Hawaii lawmakers are taking a look at legalizing online sports betting. Supporters say taxes on the business could be used to pay for gambling addiction programs and a crackdown on illegal betting.

Rep. Daniel Holt, a Kalihi Democrat, has proposed several gaming bills over the years, but Hawaii remains one of only two states with no legal gaming allowed.

But Holt says online sports betting is already everywhere in the community and the state should get a piece of the action.

“These people are already out there sports betting through illegal methods,” he said. “This would be an avenue for us to collect the tax revenue.”

The bill was supported by labor. Cody Sula spoke for the Iron Workers Stabilization Fund.

“I know people whose already gambling or wagering or whatever they do on their phone, but the money is not staying here its going elsewhere,” he said.

At Friday’s hearing, no one opposed HB 1308 in person. The bill would put money from a gaming tax toward enforcement of illegal gambling and gambling addiction programs.