For those familiar with Hawaii’s strict anti-gambling law, it should come as no surprise that sports betting in Hawaii is illegal. Because of the absence of legal Hawaii sports betting sites to recommend, we’ve instead taken a look at the current gambling laws in the state and discussed whether a legal market is a realistic possibility.
Although there are a number of offshore betting sites that claim to be the best Hawaii online sportsbooks, we advise against Hawaiians signing up to offshore bookmakers. Not only are they illegal, but players are not protected by any laws in case something goes wrong. When it comes to gambling of all kinds, locals and visitors of Hawaii will need to travel to a legal jurisdiction to bet.
Current Hawaii Sports Betting Situation
Since it was officially declared a state of the United States, Hawaii’s lawmakers have adopted a hardline approach against gambling. The law is extremely clear about how it classifies gambling, and there seems to be little chance of lawmakers pushing for gambling expansion in the coming years.
Unfortunately, this means that Hawaii sports betting legalization is unlikely. The current attitude seems to suggest that residents and local governments believe gambling could threaten Hawaii’s status as a family-friendly gambling destination. While we strongly disagree, it may be some time before we can recommend the best Hawaii online sportsbooks.
You may be tempted to sign up with offshore bookmakers that appear to be legal Hawaii sports betting sites, but don’t be fooled. Offshore bookmakers are operating illegally and you will have no legal protection if you are caught betting here. We believe that any website that would knowingly allow players to break local laws are untrustworthy, so proceed at your own caution.
Are Hawaii Daily Fantasy Sports Apps Available
Daily fantasy sports (DFS) are a type of bet that sees contestants draft fantasy teams of players from a major sports league. Wagers are made at the start of every round, which usually lasts as long as a week. Points are scored based on the real-life performance of drafted players, and the contestant with the most points at the end of each round wins the prize pool.
Because of the amount of research and dedication required to be successful at DFS, many states around the country distinguish it from gambling games, which are often defined as games of chance. However, true to its conservative approach to anything similar to gambling, Hawaii has outlawed daily fantasy sports.
This means that popular operators such as DraftKings and FanDuel do not accept players from Hawaii. This absence of Hawaii online bookies will come as little surprise to locals, but it’s important to know for any DFS or sports betting fans planning a holiday to the state.
Hawaii Online Casinos
Hawaiian law defines gambling as the staking or risking of something of value upon the outcome of a contest of chance or future event out of their control. This is done upon an agreement or understanding that they will win something of value if the random event occurs. As this defines all forms of casino gambling, Hawaii has banned casinos from operating. This includes both online and land-based casino betting.
Although the law doesn’t explicitly outlaw Hawaii online gambling sites, the gambling definition is broad enough to suggest that anyone betting online is breaking the law. The state does allow social casino games that require no real money bets to take place, meaning games such as online poker and blackjack can be played as long as nothing is gambled.
Online State Lottery in Hawaii
To add further fuel to the argument that Hawaii may be the least gambling-friendly state in the country, Hawaii is only one of five states to offer no lottery. It should go without saying, then, that locals can not buy lottery tickets or scratch cards online for local, out-of-state or national games.
This is quite interesting, as the lottery is one of the most popular forms of gambling across the United States. Every year, lotteries bring in tens of billions of dollars of revenue to fund vital state programs and considering Hawaii hosts more than 9 million visitors a year, a lottery could be a great way to boost much-needed revenues.
Off Track Horse Betting in Hawaii
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, horse racing was a popular sport in Hawaii. However, these races were later banned, and the last attempt to legalize racetrack betting was in 1959. Since then, locals have been unable to bet on local or out-of-state races at off-track betting parlors or online.
As a sport beloved by former Hawaiian royalty, we think horse betting could be a great starting point for Hawaiians to begin a transition into legal sports betting. With no professional major league sports teams to cheer on, we have no doubt that locals and visitors would fall in love with the thrill of live local races.
What Would Legal Hawaii Sports Betting Look Like?
Recently, a bill passed a Hawaii Senate committee that seeks to allow for a study of how expanded gambling, including legal Hawaii sports betting sites, could benefit the state. If passed, this would not guarantee that expanded gambling is legalized, but would ensure lawmakers put funds aside to seriously consider a betting market. The bill was introduced at the beginning of 2019, and although the odds of its passing still appear uncertain, the fact it hasn’t been shot down is promising.
Regardless, even if the investigative committee is established, it could be years before lawmakers can agree to a bill that would legalize sports betting. Due to there being no casinos on the island, it’s likely that bettors would be able to place mobile wagers, though this is all just speculation for the time being. What is certain is that a Hawaii Sports Wagering Corporation would be created to regulate the industry and decide what could be bet on at which online betting sites. This could range from college division games to major sports leagues like the NFL and NBA.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, it looks as though we’ll have to wait a while for Hawaii sports betting sites, even if the current bill passes. We remain hopeful that attitudes in Hawaii can shift enough in the coming years to accept that sports betting may benefit the local economy in conjunction with the tourism industry.
For now, we’re afraid to say that there really are no gambling options to recommend to residents and visitors of Hawaii. It may seem counter-intuitive, but it appears as though locals will need a holiday outside of the state if they are to legally wager on sports.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you still have questions on sports betting in Hawaii, or whether the best Hawaii online sportsbooks are offshore options? Below, we’ve answered commonly asked questions about gambling in Hawaii so that you can make the most informed decisions on whether or not to try gamble in the state.
Is online gambling and sports betting legal in Hawaii?
No, online gambling and sports betting are not legal in Hawaii. It is unlikely that either of these facts will change in the near future. If players wish, they are able to play free social casino games online, though keep in mind that the moment any real money is wagered, you are breaking the law.
What is the Hawaii legal gambling age?
As far as the current law states, there is no minimum gambling age as gambling is illegal in Hawaii. If this changes in the future, we expect that Hawaiian lawmakers will stick to the more conservative standard minimum age of 21 years old. For now, residents will have to go to the mainland for sportsbook and casino betting opportunities.
Are unlicensed bookmaker sites safe?
No, unlicensed bookmaker sites are not safe. The purpose of attaining a license is to assure government regulators that you are offering a fair product to customers that will not target vulnerable players. Without these guarantees, there’s no telling whether or not your money or sensitive information is protected.
Can I use off-shore or out-of-state internet betting sites to bet?
The current Hawaii gambling definition is very clear about what constitutes gambling and that it is illegal. If you wish to sign up to these offshore betting sites, be warned that you will be breaking the law and that you may be punished, which isn’t uncommon in Hawaii. As these sites are accepting players from an illegal market, it’s safe to assume that they aren’t trustworthy sportsbooks in the first place . In addition, without proper licensing, players aren't guaranteed their money after winning bets.
Can I use the FanDuel or DraftKings app in Hawaii?
Both FanDuel and DraftKings do not accept customers from Hawaii, including for their daily fantasy sports offerings. If mobile sports wagering is eventually legalized somewhere down the line, it’s possible that either could be chosen to create the official Hawaii sports betting app, but this is too far away to speculate on. for now, residents wil simply have to watch the NFL and other major sports leagues.
Is Hawaii the least-gambling friendly state in the USA?
The fact that Hawaii is seriously considering changing its gambling laws is extremely surprising, as it is currently one of only two states that offer no form of legal gambling. The only other state that does not allow gambling of any kind is Utah, making it on par with the state as the least-gambling friendly destination in the United States. Perhaps a new law will change this.