It’s unlikely that gambling will be legalized this year.

However, a bill moving through the Senate would create a gambling commission to advise the Legislature on legalized gambling proposals in future sessions.

Hawaii is one of two states that doesn’t permit any form of gambling. 

Since January, state lawmakers have dismissed proposals that would pave the way for legalized gambling. One would have given the Hawaiian Homes Commission the authority to allow gambling on Hawaiian Home Lands. Another would have permitted a standalone casino in Waikiki.

A gambling commission would analyze the financial and social impacts of legalized gambling. It would also assess the viability of different forms of gambling and determine what percentage of each dollar put into a gambling system would go to the state and other stakeholders.