When you picture Hawaii you may think of lush green landscapes, waterfalls, and beautiful beaches — the antithesis of a desert and the exact opposite of the climate found in Utah. But much like the deserts of Utah, Hawaii is a dry state in terms of gambling. Though, unlike other dry states in the union, Hawaii has a growing pro-gambling movement and lawmakers who are active in their gambling expansion efforts. For now, it may just be a waiting game for our friends secluded in the Pacific as there aren’t any neighboring states for them to jump over to.
Hawaii Legal Gambling History
From the time Hawaii was enacted as a state in 1959, there has been very little in the way of trying to legalize gambling up until recently. Gambling was illegal as soon as the state was formed.
But as soon as it was out, track betting tried to make it’s way back in the same year. This bill was shot down and betting’s legal status was solidified on the islands.
The culture in Hawaii began to shift a bit in the 2000s when legalized gambling was at least being talked about openly. This was seen in editorials in local publications and multiple bills set forth by island lawmakers, with an online poker bill still pending.
Hawaii Gambling Legal Status
All forms of casino gambling are illegal in Hawaii – slots, poker, blackjack, craps, roulette – all gambling. Needless to say, this ban on gambling extends to online as well.
Hawaii doesn’t have a state lottery and track betting is illegal.
Hawaii’s anti-gambling laws cover charitable gaming too. Hawaii and Utah are the only 2 states where charitable gambling is illegal.
Daily fantasy sports and sports betting are both illegal.
However, one can get away with a little bit of social gambling in Hawaii. Home-based poker games are legal just as long as all in the party are acquainted before the game and nobody is profiting from being the host.
There is no legal gambling age in Hawaii because there is no legal gambling.
Hawaii Legal Gambling Options
Hawaii isn’t like other states in the union that lack gambling opportunities. The solution isn’t as easy as hopping the state line to hit a casino near the border. Hawaii is secluded, isolated. This makes the group of islands behind the times on many things and without a neighboring state who shares similar culture to look towards to gauge whether or not they should relax their laws a bit. Hawaii is its own entity in a lot of ways.
Online gambling is not mentioned in the state’s anti-gambling laws. This is simply because there was no internet, or foresight of any internet when the laws were written out. Hawaiians can play at offshore sites, if they choose to do so – at their discretion, of course.
If you’re a fan of gambling in Hawaii, you may be able to get by with a little help from your friends. Social gambling is permitted in the state, while restrictive. This allows for home poker games to take place, just as long as all parties are acquaintances and nobody is profiting from hosting the game.
Hawaii Legal Daily Fantasy Sports and Sports Betting
Like most forms of gambling in the state of Hawaii, both daily fantasy sports and sports betting are illegal and will most likely remain this way for some time.
Hawaii Legal Gambling FAQ’s
What is legal to gamble on in the state of Hawaii?
The only form of gambling legal in Hawaii is social gambling which allows for home poker games.
Will Hawaii legalize gambling any time soon?
There is nothing to indicate that any gambling will become legal in Hawaii, other than the constant attempts being made at passing new laws. If at any time one of these bills picks up enough traction, gaining enough support, that may be all that’s needed to finally bring gambling to the islands.
