On the eve of Super Bowl week, Hawaii lawmakers are taking serious look at legalizing online sports betting.
Supporters say taxes on the business could be used to pay for gambling addiction programs and a crackdown on illegal betting.
Rep. Daniel Holt, a Kalihi Democrat, has proposed several gaming bills over the years, but Hawaii remains one of only two states with no legal gaming allowed. But Holt says online sports betting is already everywhere in the community and the state should get a piece of the action.
“These people are already out there sports betting through illegal methods,” he said.
