Hawaii Gambling Information
FAQ / Q&A -- History -- Regulation -- Land Based Casinos -- Fun Facts
Best Hawaii Casino
100% Legal in Hawaii
- Accepting all players in Hawaii, Vegas World is a fully regulated, and 100% legal option for Hawaii players.
- Daily slot tournaments
- Meet and socialise with other Hawaii slot fans
- Create your own Vegas casino
- Play Vegas World on our site!
Hawaii Online Casinos
Regulation and Legality of Online Gambling
As of mid-2020, online gambling is still not legal in the state of Hawaii. However, that doesn’t mean that it’s illegal or punishable by law. How is that even possible?
Well, when it comes to laws, legality is defined as official permission to perform a certain act, according to existing legislation. Illegality, on the other hand, is seen as an explicit mention of a certain act, with the goal of highlighting that said act is punishable by law.
The situation gets tricky when something isn’t even mentioned in the state’s legislation, which is the exact case with online gambling in Hawaii. It’s one of the strictest states when it comes to all sorts of games of chance, but there are signs that the situation might be improving.
Rep. Michelle Kidani proposed SB 677 in 2018, but this bill pertaining to iGaming was quickly shut down. While Hawaiian law still bans most forms of gaming, there are talks about potential legalization before 2030.
Currently, you cannot get in trouble for playing at online casinos, nor has anyone ever gotten in trouble for doing that in Hawai. Even though there aren’t any sites officially licensed by the state, you can still choose from a number of other US sites and a plethora of brands from abroad.
Hawaii’s law defines gambling extremely broadly, so that any type of betting and gambling can be, if need be, placed within these definitions and restrictions. There is also mentioning of a gambling device and the definition of it is broad enough to cover just about anything, in the hands of a dedicated lawyer. However, no one has ever been prosecuted in Hawaii for online gambling and the players themselves should be least concerned.
There have been attempts to submit bills that would open the doors of regulating online poker, but these were swiftly killed off before there was any chance of serious debate. It is highly unlikely that the situation in Hawaii will change anytime soon. The state seems content with a no-gambling landscape and only a drop off in tourism could lead to any change in perspective. We all know that will not happen as Hawaii is seen as a paradise on Earth, a tropical destination for family vacations, a pretty much anyone who wishes to get away from daily stresses.Gambling in Hawaii:
Gambling History
Since Hawaii joined the United States in 1959, the anti-gambling attitude has only grown stronger. Much like Utah, Hawaii remains one of rare US countries without any popular form of legalized gambling within the state. This is somewhat ironic, as every once in a while the newspapers write about big busts (seizure of gambling machines, a sports-betting ring getting busted etc.). This tells us that the appetite for gambling in the Island State is not extinguished - it’s just the heavyweight legislation that stands as an insurmountable obstacle that prevents gamblers from enjoying their passion.
Hawaii has no lottery, no horse races, sports betting, or even bingo. It would be logical to expect gambling on cruise ships at least, but even that form of betting is not allowed. When it comes to gambling, Hawaii has an uncompromising community and uncompromising laws. Nothing goes. The anti-gambling attitude in the Island State stems from the conviction that the area would suffer a significant loss of income if it used its gorgeous land for building casinos instead for tourism. Too bad this shatters many people’s dreams about experiencing a perfect gambling vacation across the Hawaii beaches.
Authorities of Hawaii strictly prohibit any gambling activities in the state. The laws do not only cover casinos, gambling events and venues, but also locals and homeowners - it is illegal to own slot machines, for example, even if it’s for display or collection purposes only. The only form of gambling that takes place in the Island State is social gambling, but with extensive restriction involved. The entity (a house or an individual organizer) hosting social gambling events must not earn any profit from it, not even from selling drinks or food. The social games included in these activities are poker and sometimes craps. There are companies which offer casino entertainment services - they organize casino-themed parties where people play casino games such as craps, roulette, blackjack and Let it Ride with pretend money.
If people from Hawaii with to gamble at proper brick and mortar casinos, they need to travel to some of the following destinations: Northern Mariana Islands (gambling facilities on the island of Saipan and in San Jose on the island of Tinian, cruise ships), as well as California or Las Vegas. There are no casinos that are 30 minutes away - some of the best options for Hawaiian gambling enthusiasts are actually an ocean away.
How old do I have to be to partake in online gambling in Hawaii?
In cases where a state doesn’t even define online gambling, we usually advise our readers to look at other gambling-related laws and go with that minimum. Hawaii is an extremely ‘tricky’ example, as there is almost no other legal form of gambling.
