Posted on: Friday, March 16, 2001

Bunda proposes panel to study legal gambling

By Ronna Bolante
Advertiser Capitol Bureau

Senate President Robert Bunda is hoping lawmakers will take a closer look next session at the possibility of legalized gaming in Hawai'i.

Bunda introduced a resolution yesterday that, if approved by the Legislature, would create a special committee to study the economic impacts of legalized gaming in the state. The committee's report would be submitted before the 2002 session.

Bunda, D-22nd (Wahiawa, Waialua, Sunset Beach), said the state needs to come up with new ways to make money to deal with a number of costly budget demands, including the Felix consent decree and pay raises for teachers and public worker unions.

"We have to be creative, look at different ways and alternatives," Bunda said. "I believe it's something we could probably do, and we could earmark funds for education. Otherwise, your only alternative is to cut government services."

Dorothy Bobilin, state president of the Hawai'i Coalition Against Legalized Gambling, said the proposed committee should also study the social impacts of gambling.

Bobilin said lawmakers also need to look at "the extent to which gambling-related debt is a contributing factor to personal bankruptcy, divorce, domestic violence, child abuse ... and gambling-related crimes."

"We have nothing to lose except Hawai'i, and we don't want to lose Hawai'i to gambling," Bobilin said.

Bunda pointed out that only Hawai'i, Utah and Tennessee prohibit all types of gaming.

"Are we going to see more crime? I'm not so sure," Bunda said. "Even if we studied it, I don't know what'll happen."

Several gaming-related bills have been introduced this session, but none received hearings. Bunda acknowledged it is unlikely the Legislature would be able to revive any of those bills this session.