Casino in Waikiki: Is it time for one?

[Mililani]

Re: Casino in Waikiki: Is it time for one?

I love to gamble and I'm all for it being legalized. Let's get some revenue up in here! I was working in the accounting department at two major strip Resort & Casinos in Vegas and I can tell you (though I really shouldn't), they were making MILLIONS of dollars every single day. 20-35% went toward overhead, salaries, electricity, etc. and the remaining went to investments or whatever else. Why shouldn't we make that kind of money.. or even a fraction of it? And as for organized crime.. it never crossed my path while I was living there! And for most people in Hawaii, it won't cross their paths either. Right now we have crimes, gangs, drugs, etc.. and that was without the help of a Casino. I don't think it'll make much of a difference if they build a Casino.

For me, the bottomline here is people are who they are and no law is going to change that. But, the revenue the State can bring in is what we need.

BTW - I voted NO because I didn't like the word "standalone," because I'd like a place to stay when I fly on the weekends. LOL

Just my two-cents..

[Amati]

Re: Casino in Waikiki: Is it time for one?

BTW - I voted NO because I didn't like the word "standalone," because I'd like a place to stay when I fly on the weekends.

The bill was introduced "by request". I'll venture to say that the person who asked for the bill was instrumental in specifying the standalone part. Perhaps. Just a guess.

[Frankie's Market]

Re: Casino in Waikiki: Is it time for one?

The Hawaii Family Forum put out a press release stating that their organization and the Hawaii Catholic Conference are opposed to any bills that would legalize gambling in this state.

Now, I have no problem with anyone having an opinion that gambling should be an outlawed activity in Hawaii. That's all well and good. What's not so swell is for an organization to self-righteously be opposed to legalized gambling...... but at the same time, be engaged in activities that are defined by law, as gambling!

From the HPD website:

Are raffles legal in Hawaii?

No. Raffles are not legal if you must purchase tickets to participate - CONSIDERATION. It is random CHANCE which numbers are called. If your number is called, you receive something of value or REWARD.

Games where tickets are given out to everyone without them having to pay and the organizer receives no type of CONSIDERATION are legal, e.g., games promoted by businesses where you can win something and no purchase is necessary.

So as the HPD warns, any raffle where tickets must be purchased in order to be eligible to win are legally considered a form of gambling and thus, is illegal. Period.

And yet, everybody knows that church groups left and right hold raffles as fundraisers. Most people look the other way as the proceeds from these contests are usually directed towards a good cause. But regardless of the fundraising goals, it still does not change the fact that any raffles where tickets are sold constitute a game of chance and by law, are considered illegal.

Strange how Hawaii Catholic Conference is opposed to legalized gambling, when the online Hawaii Catholic Herald publication routinely prints out announcements of illegal raffles, like these.

http://www.hawaiicatholicherald.org/...3/Default.aspx

The Tongan group sells flower leis after weekend Masses, plans to sell raffle tickets every month until next April, and is working on a Christmas dance.

http://www.hawaiicatholicherald.org/...2/Default.aspx

The Saint Francis School Alumni Association is sponsoring an alumni homecoming Mass, luau and fashion show on Aug. 5 on the school’s Manoa campus.

The luau will serve ono Hawaiian food. The fashion show will feature entertainment, door and raffle prizes.

Damn hypocrites.

[1stwahine]

Re: Casino in Waikiki: Is it time for one?

Damn hypocrites.

heheheh....

[scrivener]

Re: Casino in Waikiki: Is it time for one?

Interesting. I wouldn't be so quick to throw the word hypocrite around, but it does sound questionable. I mean, in the strictest sense of the word, these organizations aren't preaching one thing and practicing another: perhaps they are against legalized gambling but in favor of illegal gambling.

My guess is that a lot of people use the word raffle when they really mean prize drawing. We've all been to events where, as soon as we sign in and get our nametags, we're given a numbered ticket. These are often called raffles whether those tickets are purchased or not.

What if you don't have to purchase a ticket in order to win, but you must be in attendance? And what if you have to pay to get in? The argument could be made that you're paying for the function, not the donated prizes, and your entry in the prize-drawing is actually free. I'll bet that's what's going on with that alumni association.

Either way, I'll bet someone at the Catholic Conference would appreciate having his or her attention called to this, 'cause I'll bet a lot of these organizations don't even know that what they're doing is illegal.

[Kimo]

Re: Casino in Waikiki: Is it time for one?

Years ago I was solicited to buy "raffle" tickets for a fundraiser at Kamehameha Schools (to help finance a band trip). Printed on the ticket, and explained verbally by the person who was soliciting, a free ticket (one per person) was available to anyone who wanted it - but you had to go up to the band office on campus (a journey, by any measure) to pick it up. The prizes were good - I bought some tickets, and then, when I was on campus next time, stopped in for the freebie. But if I were not a regular visitor to campus (with a kid in school there), I wouldn't have made the effort. Didn't win anything, by the way . . .

[Frankie's Market]

Re: Casino in Waikiki: Is it time for one?

