Hawaii Online Casinos and Gambling Sites
Hawaii prohibits gambling except for some types of social gambling.
So, people in the island state seeking to gamble have only online casinos and sportsbooks based outside of the US for any wagering activities.
This guide highlights the best online gambling options and why I recommend them. I’ve selected the top online casinos based on their reputation for customer service, reliability, and other factors that make them popular with US players.
This guide covers the few gambling activities available to Hawaiians and delves into the prospects for change.
Gambling Highlights
Are you interested in gambling in Hawaii? Check out the table below for an overview of the types of gambling that are legally permitted in the state.
Is Gambling Legal?
Yes (Social Only)
Legal Gambling Age
18+
Land-Based Casinos
No
Online Casinos
Grey Area
Land-Based Sports Betting
No
Online Sportsbooks
Grey Area
Legal State Lottery
No
Charitable Gambling
No
Table of Contents
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Is Online Gambling Legal in Hawaii?
Key Takeaways
- Hawaii has strict anti-gambling laws.
- The Aloha State does not specifically ban online gambling.
- No Hawaiian has faced prosecution for gambling online.
- HI authorities have never taken action against online casinos, sportsbooks, or poker sites.
Hawaii is arguably the toughest state on gambling.
It does not allow any form of land-based gaming, including casinos, poker rooms, sportsbooks, or lotteries. Its gambling statutes only make an exception for social gaming.
Therefore, you might think that online gambling is completely illegal in Hawaii.
However, the Aloha State does not specifically mention online gambling or similar terms in its statutes.
The state has never prosecuted anybody for playing at online casinos.
Hawaii laws focus on preventing illegal operations within state borders. Local authorities do not seem interested in pursuing offshore sites, poker rooms, sportsbooks, or players.
Best Hawaii Online Casinos in 2024
I have reviewed dozens of real money online casinos to find the best of the best. You can see my top picks for the Hawaiian market below.
| RANK | CASINO | BONUS | PAYOUT SPEED | LICENSED | TOTAL GAMES | SLOTS | OUR RATING | CLICK TO PLAY |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
DuckyLuck Casino |
BONUS 500% up to $7,500 | PAYOUT SPEED 1-5 Days | LICENSED Yes | TOTAL GAMES 699 | SLOTS 600 | OUR RATING 4 / 5 | Play Now |
| 2 |
Bovada Casino |
BONUS 125% up to $3,750 | PAYOUT SPEED 1-3 Days | LICENSED Yes | TOTAL GAMES 549 | SLOTS 435 | OUR RATING 4 / 5 | Play Now |
| 3 |
SlotsandCasino |
BONUS 500% up to $7,500 | PAYOUT SPEED 1-2 Days | LICENSED Yes | TOTAL GAMES 691 | SLOTS 594 | OUR RATING 3.9 / 5 | Play Now |
| 4 |
BetUS |
BONUS 150% up to $3,000 | PAYOUT SPEED 1-7 days | LICENSED Yes | TOTAL GAMES 491 | SLOTS 367 | OUR RATING 4.5 / 5 | Play Now |
| 5 |
Cafe Casino |
BONUS 350% up to $2,500 | PAYOUT SPEED 1-3 Days | LICENSED Yes | TOTAL GAMES 547 | SLOTS 384 | OUR RATING 3.5 / 5 | Play Now |
*Last Updated: November, 2024
Top Online Casinos Reviewed – Key Features
These two sites lead my list of the best Hawaii online casinos. Each one offers a great all-around experience, but they also specialize in certain areas.
Let us discuss the main features that make these sites stand out.
The Best Hawaii Online Casino for Slots & Other Games
DuckyLuck offers nearly 500 online slots from industry developers like Betsoft, Dragon Gaming, Rival, Qora, and Saucify.
You can easily find games due to its user-friendly homepage. This lobby lets you quickly scroll through slots, table games, live casino games, video poker, and casual games.
The DuckyBucks Rewards program provides another reason to play here. It features four tiers and offers daily reload bonuses, cashback, free spins, and birthday gifts.
Top Features
- 500+ online slots from multiple developers
- Well-designed homepage that’s perfect for finding slots and other games
- The DuckyBucks program offers deposit bonuses, cashback, and free spins
Top Hawaii Gambling Site for Sports Betting
Like DuckyLuck, Bovada has a top-tier online casino with many games and progressive jackpots. However, it excels even more as an all-around gambling site thanks to its sports betting.
Bovada’s sportsbook covers nearly 30 markets, which is much more than the industry average of 15-20 sports.
This wide selection lets you enjoy everything from popular sports to obscure markets like badminton and volleyball. Bovada also boasts a loaded live betting section with many wagering opportunities.
