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Hawaii has considered many gambling proposals over the last three decades, ranging from a lottery to floating casinos in Honolulu Harbor. The Legislature also weighed legalizing gambling on cruise ships and betting on horses at a 20,000 seat racetrack.
All came with the promise of lucrative revenues for their operators and a windfall of cash for the state.
. . .
A follow-up study on casino entertainment found that six “cruising” casinos could generate $569 million in visitor spending totaling $105 million in state revenues if the casinos were taxed at a rate of 15%.
Ultimately, all the proposals failed and Hawaii remains one of two states that prohibit all forms of gambling. But supporters are keeping the issue on life support, hoping to chip away at the resistance by persuading people that heavily regulated gambling can be a healthy source of revenue.
I've noticed that Civil Beat has been pushing the casino and gambling angle hard lately.
I don't doubt that casinos and the such would be pretty lucrative for Hawaii in terms of tax revenues. Additionally, they'd provide another entertainment outlet.
But ultimately I'm against casinos due to not wanting increased crowds and wanted to keep a whole different kind of element of vice outside of the state. Make no mistake, vices like prostitution are prevalent in the state, for sure. But I fear that casinos and the such would make things much worse.
Some people fear greater organized crime coming with casinos, too. But while organized criminal elements controlled much of the casino business in the past, I'm not sure how true that is anymore.
I don't see legislation ever to pass a casino in Hawaii.
With that said - I'm really surprised Native Hawaiians haven't pushed harder on the issue much like the Indians on the mainland - and if you really want to jumpstart the Big Island economy - toss in a casino. Native Hawaiians are simply leaving a lot of money on the table.
While I think that treating Native Hawaiians like American Indians are treated for casino purposes would be unconstitutional (going against equal protection principles inherent in the 5th Amendment for the federal government and explicit in the 14th Amendment as applied to the state governments), you bring up a good point. At the very least, it has been shocking that more haven't at least pushed for such measures. Upon my basic research into the matter, however, there seems to be a vocal component within the Native Hawaiian community that opposes such recognition efforts that could lead to gaming rights as it would "legitimize" the overthrow and formally serve as them acquiescing to federal authority when not under duress, which they are loathe to do.
Note, on the constitutional issue, considering that the Constitution explicitly authorizes Congress to regulate trade between the "Indians" (i.e. Native Americans/American Indians), there is a stronger argument that providing American Indians with favorable gaming compacts and authority does not violate the law and is Congress essentially treating with American Indians as a political entity vice as a racial group.
They'll tax the business community. To some degree it may actually take away business from other businesses. The idea would probably increase the crimes in Honolulu. If they were to build a casino on West Oahu, then the west Oahu will see more congestions and more activities including illegal activities around the area. I think the population will increase if the State do decide to okay the plan for a casino. The Oahu island resident count will now be 1.2 million people on the gathering place of Hawai'i. This is a lot. Some think it's a good idea. But for the better part, I don't think this is going to work out. The crime rate will also increase. Something they'll think about strongly.
I don't see legislation ever to pass a casino in Hawaii.
With that said - I'm really surprised Native Hawaiians haven't pushed harder on the issue much like the Indians on the mainland - and if you really want to jumpstart the Big Island economy - toss in a casino. Native Hawaiians are simply leaving a lot of money on the table.
Your island couldn't use a casino? If you don't want one, why would we want one? Give up on casinos, just legalize chicken fighting. It's already here and wouldn't cause as much of a ruckus.
I actually decided to read the article - and wow, what are some of these legislators thinking?
First off - Waikiki casino? Where? A casino footprint in Waikiki (or anywhere in Hawaii) would need to be substantial and while some land is ripe for bulldozing on Kuhio Ave - I don't see where it would go.
Proof of hotel reservation? What? That makes no sense. $20 entry fee - are you kidding me? Members only Casino - huh? 10 year license? Who is going to invest for a 10 year time horizon. Some of the highest taxes in the nation - of course (I'm kidding - and the high taxes just end up turning off developers when one sees what happened in Chicago when all the Vegas operators pulled out of the proposed lakefront Casino).
300,000 people fly from Hawaii to Vegas every year - a fairly staggering number. (I go 7-10 days a month). Hawaii sends the highest per capita residents to Hawaii.
The opportunity for Hawaii is keeping the residents in Hawaii and keeping that money here - not from visitors.
A more realistic proposal would be 1) A casino resort on the Big Island 2) Reasonable taxes that incented a big name Vegas operator to manage the casino 3) Benefitted Native Hawaiians - as in move the money the State contributes to Native Hawaiians and fund it with Casino Revenue 4) Allow the national lotteries in Hawaii with tax revenue going to DOE 5) Allow online poker
Maybe it is an urban legend but I was always told that the Sheraton Waikiki was wired to have a gambling floor. Small by Vegas standards but decent size compared to the CA Indian Casinos.
Shoots, isn't the old top floor restaurant still empty?
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