HB 344 Summary

• Creates a new chapter regulating sports wagering in Hawaii, allowing the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to issue licenses to sports wagering operators and suppliers.

• Restricts mobile sports wagering licenses to "qualified gaming entities" (those operating in at least three U.S. jurisdictions) and requires applicants to undergo criminal background checks and meet financial responsibility standards.

• Permits sports wagering only through mobile applications and digital platforms for persons 18+ physically located in the State; prohibits physical kiosk or terminal-based wagering.

• Imposes a tax on adjusted gross sports wagering receipts at a rate to be determined and adds sports wagering tax provisions to Hawaii's general excise tax (Chapter 237).

• Exempts licensed sports wagering activities from Hawaii's gambling prohibitions (Chapter 712) and establishes penalties up to $100,000 and five years imprisonment for unlicensed sports wagering operations.