The US island state of Hawaii will not be opened up to casino gaming.
The state’s House Finance Committee has deferred a bill that would have allowed a casino on O’ahu, as lawmakers discarded gambling as an option to help with the state’s budget deficit.
The committee also decided not to hear a bill that would allow casinos on Hawaiian home lands, so lawmakers will likely not move any closer toward legalised gambling this session.
Opposition came from law enforcement, business leaders, social service providers and religious groups, making it difficult for lawmakers to proceed. The state Senate also was not inclined to advance the casino bills.
Hawaii and Utah are the only states that do not permit some form of gambling.
