Best Hawaii Online Casinos, Sportsbooks, & Poker Rooms

Top Gambling Sites for Hawaii Residents

• Bovada  – Best Hawaii Online Gambling Site
• BetUS  – Best Sports Betting Site for Hawaii Residents
• Ignition Casino  – Best Poker Site for HI
• SlotsandCasino  – Best Hawaii Casino for Slots
• DuckyLuck Casino  – Best Bonus Available to Hawaii Residents
• MyBookie  – Best Hawaii Live Dealer Site
• Drake Casino  – Best Table Game Site for Hawaii Residents

Hawaii Gambling Sites Compared

How We Choose the Best Gambling Sites for Hawaii Residents

Those interested in online gambling in Hawaii have many options, but not every site is created equally. That’s where our signature B.E.S.T. system comes into play–we weigh every site based on unique criteria and only recommend those we’ve determined are worth your time.

The B.E.S.T. System contains sections for:

Bonuses

Entertainment

Safety

Transactions

• Bonuses – Most every real money online casino for Hawaii residents offers multiple bonuses to help bettors extend their bankrolls. To ensure they are favorable to gamblers, we assess how much can be claimed, the rollover requirements for each bonus, and each site’s terms and conditions.
• Entertainment Features – Our Entertainment Features category considers the unique features of each different type of gambling site. For example, when looking at casinos, we consider the variety and number of games available and the providers who supply those games. For sportsbooks, we assess whether the site offers features like live betting, a prop builder, or early cashout.
• Safety and Security – Safety and security is the most important thing gambling sites can offer, and it is the category that is weighed most heavily in the B.E.S.T. system. We read the privacy policies of gambling sites, confirm they are licensed, and ensure they are using TSL (Transport Sockets Layer) security to protect user information.
• Transactions – We assess how easy it is to deposit and withdraw from a given gambling site. We look at the available payment types, as well as any transaction limits. Lastly, we consider if there are any fees, as well as how long payout processing times are.

Learn More About Us Read How We Rate Contact Us

Established September 1st, 2014

250+ casino and sportsbook reviews written

22,464,187+ visitors have read our content

12.5k+ blog posts published

Is Gambling Legal in Hawaii?

Hawaii is one of just two US states where no form of land-based gambling is available.

One of the reasons Hawaii is so tough on gambling is due to concerns that its widespread availability would lead to increased addiction and crime(1), resulting in a negative societal impact. However, the Aloha State’s laws do not prevent its residents from participating in online gambling.

The laws that govern gambling in Hawaii can be found in Volume 14, Chapter 712 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes, “Offenses Against Public Health and Morals”(2). A person participates in gambling “if he stakes or risks something of value upon the outcome of a contest of chance or a future contingent event not under his control or influence, upon an agreement or understanding that he or someone else will receive something of value in the event of a certain outcome.” This definition covers all forms of gambling as we know them–casino games, poker, sports betting, the lottery, and even bingo.

According to Statute 712-1223(3), gambling itself is a misdemeanor. However, activities that promote and advance gambling, such as engaging in bookmaking involving at least five bets totaling at least $500 within seven days or the maintenance of a space specifically for gambling, will result in a Class B or Class C felony charge.

The one area where land-based gambling is considered legal in Hawaii is within the context of social gambling. Statute 712-1231(4) states that in order for gambling to be considered social gambling:

• All participants play on equal terms.
• Nothing beyond the value of gambling winnings is exchanged.
• No third party receives any value or profit from the activity.
• The gambling is not connected to or conducted at a business or public area.
• All of the players are over 18.

It is important to note that there is no specific language about internet or online gambling in Hawaii. While there have been prosecutions related to online gambling(5), they have been part of larger operations, including serious crimes like money laundering and filing false tax returns. Further, these prosecutions occurred in 2014; there have not been any subsequent arrests related to online gambling since.

