Sports Betting In Hawaii

Aloha! While Hawaii doesn’t have any professional sports franchises in the state, Hawaiians are still huge sports fans. The University of Hawaii is considered the state’s home team and offers football, basketball, baseball, soccer, softball and volleyball. The NFL’s Pro Bowl is hosted in Hawaii every year, giving residents a taste of the NFL and all the fandom and excitement it entails. Another way to get in on the excitement of sports is through sports betting. Hawaii residents can place bets on their favorite sports teams, but there are certain regulations to pay attention to. This guide will provide you with relevant information on the proper sports betting practices and show you how to legally and safely place bets online.

Is Sportsbook Gambling Legal in Hawaii?

Sports Betting in Hawaii Much like Alaska, Hawaii is a distance from the mainland USA. Which also means they are a ways away from the professional sports leagues, and the gambling attractions that. Mobile and online sports betting continues to grow across the United States as more states increase legislation. From seasoned professionals to first-time bettors, WagerTalk's library of betting tips, live. Sports betting was legalized in the nation’s capitol in December 2018, with both retail and online operations managed by the DC Lottery live by summer. Virginia: YES: YES: JANUARY 21, 2021: A fairly comprehensive Virginia sports betting bill was signed into law in April 2020. Online sports betting launched in the state in the first weeks of 2021.

Currently, it is not legal to own or operate a sportsbook business either online or offline in Hawaii. This being the case, there is no state based option for Hawaii residents interested in betting on sports. As this website that offers a lot of useful information about the legalities puts it, the restrictions that are in place from state and federal laws only apply to US based sports betting, with no bearing on any international businesses offering betting services. None of the relevant state and federal laws prohibit Hawaiian sports fans from engaging in legally sanctioned offshore sports betting through licensed and regulated sportsbook destinations located outside of the United States. All of the sportsbooks listed in this guide are legitimately licensed and regulated offshore bookmakers, offering legal sports betting lines for Hawaii residents.

Most Reputable Sports Betting Sites For Hawaii Residents

We have compiled a listing of our top recommendations for premium sportsbook destinations that accept customers from Hawaii. All of these brands have been personally vetted my our team of analysts, and we found them to be among the most esteemed options that the industry has to offer. They are all legitimately licensed and regulated outside of the US, allowing them to legally offer their services to gamblers around the world, including those in Hawaii. They provide exceptional service, generous bonus offers, safe and secure data protection, competitive betting lines and a wide range of sports coverage and wagering options. You will find that they deliver the most reliable betting experience possible.

Sate and Federal Laws That Govern Sports Betting in Hawaii

Hawaii state laws such as SB677 pertain to the individual(s) who create or advance gambling activity. Hawaii statutes define this as “conduct directed toward the creation or establishment of the particular game, contest, scheme, device, or activity involved…” There are several federal laws in place that regulate sports betting. The foremost law is the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, or PASPA, and restricts sports betting in 46 states. The only states allowed to have legalized sports betting are Nevada, Oregon, Delaware and Montana. The Federal Wire Act deals bars bettors from placing online sports bets through US based businesses, and the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) monitors banks and their processing of gambling related transactions.

The federal laws in place deal only with US-based sports betting. You won’t find a Nevada-style sportsbook, where you can walk in and place a bet, in Hawaii. And if the feds had not already outlawed it, Hawaii state law also doesn’t allow state regulated bookmaking. While there are illegal bookies and sportsbooks, authorities are quick to crackdown on these types of establishments.

Back in 2013, federal authorities arrested Terrence Ching on charges of making illegal bets. Ching would hack into legal offshore sportsbooks to get the odds and then use those to place bets on behalf of other people. The difference between Ching’s case and just using the offshore sportsbooks outright is the fact that people used Ching as a bookie—he was the middleman between bettors and the sportsbooks, though ultimately he was the one profiting from the bets. By making an account and betting with legitimately licensed and regulated offshore sportsbooks directly, you aren’t in violation of any laws. These offshore sportsbooks that we’ve recommended for Hawaii residents are all legally sanctioned and operate outside of the jurisdiction of state and federal laws.

