Hawaii Senate Considers Casino Gaming at Tourist Destinations

In what could be a watershed moment for gambling in Hawaii, a bill that would allow casino gaming at two tourist destinations on Oahu has emerged from a Senate committee and is awaiting a public hearing. While the proposal is still far from a vote, its presence in the 2025 legislative agenda has brought renewed attention to Hawaii's longstanding resistance to legalized gambling. Despite historical skepticism, the bill has influential supporters, raising questions about whether this time will be different for the state's gambling laws.

SB 893 Makes Headway

On February 6, the Hawaii Senate's Consumer Protection & Commerce (CPN) and Economic Development & Technology (EDT) committees voted to amend and recommend passage of SB 893, which would legalize casino gaming at two prominent locations on Oahu: the New Aloha Stadium Entertainment District and the Hawai'i Convention Center. The legislation is seen as a modest first step toward expanding gambling in the state, but its narrow focus suggests it could pave the way for further developments in the future.

The bill's core provision is simple: it seeks to amend state law to explicitly permit certain forms of gambling at these two venues, creating a state-controlled regulatory framework. To oversee this industry, the bill proposes the establishment of a Hawaii Gaming Control Commission, which would issue licenses for the casinos. Additionally, the bill outlines a mechanism for generating state revenue through a 15% tax on casino earnings. This revenue would go into a new state gaming fund, a portion of which would be allocated to a Compulsive Gambler Program—an important public health consideration given the risks associated with gambling.

SB 893 has been sent back to the committees for further consideration, and a joint hearing of the CPN and EDT committees is scheduled for February 13, where the bill is set to be discussed in more detail. While the path forward remains uncertain, the very fact that this legislation has made it this far is noteworthy, given Hawaii's historical resistance to gambling.

What distinguishes SB 893 from past gambling proposals in Hawaii is the backing it has received from some of the state's most influential political figures. Senate Majority Leader Glenn Wakai, a key player in shaping the Senate's legislative agenda, not only voted in favor of the bill but also spoke positively about it during the February 6 hearing, signaling his support for gambling legalization in the state. Wakai's position gives the bill a significant advantage, as his influence will likely help ensure it moves through the legislative process in the coming weeks.

Similarly, Senate President Ron Kouchi has introduced a companion bill to House Speaker Nadine Nakamura's gambling proposal, indicating bipartisan support for gambling-related measures. Kouchi's involvement further strengthens the bill’s chances, given his leadership role in the Senate.

However, while influential support is a critical factor, there remains the question of how SB 893 interacts with other gambling-related bills currently being considered. For example, House Bill 1434 (HB 1434), filed by Speaker Nakamura, and its companion Senate Bill 1507 (SB 1507), could introduce conflicting provisions, especially concerning the scope of gambling expansion. Other bills, such as HB 1308 and SB 1569, which focus on legalizing online sports betting, and HB 1466, which seeks to establish a regulated charitable card room, add additional layers of complexity to the debate.

A Longstanding Resistance to Gambling

Despite this momentum, Hawaii’s historical stance on gambling remains a significant hurdle. The state has long been one of the most resistant to gaming in the U.S., with previous attempts to legalize gambling having failed to even make it to a full vote in the legislature. The state’s cultural and political climate has traditionally viewed gambling as incompatible with Hawaii's family-friendly image, and there has been little appetite among lawmakers to challenge that perception.

The failures of past gambling initiatives have created a backdrop of skepticism toward any efforts to expand gambling. Hawaii remains one of the few states without legalized casino gaming, and there is an entrenched belief among many residents that the state should remain free of such commercial enterprises. Proponents of gambling legalization argue that the revenue generated from casinos could be a boon for Hawaii’s struggling budget, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, which severely impacted the state's economy. Opponents, however, worry about the social costs of gambling, such as addiction and crime, and argue that Hawaii should seek other revenue sources.

 

While support from Kouchi, Nakamura, and Wakei among others carries weight, Hawaii has traditionally been one of the most unfriendly states for gaming interests

 

Is 2025 the Year for Change?

As SB 893 and other gambling-related bills work their way through the legislative process, 2025 could represent a turning point for gambling in Hawaii. While the state’s political leadership has shifted toward more support for gambling, much deliberation remains ahead before these proposals could break the state’s historic gambling drought.

At this juncture, the state seems poised to take a step, albeit a cautious one, toward allowing casino gaming. Whether or not SB 893 will gain enough traction to become law remains to be seen, but it is clear that the conversation about gambling legalization in Hawaii is no longer an afterthought—it is now a legitimate part of the state's policy debate.

If this year’s legislative efforts succeed in passing even a narrow expansion of gambling, it could signal the beginning of a broader shift in Hawaii’s approach to gaming. However, given the state’s deeply rooted skepticism and cultural resistance, this legislative session will likely be just the first chapter in what could be a protracted, contentious struggle over the future of gambling in the Aloha State. Whether Hawaii's policymakers will ultimately embrace a new era of gaming remains to be seen, but for now, the momentum is unmistakable.