Hawaii Gambling: Recommended Online Casinos and Sportsbooks, Regulation and News
Written by: Jonathan Rodriguez
Last Update: Fri Mar 13, 2026, 1:20 pm ET
Read Time: 17 minutes
Hawaii is one of the most restrictive states in the U.S. when it comes to gambling. Nearly all forms of gaming are not licensed or regulated. This includes casinos, sports betting, poker, horse racing, and lotteries.
The Aloha State's strong cultural emphasis on community well-being, along with longstanding legislative opposition to gambling expansion, has contributed to this unique regulatory environment. While bills are occasionally introduced to explore regulated gambling, none have gained lasting traction.
As a result, Hawaii maintains one of the strictest gambling frameworks in the country.
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Overview: Hawaii Tribes and Their Role in State Betting
Unlike many states with tribal economies tied to gaming, Hawaii does not have any federally recognized tribes.
The absence of recognized tribal governments means there are no tribally owned or operated gaming enterprises within the state. This places Hawaii among a small group of U.S. jurisdictions without a tribal gaming presence, which significantly influences the overall gambling landscape.
In many states, tribal nations play a major role in offering regulated casinos, bingo halls, or sports betting operations under federal laws such as the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA). However, because IGRA applies only to federally recognized tribes, Hawaii has no legal mechanism for tribal gaming to develop within its borders.
Hawaii's cultural, historical, and political contexts have contributed to this outcome, with local governance structures differing from typical tribal-state relationships found in Indian Country. Though Native Hawaiians have a unique legal and historical status, they do not possess the federal recognition required to invoke the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act for establishing casinos.
This absence of tribes participating in gaming also means Hawaii does not have tribal-state compacts, tribal casino revenues, or gaming-related tribal economic development initiatives. As a result, residents do not have access to tribally operated casinos or betting facilities.
Moreover, lawmakers do not consider tribal partnerships when evaluating potential gambling expansion. Any future consideration of gaming in Hawaii would thus rely solely on state-level legislation and oversight, rather than tribal-state negotiations.
Key Hawaii Tribes and Their Operations
Hawaii's Indigenous population holds a unique cultural and political status that differs from the tribal structures found in the continental United States.
While Native Hawaiians are recognized as an Indigenous people, they do not have federal tribal recognition, tribal reservations, or sovereignty under the framework that enables tribal gaming elsewhere in the U.S. Because of this, no Native Hawaiian organizations operate casinos, bingo halls, sports betting lounges, or any other form of gaming authorized under IGRA.
Several Native Hawaiian advocacy groups have historically pursued federal recognition, but these efforts have not resulted in a formal tribal designation. Consequently, Native Hawaiian communities cannot enter into tribal-state gaming compacts or develop gaming enterprises on trust lands.
Organizations such as the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) support cultural, educational, and economic initiatives for Native Hawaiians, but these efforts do not include gaming operations. Many Native Hawaiian institutions focus on land stewardship, cultural preservation, health programs, and community development rather than entertainment industries like gambling.
Therefore, visitors and residents will not find tribal-run gambling facilities in Hawaii. Any potential future gaming activities would have to be created and regulated through state government channels, not through tribal partnerships.
Current Hawaii Gambling Laws
HRS § 712-1221: Promoting Gambling in the First Degree
This statute covers large-scale commercial operations, such as engaging in bookmaking with over $500 in bets or receiving over $1,000 in lottery/mutuel play in a seven-day period.
HRS § 712-1222: Promoting Gambling in the Second Degree
This statute covers knowingly or negligently advancing or profiting from gambling activity on a smaller scale than the first degree.
HRS § 712-1222.5: Promoting Gambling Aboard Ships
This statute specifically criminalizes advancing or profiting from gambling on any craft operating within or embarking from state waters (with exceptions for foreign travel).
HRS § 712-1223: Gambling
This portion of the law outlines the general prohibition against participating in any gambling activity. It defines the simple participation in illegal gambling an offense.
