Hawaii sports betting is not yet legal, but state leaders are taking a closer look at the potential revenue source in 2024.
The Aloha State has historically turned away all forms of gambling, but Thrillzz Social Sportsbook is now available to sports fans.
Will regulated sportsbooks and other forms of gambling come to Hawaii? Bookmark this page for the latest industry news and updates on Hawaii sports betting legislation.
Hawaii Sports Betting at a Glance
Hawaii prohibits all forms of commercial gambling, including poker, bingo, sports betting, casino games, and daily fantasy sports. You can be charged with a misdemeanor for placing a bet. Criminal charges become more serious for anyone who tries to organize gambling activities in the 50th state.
| Hawaii Population | 1.4 million |
| Legal Betting Age | 21+ in most states |
| Sports Betting Regulator | Hawaii State Legislature would create gambling laws & oversight |
| Online Sportsbooks | ✖️ Not Available |
| Retail Sportsbooks | ✖️ Not Available |
| College Sports Betting | ✖️ Not Available |
| Esports Betting | ✖️ Not Available |
| Tax Rate | N/A |
Is Sports Betting Legal in Hawaii?
Sports betting is not legal in Hawaii if a third party makes the transaction possible and gets a piece of the action.
What does that mean? You can make an informal bet with a friend, relative, or coworker because social gambling is allowed. It becomes an illegal activity if you involve a bookie or use a sports betting app like DraftKings. Pick’em companies like Underdog Fantasy and Fliff in sweepstakes mode are also not allowed.
Pay attention to your location when you make that low-dollar sports bet, too. Even a friendly wager is illegal at:
- Hotels and motels
- Bars, nightclubs, cocktail lounges and restaurants
- Massage parlors and billiard parlors
- Any business establishment of any kind
- Public parks and public beaches
- School grounds and churches
- Public buildings or any other public areas
In short, you must bet in private. Both bettors must be at least 18, according to the Hawaii laws on social betting.
Bookmaking of any kind is strictly prohibited. If you need a ledger to track other people’s wins and losses—even among friends—you are probably violating Hawaii law.
When Will Sports Betting Be Legal in Hawaii?
It remains uncertain when and if sports betting in Hawaii will be legalized. The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported that House and Senate bills to allow lottery, casino, online gambling, and DFS were introduced in 2023 but never advanced to the midpoint of the legislative session.
Political analyst Neal Milner told The Honolulu Star-Advertiser there is not much push to legalize sports betting in Hawaii.
“It needs a kind of constituency, a very broad constituency, that the pro-gambling people have never been able to get here,” Milner said.
Hawaii and Utah are the only two states without any legalized form of gambling.
What's Happening in Hawaii Sports Betting Right Now?
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March 7, 2024:
The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reports that all gambling bills have failed to advance past the halfway point of Hawaii’s legislative session.
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February 9, 2024:
The House of Representatives Committee on Economic Development passes House Bill 2765, which is aimed at overseeing online sports betting in Hawaii. The approval of the bill passed through a split vote of 5-2.
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February 5, 2024:
House Bill 2765, which would legalize poker and sports betting apps in Hawaii, is introduced by Senator Ronald Kouchi. Kouchi introduces a companion bill to allow a single casino in the Aloha State.
Hawaii Sports Betting Bills
Two gambling bills were introduced in 2024 through committees in the Hawaii House of Representatives, but neither managed to advance.
HB2762 would have authorized casino gaming at a single resort property on the island of Oahu. The bill would also have established a Hawaii Gaming Commission and set a tax on gross gaming revenue. The money would go into a state gaming fund, and HB2762 would outline how the funds are allocated.
HB2765 would have established licensing requirements to bring sports betting to the Aloha State. Under the bill’s language, sports betting operators and suppliers would report to the Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. HB2765 would also have created a special fund for taxed sports wagering revenue. Finally, the bill excludes sports betting from being considered a game of chance.
Both bills were referred to the House committees on:
- Economic Development
- Consumer Protections and Commerce / Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
- Finance
In the Hawaii Senate, SB3376 establishes a 10-year license for a single entity to operate online versions of poker and sports betting. The bill would create a Hawaii Gaming Control Commission to oversee rules, taxation, and a compulsive gambler assistance program.
The Senate bill directs 70% of gambling profits to wildfire victims. The wildfire fund amount would decrease by 5% each year over the 10-year timeframe. It has a companion bill in HB2259.
The Senate bill was referred to these bodies:
- Energy, Economic & Tourism Committee / Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee
- Senate Ways & Means Committee / Judiciary Committee
Hawaii Sports Betting Legalization Timeline
House Bill 2765, which would bring online sports betting to Hawaii, is introduced. After advancing through the House committee, the legislation ultimately falls short midway through the session, ending hopes of legalized gaming in the state for another year.
