• Gambling Laws In Hawaii
• Is Online Gambling Illegal In Hawaii
• Is Gambling Illegal In Hawaii
• Why Is Gambling Illegal In Hawaii
• When Did Gambling Become Illegal In Hawaii

Hawaii is the most gambling unfriendly of US states. The state has not regulated any form of gambling although it is not against social gambling. Although Hawaii has tried to legalize online poker and online casino games, it has not succeeded so far.

Our legal Hawaii gambling page attempts to answer questions regarding online gambling legalities in the state. It is possible for Hawaii residents to gamble for real money legally at offshore online gambling sites, and we have shown them exactly how they can do so. Hawaiian residents can also browse through a number of legal online poker rooms, online sports betting sites, and online casinos on this page.

Honolulu Police carried out a search warrant on Tuesday evening on a suspected illegal gambling room in the Kapahulu area. A 54-year-old woman was arrested on two charges of gambling and a 34-year. Honolulu Police Department spokeswoman Michelle Wu quotes Maj. Susan Dowsett, head of Narcotics/Vice, as saying “millions of dollars” are spent every year in the illegal Hawaii economy of narcotics and illicit gambling, fencing, prostitution and other crimes.

Is Online Gambling Legal in Hawaii?

Hawaiian gambling laws do not, in any way, speak about online gambling. Since the state lacks the required legal and regulatory framework to authorize online gambling operators, it lacks licensed and regulated online gambling options. But offshore online gambling sites, licensed in remote gambling jurisdictions, are willing to accept Hawaiian players. Fortunately for residents of Hawaii, it isn’t against the laws for them to play for real money online. So far, the state has not penalized any resident for playing at offshore online gambling sites.

Hawaii has made several failed attempts to legalize online gambling during the past two years. In 2011, the state tried to pass SB 755, a bill that could have legalized offline as well as online poker as a game of skill, but failed to do so. After the DoJ announced that the federal Wire Act no longer applies to online poker and online casino gaming, Hawaii tried to pass several online gambling bills, but each of these bills was voted down.

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Hawaii Gambling Laws And Statutes

Hawaii and Utah are the only two US states that have not regulated any form of gambling. Hawaii is very unfriendly towards gambling and does not permit its residents to wager real money or anything of value on the outcomes of games. The state has not regulated any form of gambling, owing to which placing bets under any circumstance is illegal in Hawaii.

Penalties for illegal gambling are strict in Hawaii, but they do not apply to individual players who are caught playing illegal games. The state, however, cracks down fiercely on those who operate illegal gambling outfits in its jurisdiction.

Hawaii has no pari-mutuel betting facilities, state-operated lottery, and Indian or commercial casinos. Although a major tourist hotspot, the state is as dry as dust for avid gamblers. The only gambling that is allowed, and that too in limited forms, is social gambling. Social games are considered legal as long as nobody makes a financial profit out of them.

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Legal Online Gambling Sites for Hawaii Residents

Any licensed and regulated offshore online gambling site is legal for Hawaiian residents as the laws of the state do not specifically state that it is illegal for residents to play for real money at offshore online gambling sites. Hawaiian players can therefore play real money poker and casino games and also place wagers on major sports events at offshore online gaming sites.

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Are Online Casinos Legal In Hawaii?

Hawaii has no casino gambling facilities, either offline or online. But a large number of offshore casinos are willing to accept Hawaii residents, and it isn’t against the state’s laws for residents to accept the invitation. The online casinos we have listed here are the best for residents of Hawaii as they offer great bonuses and progressive jackpot games and are licensed and regulated.

Is Online Sports Betting Legal in Hawaii?

Hawaii has no sports betting facilities. Since federal laws do not permit it, Hawaii has not legalized any form of sports betting. But the state has nothing against residents betting on local and international sports events at licensed offshore online sportsbooks.

