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 Lawmakers in Hawaii have decided against legalizing gambling in their home state. Legislation killed a bill that would have allowed casino owners to build on the tourist-filled island of Waikiki and a second measure that would have allowed gambling on the Hawaii homeland.
This comes after a wave of disapproval from Hawaii citizens who campaigned tirelessly to keep the bills from going into law. "You've got to know when to hold'em. You've got to know when to fold'em. You have to know when to walk away," said Representative Marcus Oshiro, Chairman of the House Finance Committee.
The casinos were pitched as a way to help rejuvenate the states faltering tourist industry. It was estimated that if the law would have gone into effect it could have earned the state as much as $86 million a year in revenue. In a state with a projected deficit of $1.2 billion, it's surprising that things were given more consideration but the public support was just not there.
The main arguments against the measures surrounded the idea that the new sites could potentially result in less tourism. Skeptics argued that their inclusion could tarnish the state's family friendly atmosphere and would increase crime rates.
John Radcliffe, a lobbyist who represents Mainland gambling interests points out however that locals are already spending money on gambling it just isn't staying in the state. "One of our biggest exports is money out of our state," he said in a statement.
Hawaii isn't the only state to consider legalizing gambling as a means of boosting state revenues. Many other states and the U.S. Congress are taking steps to legalize and regulate online gambling to reverse deficits. While Hawaii may have balked at the idea of expanding gambling laws many states haven't. New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware have all expanded their gambling laws so far successfully.
We'll keep our eyes out for any new developments.
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