Should Hawaii legalize casinos or a state lottery?

Hawaii is currently one of only two U.S. states (along with Utah) that completely prohibits all forms of gambling, including lotteries, sports betting, and casinos. This prohibition is deeply rooted in the state's desire to maintain a family-friendly atmosphere and prevent the social ills often associated with gambling addiction and organized crime. However, proponents argue that Hawaii residents spend hundreds of millions of dollars annually in Las Vegas—the so-called "ninth island"—and that revenue should instead be captured locally to address the state's high cost of living and funding gaps for the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. Opponents fear that introducing gambling would disproportionately target low-income residents and fundamentally alter the "Aloha Spirit" of the islands.