Legal Online Sportsbooks + Sports Betting Sites that Accept Hawaii Residents

Hawaiian punters can rest assured that they will have the ultimate sports betting experience at the legal and licensed online sportsbooks we have listed here. These online sportsbooks, which run on sophisticated software, offer generous bonuses and fair betting odds on a wide range of markets. Besides, Hawaiian punters can make deposits using a wide range of convenient payment options.

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Is Online Poker Legal in Hawaii?

Online poker is not legal in Hawaii, and no operator is permitted to run online poker sites within the state. But the state has no law against residents signing up at US friendly online poker sites and playing real money poker there. So far, the state has not arrested any resident for playing online poker.

Legal Online Poker Sites that Accept Hawaii Residents

The online poker rooms listed on this page are the best for Hawaiian residents. They not only welcome poker players from Hawaii with easy-to-clear match bonuses, but also reward loyalty in the grandest manner possible. At these online poker rooms, Hawaiian players can play multi-table poker tournaments, take part in lucrative promotions, qualify for live poker tournaments, and interact with professional poker players.

Land Based Gambling in Hawaii

Hawaii has absolutely no casinos or other forms of gambling to offer residents and tourists. The state is great for its beautiful beaches, but not for gambling. They do not want the casinos getting the money that people lose gambling when they could be using it other ways in the community like eating at local restaraunts, tours, and so on.

Closing Thoughts About Legal Online Gambling In Hawaii

Hawaii has absolutely nothing to offer seasoned as well as recreational gamblers, unless they want to play social games. The only way for residents to get some gambling is to sign up for real money play at offshore online gambling sites, which isn’t against the state’s laws.

When it comes to state gambling laws, it doesn’t get much simpler than Hawaii. They don’t allow it in any form.

So it should come as no surprise that sports betting is not legal in Hawaii at the moment.

The Aloha State has had a long history of anti-gambling laws, stretching back more than six decades. In recent years attempts were made to allow online poker and online casinos in the state but these ultimately proved unsuccessful.

Gambling has never been a part of the state’s history, nor has it ever been seriously considered. Part of that has to do with the culture, as well as the successful tourism industry that dominates the political conversation.

So what do you do if you’re a sports bettor in Hawaii? Where can you place a legal bet? And will the current laws ever change?

This page is your complete guide to sports betting laws in Hawaii and on it, you can find everything you need to know. We’ll dig into the island state’s history of gambling, the current situation regarding sports betting and whether Hawaiians can expect anything to change in the wake of the landmark US Supreme Court decision of 2018 that opens the door for legal sports gambling all over the United States.

For more information on what’s happening all over the country, read our state guides to US sports betting laws.

The Current Online Sports Betting Situation in Hawaii

The current gambling situation in Hawaii is as cut and dry as it gets and it’s pretty grim. All kinds of gambling, including online sports betting, is fully prohibited and illegal. The only way people in Hawaii can bet on sports is by using unregulated offshore casinos and sportsbooks and that doesn’t come without risks.

Since these companies are based in other countries and not subject to US law or regulations, players frequently run into problems resolving disputes. If you have a problem with a deposit or withdrawal, or with your account, there is little recourse beyond crossing your fingers and hoping for the best.

We suggest waiting for legal options which, unfortunately, may take some time to make their debut in Hawaii.

Hawaii is one of two states (Utah being the other) that strictly prohibits gambling, including daily fantasy sports, racetracks and all types of sports betting. Additionally, the state doesn’t allow tribal casinos, charitable gaming, or any kind of casino gambling. Hawaii doesn’t even have a state lottery.

While recent federal legislation has opened the door for Hawaii to legalize sports betting in the state, the current outlook isn’t great.

The History of Online Sports Betting in Hawaii

Since the state’s inception in 1959, gambling has been illegal in Hawaii. Occasionally some momentum gets drummed up about opening a casino or legalizing online gambling, but no bill ever makes it far enough to be strongly considered.

Gambling Laws In Hawaii

In earlier times, when the Hawaii islands were first discovered in the late 18th century, gambling was popular amongst the residents and played yearly at a festival called Makahiki. However, just a few decades later, American missionaries arrived and decided to ban gambling in all forms for moral reasons. Since then the state has maintained its prohibitive stance on in-state gambling law and feels any changes to it might negatively impact their booming tourist industry.