While possession of a gambling device is a misdemeanor, and the definition of such, as outlined in Statute 712-1220(6), is “any device, machine, paraphernalia, or equipment that is used or usable in the playing phases of any gambling activity, whether that activity consists of gambling between persons or gambling by a person involving the playing of a machine,” this definition was codified in 1972, and so extends primarily to equipment like slot machines and roulette tables.

Hawaii Timeline

The Future of Gambling in Hawaii

Based on the introduction of the bill by Rep. Mizuno earlier this year, the latest of repeated attempts to introduce some form of land-based gambling to Hawaii, we’d like to believe that it’s only a matter of time before such legislation is successful.

According to Rep. Mizuno, $1 billion is spent by Hawaii residents in Las Vegas every year(20), and redirecting that revenue towards the Aloha State would be hugely beneficial. However, the frequent introduction of new bills only serves to highlight that no previous proposals have succeeded despite multiple attempts a year.

While attitudes may be broadly changing, and there is a financial incentive to introduce legalized gambling, Hawaii’s traditional aversion to gambling and concern about social issues may prevent it from happening anytime soon.

Gambling Responsibly

Responsible gambling means not betting more than you can afford to lose and knowing when to quit. While it is estimated that 26,000 residents are compulsive gamblers(21), the state of Hawaii does not put any funding towards services to assist with problem gambling.

Many states fund their addiction treatment services with the revenues they make from gambling, but as land-based gambling is prohibited in the state, Hawaii cannot do the same.

Despite the lack of programs operated by the state government, there are still resources available to help those who are suffering from addiction:

• Gamblers Anonymous Hawaii
• National Council on Problem Gambling

Legal Sources

Most keno games are similar because the game is so simple. However, there are a few differences that you may want to pay attention to. Here is an overview of a few popular keno games and how they differ from each other.

1. Hawaii Already Has Problem Gamblers, Civil Beat
2. Volume 14, Chapter 712, Offenses Against Public Health and Morals
3. Gambling, Hawaii Revised Statute 712-1223, Hawaii.gov
4. Social Gambling, Hawaii Revised Statute 712-1231, Hawaii.gov
5. Leader Of Internet Gambling Operation Sentenced, United States Attorney’s Office District of Hawaii
6. Definitions of terms in this part, Hawaii Revised Statute 712-1220, Hawaii.gov
7. HB344
8. SB935
9. HB1815
10. HB1973
11. HB2004
12. HB1962
13. SB2608
14. HB1820
15. HB1396
16. HB772
17. HB850
18. SB2571
19. SB204
20. Proposed bill which would allow sportsbook and card room, Spectrum News
21. Ad ban not meant to stop Hawaiians from visiting, Las Vegas Review Journal

Start Gambling Online in Hawaii

Despite a lack of land-based gambling options in Hawaii, residents have access to several offshore casinos and sportsbooks. The very best option is Bovada, which doubles as one of the best sportsbooks online, as well as an elite casino. You can gamble how you wish, while also accessing the site’s renowned poker room and taking advantage of solid bonuses.

Of course, Bovada isn’t the only gambling site in Hawaii you can use. Anyone looking to strictly bet on sports may prefer BetUS, Ignition Casino ranks as the best overall poker site, and SlotsandCasino registers as the most complete Hawaii online casino.

Overall, Bovada is your best bet. If you want to get started now – whether it’s sports betting or casino play – head there now to take advantage of their $750 sports welcome bonus or their $3,750 casino welcome bonus.

Kevin Roberts

Kevin Roberts, previously published under the pseudonym Noah Davis, is one of the more diverse writers at GamblingSites.com. Like many of his colleagues, he’s a huge fan of both football and basketball. But he also writes about box office records, TV show prop bets, DFS, and all kinds of other subjects.

When it comes to the NFL, Kevin’s favorite team is the Green Bay Packers. He enjoys cheering them on with his wife and daughter.

More Posts by Kevin

More Guides to Online Gambling in the United States