Is Online Sports Betting Legal in Hawaii?

In Hawaii, betting on sports isn't happening, and it doesn't look like that's going to change anytime soon. The state is pretty firm on keeping most kinds of gambling off the table, keeping Hawaii as one of the few places that's not jumping on the sports betting bandwagon. 

So, for now, folks looking to place a bet on their favorite teams will have to wait it out or find other ways to enjoy the game.

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Hawaii Sports Betting Overview

What Is the Current Sports Betting Landscape In Hawaii?

In Hawaii, sports betting is pretty much a no-go zone. Unlike many states that have dipped their toes in the sports betting water in some way, Hawaii's sticking to its guns and keeping it totally off the table. There aren't any laws that allow it, no discussions happening in the legislature about making it legal, and definitely no sportsbooks setting up shop. It's one of the few places left in the U.S. where the idea of legal sports betting hasn't even hit the starting line.

What are the reasons for this? Well, they're as unique as Hawaii itself. They include cultural values that steer clear of gambling and concerns about its potential impact on life on the islands. There's a desire to keep the community vibe strong and worries about the downsides that gambling can bring. 

So, for now, sports betting fans in Hawaii are on the sidelines, watching as other states start their betting journeys.

When Is Sports Betting Expected To Launch in Hawaii?

As of the latest, Hawaii has not yet confirmed a launch date for legal sports betting. While House Bill 1308 was passed by the Senate and returned to the House, it failed to advance due to disagreements over key amendments.

Consequently, the bill did not reach a final vote before the legislative session concluded on May 1, 2025. Without the bill's passage, there is no legal framework to establish a launch date for sports betting in Hawaii.

Hawaii Sports Betting Updates

• Apr. 29, 2025 - Hawaii's attempt to legalize sports betting in the 2025 legislative session failed after House Bill 1308 did not survive a legislative committee vote due to internal disagreements over key amendments regarding tax rates and licensing fees.

• Apr. 25, 2025 - Hawaii's sports betting bill is nearing a final vote, with a conference committee working to resolve differences between the House and Senate versions, focusing on tax structure, licensing fees, and mobile sportsbook operations, ahead of the May 2 deadline.

• Apr. 11, 2025 - Hawaii's HB1308 bill to legalize online sports betting and fantasy sports faces delays after the House disagreed with the Senate’s amendments, including issues with licensing fees and regulatory oversight, requiring a conference committee to reach a compromise before the May 2 deadline.

• Apr. 4, 2025 - Hawaii’s Senate Ways and Means Committee approved House Bill 1308 to legalize online sports betting, advancing the bill to the full Senate after passing the House in February, with a 10% tax rate, $250,000 licensing fee, and a target effective date of July 1, 2025.

• Apr. 2, 2025 - Hawaii's House-approved online sports betting bill, HB 1308, was approved by the Senate Ways and Means Committee with a 11-2 vote and now moves to the full Senate, including provisions for a 10% tax rate and a $250,000 license fee for operators.

• Mar. 18, 2025 - Hawaii sports bill continues to move forward. BetMGM and DraftKings predict optimistic revenue estimates for the state.

• Mar. 6, 2025 - Hawaii House of Representatives passes House Bill 1308 with a clear 35-15 vote. The bill aims to set up at least four state-licensed sports betting operators.

• Feb. 4, 2025: The Senate Economic Development and Tourism Committee unanimously pass SB 1569, a companion bill to HB 1308, moving Hawaii closer to legalizing online sports wagering.

• Jan. 31, 2025: The House Committee on Economic Development and Technology unanimously approves HB 1308, a bill to legalize online sports betting and daily fantasy sports, advancing it to the next legislative stage.

• Jan. 23, 2025: Lawmakers in Hawaii file three separate bills aiming to legalize sports betting and iGaming, though these measures were considered longshots.

Nearby Betting States

Hawaii's unique position in the middle of the Pacific Ocean means it doesn't border any other states, let alone ones with legal betting. The closest states with legal sports betting are on the mainland, thousands of miles away, making Hawaii quite isolated in terms of physical access to legal sports betting options. 

Residents or visitors looking for nearby legal betting states would have to take a significant flight to reach places like California, where sports betting legislation is presently in flux, or to Nevada, a well-established betting haven.

What Sports Will You Be Able To Bet On in Hawaii?

NFL

While Hawaii doesn't have its own NFL team, the state has a strong contingent of football fans who rally behind various teams, with preferences often leaning towards West Coast teams like the San Francisco 49ers and the Seattle Seahawks due to geographic proximity. Hawaiian NFL fans also have a tradition of embracing players from the islands who make it big in the league, following their careers with pride and support.

