The Governor of Hawaii has expressed support for the legalization of casinos and online sports betting

Hawaii Governor Josh Green has announced that he will not veto a bill to legalize casinos and online sports betting if it is passed by the legislature with appropriate safety measures. Concurrently, the House of Representatives is discussing a resolution aimed at exploring the construction of a gaming facility, which could be part of an ambitious project to transform the Aloha Stadium.
Proponents of the initiative, including Representative Daniel Holt, emphasize that legalizing the gaming industry could spur economic growth in the state. The legislation is projected to create around 6,000 jobs, with tax revenues from casinos estimated at approximately $250 million annually.
Senate Resolution No. 121 proposes the formation of a task force comprising experts from tourism, government, and law enforcement sectors. This group will work on developing potential models for legalizing the gaming business in the islands. One option under consideration is the construction of a casino near the new stadium, which some participants believe could ensure the overall success of the project.
However, not all lawmakers share this perspective. Representative Andrew Garrett from the Manoa district has questioned the effectiveness of this strategy, stating, "If a gaming zone is necessary for the project to be profitable, then this is no longer planning but a desperate attempt to salvage the initiative." Despite the criticism, the resolution has moved forward to a vote.
According to the governor, a recent public opinion poll indicated that attitudes toward the legalization of gambling are gradually softening. One reason for this shift is that lawmakers have promised to allocate the generated revenue to social needs, such as building housing for Native Hawaiians and working-class individuals. Green noted that if the casino legalization project includes measures to prevent gambling addiction, it is likely to gain his support.
It is worth noting that Hawaii is considering legalizing gambling to fund the construction of a new stadium.