Hawaii Betting Sites: Potential for Legal Hawaii Sports Betting

Is Daily Fantasy Sports Betting Legal in Hawaii?

It’s not uncommon for states which have heavily restrictive and limited sports betting or casino gambling provisions to provide players with the ability to bet on Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS). Unfortunately, that is not the case in Hawaii, as the state Attorney General’s office ruled that Daily Fantasy Sports is illegal in Hawaii under state law.

There are some states which have surpassed similar limitations by having Daily Fantasy Sports betting re-classified as a game of skill. However, the present situation finds Hawaii limiting players from placing bets on Daily Fantasy Sports online at all, so there are no legal Daily Fantasy Sports betting options in Hawaii.

If DFS does arrive, it’s likely the operators of it, such as FanDuel and DraftKings, will also provide some of the best betting sites Hawaii bettors can enjoy.

Are there Legal Offshore Betting Sites for Hawaii Players?

When faced with heavily restrictive laws surrounding gambling, players are often drawn to the allure of offshore betting sites. These are operators which provide gaming from territories which occupy a legal grey zone, meaning that often they are not regulated or monitored by state regulatory bodies.

This means that while players are likely to be able to access offshore betting sites such as BetOnline, MyBookie and Bovada while playing within Hawaii, unfortunately this also means that you have no guarantee of safety or fairness at these sites, and they are not considered legal for play. We recommend exclusively placing bets with fully-licensed sites only, and these offshore sites are not licensed in Hawaii.

Land-based Casinos in Hawaii

The rules surrounding land-based and online gaming tend to vary by degrees from state to state, with some more conservative gaming states providing native Indian casinos and gambling under certain conditions in lieu of other commercial gambling. That’s not the case with Hawaii however, and there are no land-based casinos in Hawaii.

In fact, players won’t even find many of the more common alternative gambling options common to more conservative gambling states. This means that there are also no card rooms, bingo or lotteries in Hawaii, which is a very rare thing, making Hawaii one of just five states without a lottery. Naturally, this extends to sports betting and sportsbooks of all forms, so players will need to visit a legal betting state to find these options.

Are there Nearby States to Hawaii with Legal Sports Betting?

Being an island state, it can’t be said that there are necessarily any bordering states which feature legal sports betting. But that doesn’t mean that residents don’t have any options. Though it will take a trip, there are several states relatively near the West coast border of the United States which provide legal gambling options.

We’re also disappointed to say that there is no Hawaii online sports betting either, which makes Hawaii one of the most restrictive states for bettors of all kinds. Here in the following table, we’ve provided several gambling options for players who are interested in making the journey to the mainland and getting involved in sports betting.

What Could Legal Sports Betting in Hawaii Look Like?

There are strong arguments for and against the regulation of sports betting in Hawaii, though unlike many other states, it appears that the argument against land-based casinos comes down to a lack of revenue. This is because Hawaii’s tourism industry is so strong, however there is no major justification for outlawing Hawaii online sports betting.

With the recent influx of legalized online sports betting sweeping the United States, readers can expect a continued push in the direction of expanded Hawaii online betting options. This means that players are likely to encounter options in the realm of online betting sooner than they are any form of land-based casinos.

This means that, in the event that Hawaii were do amend these conditions, players in the state might be able to expect the best Hawaii betting sites to provide users with monitoring from licensing agencies and gambling boards for fair payouts and user safety. It’s more than likely that players will be able to place bets on Major US sporting leagues such as the MLB, NBA, and NFL under these conditions.

Currently, What are the Hawaii Gambling Laws?

Hawaii state legislature is extremely prohibitive when it comes to gambling of all forms. It’s so restrictive that it doesn’t feature any of the usual exceptions to the rules found by most restrictive gambling states, such as a state lottery or bingo.

There is currently no gambling board in Hawaii, as the state does not have any licensed gambling options. There is technically no legal age for gambling, as there are no casinos or any regulated varieties of legalised gambling of any form. There are also no Hawaii betting sites available for play.

There is just one exception to the rule in the state of Hawaii – the option to participate in social gambling. This means that these social bets are not considered criminal offenses, but it’s clear that the state does not encourage gambling of any kind. Players often visit Las Vegas to place legal bets, where gambling is overseen by the Gaming Control Board Gaming Commission.

