all authorized players for any contest, whichever is less, or as determined by the department. Registrants shall take reasonable steps to prevent authorized players from submitting more than the allowable number of entries per contest. The department shall adopt rules to further effectuate this section to ensure that the number of entries submitted by a single authorized player for any contest will lead to a fair and equitable distribution of the number of entries.
210210
211211 (c) Operators shall not directly or indirectly operate, promote, or advertise any platform or contest to individuals located in the State unless registered pursuant to this chapter. Unless otherwise approved by the department, operators and registrants shall not directly or indirectly promote or advertise any online fantasy or simulation sports games or contests with an entry fee during the conduct of any online fantasy or simulation sports games or contests without an entry fee. This subsection shall not apply to any operator or registrant that prohibits prohibited players from participating in online fantasy or simulation sports games or contests without an entry fee.
212212
213213 (d) Registrants shall not offer any contest based on any prohibited sports event.
214214
215215 (e) Registrants shall not permit any minor or prohibited participant to enter any contest.
216216
217217 (f) Advertisements for contests and prizes offered by a registrant shall not target prohibited participants, minors, or self-excluded individuals. Representations or implications about average winnings from contests shall be fair and not be misleading, and shall, at a minimum, include:
218218
219219 (1) The median and mean net winnings of all authorized players participating in contests offered by the registrant; and
220220
221221 (2) The percentage of winnings awarded by the registrant to highly experienced players participating in contests offered by the registrant within the preceding calendar year.
222222
223223 (g) Registrants shall prohibit the use of third-party scripts or scripting programs for any contest and ensure that measures are in place to deter, detect, and, to the extent reasonably possible, prevent cheating, including collusion, and the use of cheating devices or software programs that submit entry fees or adjust the athletes selected by an authorized player.
224224
225225 (h) Operators and registrants shall develop and prominently display procedures on the main page of the operator's or registrant's platform for the filing of a complaint by the authorized player against the registrant. An initial response shall be given by the registrant to the player filing the complaint within forty-eight hours. A complete response shall be given by the registrant to the player filing the complaint within ten business days. An authorized player may file a complaint alleging a violation of this chapter with the department.
226226
227227 (i) Registrants shall maintain records of all accounts belonging to authorized players and retain these records for five years from the date an account was created.
228228
229229 § -5 Department powers and duties. (a) The department shall have the following powers and duties for purposes of administering and enforcing this chapter:
230230
231231 (1) Approve and deny applications for registration to conduct contests in the State and to suspend, refuse or renew, or revoke any registration issued to the registrant pursuant to this chapter;
232232
233233 (2) Review and approve each platform and contest offered by an operator or registrant;
234234
235235 (3) Accept and investigate complaints of any kind from an authorized player and attempt to mediate these complaints where appropriate;
236236
237237 (4) Investigate alleged violations of this chapter;
238238
239239 (5) Initiate proper enforcement proceedings where action is deemed by the department to be necessary or appropriate; and
240240
241241 (6) Execute all powers and duties assigned by and necessary to implement this chapter.
242242
243243 (b) The department shall adopt rules, pursuant to chapter 91, to effectuate the purposes of this chapter. The rules shall include but not be limited to the following:
244244
245245 (1) Guidelines for the development of the initial form of the application for registration;
246246
247247 (2) Procedures for the registration and operation of contests in the State;
248248
249249 (3) Responsible protections with regard to compulsive play and safeguards for fair play; and
250250
251251 (4) Procedures for the collection and payment of taxes and fees as provided by law.
252252
253253 The rules may monitor the conduct and operation of contests and platforms, protect authorized players, and promote the fairness, honestly, and integrity of contests.
254254
255255 § -6 Penalties. Any individual, operator, or registrant that violates this chapter shall be liable for a civil penalty of not more than $1,000 for each violation that shall accrue to the State and may be recovered in a civil action brought by the department.
256256
257257 § -7 Annual report. (a) Each registrant shall annually submit a report to the department no later than June 30 of each year that shall include the following information that applies to accounts held by authorized players located in the State:
258258
259259 (1) The number of accounts held by authorized players on all platforms offered by the registrant and the number of accounts held by highly experienced players on all platforms offered by the registrant;
260260
261261 (2) The total number of new accounts established in the preceding year as well as the total number of accounts permanently closed in the preceding year;
262262
263263 (3) The total amount of entry fees received from authorized players;
264264
265265 (4) The total amount of prizes awarded to authorized players;
266266
267267 (5) The total amount of online fantasy sports revenue received by the registrant;
268268
269269 (6) The total number of authorized players that requested to exclude themselves from contests; and
270270
271271 (7) Any additional information that the department deems necessary to carry out this chapter.
272272
273273 (b) Upon receipt of the annual report submitted by each registrant, the department shall be authorized, to the extent that the department deems to be in the public interest, to conduct a financial audit of any registrant, at any time, to ensure compliance with this chapter.
274274
275275 (c) The department shall annually publish a report based on the aggregate information provided by all registrants pursuant to this section. The department shall submit this annual report to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of each year and post this annual report on the department's website no later than one hundred eighty days after the deadline for the submission of individual reports as required under subsection (a).
