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Carrie Stroup sadly packed her bags last night, as a move to legalize casino gambling at the Hawaii Legislature this session is now dead. Carrie had been in Hawaii covering the gambling proposal in recent days.
The Committee on Finance deferred a casino gambling bill yesterday after public testimony was overwhelmingly against it.
Gambling interests pitched casinos as a way to help rejuvenate the tourism industry and to bring $86 million a year in tax revenue to a state facing a projected $1.2 billion deficit. The committee held a public hearing on House Bill 2251, calling for a 5 year license to operate casinos out of Honolulu, and to generate much needed funds from a wagering tax. The proposal included 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.
One lobbyists representing gaming interests stated that one single casino in Waikiki could generate $522 million in revenue.
However, opponents such as the Hawaii Police Department, argued a casino would eat up tourist money, tarnish the state's family-friendly image and increase crime.
