A bill that would allow cruise ship gambling — even while ships are docked in Hawaii ports — stalled in a House committee Wednesday while another bill that would allow sports betting squeaked through as the state Legislature continues to debate whether to end Hawaii’s prohibition on gambling.
House Bill 2570 would legalize sports wagering and passed the House Committee on Economic Development and Technology by a vote of 4 to 3.
State Rep. Kyle Yamashita (D, Pukalani-Makawao-Ulupalakua) voted for HB 2570, but only after noting the significance of allowing any form of gambling in Hawaii.
“I believe it is a foot-in-the-door kind of bill, but I do believe the Legislature needs to have discussions on this issue,” Yamashita said.
