In the United States, it seems as though every week or so, another state sees a legislative proposal for online gambling. The latest state to join the bandwagon is the state of Hawaii. Currently the state is one of just two states in the US that does not offer any form of legal gambling. However, state senators Donovan M. Dela Cruz, Gilbert Kahele and Malama Solomon have now proposed a new bill that would allow for online gambling legalization in the state, which will include online poker.
The new bill is titled Senate Bill 768 and is twenty seven pages long. In the document it states that a body would be created named the Hawaii Internet Lottery and Gaming Corporation, which would be authorized to offer ‘a regulated, secure, and responsible framework for the conduct of internet wagering and gaming in Hawaii.”
The bill is basically identical to the House Bill 2422, which was released last year in the state. This bill offered up the same ‘corporation’ that would protect consumers and take in additional revenues that would benefit the state instead of sending this money to unregulated online gambling companies that residents were enjoying.
With the new bill, if it passes, the corporation would be formed and the board of the corporation would have 180 days to create new rules and regulations for online gambling. The group would also have to choose a gaming provider to partner with during this time as well. Any gambling company that offered online gambling options before September 20th 2011 will not be able to offer gaming options. This date is the same date that the DOJ changed their mind on the Wire Act.
The legal online gambling age in Hawaii would be 18, which is different from the usual 21. Players would have to live in Hawaii but the bill seems to be left open for expansion if so chosen by the state. In the coming weeks, we shall see where this piece of legislation leads and report any findings as they are released.
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