FAQs About Betting On Sports

Are Offshore Betting Sites Safe for Hawaii Residents To Use?

Yes. These offshore sportsbooks have all been vetted by the millions of users that they host. They operate outside the jurisdiction of the federal laws like PASPA, the Federal Wire Act and the UIGEA while still being legally licensed and operated. By using these sites, Hawaii residents are not in violation of any laws.

What’s the Difference Between The Richard Ching Case And Online Sportsbooks Accepting Customers From Hawaii?

Hawaii state law cracks down on people who illegally organize betting rings. Richard Ching acted as a bookie on behalf of local bettors. He was running his own operation and basing his odds off of the legal sports betting destinations. The sportsbooks that we’ve recommended are legally sanctioned sites that are licensed and regulated to offer their services and deal with millions of customers. They are safe, secure and reliable and don’t involve illegal bookies or illegal practices of any kind.

How Do These Sportsbooks Work?

Once you create an account with an online sportsbook, you can begin browsing the different odds with the different sports they offer. You can browse the odds without depositing any money into your account. However, if you want to place a bet you must have money in your account. You can deposit funds in a variety of ways—the most popular options are usually credit/debit cards, wire transfers and Bitcoin, to name a few. When you’re ready to withdraw, simply select the withdraw option. Most sports betting sites restrict your withdrawal method to the same deposit method you chose or a specific one that they deem appropriate based on your deposit method, but that depends on the sportsbooks’ Terms of Service.

Can I Bet On Teams Outside Of My State?

Of course. Since Hawaii doesn’t have any home sports teams, Hawaii residents wouldn’t be able to do much if they were restricted to only home team options. You can bet on any team in any league with these Sportsbooks, and often international sports and leagues are included in the betting lines. You can even bet on college sports, races, e-sports, boxing and more. Different sportsbooks have different bets, so be sure to browse all of the categories they have.

How Do I Place A Bet?

You cannot place a bet unless you have money in your account. Once you’ve deposited funds in your account and found a bet you want to place, all you have to do is click on that bet and it will be added to your bet slip. The bet slip is usually located in the top right or left corner of your screen and keeps track of all the bets you’ve made. Some bet slips will show you what your reward could be in relation to the amount you’re risking. Once you’re ready to confirm you bet just select the confirm option on the bet slip. Once the bet slip is confirmed all bets are considered final.

Is There International Betting?

Yes. You can bet on leagues from around the world. There is also a huge soccer section where you can place bets on games from different leagues. You can even bet on international fights, races and more.

Are There Any Membership Dues?

No. Signing up for these sportsbooks is free. The only money being spent is the money you are betting. You won’t be charged a monthly or annual membership fee and you can even have accounts with multiple sportsbooks.

Are There Any Benefits To Having Accounts With Multiple Sportsbooks?

Yes. By having accounts with multiple sportsbook sites, you can see all of the different bets available to you. Not all bookmakers offer the same bets, so by having multiple accounts you can get a better idea of the total spread of bets. Sportsbooks also offer what are called bonuses—essentially free money for you to bet with. Each brand has their own bonuses that are offered year round, so having multiple accounts will give you access to all the bonuses available.

Sports betting for Hawaii Residents is possible only through online sportsbooks as the Aloha State has been historically anti-gambling of any kind. Despite this, however, local Hawaii betting fans are still able to legally bet on sports through these legal sports betting sites because they are located outside of Hawaii’s jurisdictions. Since these sites are located overseas, international betting sites can legally offer sports betting to Hawaii players. No Hawaii player will see legal ramifications for betting on sports at these sites, as they are indeed legal.

Hawaii is a state that is strongly beholden to its traditions and has a negative stigma towards legalizing sports betting. This stigma has to affect lawmakers as well, so no sports betting bill has successfully passed in legislation. Local sports betting residents can still play to win big, however, and online sportsbooks offer some of the best betting lines. Hawaii betting fans will not feel as if they are missing out on sports betting. Every major league, game, sporting event, and fight will have odds available. All year long, Hawaii residents will be able to log on and play to win big. The best odds can be found at online sportsbooks.

