The state House Finance Committee voted tonight to defer a bill that would
have allowed a single casino on Oahu, likely killing the chances for
legalized gambling this session.

The committee has also chosen not to hear a bill that would allow casinos on
Hawaiian home lands.
House lawmakers, interested in keeping all options open to help close the
state's budget deficit, had moved the two bills through preliminary
committees.
But opposition from law enforcement, business leaders, social service
providers and religious groups made it difficult for lawmakers to proceed.
The state Senate was also not inclined to move the bills.
State Rep. Marcus Oshiro, D-39th (Wahiawä), the chairman of the House
Finance Committee, said tonight that he doubted there were enough votes on
his committee for a casino on Oahu.
Hawaii and Utah are the only states in the country that do not permit some
form of gambling.