HR55

WHEREAS, a robust illegal sports betting market thrives in the absence of a legal, regulated framework; and

WHEREAS, the American Gaming Association estimates that Americans wager over $63,000,000,000 each year in the illegal market with no oversight, consumer protections, or tax revenue generated; and

WHEREAS, sports wagering is offered safely and responsibly by reputable operators in jurisdictions where sports wagering is legal, and these operators implement robust measures with regard to identity verification, consumer protection, responsible gaming, and game integrity that are not present in the illegal market; and

WHEREAS, by channeling this activity into a legal market and building a robust, responsible, and regulated market for sports wagering, Hawaii stands to gain millions of dollars each year in additional tax revenue; and

WHEREAS, the legalization of sports wagering presents an opportunity to generate significant revenue for Hawaii; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2024, that the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism is requested to convene a Sports Wagering Working Group to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the potential legalization and regulation of online sports wagering in Hawaii; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the following individuals are requested to serve as members of the Sports Wagering Working Group:

(1) The Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism or the Director's designee;

(2) The President of the Senate or the President's designee;

(3) The Speaker of the House of Representatives or the Speaker's designee;

(4) The Attorney General or the Attorney General's designee;

(5) The Director of Taxation or the Director's designee;

(6) The Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs or the Director's designee;

(7) A representative from the Hawaii law enforcement community to be selected by the Director of Law Enforcement; and

(8) Two representatives of the Sports Betting Alliance; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that as part of the comprehensive analysis, the Sports Wagering Working Group is requested to identify, assess, or recommend:

(1) The estimated revenue potential of a legal online sports wagering market in Hawaii;

(2) An appropriate regulatory structure to efficiently implement and oversee online sports betting in the State using the experience of other states with online sports betting;

(3) The consumer protections available for patrons of online sports wagering, including responsible gaming; and

(4) The experience of other states in implementing online sports wagering and benefits derived from the legalization of online sports betting; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Sports Wagering Working Group is requested to submit a report on its comprehensive analysis, including any findings, recommendations, and proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2025; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Attorney General; Director of Taxation; Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs; Director of Law Enforcement; and Sports Betting Alliance.

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Sports Wagering; Working Group; Comprehensive Analysis

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	55
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024
STATE OF HAWAII