Hawaii senator says proposed ban on gambling ads not meant to stop Hawaiians from visiting Las Vegas

Hawaii senator says proposed ban on gambling ads not meant to stop Hawaiians from visiting Las Vegas

Article brief provided by Las Vegas Review-Journal
  • Richard N. Velotta, Las Vegas Review-Journal
February 18, 2023 8:11 PM
  • Richard N. Velotta, Las Vegas Review-Journal

The Hawaii state senator whose proposed legislation would ban gambling advertisements in the Aloha State said it’s an effort to generate funds to fight problem gambling — not discourage Hawaiians from visiting Nevada.

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In an exclusive interview with the Review-Journal, Sen. Stanley Chang, D-Honolulu, said he’s hopeful Senate Bill 935 will make its way to the governor’s desk so that companies offering gambling excursions can be taxed and the revenue generated is used to treat or counsel compulsive gamblers.

“Hawaii is one of the few states with no state resources to treat problem gambling and gambling addiction,” Chang said in a telephone interview.