You make some good points, Scriv. I have no desire to play lawyer here and determine if any church raffle falls within the letter of the law or not. As a matter of fact, if I had it my way, raffles would be allowed as a fundraising tool. It's just that I find it irritating when one organization will thread the law to conduct gambling activities that will be benefit themselves, but come out against any other forms of gambling that would benefit others (like say, public schools.)

And it's not just Catholics in Hawaii. If you go to the mainland, it is very common to see Catholic churches hosting bingo games. And they're allowed to do this because the Catechism of the Catholic Church is carefully worded that permits churches to partake in bingo, while at the same time condemning gambling under other circumstances.

2413 Games of chance (card games, etc.) or wagers are not in themselves contrary to justice. They become morally unacceptable when they deprive someone of what is necessary to provide for his needs and those of others. The passion for gambling risks becoming an enslavement. Unfair wagers and cheating at games constitute grave matter, unless the damage inflicted is so slight that the one who suffers it cannot reasonably consider it significant.

It's this kind of hair splitting that I find, yeah I'll use that word,... hypocritical.

[Kaonohi]

Re: Casino in Waikiki: Is it time for one?

Damn hypocrites.

OK. Everyone who can claim they have never been hypocritical, please identify yourselves. That way Frankie will not damn you....

K - admitted accidental or unconscious hypocrite.

[Frankie's Market]

Re: Casino in Waikiki: Is it time for one?

The Star Bulletin reports that there are now more than a dozen gambling-related bills making its way through the Legislature. Those folks who think that "it can't happen" had better think again.

Still, you have those with their heads stuck in the sand.

Rep. Cynthia Thielen also objected, as did Hermina Morita, who said, "Just because we have a down economy doesn't mean we have to throw our values out the door."

(Dianne) Kay added, "It would hurt the tourist industry, but it would hurt the local people the most. It's wrong to teach the youth of our state that you can get something for nothing. We think Hawaii would not benefit in any manner."

I'm soooo impressed with these sentiments. Morita (state rep.) cares about preserving "values." Kay (Hawaii Coalition Against Legalized Gambling president) cares about what the youth of this state are being taught.

Problem is..... both of their statements re: values and the welfare of young people ring hollow in the face of this indisputable fact. The Hawaii public school system has the shortest school year in the nation. AFAIAC, any legislator or community leader who has no ideas to offer on how to balance the budget other than jacking up taxes and instituting furlough days should spare the public any high-minded lectures about morals, values, and concern for children. How can anyone have the nerve to say they care about children while allowing Furlough Fridays to go on? It's a joke!

[matapule]

Re: Casino in Waikiki: Is it time for one?

The Tongan group sells flower leis after weekend Masses, plans to sell raffle tickets every month until next April, and is working on a Christmas dance.

It good idea, no gib stink eye or pick beef with brah bigga dan you!

[Mililani]

Re: Casino in Waikiki: Is it time for one?

Bill to Legalize Gambling on Hawaiian Homelands Advances:

http://www.khon2.com/mostpopular/sto...-3ab1jYzQ.cspx

Gambling on Hawaiian homestead property on the Big lsland or maybe Molokai?

A measure would allow the Hawaiian Homes Commission to set up a gaming
authority, eventually overseeing gambling operations on native Hawaiian homelands.
The bill advanced today despite strong opposition.

Is this a different Bill?

[Amati]

Re: Casino in Waikiki: Is it time for one?

Is this a different Bill?

Perhaps these are the two bills:

HB 2396
Grants 10-year license for 1 stand-alone casino in Waikiki not in a hotel. Establishes Hawaii gaming control commission. Imposes 6.75% wagering tax on gross receipts. Creates state gaming fund and compulsive gambler program.

To access HB 2396 testimony, committee reports, etc. go to:
http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessio...illnumber=2396

[But, note that this bill has not had any committee hearing dates set yet. It stands of good chance of dying on the vine.]

HB 2759
Authorizes the Hawaiian Homes Commission to allow gaming on Hawaiian Home Lands and to designate specific Hawaiian Home Lands parcels for the purposes of establishing casino gaming operations. Creates the Hawaii Gaming Commission to regulate casino gaming operations. Imposes a wagering tax on gross receipts of casino gaming operations and provides for distribution to the general fund and Hawaiian Home Lands Trust Fund.

[The first committee to hear this bill changed the effective date to 2020.]

To access HB 2759 testimony, committee reports, etc go to:
http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessio...illnumber=2759

[Mililani]

Re: Casino in Waikiki: Is it time for one?

Great information, Amati. Thank you!

[Amati]

Re: Casino in Waikiki: Is it time for one?

http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/ar...vance+in+House

A bill that could lead to casinos on Hawaiian Home Lands passed out of the state House Judiciary Committee, while a separate measure that would allow a single casino on O'ahu also advanced yesterday.

I might check out the testimony (which is posted online, the link is in my earlier comment). It is interesting to see who bothers to send in testimony, and what their opinions are, on topics that deal with money.

[surlygirly]

Re: Casino in Waikiki: Is it time for one?

Gambling on Hawaiian homestead property on the Big lsland or maybe Molokai?

Molokai? Really? Hmm. Maybe they should start with a casino on Kaho'olawe or Ni'ihau first. If those do well, then they can think about expansion.