The state of Hawaii is to discuss and consider the benefits of online casino gaming once again. The State Senator Will Espero has filed a new online casino Bill proposing to make online gaming legal, opening the door to eventual online poker legalization in the state in 2017.
In addition, a such legislation would also provide the state of Hawaii with the opportunity to enter into partnerships with other states as far as online gambling is concerned. Up to date, only the states of Delaware and Nevada share online poker liquidity.
Current Gambling and Poker Laws in Hawaii
Up to date, there are no brick-and-mortar casinos on the territory of the state. In case that the proposed Bill is passed, Utah will be left as the only state in the US that does not support any form of legal gambling. There is a number of other states in the US which are considering online poker legalisation in 2017, including Washington State, New York, California, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Michigan. The state of Pennsylvania, however, is considered as the one that is most likely to make online gambling next.
Previously, the state of Hawaii has already made an attempt of making online gambling legal. Currently, many residents of the state are involved with betting in offshore online casinos and gaming websites. Hundreds of new players have been reported to be signing to play cash games and poker tournaments on the Internet.
Only in 2016, the Hawaii State Legislature was proposed to review a total of 15 gaming bills. Most of them the passed the first reading and there are currently ones that are still being discussed.
Three of the bills, called HB 1830, HB 2536 and SB 2626 were focused on state lottery legalisation. Three other bills – HB 2111, SB 2429 and B 2722 – are related to fantasy sports legalisation, with two of them, seeking to make fantasy sports illegal on the territory of the state. The third one proposes to regulate the daily fantasy sports industry in Hawaii.
As far as horse racing is concerned, one of the proposed bills – SB 1373 – would create a State Horse Racing Board and PILOT for horse racing on the territory of the state. There is another bill, called HR 71, which proposes the legalisation of the so-called amusement concessions in airports. Under the provisions of the bill, slot machines are planned to be placed in the airports over the state and the revenue generated from them would be redirected to the airport revenue fund.
New Online Poker Bill
The new Bill, which would create the Internet lottery and gaming corporation of the state, was officially introduced on January 20th. Under the provisions of the proposed Bill, called SB 677, an online lottery and gaming corporation would be established in Hawaii. Also, the revenue generated from online poker activities on the territory of the state would be redirected to the system of public schools and the University of Hawaii with priority.
In addition, under the Bill a large range of casino games would be allowed in the state, with the players required to be at least 19 years old in order to gamble. However, sports betting would not be allowed in case that the Bill gets the approval of the competent authorities.
Online sports betting activities would not be allowed by the Bill SB 677.
As mentioned above, if the Bill is finally passed, it would allow the state of Hawaii to enter into partnerships with other states of the country in terms of online gambling, which is expected to result in sharing poker liquidity.
Apart from that, the proposed Bill would be aimed at helping the tourism sector in Hawaii thanks to some land-based gaming entertainment events. Currently, the state of Hawaii is one of the few states in the country where there are no retail casinos.
- Author
Daniel Williams