HRS § 712-1231: Social Gambling
This statute defines the sole legal exception for gambling infractions. HRS section 712-1231 is an affirmative defense against a gambling charge if the game meets strict criteria (e.g., played on equal terms, no house profits, not conducted in a public place).
HRS § 712-1226: Possession of a Gambling Device
This statute prohibits manufacturing, selling, transporting, or possessing any device, machine, or equipment intended for the advancement of gambling.
Latest Hawaii Legislative Updates
House Bill 2570 (HB 2570)
In early February 2026, the Hawaii House Committee on Economic Development & Technology advanced House Bill 2570, a historic measure designed to legalize and regulate online-only sports betting.
If passed, the bill would authorize at least six digital operators, such as DraftKings or FanDuel, to offer mobile wagering to residents and visitors, while keeping physical casinos and sportsbooks prohibited.
HB 2222: Comprehensive Casino Framework
HB 2222 establishes a structured framework for casino gaming within the state.
It authorizes a single integrated resort in Honolulu and creates the Hawaii Gaming Control Commission. This body will oversee licensing, regulation, and taxation of all casino operations.
Supporters believe this measure will modernize the state's economy and generate significant tax revenue.
HB 2198: Regulating Prediction Markets
HB 2198 updates the legal definition of gambling to explicitly include prediction markets. It targets emerging online platforms where users wager on the outcome of future events.
By closing these legal loopholes, lawmakers aim to prevent unregulated betting from flourishing. This bill ensures that all such financial activities remain under strict state oversight.
HB 1945: Shipboard Gaming Authorization
HB 1945 proposes the legalization of limited gaming on large cruise ships. These vessels may operate casinos specifically while traveling within Hawaiian waters.
The bill aims to capture tourism revenue that currently leaves the state. However, it maintains tight control by keeping all physical casino operations off of Hawaiian dry land.
HB 1434 & SB 1507: Lottery and Gaming Corporation
HB 1434 and SB 1507 create the Hawaii Lottery and Gaming Corporation to centralize state-sanctioned wagering. This public entity would manage a state lottery and potentially oversee online poker or casino games.
Revenues from these activities will flow into a special fund for community betterment. This corporate structure provides a legal path for gaming while ensuring total state transparency.
HB 1038: Online Sports Betting & Fantasy Sports
This HB was the primary vehicle for legalization. It would have created a regulated framework for multiple online sports betting operators and legalized daily fantasy sports.
It passed both the House and Senate (with amendments) but ultimately died in a joint conference committee due to major disagreements over tax rates and which state agency would oversee the new industry.
SB 893: Aloha Stadium Casino Proposal
SB 893 grants twenty-year licenses for casino gaming within the New Aloha Stadium Entertainment District and the Hawaii Convention Center. This measure establishes the Hawaii Gaming Control Commission to oversee operations, licensing, and a proposed fifteen percent wagering tax.
Revenue generated from these sites would support the State Gaming Fund and local community programs. Lawmakers believe that integrating a casino into the stadium redevelopment will create jobs and maximize the area's economic potential.
However, the bill faces strong competition from newer 2026 measures that aim to prohibit gambling at these specific locations.
SB 3376: Single Entity Online Gaming
SB 3376 proposed a monopoly model, authorizing only one entity to operate online sports betting and poker for a 10-year license. Revenues were specifically intended to support wildfire victims. It also proposed creating a new Hawaii Gaming Control Commission.
It was introduced by the Senate President but was ultimately referred to committees and did not advance to a vote, effectively dying in committee.
HB 2765: Sports Wagering Regulation
HB 2765 proposed allowing the regulation of sports wagering by the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism (DBEDT), and specified that sports wagering would not be considered traditional "gambling."
It passed an initial second reading but was deferred in committee and died before the end of the session.
Hawaii Land-Based Sports Betting
Status: Not Licensed or Regulated
Land-based sports betting in Hawaii is not licensed or regulated. Hawaii maintains a strong stance against expanding gambling activities, and sports wagering falls squarely within this longstanding prohibition.
