Hawaii Gambling: Why Gambling Remains Illegal in the Aloha State
Hawaii is not the gambling paradise that some would expect it to be. The same state that rêveries tourists with its “stunning beaches, lush rainforests, and spirit of Aloha” has refused to embrace casino gambling and has no public poker rooms, no legal gambling on the beach or anywhere else in the islands… not even on your smartphone, unless you’re playing a game of solitaire, in which case you’re probably not winning any money.
And this is a state that doesn’t let you win. It has the “spirit of Aloha,” but very little when it comes to personal gambling.
Hawaii: A State Without Commercial Casinos or Internet Gambling
If you’ve ever imagined a vacation spot where you could play the one-armed bandit while relaxing on the beach with a mai tai in hand, you might be surprised to learn that Hawaii’s laws about gambling are some of the strictest in the nation. You won’t find any legal, on-site commercial casinos; there are no racetracks for betting on the ponies; and there’s certainly no online poker to be had. For those longing to “go all in,” Hawaii’s not the place for you.
If you thought that the state’s natural beauty and warm, welcoming culture would somehow lead it to a spot on the gaming map, you were wrong.
Only two states in the United States, Hawaii and Utah, are completely free of casinos. While it’s difficult to contend that a state filled with cultural allure and natural splendor like Hawaii is at all lacking for not having casinos, it does beg the question: why is there no gambling in Hawaii?
The Laws of Hawaii Concerning Gambling: A Historical Perspective
Hawaii’s gambling laws are remarkably tight, and the reason for that goes to the very heart of the state’s almost 65-year history as a U.S. entity. Since its admission into the Union in 1959, many would argue, and with good reason, that Hawaii has been a bastion for the conservative side of the argument for keeping the laws governing gambling behavior tight and the state-regulated gambling industries virtually nonexistent.
Even today, there are no casinos and no poker rooms, state-run or otherwise. Some experts are very quick to point to the cultural landscape as the chief reason for the past and present appearance of tight gambling laws.
Other states have permitted various kinds of gambling, beginning with Nevada in 1931 and soon followed by New Jersey and California, among others. But Hawaii hasn’t followed that path. Its steady stand against large-scale gambling of any sort has included a prohibition on commercial online gaming.
Hawaii's Casino Restrictions: You're Not Allowed to Have Any Fun!
Hawaii’s stance on gambling is clear: This state is not about to let its residents and tourists have any fun in that particular way.
Apart from a very few allowables, almost all the forms of gambling that people commonly engage in, whether legally or illegally, are expressly prohibited in the Aloha State. Here’s a quick rundown of what you cannot legally do for the sake of either your entertainment or your enrichment:
- No casinos. As I said, there are no casinos in Hawaii. No land-based gambling establishments of any kind, really. Not even an Indian casino. Gas stations, convenience stores, and tiny little mom-and-pop shops that sell everything from Hawaiian shirts to ukuleles and melatonin? They’re all devoid of even a single practicing roulette wheel or slot machine. And the idea of legally playing any kind of blackjack, poker, or other casino table game on a 50th state version of the Vegas Strip seems like a fantasy.
- Hawaii has taken a clear position against online gambling, despite the trend in other states toward legalizing it. Not only has Hawaii prohibited online casinos, but it has also made it clear that playing poker or betting on sports via the Internet is illegal. Although a bill to legalize online poker was introduced in 2017, it failed to pass and did not see the light of day. Despite the introduction of that bill, Hawaii has very much taken the opposite tack to online gambling, making it clear that it does not intend to join the growing group of states that have taken a different position on this matter.
- Absence of Horse Racing and Pari-Mutuel Wagering.In contrast to other states with lively horse racing industries, such as California and Kentucky, Hawaii lacks a racetrack suitable for wagering on the ponies. You won’t find a betting facility for thoroughbred or greyhound racing anywhere in the 50th state. Hawaii residents and visitors who wish to partake in this sort of gambling must travel to the mainland to do so.
- The Absence of Social Gambling Hawaii’s laws laid all forms of what might be deemed, even with a stretch of the imagination, as “non-commercial” gambling. For instance, it is against the law for a group of friends to play a private game of poker in their home, for even if they might be using play money, the exchange of any real monetary value would render that private game of poker a punishable offense under Hawaii’s strict penal code.