Legal Hawaii March Madness Betting

The thing that many players are getting ready for is March Madness that will have all the interesting games that players will be able to bet on. Legal betting in Hawaii on March Madness can be something kind of tricky but the thing is online sportsbooks will be the main option for players. The sign-up of them only takes a few minutes and once an account is made, all the accounts will be made and players will be able to check out all the bets they want. There are all types of bets there and that includes parlay bets, prop bets and others. Live betting is one that a lot of players will check out as well. Mobile betting is one as well and that also means that players can use their iPhone to place any bet they want on these online sportsbooks like Bovada, Sportsbetting, and others.

Legal Sports Betting Sites Accepting Hawaii Residents

Not many people know this; however, sports betting in Hawaii even online is a prohibited act. The legislators attempted to combat this law and even filed a bill in 2017 (and transferred it into 2018) to permit internet gambling from lottery sales to poker. SB677 made no headway and left the outlaw of internet gambling in effect.

We would like to point out that even though there are laws against it, it is nearly impossible to police the internet sports betting world. We have not heard of any casual gambler being arrested for using a betting site; instead, the focus is turned towards the businesses and establishments that are operating the books illegally. That being said, we have tested as many sites as we could in order to show you the most secure, safe, and trusted gambling sites around. Even if you have a slow, subpar connection, you should not have too much trouble participating because of the simplicity involved in these games.

Bovada - Get The Latest Odds On All Sports

I am jealous right now because I am sitting in a stuffy office reviewing a (very amazing) online sportsbook for Hawaii residents, while you are probably reading this lounging beachfront in Honolulu. Whether that is the case or not, if you have any interest in making money while having fun, Bovada is the place for you. While Hawaii doesn’t have a professional sports team, there is no lack of fans in the Aloha state, and you can bet that hundreds of your fellow residents are using Bovada right now.

As long as you are over 18 years old, you can sign up today. You can even, after creating an account, access the sportsbook while you are away from the computer. With Bovada’s ingenious mobile betting feature, you can place a bet no matter where you are as long as you own a device that has an internet connection. With this sort of convenience, combined with a world-class sportsbook, Bovada is a god among mortals.

SportsBetting - Mobile App And Reduced Juice

As the sun sets over Mauna Loa and the beachcombers are settling in for the night, there are plenty of ways to spend an evening in a profitable way. Hawaii might not draw in crowds for their athletics but there are plenty of fans that love to follow their favorites online or on TV. SportsBetting is a legal online sportsbook that accepts Hawaii residents and is the prime place for putting money on a game or contest, all from your favorite easy chair.

To start your fruitful wagering career at SportsBetting, all you need to do is sign up (it’s free) and make your first deposit. This can be done in many ways. SportsBetting accepts credit/debit card deposits, which are the easiest and quickest ways to get you going. You can also deposit using a money order, MoneyGram, Western Union, bank wire, and bitcoin. SportsBetting is one of the best sportsbooks we have ever used, and we think you will agree. On your first deposit, use the promo code SB1000 to receive a 50% match, up to $1,000.

BetOnline - Best Selection Of Sports To Bet On

At BetOnline, cash will be raining down on you like lava from Mount Kilauea. While this may be overstretching it a bit, it is true that BetOnline has some of the most generous bonuses available for an online sportsbook. Just signing up and making a deposit will grant you a 50% bonus of up to $1,000. Just use the code BOL1000. The rewards don’t stop there though, there are also reload bonuses that will add free money to your account every time you deposit, as well as sports-specific bonuses that must be seen to be believed.

Once you win a boatload of cash from betting on your favorite team, you will want to put some of that money in your pocket. BetOnline makes this simple with an array of excellent payout methods. You can collect your winnings in different ways including checks, cash wire transfers, bitcoin, bank wires, and more. Check out the online cashier at BetOnline to see all of your options.