Top Features
- Great all-around gambling site for sports betting and casino games
- One of the industry’s largest market selections, with almost 30 sports
- The live betting section is always overflowing with odds across several markets
How to Choose the Best Online Casinos
I consider many factors when picking the top Hawaii online casinos, but the following five aspects are the most important:
Reputation
Everything falls into place with reputable casinos, including fast payouts, fair bonus terms, good customer support, and a secure website.Fast & Reliable Payments
The gold standard for quick payment processing is less than 24 hours. I also find 24-48 hours acceptable for processing withdrawals.Security & Safety
I only approve gaming sites with secure websites, which, luckily, are commonplace in the industry.Game Variety
More games equal more options and entertainment at a gaming site. I prefer HI online casinos with 300 games or more.Quality Bonuses
The best Hawaii casino bonuses have fair terms and conditions, which provide a better chance of meeting rollover and withdrawing bonus funds.
Top Online Casino Games in Hawaii
Online casino games are the only games in town due to this state’s strict gambling laws. Below, you can learn about the most popular game categories available on HI gambling sites.
Online Slots
Thousands of real money online slots are available to Hawaiians. Therefore, you can expect many different themes, features, and game types when playing slots at HI online casinos.
Features across the industry include cascading reels, expanding wilds, free spins, mystery symbols,andrandom wilds.
The state does not offer land-based casinos or slot machines. Therefore, online slots are your only option.
Online Poker
Some of my recommended online casinos offer real money poker games and tournaments.
They focus on Texas Hold’em and Omaha games, with typical cash stakes ranging from $0.02 to $20.
Weekend online poker tournaments boast the biggest prize pools. The largest offshore poker rooms feature Sunday tourneys with prize pools from $50,000 to $200,000.
Online Blackjack
No brick-and-mortar casinos are available to provide blackjack in the Aloha State, but online casinos offer an outlet to enjoy this game.
It is affordable, with minimum bets starting at $1 per hand.
Most gaming sites offer several real money blackjack variations, such as Classic 21, Perfect Pairs, Switch, and Zappit.
Live Dealer Games
You cannot enjoy the sights and sounds of casinos in Hawaii. However, live dealer casinos give you the next best thing because they stream action from live studios.
You can chat with dealers and watch real cards dealt through your smartphone, tablet, or computer.
Baccarat, blackjack, and roulette are staples at live dealer casinos.
Other Online Casino Games
Online gaming in Hawaii does not end with slots, blackjack, and live dealer tables. You can expect even more variety, including the following games.
Hawaii Online Casino Bonuses
Here are some examples of the bonus categories you’ll find at my recommended online casinos.
Welcome Bonuses
Large introductory offers that nearly every online gambling site provides to new players.
Free Spin Offers
Promotional deals that give you a set number of free rounds on specific games.
Reload Deals
Get additional bonus cash when you deposit additional funds or top off your account.
Our Favorite Bonuses
Plenty of worthwhile Hawaii online casino bonuses are available, but these ones are the most valuable. Below, I‘ll explain what makes these welcome promos stand out.
500% up to $7,500 + 150 free spins Bonus
DuckyLuck features one of the biggest casino bonuses in Hawaii at up to $7,500.
This offer breaks down into three deposit bonuses worth 500% up to $2,500. Your first deposit also qualifies for 150 free spins, which come in batches of 50 over the first three days.
You must make a minimum deposit of $25 to qualify for each deposit bonus.
Wagering requirements are lower than the industry average at 30x the bonus plus deposit. Craps, live dealer gaming, and progressives do not count toward rollover.
125% up to $3,750 Sign-Up Bonus
Bovada offers impressive crypto bonuses for its casino and sportsbook. They offer three bonuses in your first three deposits, worth 125% up to $3,750 in total.
You must use code BTCCWB1250 on the first deposit and BTC2NDCWB on the second and third deposits.
Casino games, sports betting, and horse betting count towards wagering requirements, while live gaming and poker do not.
These bonuses require you to deposit with an approved cryptocurrency.
Casino Apps
Hawaii casino apps are unavailable, but you can still play at mobile online casinos through Android and iOS devices.
You start by visiting an online casino via an iPhone, iPad, or Android browser (e.g., Safari). Next, you sign up for an account to gain access to games and deposit methods.
I have reviewed regulated casino apps in states like Michigan and Pennsylvania. In-browser mobile play at offshore casinos performs well compared to apps regarding speed and usability.
Legal Gambling Facts for HI Players
The Aloha State does not regulate online gaming sites nor mention them in its laws. Therefore, you may want more clarification on the legal situation involving them.