The state's criminal code clearly defines betting on sports as a form of gambling, making it illegal to operate or participate in sports wagering enterprises. This includes betting through physical sportsbooks, betting kiosks, or organized in-person wagering operations.
Lawmakers have occasionally explored the possibility of legal sports betting, especially following the nationwide shift in 2018 when federal restrictions were lifted. However, Hawaii has not enacted any legislation to authorize or regulate sports wagering.
Concerns typically raised by lawmakers include the potential social impact on residents, the risk of problem gambling, and the desire to preserve the state's unique cultural environment.
Because there are no licensed operators, residents do not have access to sportsbooks at casinos, bars, hotels, or entertainment venues. Visitors expecting sports betting options similar to those found in mainland tourist destinations will also find none in Hawaii.
Any future effort to introduce sports wagering would require comprehensive legislation addressing licensing, taxation, consumer protections, and regulatory oversight.
List of Land-Based Sports Betting Operations in Hawaii
Hawaii does not have land-based sports betting operations available for players.
Hawaii Online Sports Betting
Status: Not Licensed or Regulated
Online sports betting in Hawaii is not licensed or regulated. State law prohibits accepting or placing wagers over the internet, including bets on athletic events, competitions, or daily fantasy formats that resemble sports betting.
Moreover, Hawaii laws consider online wagering an extension of unlawful gambling activities, regardless of where the betting platforms are located.
Several bills have been proposed over the years to study or potentially regulate online sports betting but none have been adopted. Lawmakers often cite concerns about problem gambling, financial risks, and the potential for underage access. As a result, Hawaii maintains an extremely restrictive online gaming stance.
Given Hawaii's consistent legislative posture, significant changes to allow online sports betting appear unlikely in the near future. Any future regulatory framework would require a shift in political consensus and a robust structure for licensing, consumer protections, and enforcement.
List of Online Sports Betting Operations in Hawaii
Hawaii currently does not have locally-run online sports betting operations for players.
Other Online Sports Betting Options for Hawaiian Residents
Betting sites based offshore and accessible to U.S. players can serve as alternative venues for Hawaiian players seeking to place online wagers. Even though these sites are not locally licensed, they all have long track records of fairness and reliability. They often offer larger bonuses and better odds so players looking for value might find these international sportsbooks to be good options for them.
Hawaii Land-Based Casino Gambling
Status: Not Licensed or Regulated
Land-based casino gambling in Hawaii is not licensed or regulated. The state has long opposed the establishment of commercial casinos, tribal casinos, or resort casinos.
Cultural, economic, and social considerations contribute to this stance, with lawmakers expressing concerns that casino development may disrupt community values or create social issues.
Because Hawaii has no federally recognized tribes, the state does not have tribal casinos operating under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA). Efforts to create casino pilot programs have surfaced periodically.
These are usually tied to Hawaiian Home Lands or economic studies, but such proposals have consistently failed to pass. The most common and significant proposal involves placing a single resort casino on land managed by the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) to generate much-needed revenue for Native Hawaiian beneficiaries. But even this politically targeted measure has faced strong opposition and failed to advance in the Legislature.
Visitors expecting casino resorts similar to those in Las Vegas or on tribal lands will not find any in Hawaii. Hotels, resorts, and entertainment venues are prohibited from offering slot machines, table games, bingo halls, or any casino-style gaming.
The absence of casinos also means Hawaii does not generate gaming tax revenues, nor does it have a regulatory gaming commission.
List of Land-Based Casino Operations in Hawaii
Hawaii does not have land-based casinos operating within the state's jurisdiction.
Hawaii Online Casino Gambling
Status: Not Licensed or Regulated
Online casino gambling in Hawaii is not licensed or regulated. State gambling laws prohibit wagering on games of chance or skill conducted over the internet.
This includes digital slots, blackjack, roulette, video poker, and other casino-style interactive games. Hawaii's statutes treat online gambling as an extension of unlawful gambling, regardless of where the operator is based.
