Hawaii Online Casinos
For most people, Hawaii is paradise on earth. If you are an earnest gambler, however, Hawaii gambling laws can leave you in tears. This is because Hawaii boasts some of the most rigid legislation, as far as gambling is concerned.
This isn’t the end of the conversation, though. To really understand the limits of Hawaii gambling laws and online gambling in Hawaii, you have to be more aware of the legal online gambling in the USA situation. Below, you will find all of the details that will allow you to do just that…
Best Hawaii Online Casino Sites
| Casino | Bonus | Website | Rating | Features | Deposit | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | $2000 | Review |
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| 2 |  | $12250 | Review |
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| 3 |  | $12000 | Review |
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| 4 |  | $2500 | Review |
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| 5 |  | $1000 | Review |
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| 6 |  | $7777 | Review |
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| 7 |  | $3000 | Review |
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| 8 |  | $800 | Review |
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| 9 |  | $4000 | Review |
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| 10 |  | $5000 | Review |
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Contents
- 1 Best Hawaii Online Casino Sites
- 2 Is Gambling Legal in Hawaii?
- 3 The Legal Situation in Hawaii
- 4 Are There Casinos in Hawaii?
- 5 The Perspective on Sports Wagers
- 6 Are Online Casinos a Solution?
- 7 Are There Any Penalties for Such Online Activities?
- 8 Understanding Offshore Websites
- 9 The Future of Gambling in Hawaii
Is Gambling Legal in Hawaii?
Bluntly put, no gambling in HI is absolutely not permitted. In fact, all forms of gambling have been deemed as illegal in this state. This includes activities such as lotteries and even bingo. In general, people are not allowed to place bets of any kind within the boundaries of Hawaii.
This legislation doesn’t just apply to the gambling businesses on the Hawaiian islands, either. According to the Hawaiian government, not even cruise ships are allowed to offer such gambling activities or services as long as they are in Hawaiian waters. Therefore, there is no such thing as legal gambling in Hawaii.
The Legal Situation in Hawaii
To start with, let’s take a look at what the legal jargon actually has to say about placing wagers. According to the Hawaii legislation, someone is engaged in gambling if: “He stakes or risks something of value upon the outcome of a contest of chance or a future contingent event not under his control or influence, upon an agreement or understanding that he or someone else will receive something of value in the event of a certain outcome.”
As you can see, the lawmakers have been very careful about the terminology that they have chosen. This has been done to cover a broader range of gambling games and activities. Thus, options such as roulette and baccarat are out.
There is more to it, however. The gambling code also covers the following: “Gambling device means any device, machine, paraphernalia, or equipment that is used or usable in the playing phases of any gambling activity, whether that activity consists of gambling between persons or gambling by a person involving the playing of a machine.”
By including this statement, the Hawaii government has also taken steps to crack down on items such as slot machines, video machines, and anything else that can be potentially used to place a wager. In this sense, gambling legislation is quite a bit more sophisticated than in other areas.
Are There Casinos in Hawaii?
It should come as no surprise to learn that there aren’t any Hawaii state casinos. So, if you are hoping to find a list of casinos in Hawaii, you can think again. Such establishments aren’t allowed on government or private land.
This doesn’t mean that people haven’t tried their best through the ages. There have often been businesses that have attempted to start smaller gambling operations in secret where you could play casino games. Eventually, though, these have all come to light and have typically been shut down by the Hawaiian authorities.
Recently, the authorities have taken an even more stringent approach to these illegal casinos that play for real money. As such, they are constantly on the lookout for suspicious establishments and will often place harsh punishments on brick-and-mortar casinos. Due to this, it is best to stay away from these kinds of land-based casinos.
The Perspective on Sports Wagers
Now, in most parts of the USA, you will discover that sports betting are allowed to a certain degree. At the very least, citizens are allowed to play wagers on horse and greyhound races. Well, it would appear that Hawaii is the exception to this rule as well.
No citizen or tourist is allowed to place a wager on any kinds of sport. This includes traditional options such as football, baseball, and basketball. The only way that people can make any money in this manner is if they decide to gamble online with offshore websites which are RTG USA casinos mostly here.