The following facts provide more context about online casinos in this jurisdiction.
- Hawaii bans most forms of gambling, but it does not address online gaming.
- Many offshore casinos, betting sites, and poker rooms accept Hawaiians.
- Local authorities have never prosecuted offshore gambling sites or the players.
- No gambling site holds licensing in Hawaii because the market is unregulated.
- Most online casinos and sportsbooks hold licensing in offshore jurisdictions like Curaçao and Panama.
- The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) may prevent your bank from facilitating payments at online casinos.
- Gaming sites get around the UIGEA by accepting cryptocurrency deposits.
Hawaii Gambling Laws Summary
Again, Hawaii is one of the strictest states on gambling. You will not find any legal gaming opportunities here besides the social variety.
I will go over the Hawaii laws behind each form of gambling and relevant legislation below.
| Hawaii Gambling | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Land-based casinos in Hawaii | Brick-and-mortar casinos are illegal and unavailable in the Aloha State. Statute 712-1222.5 (Promoting gambling aboard ships) also rules out casino cruises, which would likely be popular here. The bill HB 1962 from 2020 sought to study casino gaming and its revenue impact, but nothing seems to have come from it. |
| Online Gambling | Hawaii does not clearly define online gambling laws and has taken no legal action against offshore gaming sites and players. That said, online gambling has continued unabated in this state for three decades. |
| Sports Betting | Hawaiian politicians have introduced several bills to legalize sports betting, such as HB 1815 and HB 1973 in 2022. No sports gambling legislation has passed, leaving land-based sportsbooks illegal and online betting unregulated. |
| State Lottery | Hawaii is one of only five states that do not offer a lottery. Lawmakers are focused on sports betting bills; a Hawaii lottery is not on the horizon. |
| Charitable Gambling | Most anti-gambling states make an exception for charitable gaming like bingo and raffles. Hawaii does not, with its Attorney General noting that raffles are “generally a type of lottery scheme.” |
| Poker | Poker is not legal under Hawaii gambling statutes. Therefore, you will not find legal card rooms in this state. |
| Horse & Dog Racing | Hawaii is among the few states that don’t offer pari-mutuel betting. This stance will probably not change due to the slow decline of horse racing and the scarcity of dog tracks. |
| Fantasy Sports | Former Hawaii Attorney General Doug Chin stated in 2016 that daily fantasy sports are illegal. HB 2004 sought to legalize DFS in 2022 but to no avail. |
| Social Gambling | Statute 712-1231 exempts social gaming from illegal gambling under certain circumstances. It prohibits social games from businesses, public areas, and churches. Therefore, you are limited to playing within homes. |
| Taxes on Gambling Winnings | Hawaii does not directly tax gambling winnings because it does not offer legal gaming opportunities. However, it does tax Hawaiians’ gambling wins on the US mainland. For example, if you won a slots jackpot in Las Vegas, you would still need to pay HI state taxes ranging from 1.4% to 11%. |
Disclaimer: The information on this page does not, nor does it intend to, constitute legal advice. This page is for learning purposes and may not have the most up-to-date information year-round. Readers should contact their attorney and/or accountant for advice concerning any particular legal matter. Do not take any action without first contacting a lawyer in your state.
Gambling Laws: A Deep Dive
This state generally views all types of gambling as illegal. Therefore, you do not have any gaming options here beyond offshore sites and social games.
But as covered below, Hawaii politicians are interested in regulating certain types of gambling.
Land-Based Casinos
The Aloha State would make an attractive casino destination due to its beautiful scenery, activities, and bustling tourism industry.
Nevertheless, brick-and-mortar casinos remain unavailable in Hawaii.
Bills like SB 2608 have proposed studies on casino gaming and its impact on state coffers. However, legislation like this and HB 1962 have not inspired a push to legalize casinos.
Horse & Dog Tracks
No horse or dog tracks are available in Hawaii. This state does not have a tradition of pari-mutuel betting and seems unlikely to consider it in the future.
Lawmakers would consider sports betting and land-based casinos before pari-mutuel wagering.
Bingo, Lottery and Charitable Gambling
Hawaii does not permit charity gambling fundraisers.
The state Attorney General Office notes that charitable gambling is only legal when a “raffle is free of charge.” Any donations made during such raffles “are strictly voluntary.”
The Aloha State does not appear interested in legalizing lotteries. Residents must visit the US mainland to purchase lottery tickets legally from other states.
Social Gaming at Home
Social gambling is legal in Hawaii under Statute 712-1231, provided nobody acts as the house and collects rake.