Why Does Hawaii Stay Casino-Free
What Keeps Hawaii From Having Casinos? There are several reasons that Hawaii remains against gambling:
Cultural and Religious Beliefs
The state’s strong population of Pacific Islanders and Asians, who have a traditional opposition to gambling based on cultural and religious beliefs. For many Hawaiians, especially in light of the tough times we’ve all been living through, the idea of using “any means necessary” to raise revenue in order to keep that next check from going to the unemployment office is especially disruptive. Much of the traditional opposition to gambling is about much more than just the risks of addiction that come with any “easy money” scheme.
Concerns Over Social Impacts
Worries About the Social Effects Similarly to Utah, Hawaii is a state that holds family and community well-being in high regard. State leaders are concerned that allowing a new, potentially addictive activity may harm that well-being. And that concern has been strong enough to keep the state from even considering legislation that would create a commercial gambling market.
Tourism-Centered Economy
Hawaii’s economy hinges on tourism. Although gambling can generate income, it is quite possible that the state’s political leaders believe Hawaii’s natural allure, cultural diversity, and sheer number of tourism possibilities make up more than an adequate reason for travelers to spend their vacation dollars in the Aloha State. In other words, this is a state that seems to be saying, “No thanks, we don’t need to include gambling on our list of attractions.”
Political Resistance
Resistance to gambling in Hawaii is firmly rooted in the political sphere. A broadly held belief is that the possible social ills that might result from legalized gambling far outweigh any financial benefits. Among many politicians and political factions, there’s a pretty solid anti-gambling consensus—in part, perhaps, because so many of the state’s residents are of cultures that long have had strong taboos against gambling.
Is it Possible for Online Gambling or Casinos Ever to be Allowed in Hawaii?
Despite the Aloha State’s steadfast refusal to allow any form of gambling, some think that might eventually change. As other states have moved toward legalizing not just sports betting but also actual online casinos, the Hawaii legislature has started to have conversations about whether the state might someday do the same.
Of course, these conversations take place with the understanding that tourism is the backbone of the Hawaii economy — and that competing with other states for that tourism dollar might, at some point, involve allowing gambling. Nonetheless, Hawaii is recognized for its carefulness regarding alterations to the status quo.
Presently, no substantial initiatives are underway to convert to a new system that would allow for either gambling or online gaming, and the state’s stern regulations endure unchallenged.
Gambling in a Responsible Manner: How Should Hawaii Do It?
Despite there being no legal gambling in Hawaii, some residents have taken to gambling in places where it’s permitted, like Las Vegas. If Hawaii were to ever permit any form of gambling (as it’s now discussing with certain kinds of skill games), it seems to me that it would be immensely beneficial for our residents and state coffers to form a responsible gambling framework with discussions not only covering problem gambling but also going into depth about clear advertising and promotional directives.
Any future conversations about the islands having gambling need to ensure that we’re following responsible practices, right? And that might look like this:
There might be limits on how much you can actually bet, which might be done with your car or house keys, as Nena had suggested. Or we might have campaigns, like the Fiji one, using former gambling addicts to tell you how to steer clear of that particular rabbit hole.
In Summary
Hawaii’s laws about gambling can be described as easygoing, much like the islands themselves. Although there are no casinos to visit, no horse races to bet on, and no internet gambling to enjoy, the Aloha spirit is as strong as ever. Hawaii continues to pull in nearly 10 million visitors a year, drawn by the islands’ spectacular scenery and their warm, welcoming cultures.
If you’re in the mood to try your luck on a slot machine or a table game, you’ll have to make the trek to the nearest Vegas comp site or an equivalent in California. An article in Forbes a few years back put the number of gambling-related jobs in Hawaii at zero. But with a robust economy and the large number of visitors who come to the islands, maybe a little casino action and future-casino-fun is not too far away in the future!
Disclaimer:
This article serves just to inform and does not give legal advice. Laws about gambling can change, and you must keep up with the law in your area before you decide to gamble. And as a part of my local law, I was informed I could only do these things by a local proxy. I could use whatever means necessary that were available to me, as long as they were legal in my area, to do the following gambling activities.