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

Gambling Venues in Hawaii Unfortunately, this section will be left short and sweet, as Hawaii is home to exactly zero venues for legal gambling. No casinos, race tracks, bingo halls, slot parlors or lottery distributors can be found on the islands – at least legally speaking. “Why is there no (legal) gambling in Hawaii?”interesting question. Of course Hawaii was a nation in its own right (a kingdom) before becoming a U.S territory and then a state. Hawaiian gambling laws are strict, as they prohibit gambling aboard ships or in casinos of any kind and wagering on horse or dog races. In fact, the only type of gambling allowed in the Aloha States is social gambling, but only if it is not committed in a motel, hotel, nightclub, bar, or any business establishment or public place. Attorney’s Office in Hawaii is cracking down on illegal gambling operations in the state. The latest enforcement action includes five cases that resulted in charges against 15 defendants.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Gambling Illegal In Hawaii

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.

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.

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.

Hawaii is one of the two states in the US (the other being Utah) that prohibits all forms of gambling — not even bingo for charitable purposes is allowed. The state’s law defines gambling as “betting something of value on a contest of chance.” In Hawaii, engaging in gambling is considered a misdemeanor offense. Without any land-based establishments, many Hawaiian residents chose to break the law by playing in underground gambling enterprises or on offshore sites, but we would strongly advise against it.

This article explains the Hawaii gambling laws in detail, covering the specifics of what you can’t do when it comes to gambling.

Top 3 Hawaii Online Casinos

History of the Gambling Laws in Hawaii

When Captain James Cook discovered the islands in 1778, gambling was a popular pastime among the Hawaiian residents during the Makahiki festival. From October to February, people could place bets on various games and contests — even non-participants could bet on the outcome of the competition. However, the popularity of the festival declined over the years and, in the 1800s, the American missionaries forbid gambling on moral grounds. In August 1825, native chiefs met and placed a prohibition upon vice, gambling, theft, and violation of the Sabbath.

Hawaii has been a gambling-free zone since the State joined the US in 1959. Not even horse racing or bingo is allowed, and if local lawmakers legalized gambling, that would hurt the economy. Hawaii is one of the few states that don’t have a state lottery and all the bills designed to change that have failed so far. The state authorities are under the impression that the State shouldn’t try to compete with Las Vegas and that the introduction of land-based casino establishments would be detrimental to the local businesses because tourists would start spending money in the casinos instead.

However, there have been efforts to legalize gambling in Hawaii. Back in 2010, the state considered to set up a stand-alone casino in Waikiki, but the idea was soon dismissed. In February 2010, the state House Finance Committee rejected a bill to allow casinos on Hawaiian homelands.

In early 2011, the State nearly legalized poker. A bill was introduced to define poker as a game of skill which would make it exempt from the state gambling law. In March 2011, the bill made it past the Judiciary Committee but didn’t receive a House Finance Committee hearing due to the lack of necessary public support.

The lawmakers in Hawaii proposed a bill in 2013, pushing for the creation of a Hawaii Internet Lottery and Gaming Corporation. However, it did not make it through the state’s legal process. The reasoning for such a decision can be seen in one of the bill’s excerpts:

“Moreover, tens of millions of dollars in revenues generated from online gambling are being realized by offshore operators serving Hawaii residents, but no benefits are provided to the State. To protect Hawaii residents who gamble on the Internet, and to capture revenues generated from internet gambling in Hawaii, it is in the best interest of the State and its citizens to regulate this existing activity by authorizing and implementing a secure, responsible, and legal system for internet gambling.”

What Forms of Gambling Are Legal in Hawaii?

Hawaiian gambling laws are strict, as they prohibit gambling aboard ships or in casinos of any kind and wagering on horse or dog races. In fact, the only type of gambling allowed in the Aloha States is social gambling, but only if it is not committed in a motel, hotel, nightclub, bar, or any business establishment or public place.

Social poker is allowed in Hawaii, but there are strict rules surrounding this type of game. To begin with, organizers cannot make any profit for hosting the games. The law even states that the host of social poker games is not allowed to make a profit by selling beverages or food.

Online Poker

Neither online poker nor any form of the popular casino table game is legal in Hawaii. Even if the state’s gambling industry makes its first steps soon, it’s highly unlikely that online poker will be legalized for at least another couple of years. That said, Hawaiians should play private games of poker rather than breaking the law on offshore sites.

Online Gambling

Although the Aloha State doesn’t explicitly forbids online gambling, the general prohibition is strict and extensive enough to cover all internet gambling activities. Any individual who is caught to gamble in Hawaii can face up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $2,000. There are certain laws exceptions when it comes to social gambling, but online players can’t take advantage of this.

Hawaii Gambling Laws Concerning Indian Tribal Lands

Many states in the US that explicitly forbid land-based casinos allow Indian tribes in the state to open casinos in reservations under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, but not Hawaii. Since the Aloha state prohibits all gambling without exception, it can, under IGRA, regulate gambling on tribal lands.

Gambling Legal In Hawaii

FAQ

Are there any casinos in Hawaii?

No, there aren’t, due to strict gambling laws.

Is there any form of gambling legal in Hawaii?

The only kind of gambling allowed in the Aloha States is social gambling, but only if it is not committed in a motel, hotel, nightclub, bar, or any business establishment or public place.

Is daily fantasy sports legal in Hawaii?

Daily fantasy sports are illegal in Hawaii.

Why there aren’t any Native casinos in Hawaii?

Hawaii and Utah are the only states that prohibit all forms of gambling, and as such can regulate gambling on Native American Lands, according to the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.

What are the consequences of gambling in Hawaii?

Gambling is a misdemeanor offense in Hawaii and you could be charged up to $2,000 and be sentenced to up to one year in the country jail.