Hopes for legal sports betting in Hawaii end when HB344 is defeated in the House.
A series of bills aimed at bringing legalized gambling to Hawaii fail to advance. HB 1815, which was specifically aimed at sports betting, dies in the House.
Legal sports betting faces more setbacks when SE 595, which would have created a sports gambling task force, is shot down by the Senate in committee.
SB 2571, which proposed establishing a task force to study the potential economic impact of sports betting on Hawaii, does not advance in committee.
Polls and Public Opinion on Sports Betting
The Sports Betting Alliance (SBA) submitted a Feb. 2 statement with poll numbers to the Economic Development Committee. The trade group represents BetMGM, DraftKings, Fanatics Sportsbook, and FanDuel.
The SBA cited a 2022 Anthology Research poll, which suggests 73% of Hawaii residents support legalized sports betting. Respondents supported the concept if it generated tax revenue and limited access to players aged 21 and up.
Hawaii Sports Betting Bill Updates: Path to Legalization
Starting in 2019, Hawaii lawmakers considered sports betting with each legislative session, but bills rarely emerge from the committee level for a full vote.
That appears to be the case again in 2024. Honolulu Star-Advertiser reporting suggests that gambling bills are “dead” as the Hawaii legislative session reaches its midway point.
Earlier in the session, a 2024 sports betting bill survived with a 5-2 vote in the House Committee on Economic Development. Support from the Commerce, Finance, and Judiciary Committees was the next hurdle. Supporters had until March 7, 2-24, to prepare a committee-approved bill for a floor vote.
The federal ban on sports betting ended almost six years ago when the US Supreme Court struck down PASPA, the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act. The ruling meant sports betting was no longer limited to Las Vegas and Atlantic City. Each state could set its own rules for online and in-person sports wagers. That’s what we’re waiting on in Hawaii.
Key Players in Push for Legal Hawaii Sports Betting
Count Hawaii Sen. Angus McKelvey among the supporters. He introduced a bill to bring online sports betting to the state. State Rep. Daniel Holt told KHON-TV he agrees. He wants to tax revenue and use some of the funds to address gambling addiction and prevention programs.
“We all have illegal game room problems in our districts,” he told KHON reporter Sam Spangler.
Fellow Democrat Sen. Karl Rhoads said he would be more likely to support a Hawaii-operated sportsbook. Otherwise, he told Hawaii KITV, the state would be “enriching a private company.”
“We’re just taking a cut,” he said of an outside company getting a license in Hawaii. “And it’s a fairly small cut.”
Assistant Minority Floor Leader Elijah Pierick has a doctorate in counseling and is seen as a vocal opponent of sports betting. At a House Economic Development Committee hearing, Pierick expressed concerns about “bankruptcy, theft, embezzlement, suicide, child abuse, neglect, divorce, incarceration, and homelessness.” The Honolulu Police Department submitted a statement in opposition to the legalization of gambling as well.
Alternative Gambling Options in Hawaii
Hawaii and Utah are the only states that do not allow player vs. house betting of any kind. You won’t find lotto games or scratchers in Hawaii, either. Horse racing and horse betting apps are also not legal in Hawaii. Only low-dollar private bets between Hawaiians are allowed.
Due to Hawaii’s strict laws against gaming, there are limited options for alternative gaming. The best options are social bets like Super Bowl squares.
| Gambling Alternative | Legal? |
|---|---|
| Social Sportsbooks | ✅ (Thrillzz) |
| Daily Fantasy Sports | ❌ |
| Horse Racing Betting | ❌ |
| Lottery | ❌ |
| Online Casinos | ❌ |
| Online Poker | ❌ |
Popular Hawaii Sports: Future Betting Markets?
Major North American leagues aren’t a great fit for Hawaii because of the state’s population and remote location. There are a few sports connections worth noting.
Aside from two years, Aloha Stadium near Honolulu hosted the NFL Pro Bowl from 1980 through 2016. The Hula Bowl gave college football players a chance to showcase their abilities before the NFL Draft from 1976-1997, 2006-2008, and 2020-2021.
The St. Louis Cardinals and San Diego Padres played a three-game series at the stadium in 1997. Soccer legend Pelé scored four goals when the New York Cosmos defeated Japan at Aloha Stadium in 1976.
The Maui Invitational college basketball tournament is now the premier event each year in Hawaii. The Thanksgiving staple takes place in Lahaina on the island of Maui. The Division II Chaminade Silverswords basketball team plays host to some of the nation’s best programs each year.
Hawaii Rainbow Warriors
The University of Hawaii Rainbow Warriors are the only Division I team in the state. The Hawaii football team missed out on a bowl game in 2021 (due to COVID), as well as in 2022 and 2023. More often than not, however, the Rainbow Warriors are a bowl contender in the Mountain West Conference.
