Hawaii sports betting bill fails, ending 2024 legalisation effort
Hawaii lawmakers on Friday rejected a final version of a sports betting legalization bill, halting efforts to bring legal sportsbooks to the state this year.
A joint conference committee of Senate and House members failed to reconcile differences between their respective bills, a requirement under state law. As a result, there will be no final vote before the legislature adjourns on May 2. Governor Josh Green had previously signalled he would have signed the bill if approved.
The Senate version had proposed a 10 per cent tax on gross gaming revenue and a US$250,000 licensing fee, terms not included in the House bill. Opponents sought to raise both figures, further complicating negotiations.
If passed, Hawaii would have become the 40th state to legalize online sports betting, joining others like Vermont, Maine, and Wyoming. The legislation aimed to license at least four mobile sportsbooks, with operators such as DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and Fanatics expressing interest. Boyd Gaming also indicated plans to launch its Boyd Sports platform if permitted.
Hawaii and Utah remain the only U.S. states without any form of legal gambling, including casinos, lotteries, or sportsbooks. Lawmakers have indicated they may revisit the proposal in 2026.
