SB 893 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO THE ECONOMY.

Summary

Grants twenty-year licenses for casinos in the New Aloha Stadium Entertainment District and Hawaii Convention Center. Establishes the Hawaii Gaming Control Commission. Imposes fifteen per cent wagering tax on gross receipts. Establishes the State Gaming Fund and Compulsive Gambler Program. Appropriates funds. (SD1)

Issues: ✓ Budget & Taxes

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Feb 2025

Senate Passage

Feb 2025

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 17, 2025 Last action Dec 8, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

SB893_SD1 → SB893_SD1_PROPOSED · 8 edits

MODERATE

This bill establishes a new Hawaii Gaming Control Commission to regulate limited casino gaming at two specific locations: the Hawaii Convention Center and the New Aloha Stadium Entertainment District. It creates a strict licensing process requiring a $150 million fee, mandates that casino operators invest at least $50 million, and prohibits wagering on Hawaii collegiate athletics to protect local sports. The bill also updates tax laws to exempt casino operations from certain assessments and defines the commission's powers, including the authority to issue licenses, conduct investigations, and impose fines.

Scope change

The bill creates a new regulatory framework for casino gaming, restricting it exclusively to the Hawaii Convention Center and the New Aloha Stadium Entertainment District, and explicitly exempts these operations from existing state laws regarding gambling and property assessments.

SCOPE

Establishes the Hawaii Gaming Control Commission as a new state body to oversee all casino operations.

REQUIREMENT

Requires casino license applicants to pay a $150 million fee and commit to investing at least $50 million in facility development.

Prohibits any casino licensee or its affiliates from operating in jurisdictions that allow wagering on Hawaii collegiate athletics.

DEFINITION

Defines specific terms like 'Affiliate', 'Qualifier', and 'Institutional Investor' to clarify who must be vetted and licensed.

ELIGIBILITY

Sets strict eligibility criteria for applicants and qualifiers, including requirements for experience revitalizing urban areas and clean criminal records.

ENFORCEMENT

Grants the commission powers to inspect facilities, suspend licenses, and impose fines up to $10,000 per violation.

TIMELINE

Sets a deadline for applicants to submit licenses within 30 days of the commission's first meeting and requires licenses to be issued within 30 days of selection.

EXEMPTIONS

Exempts casino facilities from certain property assessments and special improvement district requirements.

SB893 → SB893_SD1 · 10 edits

MAJOR

This bill transforms a generic economic bill into a comprehensive framework for legalizing and regulating casino gaming in Hawaii. It establishes a new Gaming Control Commission, defines specific eligibility criteria for applicants and employees, sets strict ethical standards, and mandates that casinos be built at the New Aloha Stadium or Hawaii Convention Center. The legislation also introduces significant financial requirements, including a $1.5 million application fee and a $150 million issuance fee, along with a 15% wagering tax.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from general economic relations to specifically authorize and regulate casino gaming operations in two designated locations, replacing previous restrictions or lack of specific gaming statutes.

SCOPE

Authorized limited casino gaming exclusively at the New Aloha Stadium Entertainment District and the Hawaii Convention Center.

DEFINITION

Created detailed definitions for key terms including 'Casino facility', 'Commission', 'Qualifier', 'Supplier', and 'Institutional investor' to standardize regulatory language.

REQUIREMENT

Established the Hawaii Gaming Control Commission with five members appointed by the Governor, outlining their duties, compensation, and appointment procedures.

Implemented rigorous ethical codes, conflict of interest rules, and financial disclosure requirements for all commission members, employees, and applicants.

Required casino licensees to enter into a development agreement committing to invest at least $50 million and provide job training for Hawaii residents.

ELIGIBILITY

Set strict eligibility criteria for casino licenses, requiring applicants to have experience revitalizing urban areas with casinos and prohibiting ownership by entities involved in collegiate athletics wagering.

FISCAL

Mandated a $1,000,000 non-refundable application fee and a $150,000,000 total issuance fee ($75M upfront and $75M one year later) for casino licenses.

Instituted a 15% wagering tax on casino gross receipts, with specific allocations for education, compulsive gambling programs, and commission expenses.

TIMELINE

Set a deadline for applications to be submitted within 30 days of the commission's initial meeting and licenses to be issued within 30 days of selection.

ENFORCEMENT

Granted the commission broad powers to inspect premises, seize evidence, revoke licenses, and impose fines up to $10,000 per violation.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 12, 2025

Committee

Re-Referred to EDT/CPN, JDC/WAM.

upper

Feb 10, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on EDT/CPN has scheduled a public hearing on 02-13-25 1:03PM; Conference Room 229 & Videoconference.

upper

Feb 7, 2025

Committee

Re-Referred to EDT/CPN, WAM.

upper

Feb 7, 2025

Upper · Passed

Report adopted, as amended (SD 1) and recommitted to EDT.

upper

Feb 7, 2025

Upper · Passed

Reported from EDT (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 116) as amended (SD 1), with recommendation of recommittal to EDT.

upper

Feb 6, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on EDT recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS and be recommitted. The votes in EDT were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) DeCoite, Wakai, Fukunaga; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 2 No(es): Senator(s) Kim, Awa; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Feb 6, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on EDT will hold a public decision making on 02-06-25 1:20PM; Conference Room 229 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 23, 2025

Committee

Referred to EDT.

upper

Jan 17, 2025

Introduced

Introduced.

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors