Hawaii Considers Legalizing Sports Betting, Poll Shows Public Divided

Saturday, February 14, 2026 – A bill to legalize sports betting in Hawaii is advancing in the state legislature, sparking debate among lawmakers and residents. The potential move comes as 38 other states have already legalized some form of sports wagering, according to recent reports.

A non-scientific poll conducted by the Honolulu Star-Advertiser reveals a divided public. As of today, February 14, 2026, 287 voters oppose legalized gambling in the state, while 186 support it. An additional 36 voters indicated they were undecided and needed more information. The poll emphasizes that the results “reflect only the opinions of those voting” and are not a statistically representative sample of the state’s population.

The proposed legislation aims to allow online wagering on sporting contests, marking Hawaiʻi’s first foray into legalized gambling. However, key details remain unresolved, including the proposed tax rate for gambling operators, the allocation of resources for gambling addiction treatment, and the overall regulatory framework for the new industry.

Lawmakers are examining the experiences of other states to inform their decisions. For example, West Virginia, which implemented a 10% sports betting tax rate in late 2018, has collected $16.1 million in revenue since legalization. This figure is being considered as lawmakers debate the potential economic impact of a similar tax rate in Hawaiʻi.

The debate surrounding the bill centers on the potential benefits and drawbacks of introducing gambling to the state. Proponents argue that legalization could generate significant tax revenue, create jobs, and provide a regulated alternative to illegal betting activities. Opponents express concerns about the potential for increased gambling addiction, social costs, and the erosion of community values.

The bill’s progress through the legislature comes as sports betting gains momentum nationwide. Billions of dollars are expected to be wagered on this year’s March Madness basketball tournament, highlighting the growing popularity of sports gambling. BetMGM’s website currently displays odds for upcoming basketball games, demonstrating the accessibility of online sports betting in other parts of the country.

Civil Beat reported on April 1, 2025, that a gambling bill was “cruising through the Legislature,” but many questions remained unanswered. These included specifics on taxation, addiction resources, and regulatory oversight. The article noted that the bottom line is “no one fully knows how things will work out for Hawaiʻi.”

The Honolulu Star-Advertiser recently posed the question to its readers: “Should sports betting be legalized in Hawaii?” The options presented were: A. Yes; support it, B. No; oppose any legalized gambling here, and C. Mixed; need to hear more. The current poll results, as of today, reflect the ongoing debate and uncertainty surrounding the issue.

China Paid U.S.-Born Olympians Millions, Report Reveals

The Beijing Municipal Sports Bureau reportedly paid a combined $6.6 million to American-born athletes Eileen Gu and Zhu Yi in 2025, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal. The payments, totaling nearly $14 million over three years, were intended to incentivize “excellent results in qualifying for the 2026 Milan Winter Olympics.” The names of Gu and Zhu were subsequently removed from the public budget report after the information became public.

Eileen Gu, a freestyle skier born in San Francisco, chose to compete for China rather than the United States in 2019, citing a desire to “inspire” children in her mother’s country. She won two gold medals and a silver at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, and has since become a highly sought-after endorser, earning upwards of $23 million in 2025, with all but $20,000 of that income coming from endorsements.

Gu currently has a silver medal in slopestyle at the 2026 Milan Winter Olympics and is scheduled to compete in women’s halfpipe and big air. After securing the silver medal, Gu reflected on the pressures of representing two countries, stating, “Sometimes it feels like I’m carrying the weight of two countries on my shoulders. Just being able to ski through all of that, you know. To still show my best and still be so deeply in love with the sport…That’s really what I care about and I’m so happy to represent that today.”

Zhu Yi, a figure skater born Beverly Zhu in Los Angeles, also competes for China and reportedly received a portion of the $6.6 million payment. However, she is not competing in the 2026 Winter Games.

The revelation of these payments has sparked scrutiny regarding Gu’s citizenship. China does not permit dual citizenship, meaning Gu ostensibly relinquished her U.S. Passport to compete for China. The details of her citizenship status remain unclear.

The payments came to light when the Beijing Municipal Sports Bureau’s budget was briefly made public, listing Gu and Zhu by name. Following the exposure, officials removed their names from the publicly available report. Reports indicate that online discussions questioning the payments were also subsequently removed from Chinese social media platforms, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Gu’s financial success extends far beyond competition winnings. Her substantial income is largely driven by endorsements, reflecting her significant commercial appeal. She was the fourth-highest earning female athlete in 2025, demonstrating the lucrative opportunities available to athletes who achieve international recognition.