Lotteries, brick-and-mortar casinos, betting shops, pari-mutuel betting, sportsbooks - none of this exists in Hawaii. However, social gambling is legal and the age limit for that activity is 18. Therefore, the safest bet is to go with this number.
However, keep in mind that the age limit also depends on where the casino you’ve chosen is based, as there are technically no sites registered in Hawaii. You might run into sites that don’t allow anyone under 21 or without proof of age to create an account. It all depends on the brand, really.
What kind of games can I hope to find at Hawaiian casino sites?
Since you have access to a myriad of offshore casinos, you can basically play everything. Table games and slots will always be the most popular choice, but the iGaming industry has moved away from basic variants and formats a long time ago.
As players are always looking for more, you will see developers coming up with wacky variations and experimental games. While these titles might never eclipse the popularity of their original versions, they add a lot of excitement and keep the online gambling market going.
Can I play live dealer games at Hawaii online casinos?
Of course, live dealer games are a mandatory part of every Hawaiian casino site. While playing against a computer algorithm might be fun, live dealer games recreate that iconic brick-and-mortar casino atmosphere. In this state, you’ll find titles from all kinds of companies, from legendary variants to bright new ideas.
What payment methods can I use while playing at casino sites in Hawaii?
Casinos in Hawaii offer the same payment methods as the rest of the country and the world, for that matter. It’s safe to say that cryptocurrencies are amongst the most popular ways to deposit and withdraw money. They’re completely safe and transfer records are physically impossible to be seen by anyone other than the parties involved in the transaction.
Of course, you’ll find old staples such as cards and bank transfers. Most people use them because there is no need to create an additional account or do anything other than provide your credit card information. However, the downsides include lack of speed and the inability to effectively accommodate to this digital age.
Another interesting way to transfer money to or from an online casino are eWallets. Completely digital, these payment platforms provide users with a virtual wallet that can be accessed from anywhere. Bank involvement is minimal, too.
How long do I have to wait for withdrawals at Hawaiian online gaming establishments?
If you’ve chosen anything that involves a bank, you’re out of luck. Bank transfers and credit card withdrawals take up to 3 business days to be completed. This is because banks have to follow complex regulations and verify every transaction with absolute certainty.
Cryptocurrencies, on the other hand, are much faster. Of course, the exact time varies depending on the exact currency that you’ve chosen. Bitcoin, for example, can help you see your many in as much as 30 minutes, with 3 hours being the worst-case scenario.
eWallets are great, as well, with 24 hours being the upper limit for PayPal, Skrill, and Neteller. While they’re slower than crypto, they’re much easier to use and more catered towards rookie players.
Can my personal information get stolen at online casinos in Hawaii?
If you choose a legitimate online casino in Hawaii, all your information will be safe. Before creating an account, check to see who licenses the casino.
Then, you can snoop around their site and find the security protocols that they’re using. If a casino site is licensed by a reputable organization, and uses SSL encryption and one or more firewalls, than it’s a keeper.
What should I do if a casino site in Hawaii steals my money?
Unfortunately, your hands are tied, at least in a legal sense. Since there are no sites legally operating within state lines, players aren’t entitled to protection in case of a dispute.
If such an incident happens to you, reach out to their customer support. In case that doesn’t work, you can report an issue on AskGamblers or contact the site’s licensor directly.
How do I find a good bonus at Hawaiian online casinos?
A good bonus has low wagering requirements, awards a high amount, and is able to be used for a long period of time. Albeit it sounds like an online gambling utopia, such promotions do exist.
You just need to write everything down and compare all the bonuses that interest you afterward. Such a direct comparison will definitely give you the answer that you were looking for.
Do all casino sites in Hawaii offer reasonable wagering requirements?
For the most part, yes. There are minor deviations, but all Hawaiian online casinos have pretty much the same rates. It is true that this number is up to casinos to decide, but let’s be honest - no brand wants to be stingier or more generous than the competition.
Fun Facts about Hawaii
- Hawaii has no snakes; the state tries to keep snakes out in order to protect native birds and other species. There are also no billboards. Alongside Alaska, Maine and Vermont, Hawaii has banned billboards so that both residents and visitors may enjoy scenic driving without distraction.
- On Kauai Island, there are no cities and freeways. There are very little commercial stores and no chain restaurants. No building on Kauai can be taller than a palm tree and that’s defined by law.
- Hawaii is home to the world’s most active volcano, Kilauea volcano. Due to its eruptions, the surface and the landmass of Hawaii continues to grow.
More Slots
IGT Slots
WMS Slots
Bally Slots
Konami Slots