Online casino bills occasionally appear in the Legislature, often packaged alongside broader gaming studies or revenue generation proposals.
However, even recent, highly publicized efforts to legalize online sports betting (such as HB 1038 and SB 3376 in the 2025 session) have failed to pass. This underscores the deep-seated legislative resistance to any expansion of internet-based wagering.
List of Online Casino Operations in Hawaii
Hawaii does not have online casinos operating locally for Hawaiian residents.
Other Online Casino Options for Hawaiian Residents
Online casinos based offshore that accept U.S. players serve as an alternative for Hawaiian players seeking online gambling. Even though these sites are not locally licensed, they all have long track records of fairness and reliability. They often offer larger bonuses and casino promotions so players looking for value might find these international gambling sites to be good options for them.
Hawaii Poker
Status: Not Licensed or Regulated
Land-based poker in Hawaii is not licensed or regulated. Poker is considered gambling under Hawaii law, whether the game is based on chance, skill, or a mix of both.
This includes traditional poker rooms, casino poker, tournament poker, and organized card clubs. Therefore, hosting or participating in commercial poker games is illegal.
The only exception is social gambling, which is permitted under strict conditions. Under social gambling, games must take place in a private setting, participants must have a bona fide social relationship, and no one, including hosts, may profit from the arrangement. This exemption does not allow poker rooms or public venues to operate poker games.
Without casinos, clubs, or licensed gaming facilities, poker enthusiasts in Hawaii have no regulated spaces to play. Efforts to authorize poker rooms or tournaments have occasionally surfaced in the Legislature, but they have not gained traction due to concerns about gambling expansion and its potential social effects.
As a result, poker in Hawaii remains limited to small-scale private games that comply with social gambling rules.
List of Land-Based Poker Operations in Hawaii
Hawaii does not have commercial land-based poker operations within the state.
Hawaii Online Poker
Status: Not Licensed or Regulated
Online poker in Hawaii is not licensed or regulated. State gambling statutes prohibit placing or receiving wagers over the internet, which includes online poker rooms, tournament platforms, and peer-to-peer poker applications. Hawaii's laws classify online poker as a form of unlawful gambling activity, regardless of whether the game involves skill or chance.
Online gaming proposals appear occasionally, but lawmakers consistently reject expansions due to concerns about addiction, underage gambling, and Hawaii's strong cultural opposition to wagering. As a result, Hawaii residents cannot legally access online poker platforms operated within or licensed by the state.
List of Online Poker Operations in Hawaii
There are no online poker operators licensed or regulated in Hawaii.
Other Online Poker Options for Hawaiian Residents
Online poker sites based offshore and accessible to U.S. players can serve as alternative venues for Hawaiian players seeking to place online wagers. Because these operators maintain headquarters outside the United States, they inhabit a legal 'grey zone.' The main advantage of playing offshore is that these online poker sites have larger pool of players and therefore more action at the tables and bigger tournaments. So even though offshore poker sites might not be regulated locally, they have long track records of honesty, bigger tournaments and table offerings and therefore offer a better experience than local sites for most players.
Hawaii Land-Based Horse Betting
Status: Not Licensed or Regulated
Land-based horse racing and horse betting in Hawaii are not licensed or regulated. Horse racing has historical roots in various parts of the U.S., and informal local races have long been a part of Paniolo (Hawaiian cowboy) culture.
However, Hawaii has never established a formal racetrack industry or pari-mutuel wagering system. State law prohibits betting on horse races, even if the event is held for entertainment or tourism purposes.
Over the years, occasional proposals have sought to explore racetrack development as an economic opportunity, but these efforts have not advanced. Concerns often arise regarding land use, animal welfare, gambling impacts, and long-term sustainability in Hawaii's geographically limited environment.
Without racetracks or betting venues, Hawaii residents and visitors cannot participate in on-track wagering, off-track betting (OTB), or simulcast wagering. Bars, entertainment facilities, and private venues are also prohibited from offering horse betting in any form.
