Hawaii joins push for online poker

A Hawaiian Senator has filed a new bill to legalize online poker, lottery and casino in the state, under the umbrella of a to-be-formed body called the Hawaii internet lottery and gaming corporation.

The SB677 bill was filed this week by Senator Michelle Kidani, proposing the proceeds of gambling go toward education and tackling problem gambling.

Kidani wrote in the bill that tens of thousands of Hawaii residents were already participating in illegal online gambling, with no taxes for the state and no protection for the players.

“It is in the best interest of the state and its citizens to regulate this existing activity by authorizing and implementing a secure, responsible, and legal system for internet gambling,” Kidani said.

Her bill would also permit the sharing of poker liquidity between states, as seen in Nevada and Delaware.

However unlike a recent spate of bills popping up in Michigan and Pennsylvania, there is no provision for online sports betting, should it be legalized on a federal level.

Hawaii has been one of the more active states in online gambling legislation, with a total of 15 gaming bills being put before the legislature in 2016, albeit with no success. It is one of the only states with no land-based casino industry.