NBA

Hawaii doesn't host an NBA team, but basketball fans in the islands have their loyalties, often supporting teams with star players or historical significance. The Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors are among the favorites, thanks to their success and star-studded lineups.

MLB

Hawaii's MLB fans typically root for teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Francisco Giants, finding connections through either regional affinity or the presence of players with Hawaiian heritage in the past. The state's passion for baseball runs deep, with many fans following the sport closely.

NHL

The NHL might seem worlds away from the tropical climate of Hawaii, but the league has dedicated followers in the state. Fans tend to support teams with exciting players or storied histories, such as the Vegas Golden Knights, who've captured the imagination of many since their inception.

UFC

UFC has a solid fan base in Hawaii, bolstered by the success of fighters like Max Holloway, who hail from the islands. The popularity of mixed martial arts is significant, with many locals participating in or following the sport keenly. UFC events, particularly those featuring Hawaiian fighters, are widely watched and celebrated.

What Wager Types Will Be Available in Hawaii?

If sports betting were to become legal in Hawaii, bettors could expect a variety of betting types to explore. Here's a rundown of the most popular betting types that could become available:

Moneyline

A moneyline wager involves picking the team you believe will come out on top in a game. It includes odds for both the favorite and the underdog, indicating their chances of winning and the potential payouts. For instance, in a hypothetical matchup, you might see:

• San Francisco 49ers (-150)

• Seattle Seahawks (+130)

To understand moneyline odds, it’s useful to think in terms of $100. Here, the 49ers are the favorite and you would need to bet $150 in order to win $100, for a payout of $250. A successful $100 bet on the Seahawks would win $130 for a return of $230. If you are still struggling to understand how to read odds lines, we have a full guide on that topic.

Point Spreads

Point spread betting is about evening out the playing field between two teams by applying a handicap of points to the favored team. This means the favorite must win by more than the spread of points to cover the spread and win the bet. The underdogs must simply lose by fewer points than the spread or win the game outright.

An example could be:

• Los Angeles Lakers -7.5 (-110)

• Golden State Warriors +7.5 (-110)

Here, the spread is 7.5 points, with the Lakers as the favorite. That means they would need to win the game by 8 points or more to win a bet on them against the spread. 

Totals (Over/Under)

Totals betting, or over/under, is where you wager on whether the combined score of a game will be over or under a set number. The winners and losers of the game are not relevant. For a game involving two MLB teams, it might look like:

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. San Francisco Giants:

• Over 8.5 runs (-110)

• Under 8.5 runs (-105)

Futures

Futures bets involve predicting long-term outcomes, like championship winners. Big events like the Super Bowl and the NBA Championship attract a lot of futures, often placed at the start of the season. However, you can place futures at any point throughout the year. 

For Hawaiian UFC fans, a future bet might be on a local fighter:

• Max Holloway to win the Featherweight Championship (+500)

Prop Bets

Prop bets are wagers on specific events within a game that don't necessarily determine the outcome. Usually, they involve the performance of either individual players or the team as whole in certain statistical categories, like layups in the NBA or passing yards in the NFL. You can also find prop bets on things that happen in one quarter only, or even on things like the result of the coin toss. 

A prop bet example could be:

• Steph Curry to score Over 22.5 points (-110)

• Steph Curry to score Under 22.5 points (-110)

Parlays

A parlay combines multiple bets into one for a larger payout, but requires all bets within the parlay to win. The odds of each individual selection get multiplied together. Same Game Parlays are a popular form of parlay where all the selections come from the same game. 

A parlay example involving some of Hawaii's favorite teams might look like this:

• San Francisco 49ers to win, Los Angeles Lakers to cover the spread and the total runs in a Dodgers vs. Giants game to be over 8.5.

Live Betting

Live betting lets you place bets on a game as it's happening, with odds that update in real-time. For example, if you were betting during a live UFC fight, you would see the odds on who would win fluctuating odds based on the fight's progression. Live betting also includes lots of “next” markets, like the next player to score in a soccer game or the winner of the next set in a tennis match. 

Expected Betting Restrictions in Hawaii?

Even states that legalized sports betting has done so with various restrictions in place. 

Let's take a look:

• Politics: Betting on political outcomes or elections is generally not allowed.

• Entertainment Awards Ceremonies: Events such as the Oscars and Grammys generate significant betting interest globally; however, most states don’t allow you to place bets on them in the US. 

