Is There a Casino in Hawaii?

Hawaii's Stance on Gambling and Casinos

Hawaii is one of only two U.S. states that completely prohibit all forms of gambling, alongside Utah. This absolute prohibition means that the answer to the primary question—is there a casino in Hawaii—is no; currently, there are no legal, traditional casinos operating anywhere in the state. Despite periodic debates and proposed legislation, Hawaii has maintained a longstanding stance against legalized gambling. No commercial casinos exist in Hawaii, and the state currently outlaws lotteries, sports betting, and all other conventional gambling options. While there have been recent legislative efforts to introduce legal sports wagering and casino gaming, none have successfully passed into law as of 2025. There are no legal casinos in Hawaii—tribal, commercial, or riverboat. Lottery games are banned, and no state or multistate lotteries operate in Hawaii. Charitable gaming and off-track betting are also prohibited; there are no legal facilities for bingo, raffles, or pari-mutuel wagering. Online gambling—including sports betting and daily fantasy sports—remains illegal and unregulated, despite tens of thousands of residents reportedly participating in illegal offshore online wagering each year. Given the blanket prohibition on gambling, Hawaii offers no legal alternatives to casinos. Residents and visitors looking for gaming opportunities are left with illegal offshore online gambling sites, which are unregulated and provide no consumer protection or state revenue. Private social gambling in small settings may occur, but is strictly limited and not recognized formally by state law. Periodically, some forms of gambling (such as a state lottery or single, designated casino) are proposed in the state legislature but have yet to be enacted into law. Currently, there are no gaming establishments in Hawaii offering legal betting or gambling. There are, however, proposals under consideration that would establish a Hawaii Gaming Control Commission and possibly license casinos at specific venues like the New Aloha Stadium Entertainment District or Hawaii Convention Center, but none have been approved as of May 2025. Economic Impact: Potential Benefits: Proponents argue that legalizing casinos and other gambling could generate significant tax revenues, create local jobs, stimulate tourism, and fund state programs for education, infrastructure, and social services. Potential Drawbacks: Opponents raise concerns about social risks, such as gambling addiction, crime, and potential negative impacts on Hawaii’s unique culture and environment. Cultural Perspectives: Hawaiian society traditionally values community harmony and well-being, leading to skepticism about introducing gambling, which is often viewed as potentially disruptive or exploitative.