Hawaii's regulator lists online casinos as not legal. Hawaii has no gambling law to license an online sportsbook under - beyond the criminal code it has no gambling law at all. HRS 712-1220 defines gambling as staking something of value "upon the outcome of a contest of chance or a future contingent event not under his control or influence," which is exactly what a sports bet is, and HRS 712-1223 makes knowingly participating in any gambling activity a misdemeanour. Running a book is treated far more harshly: under HRS 712-1222 even negligently advancing or profiting from gambling activity is a class C felony, and HRS 712-1221 makes bookmaking above five bets totalling more than $500 in any seven-day period a class B felony. The only softening anywhere in the chapter is the "social gambling" affirmative defence in HRS 712-1231, and that defence is expressly unavailable when "the gambling activity is bookmaking."
Nothing commercial. Hawaii's statutes authorise no lottery, no casino, no card room, no race book and no licensed charitable gaming, and there is no state gambling regulator - which is why the 2026 sports wagering bills all had to propose building one from scratch inside the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (SB 3303, HB 2570, SB 1572) or the Department of Law Enforcement (HB 1308). Private games among friends are not affirmatively legal either: HRS 712-1231 gives a defendant an affirmative defence to raise at trial, with the burden of proof on the defendant, not a licence to run a game.
HB 1308 HD3 SD2online sports betting — Died in conference committee. Legislature's own status wording: "Received notice of the discharge of all House Conferees (Hse. Com. No. 457)." preceded by "House Conferee(s) discharged." (1 April 2026) and "Senate Conferee(s) discharged." (20 March 2026). The measure's Act field is blank, so it did not become law. Title: RELATING TO SPORTS WAGERING - would have let the Department of Law Enforcement license sports wagering operators and suppliers and would have specified that legal sports wagering and fantasy sports contests "shall not be considered contests of chance or gambling".
HB 2570 HD1online sports betting — Stalled in House committee. Status wording: "Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on JHA/CPC" - on a divided floor vote with 20 representatives voting no. No further action; Act field blank. Companion to SB 3303. Would have put sports wagering licensing under the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. Carried a defective effective date of 7/1/3000.
SB 3303online sports betting — Never got a hearing. Status wording: "Referred to EDT/HHS, CPN/WAM." after "Passed First Reading." on 30 January 2026. No further action; Act field blank. Companion to HB 2570.
SB 1572online sports betting — Carried over from 2025 and never acted on in 2026. Status wording: "Carried over to 2026 Regular Session." (8 December 2025); before that, "Referred to EDT, CPN/WAM." (27 January 2025). Would have created a Hawaii State Sports Wagering Commission within DBEDT and specified that sports wagering "shall not be considered games of chance or gambling".
SB 1569 SD1online sports betting — Carried over from 2025 and never acted on in 2026. Status wording: "Carried over to 2026 Regular Session." (8 December 2025); before that, "The committee on WAM deferred the measure." (26 February 2025). Companion to HB 1308. Carried a defective effective date of 7/1/2050.
HB 1945land-based casino gaming (cruise ships) — Deferred in its first committee. Status wording: "The committee(s) on ECD recommend(s) that the measure be deferred." Would have authorised gaming on cruise ships in state waters from 1 August 2027 with a 20% wagering tax.
HB 1466land-based social gaming (poker facility) — Carried over from 2025 and never acted on in 2026. Status wording: "Carried over to 2026 Regular Session." (8 December 2025); before that, "Referred to ECD, CPC/JHA, FIN, referral sheet 4" (27 January 2025). Would have licensed a social gaming facility in a tourism district and created a Hawaii social gaming control commission.
HB 2198 HD2prediction markets (would classify as gambling) — Passed House Third Reading unanimously; in Senate, referred to CPN/EDT and JDC/WAM
