House Bill 2788, whose sponsors include Speaker Emeritus Joe Souki and Majority Leader Pono Chong, would do the following:

Grants twenty-year license for one stand-alone casino in Waikiki not in a hotel. Establishes Hawaii Gaming Control Commission. Imposes fifteen per cent wagering tax on gross receipts. Creates State Gaming Fund and Compulsive Gambler Program. 

HB 2788 clearly has some support in the House. It initially was referred to four committees — usually a deal breaker — but now only has two hurdles.

Photo courtesy Images_of_Money.