The Aloha State’s longstanding resistance to legalized gaming remains firmly in place for now
Hawaii lawmakers appear ready to shelve gambling expansion efforts once again, with several proposals failing to move forward during the 2026 legislative session. Bills tied to casinos, a state lottery, cruise-ship gaming, and prediction markets stalled early and missed key committee deadlines.
The outcome keeps Hawaii among the few states without legal casinos, lottery games, or regulated sports betting. Despite periodic pushes to change course, gambling legislation continues to struggle in the state Capitol.
This year, attention shifted toward financial priorities backed by Josh Green. Lawmakers advanced measures related to pausing scheduled income tax cuts and tapping into the state’s Emergency and Budget Reserve Fund. Budget stability appeared to take precedence over new gaming revenue discussions.
Several gambling-related bills generated early conversation but never gained traction. Proposals included authorizing a single casino in the Stadium Development District, permitting cruise-ship gaming in local waters, and launching a limited lottery pilot program. None advanced far enough for meaningful debate on the floor.
A measure targeting the regulation of prediction markets also failed to progress through standard committee channels. While one sports wagering proposal briefly cleared a House panel, related legislation was deferred, leaving no clear path toward legalization.
For residents, the stalled bills mean continued travel to other states for legal gaming options. Some lawmakers have raised concerns about unregulated online activity, but those arguments were not enough to move proposals forward this session.
