Is Online Sports Betting Legal in Hawaii?
Hawaii is known for beaches, luaus, and sunsets—but not for betting. If you’re wondering about online sports betting Hawaii fans ask about every season, the answer is simple: it’s not legal. Hawaii is one of only two states, along with Utah, that bans all gambling. No casinos, no lottery, no retail sportsbooks, and no online sports betting apps. That means NFL betting, NBA parlays, and even horse racing bets are off the table. But lawmakers have tried to change that. In 2025, a bill made it farther than ever before. Let’s break down the current laws, failed attempts, and what might come next.
Online Sports Betting Hawaii: Current Status
Right now, there is no online sports betting legal market in Hawaii. You can’t open DraftKings, FanDuel, or Hard Rock Bet like you would in other sports gambling legal states.
Even offshore sportsbooks, which sometimes sneak into gray-area states, are clearly banned here. Hawaii law makes it illegal to wager on any online platform with real money.
So if you want to place NFL betting lines or same-game parlays, you’ll have to leave the islands. Unlike other parts of the online sports betting USA market, Hawaii is firmly closed.
Read more: Looking for the ultimate guide to NFL betting this season? We've got you covered right here!
Why Sports Betting Isn’t Legal in Hawaii
Hawaii’s laws reflect a cultural and political resistance to gambling. Leaders have long argued that betting could harm families and communities. That’s why the state also doesn’t have a lottery, pari-mutuel horse wagering, or casinos.
This puts Hawaii in sharp contrast with sports betting legal states like Nevada, New Jersey, or Tennessee, where online sports betting online is thriving.
In short: lawmakers haven’t been ready to make the leap, even though bettors are eager for legal options.
Recent Push: HB 1308 and What Happened
In 2025, Hawaii’s House Bill 1308 looked like it could change everything. The bill proposed up to four licensed online sportsbooks, a 10% tax on wagers, and a $250,000 licensing fee for operators.
For a moment, fans thought sports betting legal online could finally be a reality. But the bill stalled in the Senate and never passed.
Example: Under HB 1308, you might have been able to download an app, bet on the University of Hawaii Rainbow Warriors, or place an NFL betting parlay on the Dolphins vs. Chiefs. Instead, the legislation died, and nothing changed.
Online Sports Betting How To: Options for Hawaii Residents
So what can you do today? Since there are no sportsbooks, here are the only legal paths:
- Play social sportsbooks like Fliff, which use virtual coins instead of real money.
- Enter sweepstakes-based contests like Rebet that give away prizes.
- Fly to Nevada or California and use licensed online sports betting apps there.
That’s it. There’s no shortcut for online sports betting Hawaii players can use legally right now.
Online Sports Betting Apps: What’s Missing in Hawaii
In most sports gambling legal states, you’ll see dozens of apps competing for customers. FanDuel, DraftKings, Caesars, and BetMGM roll out promos, odds boosts, and NFL betting specials every week.
Hawaii has none of that. No online sports betting apps are licensed here, and offshore apps aren’t safe or legal.
This makes the gap clear. While sports betting legal states offer wide menus of bets and bonuses, Hawaii players have no official options.
Hawaii Compared to Other Sports Gambling Legal States
Let’s put this in perspective. More than 35 states in the U.S. have legalized sports betting since 2018. That includes big markets like New York, Ohio, and Illinois, plus nearby West Coast hubs like California (tribal retail only) and Nevada.
Hawaii remains one of the few holdouts. When you compare online sports betting USA coverage maps, the islands stand out as a blank spot.
For fans, it’s frustrating. NFL betting has become part of game-day culture nationwide, but in Hawaii, even casual sports betting is illegal.
Will Hawaii Ever Legalize Online Sports Betting?
The failure of HB 1308 shows how tough the political fight is. But it also shows progress. For the first time, a sports betting bill cleared the House and reached the Senate floor.
Public support is growing, and lawmakers will likely revisit the issue in the coming years. Still, there’s no official timeline. Legal online sports betting apps in Hawaii may be years away.
Online Sports Betting Example: What It Could Look Like
Picture this: it’s Super Bowl Sunday. If Hawaii had legalized sports betting, you’d open an app, scroll through the props, and pick Patrick Mahomes to throw for more than 300 yards. You might also toss in a same-game parlay with Travis Kelce to score a touchdown.
Instead, in Hawaii, you’d have to watch the game without that wager. It’s a simple example of how different the experience is compared to sports betting legal online states.
Final Thoughts on Online Sports Betting Hawaii
Hawaii is one of the strictest states when it comes to gambling. No lottery, no casinos, and no sportsbooks. Online sports betting legal markets may be expanding nationwide, but the islands remain off-limits.
The 2025 push showed progress, but nothing has changed yet. Until lawmakers act, bettors in Hawaii will have to settle for social sportsbooks, fantasy-style contests, or trips to legal states
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