In 2010 and 2011 Hawaii considered, but ultimately denied two casino-related changes. First, they discussed opening a land-based casino in Waikiki. Then they debated legalizing poker by virtue of defining it a game of skill rather than chance and therefore not gambling.

Just this year, in May of 2018, Hawaii and every other state in the US was given a huge opportunity to legalize sports gambling.

The US Supreme Court found in favor of New Jersey in their lawsuit to overturn the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act. PASPA had been in place since 1992 and banned sports gambling in all states with the main exception of Nevada.

Is Online Gambling Illegal In Hawaii

When SCOTUS repealed PASPA, each state was given the authority to decide their own rules for governing sports betting within their jurisdiction. Many states have already moved towards legalization with a handful already accepting legal bets.

For Hawaii, however, it may take some time to see any changes. One motivating factor may come in the form of other states earning large amounts of tax revenue after legalizing it.

Which Online Sports Betting Sites Are Legal in Hawaii?

Hawaiian gamblers do not have access to any legal sports betting sites. Their only option is to wager through offshore betting sites that accept players from the United States.

While betting with these sites isn’t technically illegal, it is risky. Offshore casinos and sportsbooks aren’t regulated by the US which can be a big problem if you run into any issues. Like we said before, even though legal gambling in Hawaii is a long way off, waiting is still preferable to putting your money and personal information at risk.

So, if you want to bet on NFL football, for example, Hawaii’s definitely not the place to be.

What Sports Can You Bet on Online in Hawaii?

As of now, there are no sports you can bet on legally online within the state of Hawaii.

Is Gambling Illegal In Hawaii

However, if sports betting does become legalized in the future in the state of Hawaii, it would presumably be offered just like it is in every other state, with players having the option to bet on dozens of amateur and professional sports.

Should we ever see Hawaii reverse their political viewpoints on gambling it is likely that the main draw for sports betting would come from their passionate collegiate sports following and fan base.

Is There No Deposit Sports Betting in Hawaii?

Given that online sports betting is still technically illegal within the state, the issue of no deposit betting is currently moot. However, in the event that online sports betting becomes legal, Hawaiians can expect a similar approach to what other states are currently offering.

No deposit bonuses are a way to make bets without risking a cent but they usually come with conditions. Sometimes you have to bet the money a certain number of times before you can withdraw it. Other times you’re limited to what kinds of bets you can make and finally, it’s standard to only be able to withdraw your profits, not the original free bet.

What Is the Future of Online Sports Betting in Hawaii?

Gamblers in Hawaii shouldn’t expect any immediate changes to the laws that have been in place since the state formed all the way back in 1959. That being said, even with the state’s current attitude towards gambling, and with no current pressure for anything to change right now, history has shown that there is interest in gambling on the islands.

Why Is Gambling Illegal In Hawaii

As more and more states begin to enter the world of legalized sports gambling, we might see the more conservative states like Hawaii change their tune.

If anything does change in Hawaii it will most likely occur after several others take the plunge and test the waters both economically and politically. They will likely follow Utah’s lead to see if they decide to consider the change.

When Did Gambling Become Illegal In Hawaii

To stay up to date on sports betting laws in Hawaii, make sure to check back on this page for the latest developments.

What This Means For You

At least in the short term, it doesn’t look good for sports betting or any other kind of gambling to become legal in Hawaii. With so much focus on tourism, no professional sports team and a relatively small population, the potential profits from legalized sports betting aren’t as attractive as other, bigger states.

For gamblers of Hawaii, life just goes on. In spite of an opportunity to now legalize gambling and begin collecting state tax revenue, Hawaii has shown no inkling to stray from its course, at least not yet. Getting a professional sports team may be the only way serious momentum could be created to bring this issue to a vote, but that still remains unlikely.

We’ll continue to monitor the situation and update this page with any big developments, whether they help or hurt Hawaii’s chances of getting legal sports gambling.