Is Sports Betting Legal In Hawaii?

Hawaii’s sports betting laws do not affect residents, but instead, affect operators. The laws prohibit operations from offering sports betting in Hawaii, therefore no Hawaii player will see legal action taken against them for betting on sports at online sportsbooks. Local retail books are illegal completely, however, and Hawaii players should avoid these books at all costs. While lawmakers have tried and failed to launch a legal sports betting bill in the past, there are no bills currently on the table in 2021. This could change, however, as many states have begun opening up to the idea of a sports betting market. In addition, Hawaii has suffered losses in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic all but shutting down tourism for months.

Hawaii Sports Betting & Gambling Laws

Hawaii's gambling laws are pretty straight forward. If you want to check the laws, you will have to go to §712-1220 in order to find the rules related to gambling in the state of Hawaii. They have made the claim that any form of gambling is a misdemeanor, which is punishable by up to one year in prison and a fine of up to $2,000. Again, the majority of enforcement is focused on preventing unlicensed sportsbooks and casinos from operating – not stopping residents and tourists from casually betting on a sporting event.

Legal Gambling Age For Hawaii Residents

Because there are no laws for gambling in Hawaii, the age to legally gamble in Hawaii is 21. You will find that it is easy enough to start gambling as you do not have to contend with anything other than where you can play. Some sites will even let you join at 18 and technically there are no extra regulations that you would be breaking by signing up. However, we are not lawyers and do not advise you to break the law.

Land Based Gambling In Hawaii

At the moment there are no local sportsbooks in Hawaii. Even with it being hard to find ways to place a wager here, the sports teams are pretty good still and still can be bet on. Bettors' best option when it comes to placing wagers is using online sportsbooks. These sports betting sites have an online casino and horse races as well as things you can bet on. Bettors only have to be 18 and older to be able to participate in online sportsbooks. For all residents in Hawaii, not having land-based sportsbooks is unfortunate but having online sportsbooks makes it easier to deal with.

Live In-Game Betting in Hawaii

Since Hawaii doesn’t have the same illustrious betting history as some of the other states, some Hawaiian bettors might not be familiar with the feature known as live betting. In the past, bets had to be in by the time the game started, and getting odds during the game was a hassle and also a rare occurrence. Luckily, those days are behind us as the modern age of betting has made live in-game betting available to all. For those unfamiliar, live betting refers to sportsbooks that offer live odds on games as they happen. People can bet on things like the moneyline, spread, over/under, and even what play will happen next. The odds adapt and change as the game progresses, meaning there is limited time to get your bet in before the score changes. It is one of the most exciting and high energy ways to sports bet available today, and the online sportsbooks available in Hawaii provide it at an elite level.

Sports Betting In Hawaii On My Phone

Sports Betting In Hawaii Right Now

Sports betting from a phone in Hawaii is simple. Online internet sportsbooks accept residents from Hawaii to engage in legal sports wagering. These online sports betting websites are licensed and regulated and are completely legal for everyone in the US to use for all of their sports gambling needs. These sites have numerous wagers, odds, and events that they cover from all over the world. They also offer their members promotions to make doing business with them that much better. Betting on your mobile fan is as easy as logging on to the sportsbook website from your phone’s internet browser, no app download required. If you're trying to get in some last minute NFL bets in Hawaii, this is the route to take. If all of that wasn’t enough to get the people of Hawaii to sign up, the convenience of doing all sports betting business with a cell phone really puts the lime in the coconut.

Hawai’i Cities With Legal Sportsbooks

Because the laws concerning all forms of gambling in the Aloha State are so severe, there are no Hawaii cities with legal sportsbooks. That includes major population centers such as the capital city of Honolulu and other major urban areas such as Pearl City and Hilo. Thus, the only way to place wagers on sports in the state is to head over to legal offshore sportsbook sites serving US players, and the ones we think are the best in this segment are Bovada, BetOnline, SportsBetting, BetDSI, and MyBookie.