And while social gambling on some levels is tolerated by the state, the laws surrounding these games and bets are blurry, and players are not permitted to stake money on these social bets. This means that players also are not permitted to ‘expect prizes’ from social bets of any kind.

These laws make Hawaii, alongside Utah, one of only two states with zero forms of legalized gambling whatsoever in the United States. There have been recent pushes made to change these laws for the online world however, which we will explore in the following section.

The History of Sports Betting and Gambling in Hawaii

Although Hawaii is undeniably one of the most restrictive states in the entire USA in terms of gambling law, it has not been without its serious consideration of sports betting and gambling introduction, especially with the advent of online gambling and massive national revenue from gambling taxation. Here, we will take a look at the history of sports betting in Hawaii.

Legal arguments against gambling in Hawaii have included the fear of increased addiction and crime in the state. However, there are equally strong arguments in support of introducing online gambling in the state, and with so many residents of Hawaii visiting the mainland USA every year to place bets, it’s becoming more likely.

It’s not uncommon for gamblers to also board visiting cruise ships which provide gambling options, which operate in yet another legal grey area by sailing into international waters. The state is otherwise very strict on illegal gambling rooms, and there is no Hawaii sportsbook which is licensed or regulated for play under state law.

Statistics show that residents of Hawaii are one of the most prevalent groups of visitors to Las Vegas and its many gambling strips, and it’s easy to see why. There is little evidence to show that there will be much reason for lawmakers to accept the introduction of land-based gambling in the state, but it is far more likely that Hawaii online sports betting could be introduced.

What Does the Future of Sports Betting in Hawaii Hold?

When it comes to the future of sports betting in Hawaii, there are no predictions that can be considered a certainty. That said, there is a growing presence of lawmakers who are trying to instate online gambling in Hawaii. It seems to be the case that this is the more likely outcome when considering what potential Hawaii has to introduce regulated gambling of any kind.

Though this information is undeniably promising, there is still no concrete evidence that Hawaii will introduce licensed gambling of any form In the foreseeable future. State law is strongly prohibitive, and as such, only players from legal sports betting states will be able to bet on sports online and at land-based sportsbooks until significant developments are made.

As always, when there is more information on the best betting sites Hawaii may have to offer, we’ll be the first to let you know all about it.

Frequently Asked Questions

It’s not uncommon for players to find sports betting legislation and rules somewhat confusing. We’ve tried to make things clear and concise for our readers, but if you’re looking to brush up on some of the essentials, we invite you to read the following answers to frequently asked questions about the options for sports betting in Hawaii.

⚖️ Is online gambling and sports betting legal in Hawaii?

There is no legal gambling in Hawaii regulated by the state whatsoever. It is one of the most restrictive states in the USA in terms of all gambling, which naturally extends to a lack of both Hawaii sportsbooks, casinos, and other gaming varieties. For more information, recommend that players peruse our pages on betting in Hawaii. We'll bring you all the information on the best betting sites Hawaii has to offer as and when they arrive.

🛡️ What is the state legal gambling age?

Although Hawaii does not provide any form of regulated games betting whatsoever, players will be happy to know that when it comes to social gambling, it is more flexible. As such, the legal age for social betting in Hawaii is 18 and over, which is better than many states. Check out more about Hawaii betting laws here.

🚨 Are sites like MyBookie and Bovada legal and safe?

Many players who are finding themselves eager to start placing bets and are unable to do so in their state will be tempted by offshore sportsbooks. However, we advise exercising great caution, as sites like Bovada and MyBookie are not licensed in Hawaii, meaning they aren’t technically legal and can’t be considered safe for play. You can learn more about licensed and safe sites here.

🔎 Can I play at a Hawaii online sportsbook if I am not in the state?

Because there are not any Hawaii sportsbook options either online or at land-based sportsbooks in the state, it may come as no surprise to punters that you can’t play at a Hawaii online sportsbook while interstate. Other states also do not allow this – you have to play with services licensed in your region. Check out some of the nearest and best neighbouring sports betting states here.