First Casinos to Open in Hawaii

According to the Hawaii Tribune-Herald, Hawaii Senator Donovan Dela Cruz proposed changes to Senate Bill 1321 about seven weeks after the Hawaiian Housing Commission approved a draft measure that would allow the Southern District of Honolulu to pass host the first casino.

The Cruz affair amendments include a provision requiring that any Native American group wishing to operate a planned casino be approved by Democratic Governor David Ayge after first demonstrating historical ties to the land.

Hawaii is one of only two American states, along with Utah, that prohibit any form of commercial gambling.

The Cruz affair amendments are now due for consideration at the next meeting of the Hawaii State Senate committee on Tuesday afternoon.

Hawaii Senator Mayle Shimabukuro, a member of this influential body, stated:

"Senate Bill 132 proposes to allow the Hawaiian Housing Commission by the end of 2026 to consult with beneficiaries, exercise due diligence, and conclude a development agreement or lease for a proposed casino site."

The Hawaii Tribune-Herald reported that Hawaii State Representative Sean Quinlan has indefinitely postponed consultations on three gambling- related measures , including Bill 772, which requested permission to open a casino hotel in Honolulu's tourist suburb of Waikiki.

The newspaper explained that Bill 383 and Bill 736 met a similar fate on Wednesday, postponing the planned creation of a government poker service and licensing of digital sports betting platforms.

These last two measures were reportedly proposed by Hawaii State Representative Chris Todd, who subsequently stated:

"I still hope that my fellow legislators will be more open to some of these proposals, especially regarding the sports betting bill."

Mr Todd told the Hawaii Tribune-Herald:

"This is what people are already doing in the state and are also already doing on their phones through various applications. Thus, it would be an opportunity to generate income that is currently leaving the state. But I think we will come back to this question."