Hawaii proposed bill to ban ads from Nevada casinos

The state of Hawaii has proposed a bill to ban gambling advertisements from Nevada casinos.

Senate Bill 935 (SB 935) was proposed by Sen. Stanley Chang (D), and from the looks of things, it will be well received in the House. The bill stated that any establishment that is licensed under the Nevada gaming authority will cease advertising in Hawaii or using any other form of promotion.

“Advertisements for Nevada hotels, resorts, or other recreational services that promote casinos or gambling devices licensed by the Nevada Gaming Commission (NGC) shall not be broadcast, televised, marketed in printed publications or displays, distributed online, or otherwise communicated by electronic means within the State,” according to the proposed legislation.

Chang’s bill also proposes that casinos and other establishments that run ads or other promotional mediums for casino vacation packages should also be taxed for that purpose. Promotion of gambling devices that are authorized by the state would also incur a tax charge.

“Imposes a general excise tax on persons engaged in the arrangement, provision, or sale within the state of vacation packages or other recreational services that promote gambling or gambling devices that is not prohibited by state law of thirty percent of gross income due to that activity,” read the bill.

The bill aims to restrict Nevada gaming companies from monopolizing the market in Hawaii, which intends to expand its own gambling industry. A Sports Gaming Bill that was earlier introduced by House Vice Speaker John Mizuno states that top sports betting companies like DraftKings and FanDuel will not be permitted to operate in the state when retail sports betting and poker games are legalized.

Chang also spoke about how other, neighboring gambling industries are making money off their residents, hence the need for Hawaii to address SB 935 with immediate effect so the state can start benefiting from additional revenue.

“Hawaii residents take an estimated three hundred thousand trips to Las Vegas and other gambling destinations each year, with many residents making multiple trips per year,” stated Chang in SB 935.

“Further, in a 2021 annual investor report, Boyd Gaming highlighted that customers from the Hawaiian market comprised more than half of the room nights sold at The California, the Fremont, and Main Street Station, and that decreases in Hawaiian market spending could adversely affect their business and financial condition.”

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