FAQ About Online Sports Betting In Hawaii

1) Why does Hawaii have no gambling options in land based settings?

This is, without a doubt, the question that is most frequently asked above all others regarding sports betting for Hawaii residents. However, the actual answer probably multifaceted and therefore could come down to any number of things. First of all, because of the major military presence in the state, the state government may want to keep service men and women out of trouble losing their shirt at casinos. Tourism officials may want to preserve the Aloha State’s family-friendly image. Also, the local native Hawaiians may have some kind of cultural animus towards gambling.

2) How are offshore, online gambling sites legal if land-based gambling is illegal?

The sites we recommend – Bovada, BetOnline, SportsBetting, BetDSI, and MyBookie – are all fully licensed and regulated in their countries of origin, making them 100 percent legal businesses. There is no law that says you cannot use a business that is located outside of the country.

3) Where did the legal gambling age come from if there are no laws specifically banning online gambling?

This one is simple. If a gambling age is not specifically listed by the state, it defaults back to 21. Our most highly recommended legal offshore sportsbook websites Bovada, BetOnline, SportsBetting, BetDSI and MyBookie will accept players as young as 18 in keeping with their own local laws, but we still suggest you stick to the tried and true 21 and up rule just to be on the extra safe side.

4) Where are these gambling sites located if not in Hawaii?

You will find that legal offshore sportsbook websites like Bovada, BetOnline, SportsBetting, BetDSI, and MyBookie are based out of Costa Rica, Canada, the United Kingdom, Antigua, Latvia and so on.

5) What do I have to do to cash in my winnings?

You will have to process your identity verification before you can cash out your winnings at any of the aforementioned legal offshore sportsbook sites providing sports betting for Hawaii residents.

6) What does identity verification entail?

You will have to fax in a photo ID, a copy of a utility bill and a copy of any credit card you had used to deposit.

7) Do I have to pay extra to have my winnings shipped back to me since I live in Hawaii?

You should not have to pay too much extra in order to cash out your winnings. However, the way to make sure that you never get charged any processing fees is to use Bitcoin or another cryptocurrency like Ethereum or Dash that is accepted by the industry’s leading legal offshore sportsbook sites Bovada, BetOnline, SportsBetting, BetDSI, and MyBookie.

8) Has a Hawaiian ever been charged with a crime for gambling on the Internet?

We have never heard of anyone being arrested for gambling online, even in the Aloha State, which is one of just two states of 50 where all forms of gambling are explicitly illegal. We are not saying that you should bet on sports, even at reputable offshore sportsbooks such as Bovada, BetOnline, SportsBetting, BetDSI or MyBookie, because it could be seen as breaking the law if you do. However, what we are saying is that if you were arrested for doing so you would be the first person this ever happened to.

9) What do I need in order to start betting?

Online Sports Betting In Hawaii

All you have to do is enter your personal information, supply a credit card and you will be ready to start gambling at any or all of the aforementioned leading legal offshore sportsbooks. Signing up is always free, and you will simply not be able to beat the kind of variety in terms of betting lines and sports to wager on as are listed on the betting boards at elite offshore sportsbooks like Bovada, BetOnline, SportsBetting, BetDSI, and MyBookie.

Is Sports Betting Legal In Hawaii

10) Is Hawaii capable of establishing a licensed sportsbook?

Yes. Hawaii was, for the better part of a quarter of a century, not capable of establishing a licensed sportsbook due to the existence of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (PASPA), but the US Supreme Court overturned that law in May of 2018. That means that Hawaii and all other states are legally able to pursue legislation that would legalize and regulate sportsbooks. However, it is incredibly unlikely that the traditionally gambling adverse Hawaii state legislature will ever authorize the existence of outlets providing sports betting for Hawaii residents.

There is no doubt that all the legal sports betting sites that accept Hawaii residents are based offshore. There are only a few states with legal sports betting available on land and betting online is the only option to except in a few states.