Are you keen to explore Hawaii online casino sites, but unsure which are the best rated by players? What about state laws – is it illegal to play online casino games in Hawaii?
Below, we’ll take you through our five favorite sweepstakes casinos available to Hawaiian players, and what you can expect when registering. That way, you’ll know exactly what you’re getting into with games, bonuses, and more.
It’s always wise to research casinos thoroughly before signing up, especially when laws in states such as Hawaii can dictate what you can play! Let’s explore this topic in more detail.
🔑 Key Takeaways
- Discover if real money gambling is legal in Hawaii.
- Find out which are the best five Hawaii online casino sites.
- Learn where the future of gambling is headed in the state.
Are Real Money Online Casinos Legal in Hawaii?
No, real money online casinos aren’t legal in Hawaii right now. Online gambling contravenes part of the state’s revised statute 712-1220 (2023) regarding advancing gambling activity.
However, you can play legally at sweepstakes casinos and social casinos. Here, you invest in prize draws and tokens instead of putting real money into games.
In January 2024, Senator Ron Kouchi presented Senate Bill 3376 in an attempt to legalize online sports betting and poker. However, news published in May 2024 suggests that efforts to push wagering into law have failed.
Our Top Five Sweepstakes Online Casinos in Hawaii
Sweepstakes casinos let you play slots and table games using virtual currencies. You can obtain these virtual currencies by entering prize draws, taking part in contests, and often just by logging in!
Here are our top five Hawaii online casino picks. If you live elsewhere in the States, check out our guide to the best sweepstakes casinos in the USA.
WOW Vegas in Hawaii
WOW Vegas is a sweepstakes casino offering more than 900 different slot games for Hawaiian players. You don’t need to deposit to get started. The casino grants you free coins daily, and its current welcome bonus is an extra 200% free. This means that you have tripled the amount of free credit to use straight away.
What I particularly like about WOW Vegas is the size and quality of its game catalog. Some of the biggest names in slots, such as BGaming and Pragmatic Play, help to make this sweeps site one of the most memorable.
As a result, WOW Vegas is possibly my favorite Hawaii casino online. My top slot pick is the iconic Buffalo King Megaways by Pragmatic Play, redesigned for sweeps with thousands of paylines.
Fortune Coins in Hawaii
Fortune Coins brings lots of popular and well-known games from real-play casinos to sweeps. The site offers Hawaiian players regular Gold Coin and Fortune Coin top-ups (the casino’s virtual currencies) through events that can be claimed while playing.
New players can now claim up to 630,000 GC and 1,000 FC by signing up. It’s one of the more generous sweeps casinos open to Hawaiian players, meaning that it has gained a firm place in this ranking. This site is eye-catching with an intuitive game layout and helpful customer care. They helped to answer a few questions for me while I was exploring!
My favorite game here is from Pragmatic Play, Big Bass Bonanza, a well-known fishing-themed slot with a Reel Action feature.
High 5 Casino in Hawaii
High 5 Casino is possibly the best casino in Hawaii for game content. There are more than 1,200 different titles to play! High 5 grants new players 250 GC and 5 SC (again, that’s the casino’s virtual currencies), along with 600 diamonds.
There’s also a prize wheel opportunity for newly registered players. The site welcomes over 31 million players from across the US and offers leaderboard challenges for virtual coins and real prizes.
I, personally, chose Gates of Olympus (Pragmatic Play) as my favorite slot to play at High 5. It’s a classic title that’s great to see available on free-play platforms.
LuckyBird.io in Hawaii
LuckyBird.io has a fantastic range of original games and titles, such as Keno, Dice, and Limbo. The site offers a seven-day welcome login bonus, with a different prize each day for logging in. The casino also regularly rewards you with virtual coins for completing tasks such as following its social media accounts, registering an email address, and chatting.
Alongside its range of slots and online games, LuckyBird.io Casino presents titles from the likes of GameArt, BGaming and Booming Games. My personal pick at this casino is the Eastern-themed slot Panda Luck, a BGaming title that’s all the more charming for being free-play.
McLuck Casino in Hawaii
McLuck Casino is the last of my top five sweepstakes picks. It offers regular login rewards, meaning that you never have to pay to play. I really like the range of innovative games on display at McLuck. There are more than a few Hold and Win titles, for example.
Having played here for some time now, I can also confirm that more and more games are being added to the catalog. As part of a welcome bundle, McLuck offers up to 150% extra free coins just for registering. There are further bonuses, features, and promotions unlockable along the way.
As for my favorite game, I’m partial to the classic Wolf Gold, a simple slot of Pragmatic Play provider with great graphics that has stood the test of time.
Are There Land-Based Casinos in Hawaii?
No, there are no land-based casinos in Hawaii, meaning that you’ll need to stick to online sweeps and social casinos. Land-based casino gaming, again, contravenes state legislation. Therefore, sports betting, bingo, lotto, slots, and card games are all illegal when played for real money.
If you’re caught gambling for real money in Hawaii, you might be tried for committing a felony at worst. This goes for land-based gaming, Hawaii casino apps, and Hawaii casino sites.