However, social gaming cannot occur “at a hotel, motel, bar, nightclub, cocktail lounge, restaurant, massage parlor, billiard parlor, or any business establishment of any kind, public parks, public buildings, public beaches, school grounds, churches or any other public area.”
These exclusions limit social gaming to homes.
Poker Rooms and Clubs
Poker rooms and card clubs are illegal in this state, with home games being the only options for playing live poker.
The strict Hawaii social gambling laws restrict poker functions from businesses, parks, and churches.
Sports Betting
Multiple lawmakers have introduced bills to legalize sports betting in Hawaii. HB 344 was the latest attempt, ultimately failing to pass in 2023.
Brick-and-mortar sportsbooks are still illegal here, while the Hawaii online sports betting market is unregulated.
Offshore betting sites continue to fill this void without regulated bookmakers.
Hawaii Gambling vs. Neighboring States
Hawaii does not have physical neighbors because it is surrounded by water. Therefore, I will look at the four closest states to Hawaii for comparisons on gambling markets.
You can see how the Aloha State stacks up to Alaska, California, Oregon, and Washington regarding gambling legalities.
| State | Is some form of Gambling Legal? | Legal Gambling Age | Legal Land-Based Casinos | Playing at Online Casinos | Legal Sports Betting | Legal State Lottery | Charitable Gaming |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | Yes | 18+ | Not Legal | Grey Area | Not Legal | Not Legal | Not Legal |
| Alaska | Yes | 19+ | Class II | Offshore Only | Offshore Only | Not Legal | Legal |
| California | Yes | 18 – 21 | Legal | Legal (Tribal Only) | Not Legal | Legal | Legal |
| Oregon | Yes | 18 – 21 | Legal | Grey Area | Legal | Legal | Legal |
| Washington | Yes | 18 | Legal | Not Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal |
Hawaii and Alaska share many similarities regarding gambling because they ban everything except social gaming.
California, Oregon, and Washington differ since they allow most forms of gambling. Washington does have one exception, though, because it deems online gambling a Class C felony for in-state unregulated operators.
California has not legalized sports betting, making it similar to Hawaii.
A Brief History of Hawaii Gambling
Hawaii became the 50th and final state (so far) in 1959. Therefore, it does not have an extensive gambling history as part of the US. Nevertheless, it has experienced a few gambling milestones, which you can read below.
- 1959 – Hawaii becomes the 50th state.
- 1972 – Lawmakers drafted Chapter 712, Part III “Gambling Offenses,” which officially banned all forms of gambling.
- 2016 – Former state AG Doug Chin opines daily fantasy sports are illegal in Hawaii.
- 2017 – SB 204 seeks to legalize DFS but ultimately fails.
- 2020 – HB 1107 and SB 2571 become early attempts at legalizing HI sports betting.
- 2022 – HB 1815 fails to usher in Hawaii online sports betting; a bill (HB1962) to study casino gaming is also introduced.
- 2023 – Despite garnering significant attention, another piece of sports betting legislation (HB 344) still needs to pass.
Responsible Gambling Initiatives
The Aloha State doesn’t feature a dedicated in-state organization for promoting responsible gambling.
After all, it does not have any forms of legal gambling. Those who need help with problem gambling, though, can seek out the local chapter of Gamblers Anonymous.
Players can also contact the National Council of Problem Gambling.
Summary: Hawaii’s Gambling Journey
Hawaii continues competing with Utah for the strictest state on gambling. It does not permit any form of commercial gambling and places many restrictions on social gaming.
Local politicians are interested in legalizing sports betting, with several bills coming out within the past few years. If Hawaii does legalize anything soon, it will likely be sports gambling.
I assume that online sports betting would be included, given that it is more feasible than land-based sportsbooks on a state spanning eight islands.
Online gambling remains the only viable option for Hawaiian gamblers. The state has never taken action against players or offshore operators in three decades of online gambling.
That said, offshore casinos, poker rooms, and sportsbooks are the safest options for betting in Hawaii.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions regarding Hawaii online gambling and other forms of gaming? Read the following FAQ.
Is there any risk of playing at online casinos regulated outside of Hawaii?
No in-state governing body regulates online casinos in Hawaii. Therefore, you risk the chance of having no backup in the case of disputes with operators.
I recommend choosing the best Hawaii online casinos to minimize the odds of such problems.
Will Hawaii ever choose to regulate online casino sites?
Hawaii is one of the strictest states on gambling. I highly doubt that the legislation around online casinos will change soon.
Sports betting is more likely to be legalized, as there have been a couple of efforts to do so, but offshore casinos will remain the sole option for gambling for a while. I hope that this will change in the future.
