Legal Hawaii Sports Betting Sites
Hawaii is known for its family-friendly atmosphere and unfortunately, that does not include sports betting in Hawaii. However, there are options when it comes to wanting to play the odds which we will go into detail below. The state does not have any racetracks or casinos on the chain of islands and this outlaw of gambling isn’t seen anywhere else in the country with the exception of Utah. Don’t get discouraged if you are planning on visiting the big island or are a resident of the state, for that is what we are here for.
Our goal is to provide you with a complete overview of the laws and legality of sports betting in Hawaii. Additionally, we will explain the background of horse racing and daily fantasy sports and answer any questions you think you may have. Options exist by using an offshore sportsbook in the state and these operators provide more betting lines and reward programs than you could even imagine. There is a lot of information to discuss; however, we know that at the end of reading this guide, you will feel confident in knowing your rights and abilities when you are trying to strike it rich in the Aloha State.
Hawaii Sports Betting Laws
It's not always rays of sunshine and butterflies when it comes to speaking about Hawaii – especially when talking about their gambling laws. Hawaii is one of the few states that offer no form of gambling. None! No lottery, bingo parlors, casino gaming, or sports betting is permitted to be played on the island chain. The state won’t even let you enter on a cruise ship to gamble on in waters around Hawaii. The entirety of the gambling laws can be found in Hawaii Code. §712-1123 Gambling is knowingly participating in an activity where money is on the line and is considered a misdemeanor offense, provided that the amounts wagered are low enough to not make it a felony.
Bookmaking is taken even more seriously and is considered a Class C Felony if you are receiving bets on behalf of others. To be safe, you should only use a trusted and legit offshore sportsbook that can legally provide you with many betting options, whether you want to wager on the University of Hawaii Rainbow Warriors or the Chaminade University Silverswords. Though there is no mention in the Hawaii Code that using an operator located overseas is against the law, it is ultimately up to you to decide if you want to take part.
The Legality Of Sports Betting In Hawaii
Without any laws supporting a gambling industry in Hawaii, you are limited in your options when it comes to sports betting. Playing the odds with an underground bookie can become a serious problem, especially since the state has increased its enforcement of removing video lottery machines and gambling in general. Being stuck in the middle of this can result in major fines or jail time – nothing you want for trying to place a bet.
Instead, you will have to use a trusted sportsbook that is licensed and located offshore. These sites provide promotions, benefits, a variety of betting lines and options, and are free to join. State legislators are opening up to the idea of a regulated industry being hosted in Hawaii as 2017 saw its first sports betting bill, HB 927, which would have legalized gambling. This made no advancement; however, a bill to study the effects of gambling was introduced in 2019, House Bill 1107, and has gotten further than many of the other gambling bills presented in the past.
Where To Legally Bet On Sports In Hawaii
Residents of the state are well aware that when it comes to where to legally bet on sports in Hawaii, there are no local options. Avid sports fans, however, are still using offshore online sportsbooks to get those last-minute bets in on their favorite teams. These are the only venues that accept sports bets from Hawaii residents without a flight being booked or a road trip being planned. You can check out any of the legal Hawaii sports betting sites (or rather, the closest thing to legal gambling in the state) toward the end of our guide.
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Legal Age To Bet On Sports In Hawaii
This may come as somewhat of a shock to you, but because there is no form of gambling on the island chain, the state never set a minimum sports betting age or gambling age in general. Legit operators will accept residents as young as 18 and will also require a form of ID to prove your age. If you are not of age, be sure to wait until you are, as the site will have no problem shutting down your account and confiscating any winnings.
Hawaii Sports Betting FAQ's
Are Online Sportsbooks Safe To Use If You Live Hawaii?
From a security standpoint, offshore sites that accept Hawaii residents are safe. These legal betting sites use the latest technology and have verification protocols to keep your information protected. As far as the law goes, there are no laws either for or against online sites. The choice is yours, but don’t even think about using the cover of a VPN to get started—most sites will not allow you to continue if you try.
What Is The Best Way To Fund Your Hawaii Sports Betting Account?
You have multiple options in funding your online account. Even though the term Bitcoin and Hawaii go hand-in-hand for a negative connotation, this is the safest and quickest way to get money into your offshore account. Other methods involve using a credit card or sending a money order, but check with the site’s cashier as each site offers different deposit and withdrawal methods.
What Should I Do If My Bank Didn't Process My Credit Or Debit Card Deposit?
Get some sunshine in the island breeze. After you relax, contact the sportsbook’s customer service and determine if the transaction was canceled on their end or because of a federal law known as UIGEA. Either way, the operator of the book will ensure you are not double charged and will provide a different method for depositing like one of the ones listed above.
Can I Bet From My Mobile Phone In Hawaii?
Anywhere you have an internet connection, whether that be through WiFi, 4G, 5G, or LTE, you will be able to access the sportsbooks we recommend below with your phone. The internet connection in Hawaii can be spotty at times; however, you will still be able to fund your account, enter into a wager, or request a withdrawal all from your phone.
Do Legal Hawaii Online Sportsbooks Have Live Betting?
If your site doesn’t have live in-play betting, you should probably no longer use that site. Live betting allows you to discover lines that payout as large as the Mauna Kea mountain peak The betting odds are rapidly changing; therefore, be quick when making a wager this way, but hit it right and watch the cash roll in.
Can I Have More Than One Online Sportsbook Account In Hawaii?
Hawaii residents are able to create as many online sportsbook accounts as there are islands in the state. There is no limit to what you can join and better yet, they are all free to join. No laws prevent you from joining a trusted bookmaker so join as many as you can handle and look to shop for the best betting lines in the process.
Betting On Horse Racing In Hawaii
Horse race betting is another form of gambling that is strictly prohibited in the state. The hobby used to be quite active in the Reconstruction era and advertisements were consistently written in the paper promoting these events. Kapiolani Park in Honolulu used to be used as a dry course for horse racing in the state; however, throughout the early 1900s, many tracks like the one that used to be at Kapiolani Park shut down and the land areas were proclaimed as free public parks. Some legislators have attempted to bring back the industry, but no measures have been introduced since the late 1990s. 1999 Senate Bill 476 would have reestablished pari-mutuel wagering in the state bringing forth a regulatory board and licensing requirements; however, the majority of state lawmakers did not budge on their position.
Now, the island chain does not have any horse race tracks and also does not offer simulcast racing of events that are happening across the country. However, if betting on the ponies is your forte or you are interested in learning about it, consider using an offshore sportsbook. These operators also have a racebook where you can legally wager on horse races from all over the world. They offer betting options on harness racing, maiden racing, thoroughbred racing and much more.
The Status Of Daily Fantasy Sports In Hawaii
Hawaii legislators spent both the 2017 and 2018 sessions discussing the legality of DFS in Hawaii and ultimately came to no conclusion. Lawmakers introduced two bills, SB 204 and HB 855, but neither of them made it out of the Judiciary Committee. These bills would have legalized and regulated the DFS industry but without their passing the ability to consider DFS legal or illegal still remains up in the air.
Operators still provided paid and unpaid contests to Hawaii residents and those who were visiting the state; however, after the Attorney General deemed this type of wagering to be a method of illegal gambling, all of the companies stopped permitting the island chain from participating. There have not been any 2019 bills in efforts to bring this debate back up and we believe that Hawaii will, unfortunately, be one of those states that will not offer this type of gaming.