• About Us / Contact
  • Responsible Gambling
This site contains commercial content
SportsHandle
  • US Sports Betting
    • Arizona
    • Arkansas
    • Colorado
    • Connecticut
    • Delaware
    • Illinois
    • Indiana
    • Iowa
    • Kansas
    • Louisiana
    • Maine
    • Maryland
    • Massachusetts
    • Michigan
    • Mississippi
    • New Jersey
    • New Mexico
    • New York
    • Ohio
    • Oregon
    • Pennsylvania
    • Tennessee
    • Virginia
    • West Virginia
    • Wyoming
  • Pending States
    • California
    • Florida
    • Georgia
    • Missouri
    • North Carolina
  • Canada
    • Ontario
    • British Columbia
    • Alberta
  • Sportsbook Apps
    • FanDuel
    • BetMGM
    • Caesars
    • PointsBet
    • BetRivers
  • Tools
    • Sportsbook Bonuses Explained
    • Sports Betting Revenue Tracker
    • Sports Betting Podcasts
    • Partnership Tracker
    • Expected Value
    • Sports Scores And Odds Apps
    • Sports Betting Twitter
    • Guide To ‘Risk-Free’ Bets
  • News
No Result
View All Result
SportsHandle
  • US Sports Betting
    • Arizona
    • Arkansas
    • Colorado
    • Connecticut
    • Delaware
    • Illinois
    • Indiana
    • Iowa
    • Kansas
    • Louisiana
    • Maine
    • Maryland
    • Massachusetts
    • Michigan
    • Mississippi
    • New Jersey
    • New Mexico
    • New York
    • Ohio
    • Oregon
    • Pennsylvania
    • Tennessee
    • Virginia
    • West Virginia
    • Wyoming
  • Pending States
    • California
    • Florida
    • Georgia
    • Missouri
    • North Carolina
  • Canada
    • Ontario
    • British Columbia
    • Alberta
  • Sportsbook Apps
    • FanDuel
    • BetMGM
    • Caesars
    • PointsBet
    • BetRivers
  • Tools
    • Sportsbook Bonuses Explained
    • Sports Betting Revenue Tracker
    • Sports Betting Podcasts
    • Partnership Tracker
    • Expected Value
    • Sports Scores And Odds Apps
    • Sports Betting Twitter
    • Guide To ‘Risk-Free’ Bets
  • News
No Result
View All Result
SportsHandle
No Result
View All Result

Hawaii Sports Betting Bill Would Levy A 55% Tax On Sportsbooks

Language in recently released HB 1815 would make Hawaii the highest-taxed state

Jeff Edelstein by Jeff Edelstein
January 24, 2022
in Industry
hawaii

Shutterstock

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Hawaii is one of two states in the nation — the other being Utah — that offers zero opportunities for any sort of legalized gaming, including lotteries.

But Hawaii House Bill 1815, which dropped late last week, is seeking to change that, as the author of the bill, Rep. John Mizuno, is hoping to pass sports betting legislation.

The bill — which Mizuno himself called an “opening salvo” on Monday when pressed by Sports Handle — contains language that, at first glance, made it unclear who, exactly, would be on the hook for the 55% tax, with some commenters believing it would be the bettors themselves.

Section 15 not-so-plainly reads: “Sports wagering tax: There shall be levied, assessed, and collected a tax of fifty-five per cent on all winnings paid out to any person by a sports wagering provider. The tax revenues shall be deposited into the sports wagering special fund.”

Hawaii has a new sports betting legalization bill. Apparently they've seen the worst bills floated around and said "Hold my Mai Tai"…

They're proposing a 55% tax on CONSUMERS.

Win $100, get paid $45. Mahalo? Try Mahellno. https://t.co/DrmGY8b0ZX

— Captain Jack Andrews (@capjack2000) January 24, 2022

 

But Mizuno said the bill is meant to mimic New York’s bill and will tax the operators, not the bettors.

“What we did was copycat New York’s law. We wanted to follow New York but go with a higher tax,” Mizuno said. “We said, ‘Hey New York got it passed, so let’s do what they did.’ That was my request for the bill drafters.”

Big hill to climb

Mizuno recognizes the bill, as written, needs to be tightened, something that will happen if and when it gets through to committees. Mizuno is not entirely convinced that it will reach that stage.

“Eventually with technology, we’re going to see sports betting throughout the entire U.S.,” Mizuno said. “But keep in mind we’re a little different. Utah and Hawaii are the only two states that don’t allow gambling. This is a big push, but let’s be realistic: Who doesn’t bet on the Super Bowl? Who doesn’t bet on the college championship game? If it’s going to happen, and we know it’s going to happen, let’s tax it and use those taxes to help with homelessness, to help reduce crime. But yes, the difficulty is we’re a little conservative when it comes to gaming.”

And as for that whopping 55% tax rate, which would be the highest on sports betting in the U.S.?

