Hawaii's governor publicly supported the idea of ​​legalizing casinos.

For a long time, Hawaii residents have only heard about gambling from news in other states, but in recent weeks, the topic of legalizing casinos and sports betting has unexpectedly become the focus of local discussions. Governor Josh Green announced his readiness to support a law permitting gambling businesses if tangible social safeguards are included. Why has this become relevant right now and what changes await the islanders—these are the questions being discussed by both experts and ordinary Hawaiians.

The Governor’s Position and Conditions for Support

In a recent interview with Hawaii News Now Sunrise, Governor Josh Green clearly outlined his position. According to him, he will not veto a law legalizing casinos if the initiative is accompanied by quality measures to prevent the negative consequences of gambling.

Green specifically emphasized a key condition: support will only be possible if there are reliable mechanisms to protect the population. The Governor stated that he considers it essential to allocate revenues from casinos to address acute social problems, such as providing citizens with adequate housing. “The world is changing very quickly, and as a recent survey showed, if the revenues are used for building social housing and supporting workers, a significant portion of the population supports this approach,” Josh Green noted.

However, the Governor’s office later clarified that the mentioned survey was initiated not by the authorities, but by a private organization. Administration representatives stated that they do not have the full version of the study available, and its results do not represent the official position. Nevertheless, at the end of the interview, Josh Green again emphasized: “If the legislature ensures the necessary safety measures, I will most likely allow the initiative to become law.”

Public Opinion and Survey Results

Interestingly, the attitude of Hawaii residents toward the idea of legalizing gambling has noticeably softened. As a private survey showed, more and more Hawaiians are ready to approve the appearance of casinos provided that budget revenues will be invested in housing and other social projects. People openly link their consent to the desire to see profits from the new industry not in private hands, but in municipal and social programs.

At the same time, it is worth noting that this is a private initiative, not a large-scale government study. Specific results remain unavailable to the general public, and many details of such research have not yet been officially confirmed. Thus, an official shift in public sentiment has not yet been supported by data from major social surveys.

Economic Arguments and Forecasts

Supporters of legalization openly call casinos an opportunity for economic growth. According to their estimates, a regulated gambling market will allow the creation of up to 6,000 new jobs and bring more than $250 million annually to the state treasury. This was stated by House Representative Daniel Holt, one of the leaders of this initiative.

Representatives of the construction industry have also actively joined the discussion. The main developer of the major new Aloha Stadium project, Stanford Carr, and the head of the stadium commission, Brennon Morioka, expressed their desire to join the working group studying the opportunities and risks of casino legalization. “We are always in favor of new sources of income if these funds are directed to the construction and development of infrastructure,” Morioka emphasized.

Within the framework of Senate Resolution No. 121, an intersectoral working group is being formed. It will include representatives of the government, police, business, and tourism. The group’s task is to comprehensively study all aspects of the possible introduction of a regulated gambling market. This approach should make it possible to assess the prospects for new budget revenues that were not previously generated in the legal economy.

Debates in Parliament Between Supporters and Opponents

In the Hawaii parliament, the topic of legalizing gambling has sparked heated debates. Supporters of the reform insist on the economic benefits: job creation, broadening the tax base, and growth in tourism. However, opponents express serious concerns.

Many legislators warn of social risks: an increase in the number of people with gambling addiction, redistribution of profits in favor of a narrow group of companies rather than society as a whole. Representative criticism was voiced by Kim Coco Iwamoto, who emphasized that the law should not become a mechanism for enriching individual enterprises without considering social losses. “I hope that in the course of the discussion we will focus on harm minimization measures, not just business profits,” the deputy stated.

The project for the future stadium and the question of whether it is acceptable to finance it with casino revenues caused no less debate. Deputy Andrew Garrett, a principled opponent of the reform, skeptically assessed the need for such sources of funding: “When a project is impossible without a casino, this is not planning, but simply an attempt to plug budget holes,” he noted.

The clash of opinions regarding the possible “replacing strategic planning with an urgent search for revenue” became one of the main topics of parliamentary debates. The discussions revealed a deep divide in opinions on the long-term consequences of legalization.

The Progress of the Bill and Next Steps

Despite the debates, the resolution to create a working group has already been adopted by the House of Representatives. Now, positions must be reconciled between the two chambers of parliament. In the near future, a new wave of discussions is expected, during which compromises will be developed and details of future bills will be clarified.

Key questions remain open: will it be possible to create an effective system of state control, will opponents’ concerns be taken into account, and is it possible to strike a balance between economic interests and social stability. The decisions of the parliament will determine whether Hawaii can become an example for other regions or repeat the mistakes of neighboring states.

Hawaii is one of the few U.S. states where gambling is still completely prohibited. Historically, a strict policy has been maintained here, focused on traditional values and a cautious approach to external capital. However, the economic difficulties of recent years have forced local authorities to look for new ways to fill the budget.

Experts emphasize that not only land-based but also online casinos are banned in the state. Online casinos fall under the general ban on “gambling for money,” including bets via the internet. There are no separate laws for online forms—everything is regulated by general anti-gambling norms. However, as with land-based casinos, this ban is controversial and considered outdated.

Global trends are such that online casinos are becoming increasingly widespread. Players have the opportunity to choose from a large number of gaming platforms. Usually, this is done using rankings with monthly updates. Rankings are updated so often because the number of online casinos is growing very quickly. This is confirmed by information on twinspinca.com and many other thematic resources. These platforms are available in many regions. However, a Hawaii resident who decides to play at an online casino will receive a serious fine, which can reach up to $2,000.

So far, the issue of legalizing online casinos in the state remains closed. It is closely linked to the issue of legalizing land-based casinos. At the same time, there are states in the U.S. with legal land-based casinos where gambling remains prohibited.

The example of other states such as Nevada and New Jersey shows that the legalization of gambling can become a powerful tool for economic growth. At the same time, the experience of neighboring regions indicates the need to introduce restrictive measures in a timely manner and carefully control the market. For Hawaii, this is a kind of crossroads: either rely on a new source of income or preserve the traditional economic model.

The economic potential and social risks of legalization are the main axis of debate. Supporters see casinos as a chance for economic modernization and infrastructure development. Opponents fear increased social inequality and a rise in the number of addicts.

The discussion is complicated by the lack of independent research and the limited availability of data. Surveys do not yet provide a complete picture, and most forecasts are based on the experience of other regions. That is why experts call for further discussion, expanded expert consultations, and a serious analysis of the possible consequences of the new law.

What is more important—the creation of thousands of new jobs or the protection of vulnerable groups? Can casinos become the foundation for new budgetary programs, or will this lead to new social challenges? The entire Hawaiian society is searching for answers to these questions, and the final compromise will be significant not only for the economy but also for the future of every resident of the state.