There likely won’t be a Hawaii casino for some time, so stick to sweeps gaming!
Are There Any Other Legal Gambling Activities in Hawaii?
No – betting real money on any gambling activities or casino games is illegal in Hawaii. This goes for sports betting and online and land-based gaming.
Hawaii is one of the strictest states in the US regarding gambling legislation. However, many lawmakers and high-profile representatives in the state are trying to change this.
Fun fact: Did you know that in 2023, Representatives Daniel Holt and John Mizuno attempted to push a bill to bring land gambling to Honolulu? As mentioned earlier, it’s certainly not the last push to change Hawaiian laws.
What Do the People of Hawaii Think About This Situation?
Gambling being illegal in Hawaii is keeping us stuck behind the times. Most other states have some form of legal leeway for betting, and it looks like Hawaii’s going to be the last to get with the program. I’m hoping things change soon.
Justin, 35
I think the gambling ban is a good thing! It’s a good deterrent to stop people from wasting their money – and if they really want to play games, there are a few of those sweepstakes websites they can use for free. Why change the law?
Karl, 62
Legalizing gambling in Hawaii could bring so much money into the state. Look at where we are financially! We need more money to preserve our land, fight wildfires, and improve public services. And we’re just clinging onto these old laws for the sake of it. I say legalize!
Malia, 28
The History of Gambling in Hawaii
Hawaii remains one of just two states where gambling is completely illegal in the US (Utah being the other). As such, there has been a varied history of addressing gambling activity and several attempts to legalize it:
- There are no exact dates confirming when Hawaii outlawed gambling. However, it’s firmly rooted in its laws as part of statute 712-1220.
- This statute claims that anyone taking part in gambling – whether partaking in it or sharing games – is “advancing” gambling activity.
- By 2022, this statute had been amended to further underline the illegality of promoting, establishing, or participating in anything considered betting or gambling.
- However, there has long been the loophole – statute section 712-1232 – that states that prize-linked contests are legal – without consideration.
- This means that sweepstakes casino gaming is legal in Hawaii because participants do not need to pay real money to participate.
- In 2022, an Anthology Research poll found that most Hawaiians – around 73% – supported regulated online gambling for legal adults.
- This has been followed up in recent years by Senator Kouchi’s bill, as mentioned earlier, and House Representative Holt’s bill 2765, both launched in 2024.
- Both bills strived to make online gambling legal in Hawaii with the understanding that it would bring in extra funding to the state.
What’s Next for Hawaii Online Casinos?
New bills introduced in the Senate and House of Representatives have given many Hawaiians hope that online gambling might become legal in a few years’ time. However, this statute continues to be difficult to gain consensus to change.
As mentioned earlier, all recent attempts to change Hawaiian gambling laws appear to have been quashed. This includes both the Holt and Kouchi bills.
Therefore, confidence isn’t particularly high at the time of writing. What’s more, political experts such as Neal Milner suggest that the pro-gambling lobby lacks a “broad constituency” that can get behind legalization. A real money online casino Hawaii players can log onto is, for now, a distant dream.
Given that most people believe that legal gambling could benefit the state, we’re at a disappointing impasse.
→ Check out our dedicated page to see which US state allows you to play online casinos.
So, Will You Play on Sweepstakes Casinos From Hawaii Tonight?
Is there a casino in Hawaii? Unfortunately not – but you have now five fantastic sweepstakes casinos that you can legally play at in the state, and you know a little more about the local laws.
Be sure to use my advice to find a Hawaiian casino that’s fair, fully regulated and requires no deposits. Meanwhile, regardless of the games you play, it’s worth learning more about how to establish healthy, responsible gambling habits.
Take a look at our complete guide to responsible gambling, and remember to set healthy limits and boundaries when playing!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best Hawaii online legal options for online gambling?
As Hawaii does not currently permit real money casino gambling, including online gambling, what’s the alternative here? Residents can participate in social and sweepstakes casinos, which offer legal online social casino gaming without the need to wager real money, allowing players to enjoy online slots, live dealer games or crash games.
Can I play online poker in Hawaii?
While real money online poker is not available due to state regulations, players in Hawaii can enjoy free play poker through sweepstakes and social casinos. These platforms offer a way to play video poker and other forms of gambling for fun or sweepstakes prizes.
Are there any online sportsbooks available in Hawaii?
Real money online sportsbooks are not permitted in Hawaii. However, residents interested in sports betting can engage with social sports betting platforms that offer a similar experience without monetary stakes.
How can I stay updated on online gaming news relevant to Hawaii?
To stay informed about the latest news in online gaming and gambling news, including changes in laws and new social casino offerings, regularly check reputable gambling educative websites like TrustnPlay and forums. This will keep you updated on all forms of gambling available to Hawaii residents.
What resources are available for those experiencing problem gambling in Hawaii?
If you or someone you know is dealing with problem gambling, there are several resources available for Hawaiian players. The National Council on Problem Gambling and other local organizations provide support and counseling.