Are Online Casinos a Solution?
Since the laws for traditional gambling is so strict, you may be trying to shift your focus to online gambling Hawaii. Well, then you will not be the only one. Many individuals feeling stifled by the current legislation is seeking out online gambling HI as a reprieve.
Before you do this, though, you may want to understand Hawaii online gambling laws first. The thing is, most wagering laws were written a long time ago. As such, they fail to specifically address Hawaii online gambling. So, does this mean that this is legal?
Well, if you were to follow the letter of the law, you would probably discover that the answer to “is online poker legal in Hawaii?” a resounding no. Furthermore, you will notice that there aren’t any online casinos in Hawaii state.
This doesn’t mean that you are completely out of online gambling options, however. This because you still have the opportunity to make use of an offshore online gaming system. Unlike in the case of Hawaii online casinos, offshore sites are not governed by the Hawaiian authorities. As a result, they are out of the reach of such agencies.
Thus, if you were to look up “is Bovada legal in Hawaii”, you would find that it is possible for you to place online wagers there. In fact, you can do so on any online casino that allows American players. This, of course, is as long as the online sites are being operated in a different location.
Are There Any Penalties for Such Online Activities?
It should be noted that the Hawaii government is fully aware that its residents are using such online platforms and casinos. There have been instances where lawmakers have stated as such, in an effort to get the laws changed. Despite this knowledge, very little is done to curb these online gambling activities.
So, if you are considering visiting one of these sites, you can have peace of mind. The Hawaiian authorities aren’t interested in you or how you are spending your money online at these casinos. They are more concerned with the physical gambling operations on the Hawaiian islands. So, there shouldn’t be any obstacles to your online wagering.
Not to mention, in the unlikely instance that you are caught, there shouldn’t be any penalties levied against you. After all, there aren’t any particular laws forbidding such online activities or casinos.
Understanding Offshore Websites
As mentioned, offshore online casinos don’t fall under the same jurisdiction as other gambling casinos in Hawaii. Due to this, they are able to safely offer their services to anyone in the US. Still, it is common to feel nervous about placing cash wagers on such online casinos.
This is a logical concern since not all of these online casinos are equally as reputable. Fortunately, it is relatively easy to discover which casinos offer the best online games and activities. By reading reviews, you should be able to pinpoint what the right casinos for you are.
Furthermore, an increasing number of casinos are becoming licensed by foreign agencies. By receiving such accreditations, casinos are vowing to follow certain rules and to maintain specific standards online. What’s more, these regulatory agencies also frequently investigate casinos to ensure that they are running a legitimate online operation.
It should also be noted that you do have to follow certain regulations when using such casino sites. For instance, due to strict laws, there is technically no legal gambling age in Hawaii. However, if you were to visit offshore virtual casinos, you will have to verify your age online.
In most circumstances, the casinos will have to determine that you are at least 21 years of age. There may be a few that also cater to individuals who are 18 years of age or older. These, however, are a bit rarer.
The Future of Gambling in Hawaii
Considering the current state, it is interesting to consider what will become of online wagering in the future. While Hawaii has maintained rather strict legislation regarding casinos and related activities, people have been fighting for change for a long time. In fact, a number of individuals have been put forward amendments to these Hawaii laws.
Of course, each of these legislations has been shot down. Nonetheless, as the rest of the country takes a more relaxed approach to wagering, Hawaii just may come around as well. As you can imagine, this isn’t going to happen overnight. It could be years before there is any real change. Nevertheless, there is some evidence to give hungry gamblers some hope.
There is no denying that Hawaii has some of the strictest gambling and casino laws in the country. This, however, is when it comes to land-based casinos. If you were to consider the online casino route, though, you would discover that there are far more opportunities available to you here.
The good news for Hawaiian gamblers is that you don’t have to give up hope entirely when it comes to such matters. You may have to look elsewhere for digital casinos but in the end, the results will be the same. At least until the laws are changed, individuals will still be able to engage in the hobbies and the activities that they truly enjoy.