Naturally, the bowl games (under various names) at Aloha Stadium are the program’s most frequent destination. They’ve been invited to Aloha, Oahu, and Hawaii Bowls 12 times in 15 bowl opportunities since 1989.
The program’s high point came after the 2017 season when it received an invitation to the Sugar Bowl against Georgia.
The Hawaii basketball team competes in the Big West Conference. The program reached the NCAA Tournament in 1972, 1994, 2001, 2002 and 2016. They made a splash in their most recent appearance as a No. 13 seed. They upset No. 4 seed Cal to reach the second round that year.
Related Pages: Best College Football Betting Apps | Best College Basketball Betting Apps | Fastest Payout Betting Sites
How To Bet on Sports in Hawaii After Legalization
Hawaiians will find an easy sign-up process if and when the state approves online sports betting. Learning how to bet is relatively easy, as is signing up with new sportsbooks. Keep in mind that sports betting companies will confirm your identity and location to start the registration process.
Choose a Hawaii Sportsbook App
Hawaii could opt for a single, state-operated sportsbook, but a competitive market would be the best option for Hawaiians. Gaming Today reviews a full array of sportsbooks, including market leaders DraftKings Sportsbook and the FanDuel sports app.
Other well-established brands include bet365 Sportsbook, the BetMGM app and Betway Sportsbook.
Claim a Welcome Offer
The leading companies typically make the best sports betting bonuses available with your first bet or deposit. We’ll share some of the best bonus offers when they become available in the Aloha State.
Take a moment to understand the terms and conditions of any offer. Make sure your first bet or deposit meets the bonus requirements.
Download the Sportsbook App
You’ll need the App Store to download the sportsbook on an iPhone. Android phones make options available within the Google Play Store. Sometimes, you may need to find the desktop version of the sportsbook on your phone and then download the app from there.
Create an Account
Sports betting companies must verify your identity and confirm that you are placing a sports wager from a legal location in Hawaii. Sportsbooks will ask for some personal information, so have a legal form of ID handy.
Turn on the location setting in your smartphone, tablet, laptop, or desktop for the registration process.
Make a Deposit
Remember to enter any codes you need to claim a deposit bonus. You’ll need to provide bank account information for a traditional deposit. Most sportsbooks will accept deposits via PayPal, debit cards, or credit cards.
Hawaii legislation could limit the deposit options. Also, credit card companies will treat your sportsbook deposit as a cash advance. Factor that higher interest rate into your betting budget. The interest will cut into the profit from winning bets or add an expense to betting losses.
Types of Bets To Expect in Hawaii
Right now, there is no legal sports wagering in Hawaii. Should the day come when that status changes, here are some of the bet types you’ll see at top sportsbooks.
Single-game bets
Single-game bets are wagers on a specific outcome, such as the game or individual outcome.
Parlays
Parlay wagers bundle together several individual bets. They require two or more outcomes to hit in order to cash.
Totals
Over/Under bets concern the total number of points scored in a game. The sportsbook sets a line, such as 42.5 points for a football game, and you predict whether the total points from both sides will exceed or fall short of that 42.5 threshold.
Moneyline
Moneyline bets entail picking the winner outright. For more information on how moneyline wagers work, check out our moneyline calculator.
Futures
These wagers typically concern season-long events, such as a league championship winner or the MVP.
Sports Betting Apps That Could Launch in Hawaii
If legalized wagering ever comes to fruition in Hawaii, the best sports betting apps across the country will likely try to enter this new market.
Top operators such as DraftKings and FanDuel would be at the head of the line to launch in Hawaii. Here are some of the other popular sportsbooks residents of Hawaii could look forward to if expanded gaming ever happens.
BetMGM Sportsbook
BetMGM is one of the more popular sports betting apps in the country, known for offering great odds across a multitude of sports. It has a top live-streaming interface and a variety of deposit and withdrawal options.
- Key features: Same game parlays, live streaming, daily prop specials
- Live streaming? Yes
- Available on: iOS and Android
- App store ratings: Apple 4.8; Google 4.5
Caesars Sportsbook
Caesars Sportsbook has gained a strong reputation among US customers for its loyalty program and the ability to bet on everything from the NFL to the UFC. Its odds boosts are not to be missed, and it offers early cash-out options as well as live streaming.
- Key features: Fast payouts, same game parlays, odds boosts
- Live streaming? Yes
- Available on: iOS and Android
- App store ratings: Apple 4.6; Google 4.3
FanDuel Sportsbook
FanDuel has grown into an industry leader with its acclaimed app. Users can take advantage of strong odds for the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, college football, and college basketball. FanDuel offers in-game wagering, live streaming, cross-sport parlays, and numerous prop bets.
