Is There Legalized Gambling In Hawaii

However, this is not to be misconstrued that gambling in Hawaii is not available. In fact Texas Hold’em poker and Bingo have become increasingly popular with the locals, and they are now thrusting towards legalize gambling, given the fact that nearly 60% of the state’s revenue comes from those visitors touring the islands.

Here we take a look at the underworld and run into a underground Casino. The Casinos are a little bit different here but come and join us and watch us play a few games. Bonus Mario Footage coming. Hawaii’s criminal code is clear: participating in any gambling is a misdemeanor while promoting gambling can be a class C felony. It's not illegal for Hawaii residents to purchase tickets for out-of-state lotteries, however the sale of lottery tickets from other states is prohibited within state lines. Hawaii has long been considered one of the U.S. States that might never offer access to any kind of casino gambling. However, there are rumblings that one community, Kapolei, Hawaii, located on the island of O’ahu, is considering moving forward with approval for the Hawaiian islands' first casino.

News is coming out that legalized sports betting in Hawaii may be just around the corner. A bill to regulate this market has officially passed through its first committee. It’s a huge step for a state with some of the strictest laws against gambling in the country.

There are still a number of steps that need to be taken for sports betting to become legal here. Today, we’re going to look at the current set of Hawaiian gambling laws. We’ll also be discussing the potential for this bill to actually be passed by the State Senate.

Strict Rules Against Gambling

Hawaii brings in more than 9 million tourists every year. Some claim that figure would be higher if the state opened up its gambling industry. As of April of 2019, that has yet to happen.

This state has implemented strict laws on the gambling industry. Since 1959, when the first state constitution was drafted, virtually all forms of gambling have been banned here. There is not a single casino operating on any of the eight islands.

Sports betting is completely illegal here, as well. Back in May of 2018, the US Supreme Court ruled PASPA unconstitutional. This allows individual states to set their own laws on sports betting. Some wondered if Hawaii would begin considering opening up this market.

Thus far, all attempts to bring legalized sports betting in Hawaii have failed. It’s a tough blow for the many sporting fans located around the state. Now, sports betting fans in Hawaii may finally have something to look forward to.

Is There Legalized Gambling In Hawaii

Bill for Legalized Sports Betting in Hawaii Passes First Test

There are many representatives that believe Hawaii is missing out on serious revenue earnings without any forms of legal gambling. New Jersey, which allows sports betting both online and in-person, is gaining millions of dollars in gaming revenue every month. A bill to begin regulating this market was proposed back in January.

It appears this bill is gaining some traction. It officially passed in its first committee hearing. It will now move on to another hearing likely taking place this summer.

There are legitimate reasons for this state to open its sports betting market. Despite the huge numbers of tourists here, Hawaii has one of the lowest GDP in the country. The sports betting industry brings millions in revenue every year via taxes.

Legalized sports betting in Hawaii will almost certainly come with heavy restrictions. In some states, gambling on sports can only be done inside casinos. Hawaii currently has no casinos, and it’s unclear where legal sports wagers will be made.

Is Online Gambling Coming to Hawaii?

The online gambling industry in the US is growing even faster than the land-based market. A number of states have outright legalized internet casino games and sports betting. There are no indications that Hawaii plans to do the same.

Online gambling is difficult to regulate. Despite laws against it, many people here still choose to gamble online through the various online gambling sites accepting US players. Lawmakers in this state have shown no intention to begin opening up the laws towards internet betting.

That doesn’t mean online gambling will never come to Hawaii. The entire country is beginning to warm up to this industry. Even New York, which has been fiercely anti-online gaming over the years, is considering legalizing the industry. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see iGaming completely legal here within the next five years.

For now, gaming fans will have to hope that the sports betting bill passes in the State Senate. Things are looking good right now.

Do you think legalized sports betting in Hawaii will finally come this year? Will lawmakers here ever begin allowing online gambling? Let us know in the comment section below!

Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus.

Hawaii is one of just two states that have no forms of legalized gambling. Utah is the other one.

It isn’t that Hawaii is opposed to gambling. Las Vegas is the number one tourist destination for Hawaiians. Boyd Gaming built its business through attracting Hawaii residents to its downtown Las Vegas casinos.

The real reason behind a lack of gambling is that there is fear that it would damage the state’s tourism industry, the island state’s largest money maker. Companies that rely on tourism dollars are not inclined to support legalized gambling that could potentially cut into those profits.

Attempts to Legalize Online Gambling

Hawaii was the first state to attempt the legalization of online gambling. It all started in 2008 when state lawmakers submitted a bill to legalize poker and games of chance over the Internet. It failed to receive a committee hearing that year. It returned every year through 2014. It suffered the same fate each time, failing to capture any attention.

There was no attempt to introduce an online gaming bill in 2015. It appears that the issue is dead in Hawaii in the foreseeable future.

Daily Fantasy Sports
In January 2016, the Attorney General for Hawaii, Doug Chin, concluded that daily fantasy sports (DFS) contests constitute illegal gambling under existing state laws.

No Specific Law Making Online Gambling Illegal

While there have been attempts to regulate online gambling, no current law specifically prohibits it. There are more than 100 offshore sites that accept players from Hawaii. None of these online poker, casino or sports betting sites are licensed. The prevailing opinion is that these companies are not legal.

Legalized Gambling In Tennessee

Players should deposit at these sites at their own risk. There is little or no recourse if a dispute arises from this action.

Online gaming works — it’s been licensed in Europe for years, and in the US it’s already licensed in New Jersey, Nevada, and in Delaware. If you are a resident of the fine state of Hawaii, don’t just sit there — make your voice heard.

List of States

Is There Legalized Gambling In Hawaii Today

Click on the links to see what is the online gambling situation in each of those states.