276276
277277 § -8 Online fantasy sports contests tax; rate; disposition. An online fantasy sports contests tax shall be imposed on the gross revenues of each registrant at the rate of per cent. Tax revenues collected under this section shall be deposited into the online fantasy sports contests special fund and directed for Lahaina community recovery efforts.
278278
279279 § -9 Online fantasy sports contests special fund; purposes and use. There is created within the state treasury a special fund to be known as the online fantasy sports contests special fund, into which shall be deposited all fees, taxes, and fines collected under this chapter. Moneys from the online fantasy sports contests special fund shall be used for
280280
281281 Lahaina community recovery efforts."
282282
283283 SECTION 3. Chapter 712, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part III to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
284284
285285 "§712- Online fantasy sports contests. (1) Online fantasy sports contests registered and conducted pursuant to chapter shall be exempt from this part.
286286
287287 (2) The conduct of unregistered online fantasy sports contests is prohibited and may be subject to this part."
288288
289289 SECTION 4. Section 712-1220, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended as follows:
290290
291291 1. By adding a new definition to be appropriately inserted to read:
292292
293293 ""Online fantasy sports contest" means a game of skill in which one or more contestants compete against each other online by using their knowledge and understanding of athletic events and athletes to select and manage rosters of simulated players whose performances directly corresponds with the actual performance of human competitors on sports teams and in sports events."
294294
295295 2. By amending the definition of "contest of chance" to read:
296296
297297 ""Contest of chance" means any contest, game, gaming scheme, or gaming device in which the outcome depends in a material degree upon an element of chance, notwithstanding that skill of the contestants may also be a factor therein[.]; provided that a contest of chance shall not include online fantasy sports contests registered and conducted pursuant to chapter ."
298298
299299 3. By amending the definition of "gambling" to read:
300300
301301 ""Gambling"[. A person engages in gambling if he stakes or risks] means staking or risking something of value upon the outcome of a contest of chance or a future contingent event not under [his] the person's control or influence, upon an agreement or understanding that [he] the person or someone else will receive something of value in the event of a certain outcome. [Gambling] "Gambling" does not include [bona]:
302302
303303 (1) Bona fide business transactions valid under the law of contracts, including but not limited to contracts for the purchase or sale at a future date of securities or commodities[, and agreements];
304304
305305 (2) Agreements to compensate for loss caused by the happening of chance, including but not limited to contracts of indemnity or guaranty and life, health, or accident insurance[.]; and
306306
307307 (3) Online fantasy sports contests registered and conducted pursuant to chapter ."
308308
309309 SECTION 5. In accordance with section 9 of article VII of the Hawaii State Constitution and sections 37-91 and 37-93, Hawaii Revised Statutes, the legislature has determined that the appropriations contained in Act 164, Regular Session of 2023, and this Act will cause the state general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024-2025 to be exceeded by $ or per cent. This current declaration takes into account general fund appropriations authorized for fiscal year 2024-2025 in Act 164, Regular Session of 2023, and this Act only. The reasons for exceeding the general fund expenditure ceiling are that:
310310
311311 (1) The appropriation made in this Act is necessary to serve the public interest; and
312312
313313 (2) The appropriation made in this Act meets the needs addressed by this Act.
314314
315315 SECTION 6. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 to establish and implement a registration and monitoring program for online fantasy sports contests.
316316
317317 The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of the attorney general for the purposes of this Act.
318318
319319 SECTION 7. This Act does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun before its effective date.
320320
321321 SECTION 8. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.
322322
323323 SECTION 9. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2024.
324324
325325
326326
327327 INTRODUCED BY: _____________________________
328328
329329 INTRODUCED BY:
330330
331331 _____________________________
332332
333333
334334
335335
336336
337337 Report Title: Online Fantasy Sports Contests; Gambling; Exemption; Online Fantasy Sports Contests Special Fund; Department of the Attorney General; Taxation; Expenditure Ceiling; Appropriation Description: Establishes an online fantasy sports contests registration and monitoring program under the Department of the Attorney General. Imposes an online fantasy sports contests tax on the gross revenues of registrants. Establishes the Online Fantasy Sports Contests Special Fund and allocates proceeds of the fund to the Lahaina community recovery efforts. Exempts registered online fantasy sports contests from state gambling laws. Declares that the general fund expenditure ceiling is exceeded. Appropriates funds. The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
338338
339339
340340
341341
342342
343343
344344
345345 Report Title:
346346
347347 Online Fantasy Sports Contests; Gambling; Exemption; Online Fantasy Sports Contests Special Fund; Department of the Attorney General; Taxation; Expenditure Ceiling; Appropriation
348348
349349
350350
351351 Description:
352352
353353 Establishes an online fantasy sports contests registration and monitoring program under the Department of the Attorney General. Imposes an online fantasy sports contests tax on the gross revenues of registrants. Establishes the Online Fantasy Sports Contests Special Fund and allocates proceeds of the fund to the Lahaina community recovery efforts. Exempts registered online fantasy sports contests from state gambling laws. Declares that the general fund expenditure ceiling is exceeded. Appropriates funds.
354354
355355
356356
357357
358358
359359
360360
361361 The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.