For now, the state remains one of the few without a horse racing or pari-mutuel betting industry.
List of Land-Based Horse Betting Operations in Hawaii
There are no land-based horse betting operators in Hawaii, as the activity is not licensed or regulated.
Hawaii Online Horse Betting
Status: Not Licensed or Regulated
Online horse betting in Hawaii is not licensed or regulated. Many states allow online horse wagering under federal law. Specifically, the Interstate Horseracing Act (IHA) lets online horse wagering through platforms that operate across state lines.
However, Hawaii does not authorize participation in online pari-mutuel betting. State statutes categorize internet-based wagering, including betting on horse races, as unlawful gambling.
Legislative attempts to authorize online horse betting have been rare and unsuccessful. Lawmakers often cite the same concerns that influence other gambling restrictions, such as maintaining community values, and addressing problem gambling risks.
Any future change would require Hawaii to enact laws enabling online horse wagering, designate a regulatory agency, and establish licensing requirements for operators. Given Hawaii's historically strict position, such changes appear unlikely in the near future.
List of Online Horse Betting Operations in Hawaii
Hawaii does not have locally-run online horse betting operations within the state.
Other Online Horse Betting Options for Hawaiian Residents
Online horse betting based offshore that accept U.S. players serve as an alternative for Hawaiian players seeking online gambling. Even though these sites are not locally licensed, they all have long track records of fairness and reliability. They often offer larger bonuses and better odds so players looking for value might find these international racebooks to be good options for them.
Hawaii Lotteries
Status: Not Licensed or Regulated
Lotteries in Hawaii are not licensed or regulated. Hawaii is one of only two states in the U.S. without a state lottery.
Efforts to create a lottery regularly surface in legislative sessions, such as recent proposals in the 2024 and 2025 sessions. These were tied to generating revenue for education, housing, or social programs. However, concerns about the social and economic impact of gambling have kept these proposals from passing.
Lawmakers opposing the lottery often highlight fears of increased gambling addiction, financial harm to vulnerable communities, and potential conflicts with Hawaii's cultural values. Others argue that residents already spend significant money on lotteries while traveling to the mainland, and establishing a state lottery could keep that revenue within Hawaii.
Despite ongoing debate, no bill has successfully created a lottery system. As a result, Hawaii does not sell scratchers, draw games, multi-state lottery tickets, or charitable lottery tickets.
Hawaii Sweepstakes
Status: Legal, but with Caveats
Sweepstakes in Hawaii are generally allowed only if they comply with federal and state contest rules. Legitimate promotional sweepstakes like those used by national brands for marketing may operate in Hawaii. However, they need to follow strict legal guidelines, including free entry options, transparent rules, and no pay-to-play requirements.
Hawaii's strict gambling laws mean that sweepstakes resembling casino games, betting, or wagering systems cannot operate as gambling alternatives. If a sweepstakes requires payment for participation or offers prizes determined by chance in a manner resembling gambling, it risks being classified as illegal under state statutes.
Many businesses running national sweepstakes exclude Hawaii due to unique legal requirements concerning prize disclosures, entry methods, and consumer protections. As a result, Hawaii residents often see more limitations in accessing promotional sweepstakes than residents in other states.
Hawaii Sweepstakes Casinos
Status: Not Licensed or Regulated
Sweepstakes casinos in Hawaii are not licensed or regulated. These platforms typically offer casino-style games through sweepstakes entries rather than traditional wagering. However, Hawaii's strict anti-gambling laws make their operation legally uncertain.
Because Hawaii prohibits most gambling-related activities, sweepstakes casinos cannot operate within the state.
Sweepstakes casino models usually rely on virtual currencies, promotional entries, and prize redemption systems. However, if participation requires payment or resembles wagering for prizes of value, Hawaii law may classify the activity as illegal gambling. For this reason, sweepstakes casinos do not have legal authorization to operate in Hawaii.
Hawaii Gambling FAQs
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