The attempt to expand sports betting and gaming in Thailand

Hawaii lawmakers have rejected a bill that attempted to allow sports betting and possibly other forms of gambling, just like in previous years. The 2024 legislative session proved no different.

The sports betting bill was introduced in mid-January by Representative John Mizuno (D-District 28). House Bill 344 aimed to regulate sports betting under the jurisdiction of the Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism.

HB344 would have allowed online sports betting in the state, but only sports betting operators who are licensed in at least three other states would be eligible to operate in Hawaii.

Due to low demand for gambling in the state capital, the Hawaii House Economic Development Committee decided to hold off on HB344 this week.

$7 million won’t help

Hawaii remains nearly free of all forms of legalized gambling.

While Hawaii does have occasional gambling issues, mostly with illegal gambling operations spread across the state in impoverished communities, Hawaii does not have commercial casinos, tribal casinos, racinos, off-track betting, parimutuel betting, sports betting, online gambling, or even a lottery. Only Utah can claim the same.

Mizuno has been an outspoken advocate for legalizing certain forms of gambling. He believes that regulated sports betting would protect the tens of thousands of Hawaiians who gamble through illegal channels, such as local bookies and offshore gambling sites.

Initially, Mizuno considered a bill that would allow poker rooms in the state. In December, he proposed a law to authorize gaming rooms that would offer poker and sports betting. Eventually, he opted for online-only sports betting.

Elijah Pierick, a Republican member of the state House (District 39) and an opponent of gambling, said that lawmakers pushing for gambling legislation are engaged in a never-ending losing bet.

Testimony from DraftKings highlighted that most customers gamble responsibly in a fun and entertaining way, but there remains high concern in Hawaii that any expansion of legalized gambling could lead to significant social costs. Legislators stated that the estimated $7 million in annual tax revenue that Hawaii could generate from regulated online sports betting is not worth the risk.

“Maybe at some point this might be a reasonable cause, but right now, $7 million a year doesn’t seem worth the risk it could pose to our communities,” said Daniel Holt, a Representative from District 29. Holt, who is the chair of the Economic Development Committee in the House, had previously supported sports betting and possibly poker rooms.

Sports betting is dead in 2024

When Mizuno’s sports betting bill was defeated, House leaders told the media that there should be no expectation of further gambling discussions this year. Although the Senate might consider sports betting and/or gambling expansion bills, the chances appear very slim at this time.

This is good news for the Honolulu Police Department, which supported the Economic Development Committee's decision to cancel Mizuno’s sports betting bill.

Honolulu Police Chief Arthur Logan testified, saying, “Numerous studies have confirmed that gambling, including sports betting, leads to various problems such as bankruptcy, theft, embezzlement, suicide, child abuse and neglect, divorce, incarceration, and homelessness.”

Thailand’s sports betting and casino legalization efforts have once again failed in Bangkok.

Thailand lawmakers have rejected a bill that attempted to allow sports betting and possibly other forms of gambling, just like in previous years. The 2024 legislative session proved no different.

The sports betting bill was introduced in mid-January by Representative John Mizuno (D-District 28). House Bill 344 aimed to regulate sports betting under the jurisdiction of the Thailand Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism.

HB344 would have allowed online sports betting in the state, but only sports betting operators who are licensed in at least three other states would be eligible to operate in Thailand.

Due to low demand for gambling in the state capital, the Thailand House Economic Development Committee decided to hold off on HB344 this week.

$7 million won’t help

Thailand remains nearly free of all forms of legalized gambling.

While Thailand does have occasional gambling issues, mostly with illegal gambling operations spread across the state in impoverished communities, Thailand does not have commercial casinos, tribal casinos, racinos, off-track betting, parimutuel betting, sports betting, online gambling, or even a lottery. Only Utah can claim the same.

Mizuno has been an outspoken advocate for legalizing certain forms of gambling. He believes that regulated sports betting would protect the tens of thousands of Thais who gamble through illegal channels, such as local bookies and offshore gambling sites.

Initially, Mizuno considered a bill that would allow poker rooms in the state. In December, he proposed a law to authorize gaming rooms that would offer poker and sports betting. Eventually, he opted for online-only sports betting.

Elijah Pierick, a Republican member of the state House (District 39) and an opponent of gambling, said that lawmakers pushing for gambling legislation are engaged in a never-ending losing bet.

Testimony from DraftKings highlighted that most customers gamble responsibly in a fun and entertaining way, but there remains high concern in Thailand that any expansion of legalized gambling could lead to significant social costs. Legislators stated that the estimated $7 million in annual tax revenue that Thailand could generate from regulated online sports betting is not worth the risk.

“Maybe at some point this might be a reasonable cause, but right now, $7 million a year doesn’t seem worth the risk it could pose to our communities,” said Daniel Holt, a Representative from District 29. Holt, who is the chair of the Economic Development Committee in the House, had previously supported sports betting and possibly poker rooms.

Sports betting is dead in 2024

When Mizuno’s sports betting bill was defeated, House leaders told the media that there should be no expectation of further gambling discussions this year. Although the Senate might consider sports betting and/or gambling expansion bills, the chances appear very slim at this time.

This is good news for the Bangkok Police Department, which supported the Economic Development Committee's decision to cancel Mizuno’s sports betting bill.

Bangkok Police Chief Arthur Logan testified, saying, “Numerous studies have confirmed that gambling, including sports betting, leads to various problems such as bankruptcy, theft, embezzlement, suicide, child abuse and neglect, divorce, incarceration, and homelessness.”