Hawaii, due to its remoteness from other US states, has never had much of a presence when it comes to gambling. One of only two states where all forms of gambling are banned (the other being Utah). But this doesn’t prevent people from enjoying poker – they simply need to do so via unregulated online casinos.
Hawaiian lawmakers have attempted on several occasions to legalize some form of gambling within the state, yet all proposals have failed. Therefore, it appears unlikely that any casino will open soon in Hawaii.
At the core of it all lies legislators’ fears that legalizing gambling would lead to other unwanted activities like illegal drugs and crime. Therefore, many of them oppose any form of casino in Hawaii.
Some years back, a lawmaker proposed that Hawaii open gambling parlors that combine sports betting and poker. These small halls would be heavily taxed and only allowed to operate on Oahu; their size should also be limited to 25K square feet with up to 30 tables allowed per hall; plus their owner must possess local ties as well as be at least 35 years old.
But this bill did not pass the first round of voting, and instead another proposal was put forth that called for the creation of a special commission to oversee these new gambling establishments and ensure they were fair and honest while complying with federal and state regulations.
Last year, Hawaii saw yet another attempt at legalized gambling when Representatives Mizuno and Holt introduced legislation that would permit a private gambling parlor with both slot machines and sports betting services to open under private ownership, along with creating a Gambling Control Board and charging 15% wager tax – yet again this proposal failed in a bipartisan vote.
Hawaii residents should take note that they can still gamble at offshore online casinos that are unregulated by their state, such as those found outside Hawaii that do not pay taxes on winnings. Players should however be wary of potential risks when engaging with these sites.
At this point, Hawaii does not plan on opening any casinos; however, this could change depending on the response from residents who show support for gambling industries in their home states. As for now, visitors to Hawaii should focus on exploring its beaches and landscapes instead of gambling as there are plenty of historic attractions and events happening there that offer great experiences.
