HB 1466 Summary

• Authorizes a single social gaming facility in a designated tourism district in Hawaii (in a county with population over 300,000) with a 10-year renewable license to operate poker, bridge, cribbage, and other skill-based card games.

• Establishes the Hawaii Social Gaming Control Commission as a 7-member body appointed by the governor to regulate gaming operations, issue licenses, conduct investigations, and enforce compliance with the chapter.

• Restricts gaming to adults 18+ years old, limits facility to 30 tables with maximum 10 players per table, and prohibits operations outside 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m. daily; prohibits wagering with actual currency (tokens/chips only).

• Creates a state social gaming fund receiving all fees, fines, and general excise tax revenues, with at least 50 percent annually distributed to organizations addressing homelessness in Hawaii, with remaining funds covering security, commission expenses, facility marketing, and problem gambling programs.

• Implements comprehensive licensing requirements for facility operators (minimum $1 million in financial resources, 10-year residency, background checks) and occupational licensees (dealers and staff), with detailed disqualification criteria and post-employment restrictions for commission members and employees.