- Key features: In-game wagering, early cash outs, online betting guide
- Live streaming? Yes
- Available on: iOS and Android
- App store ratings: Apple 4.9; Google 4.6
Bet365 Sportsbook
The Bet365 app has grown its US presence thanks to great market depth and one of the best welcome offers in the business. Bet365’s in-play betting platform and live streaming allow users access to sporting events from across the globe.
- Key features: Early payouts, bet boosts, flexible use of bonus bets
- Live streaming? Yes
- Available on: iOS and Android
- App store ratings: Apple 4.8; Google 4.6
DraftKings Sportsbook
The popularity of DraftKings Sportsbook is due in large part to its user-friendly interface and market depth. DraftKings offers all the features you would want in a top sportsbook—from live streaming to player props to early cashouts.
- Key features: Same game parlays, user-friendly interface, odds boosts
- Live streaming? Yes
- Available on: iOS and Android
- App store ratings: Apple 4.7; Google: 4.6
BetRivers Sportsbook
The BetRivers app isn’t as well known as some of the top sportsbooks, but it offers wagering on all the top leagues, plus Premier League soccer, UFC, and Formula 1. Its iRush Rewards program is one of the sportsbook’s best features.
- Key features: Early cash-out, live betting, same game parlays
- Live streaming? Yes
- Available on: iOS and Android.
- App store ratings: Apple 4.4; Google 3.4
How HI Sports Betting Compares to Betting in Other States
Hawaii isn’t alone with its full ban on betting opportunities (from bingo to lotto and beyond). Utah also keeps a lid on all legalized betting opportunities.
Regionally, the West Coast seems reluctant to offer the full array of sports betting choices.
- The state of Washington has retail sports betting within tribal lands. Online sports betting isn’t an option.
- Oregon used its state lottery to launch sports betting. It has an agreement with DraftKings as the state’s only online option.
- Sports betting isn’t legal in California. Residents will likely wait until 2026 before a proposition returns for a vote.
States along the East Coast, including New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania, receive millions in annual tax revenue from online sports betting. Midwest states like Michigan, Iowa, Illinois, and Indiana have also embraced sports betting.
States along the Gulf Coast and Pacific Ocean seem more resistant to the trend.
Hawaii Sports Betting Revenue Projections
Rebecca London, a Senior Government Affairs Manager for DraftKings, uses West Virginia as an example because of its similar population to Hawaii’s. In written testimony, London notes that West Virginia collected about $2.8 million in taxes over that state’s first 12 months of sports betting. In 2022, West Virginia received $4.9 million in tax revenue from sports betting.
London also cited an American Gaming Association study in her written testimony. The AGA study suggests Hawaiians already place $277 million in illegal bets each year.
Pros and Cons of Hawaii’s Gambling Industry
The Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism is on the record as “generally supportive” of online sports betting. Department officials think the new source of tax revenue would outweigh any drawbacks related to gambling.
Mike Lambert, an officer with the Vice Division of the Honolulu Police Department, told House Economic Development Committee members that gambling would create a “great amount of social ills and family ruin” for Hawaiians.
Kate Owen of the Sports Betting Alliance noted that a regulated betting market would replace the “predatory, illegal platforms already operating in Hawaii.”
Responsible Gaming in Hawaii
Since there is no legal gambling in Hawaii, there are no specific organizations in the state devoted to responsible gaming efforts.
For those who do have issues with problem gambling, however, there are resources available through the National Council on Problem Gambling, including details on self-exclusion and player assistance. The International Center for Responsible Gaming also offers resources and treatment providers.
Hawaii Sports Betting FAQ
No. Legal sportsbooks are not an option in Hawaii. Friendly bets between people won’t be prosecuted as long as the transaction occurs on private property.
No. The state would need to establish rules and regulations for online casino games or online sportsbooks.
No. Hawaii and Utah are the only two states that do not allow betting on games of chance.
No, the pick’em games at Underdog Fantasy are not available in Hawaii. You also cannot use Underdog Fantasy in the draft mode.
Hawaii users can access Fliff with restrictions. You won’t be able to participate in sweepstakes promotions or redeem Fliff Cash for a real-money prize.
Latest Hawaii Sports Betting News: Recent Developments
Illegal Hawaii Gambling Draws Honolulu City Council’s Attention
Legislative Committee Passes Hawaii Online Sports Betting Bill
Hawaii Files Bills To Legalize Sports Betting, Online Poker
Hawaii Sports Betting Bill Includes Industry-High Tax Rate
Hawaii Sports Betting Proposed Under Digital ‘Pilot Program’
Hawaii’s Next Step? List of Legal Sports Betting States
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