RELATING TO SPORTS WAGERING.

Added mandatory criminal history record checks with fingerprinting for all applicants and licensees, including checks against the FBI's national criminal history background check system.

Added requirements for sports wagering operators to prevent employee wagering on employer platforms and to conduct all wagering activities through approved mobile applications or digital platforms only.

Added new definitions for e-sports, fantasy sports contests, and qualified gaming entities to clarify what activities are regulated and exempted.

Established a Problem Gambling Prevention and Treatment Special Fund to be administered by the Department of Health, funded by a percentage of sports wagering taxes.

Added requirements for sports wagering operators to employ monitoring systems for suspicious activity, maintain sufficient cash reserves, and conspicuously display problem gambling helpline information in advertising.

Added a voluntary self-exclusion program allowing individuals to exclude themselves from sports wagering, with operators required to honor these exclusions.

Changed the effective date from July 1, 2025 (in the original draft) to July 1, 3000, likely as a placeholder for future legislative action.

Creates a new chapter establishing sports wagering as a lawful business activity regulated by the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.

Defines key terms including sports wagering, wagering events, sports wagering operators, suppliers, and various types of sports events (professional, collegiate, amateur, youth).

Amends gambling and contest of chance definitions to explicitly exclude legal sports wagering and fantasy sports contests from criminal definitions.

Requires sports wagering operators to be qualified gaming entities operating in at least three U.S. jurisdictions, and mandates criminal history background checks for applicants and controlling persons.

Establishes licensing requirements for both sports wagering operators and suppliers, including application procedures, fees, and compliance with house rules.

Requires sports wagering operators to implement monitoring systems for suspicious activity, maintain sufficient cash reserves, and display responsible gambling helpline information.

Establishes a voluntary self-exclusion program allowing individuals to request exclusion from sports wagering.

Creates a problem gambling prevention and treatment special fund funded by a percentage of sports wagering taxes for counseling, treatment programs, and education.

Establishes civil penalties for violations and criminal penalties for unlicensed sports wagering, with fines and potential felony charges for repeat offenders.

Sets a universal start date for sports wagering operations no later than 180 days after the Act's effective date, with temporary licenses available for qualified entities.

Extends criminal history background check requirements to include sports wagering applicants and controlling persons in addition to existing categories.

Sports wagering is now a lawful activity in Hawaii when conducted through approved mobile applications or digital platforms under departmental regulation.

New definitions were created for key terms including 'sports wagering,' 'sports wagering operator,' 'sports wagering supplier,' 'wagering event,' and various types of sports events (professional, collegiate, amateur, youth).

Sections 237-13 and 712-1220 were amended to explicitly exclude sports wagering and fantasy sports contests from gambling definitions and tax classifications.

Only qualified gaming entities that already operate sports wagering in at least three U.S. jurisdictions are eligible to apply for Hawaii sports wagering operator licenses.

New licensing requirements include criminal background checks, proof of system testing and certification, and mandatory monitoring systems to detect suspicious betting activity.

A voluntary exclusion program was created allowing individuals to request exclusion from sports wagering, with operators required to honor these requests.

A ten percent tax on adjusted gross sports wagering receipts is imposed, with a portion deposited into a special fund for problem gambling prevention and treatment services.

New civil and criminal penalties were established for unlicensed sports wagering, with fines and potential felony charges for repeat offenders.

The bill includes a placeholder effective date of July 1, 3000, which appears to be an error that needs correction to a realistic date.

New definitions for 'sports wagering', 'sports wagering operator', 'sports wagering supplier', and various related terms to establish regulatory clarity.

Updates the Department definition from 'department of business, economic development, and tourism' to 'department of commerce and consumer affairs'.

Only qualified gaming entities (those licensed in at least three other US jurisdictions) may apply for sports wagering operator licenses in Hawaii.

Mandatory criminal background checks for applicants and licensees, including fingerprinting through the FBI's national criminal history background check system.

Requires sports wagering operators to implement monitoring systems for suspicious activity, maintain sufficient cash reserves, and display responsible gaming helpline information in all advertising.

Establishes a problem gambling prevention and treatment special fund with 2% of collected taxes deposited into it for counseling and prevention programs.

Creates civil penalties up to $10,000 per violation for unlicensed sports wagering, with escalating penalties for repeat offenses including potential imprisonment.

Sets a universal start date for sports wagering operations no later than 180 days after the Act's effective date, with a placeholder effective date of July 1, 3000.

Explicitly excludes fantasy sports contests from gambling definitions and allows sports wagering agreements with other jurisdictions to accept wagers from individuals outside Hawaii.