“I thought that would be a little bit of sugar on the top, to try and get lawmakers to support it,” Mizuno said. “But again, it’s going to be difficult. It’s an opening salvo. We turn to states like New York, and say look, they’ve done a respectable job on this, and look at the value the taxes bring. I’m trying to create that image. People are going to gamble anyway, let’s tax it for the benefit of health and human services. But yes, it’s going to be hard. This is the first bite at the apple.”

New state agency

Under Mizuno’s proposal, the state would create an online sports wagering corporation that would be housed in the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. The corporation would supervise and “exercise active oversight” over the sportsbook providers.

As for the “providers,” they would be chosen based on a variety of factors, including expertise in United States gambling laws and the state of their interactive and internet technological skills.

Licensing fees for the operators would be levied, but the draft of the bill leaves the amount blank.

A sports betting bill that is carried over from the 2021 session, House Bill 736, written by Rep. Chris Toshiro Todd, would allow online wagering in Hawaii under a pilot program. This bill includes a $30 million licensing fee for operators. It would task the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism with setting the rules for the pilot program, which would include up to five sportsbook operators.

ShareTweetShare
Jeff Edelstein

Jeff Edelstein

Jeff is a veteran journalist, working as a columnist for The Trentonian newspaper in Trenton, NJ for a number of years. He's also an avid sports bettor and DFS player. He can be reached at jedelstein@bettercollective.com.

Related Posts

high tax
Analysis

Will Other States Follow New York’s Lead And Tax Sportsbooks Out The Wazoo?

January 26, 2022
Load More

Top Stories

patrick mahomes

Mahomes’ Ankle Speculation Twists Line Movement In Chiefs-Bengals Rematch

January 27, 2023
fanatics-grand-opening

Fanatics Sportsbook At FedEx Field Offers Unique Retail Option In Maryland

January 23, 2023
Shutterstock

Missouri Legislators Lament Exodus Of Bettors To Neighboring States

January 27, 2023
rob gronkowski adam vinatieri

Rob Gronkowski Goes Training Montage Route In Latest FanDuel Spot

January 17, 2023

State Sports Betting Guides

Ohio (U.S. state) flag waving against clear blue sky, close up, isolated with clipping path mask alpha channel transparency, perfect for film, news, composition

Ohio Sports Betting – Where To Play, Bonus Offers And Promo Codes

by Brian Pempus
January 25, 2023

Downtown Detroit at twilight (Shutterstock)

Michigan Sports Betting – Where To Play, Online Sportsbooks, And FAQ

by Brett Smiley
January 27, 2023

VA captial

Virginia Sports Betting – Where To Play, Online Sportsbooks And Bonus Offers

by Brett Smiley
January 17, 2023

nj flag

New Jersey Sports Betting — Where To Play, Online Sportsbooks, And FAQ

by Brett Smiley
October 20, 2022

pa online sportsbooks

Pennsylvania Sports Betting – Where To Play, Online Sportsbooks And Bonuses

by Brett Smiley
October 6, 2022

Canada Sports Betting Guides

Canada Sports Betting – Best Sportsbook Apps & Bonus Offers

British Columbia Sports Betting – Legal Update, Available Sportsbooks, and FAQ

Ontario Sports Betting – Legal Status And Where To Play

gambling therapy
ncpg
igaming ontario
If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL). Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (MI/NJ/OH/PA/WV), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), 1-888-532-3500 (VA) or call/text TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN).
19+. Please play responsibly. Terms and conditions apply. 
Individuals must be 19 years of age or older to participate in igaming in Ontario. Gambling can be addictive, please play responsibly. If you, or someone you know, has a gambling problem in Ontario and wants help, please visit ConnexOntario or call their helpline at 1-866-531-2600. Operators on this website operate pursuant to an Operating Agreement with iGaming Ontario.

Search Sports Handle

No Result
View All Result
  • About Us / Contact
  • Responsible Gambling

No Result
View All Result
  • US Sports Betting
    • Arizona
    • Arkansas
    • Colorado
    • Connecticut
    • Delaware
    • Illinois
    • Indiana
    • Iowa
    • Kansas
    • Louisiana
    • Maine
    • Maryland
    • Massachusetts
    • Michigan
    • Mississippi
    • New Jersey
    • New Mexico
    • New York
    • Ohio
    • Oregon
    • Pennsylvania
    • Tennessee
    • Virginia
    • West Virginia
    • Wyoming
  • Pending States
    • California
    • Florida
    • Georgia
    • Missouri
    • North Carolina
  • Canada
    • Ontario
    • British Columbia
    • Alberta
  • Sportsbook Apps
    • FanDuel
    • BetMGM
    • Caesars
    • PointsBet
    • BetRivers
  • Tools
    • Sportsbook Bonuses Explained
    • Sports Betting Revenue Tracker
    • Sports Betting Podcasts
    • Partnership Tracker
    • Expected Value
    • Sports Scores And Odds Apps
    • Sports Betting Twitter
    • Guide To ‘Risk-Free’ Bets
  • News

loading

Please wait while you are redirected to the right page...

Please share your location to continue.

Check our help guide for more info.

share your location