Hawaii Five Oh Yeah: Stroup Says “Heck Yes” to Gambling

Okay folks, Carrie Stroup here, and you've probably heard by now that Hawaii is seriously looking at legalizing gambling as a means of boosting their economy.  I'm here now studying why it has taken so long for Hawaii to figure out just how well gambling will work on this island.  It's a tourist haven.  Think Vegas with an ocean.

Yeah I know, I could be jet setting around to various online gambling functions and partying with the same people and learning absolutely nothing.  That's so 2003.  Legalized state gambling and how the online sector can benefit, this is the trend. 

As your resident hostess for the online casino power house, PlayersOnly.com, I can almost guarantee that Hawaii will make money from gambling.  Hawaiians right now can only play at PlayersOnly.com as very few Internet casinos will allows these wonderful islanders.  

The concern is that residents will suffer from addiction, and this appears to be the only obstacle standing in the way of passage.  As a good Christian girl who was raised with morals, I can certainly understand where the Hawaii government is coming from.  Heck, Hawaii doesn't even have a state lottery, which makes them the least hypocritical outside of Utah when it comes to their stance on gambling.  Initial legislation would not have allowed Hawaiians to gamble in the casinos.  Permission would be granted for local citizens after an assessed period of time from when the law goes into effect.  Only tourists would be permitted to gamble during that time.

I'd be remiss in pointing out that politicians have tried and failed to pass laws that would allow casino gambling in Hawaii for the last 40 years.  So what's different now?

The economy Stupid!

Hawaii needs money.

The tourists are still flocking here.  My 777 wide body plane was full coming here.  The problem:  People aren't spending as much. 

I'm no exception to the rule I might add.  Typically when I or Jenny Woo travel, we will order room service ($49 burger anyone, cheese for an extra $5?).  Yes it's charged to Gambling911.com but now they impose a cap, which doesn't allow me to get a drink or fries with that burger. 

Most companies have tightened their purse strings so you can just imagine what the typically family budget consists of.  Case in point, a bookstore that has been at the resort I am staying at for over 10 years in Waikiki just shut its doors for good.  Who can afford books?

People will still gamble when the economy is rough, however.  They expect to win.

The other great aspect of Hawaii: It's a big tourist attraction for Asians due to its relatively proximity compared to the rest of the US. Coveted high-rollers from Asia could avoid the long trans-Pacific flight, shortening their trip to the slots while also checking out the hula dancing, the Associated Press suggested recently.

"If I were a tourist, I'm coming here for the weather, the culture, the sightseeing. But one night I might go to the casino, because what other entertainment is there to do at night?" said James Boersema, an investor of a Waikiki nightclub and restaurant.

Even those who have traditionally not favored legalized gambling on the island believe debate on the matter is good.

"I think we should have a public hearing. It's been about 10 years since we've had a good public hearing on these issues, in line with the idea that we have to consider all options," said state Rep. Marcus Oshiro, D-39th (Wahiawa), the chairman of the House Finance Committee, which will review the gambling bills that moved to the committee last week.

"Personally, I've never supported gaming. But I think it deserves that public debate and discussion."

State Rep. Jon Riki Karamatsu, D-41st (Waipahu, Village Park, Waikele), the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, said he believes gambling has gained some traction this session because people are feeling the burden of state budget cuts and tax increases, the Advisor reported.

The state would impose a 7 percent tax on monthly gross receipts, retaining some of the revenue for the commission's administrative costs and a treatment program for problem gamblers. The remainder of the new tax revenue would go to the state's general fund.

The state would impose a 7 percent tax on monthly gross receipts, retaining some of the revenue for the commission's administrative costs and a treatment program for problem gamblers. The remainder of the new tax revenue would go to the state's general fund.

Carrie Stroup reporting from Hawaii