• eSports: Laws around betting on esports vary a lot, with some states outright banning it, others legislating for it specifically and some simply regarding it as a sport like any other. 

• High School Sports: Betting on underage high school sports and athletes is normally not permitted. 

• College Sports: This is another issue that varies a lot. Some states have legalized NCAA betting entirely, while many others have opted to ban betting on in-state college teams or events. Prop bets on college athletes are often outlawed. Some states have decided to ban betting on college sports altogether.

Is Daily Fantasy Sports Legal in Hawaii?

No Daily Fantasy Sports is not currently legal in Hawaii and given Hawaii's tough stance on gambling and no signs of change, the chances of Daily Fantasy Sports getting the green light anytime soon seem pretty low.

Is Fliff Legal in Hawaii?

Fliff is legal in Hawaii, but there are some restrictions to keep in mind. 

Fliff is a social sportsbook which allows users to play sports betting games using two free virtual currencies: Fliff Coins for fun and Fliff Cash for real money prizes. However, the sweepstakes contests involving Fliff Cash are not available in Hawaii and you can’t redeem any cash prizes in the state. Instead, you can only play for fun using Fliff Coins, without the possibility of any prizes. 

It’s a good low pressure alternative to traditional sports betting, and in truth, it's one of the very few legal options in Hawaii that even resembles sports betting.

Try out Fliff for free.

Sports Teams in Hawaii

Hawaii has no major professional sports teams, but it has a vibrant sports culture with several semi-professional, collegiate, and club teams across various sports. Here's a look at some of the key teams:

• University of Hawaii Rainbow Warriors (Men's Teams) and Rainbow Wahine (Women's Teams): These teams compete in NCAA Division I, participating in sports like football, basketball, volleyball, and soccer. They are the pride of Hawaii, showcasing collegiate athletics at its best.

• Hawaii Pacific University Sharks: Competing in NCAA Division II, the Sharks offer a range of sports, including basketball, cross country, and tennis, for both men and women, contributing to Hawaii's rich sports tapestry.

• Chaminade University Silverswords: Also part of NCAA Division II, the Silverswords field teams in sports such as basketball and soccer, providing opportunities for student-athletes to compete and excel.

• Honolulu Sharks (Basketball): A semi-professional basketball team that provides a platform for local talent to shine and compete at a higher level.

• Na Koa Ikaika Maui (Baseball): Previously part of the independent professional leagues, they brought professional baseball action to the islands, though the team's current status may vary.

• Hawaii Tsunami (Soccer): A semi-professional soccer team that has competed in various leagues, offering both men and women athletes the chance to play the sport at a competitive level.

• Team Hawaii (Soccer): A women's soccer team that has aimed to provide higher levels of competition for female soccer players in the state.

Why You Should Trust Us

Here at WSN, we're all about giving our real opinion on sports betting. Our team is pretty diverse, think sports nuts meets betting buffs, and we've been around the block a few times when it comes to placing bets and checking out what different platforms have to offer.

We actually use the sites we talk about. From signing up to claiming bonuses, placing bets and cashing out, we go through the whole experience of a regular bettor, making sure that what we share with you is what you would really experience. It's not about skimming the surface. We dive deep to get the full picture.

We're here to share our honest insight and opinions, not to sell you on anything. Our focus? Giving you the straight-up facts so you can make your own calls on where to bet. We keep things unbiased and stick to the facts. This is crucial to our rating process. Our goal is to be a source you can trust for up-to-date and clear info on sports betting.

In short, we've put in the legwork so you don't have to, making WSN a reliable place to get your sports betting insights.

Getting Help: Responsible Gambling in Hawaii

Even without legalized sports betting, Hawaii has resources for those struggling with gambling problems. These resources aim to support not just individuals directly impacted by gambling issues but also their friends, family, and anyone looking for information on gambling responsibly.

Who to contact for help:

• Hawaii Department of Health’s Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division (ADAD): While not exclusively focused on gambling, ADAD can provide guidance and resources for those dealing with gambling addiction. More information is available on their website at the ADAD website.

• The National Council on Problem Gambling: Offers nationwide support and a confidential helpline for immediate assistance. Residents of Hawaii can call or text the helpline at 1-800-522-4700 or visit www.ncpgambling.org for more resources and a live chat service.

• Gamblers Anonymous: Facilitates meetings and support groups in Hawaii for individuals seeking help with gambling issues. Information on local meetings can be found at www.gamblersanonymous.org.

Should sports betting ever be legalized in Hawaii, it would likely include comprehensive responsible gambling measures to protect bettors. This might involve things like deposit or loss limits, community education around underage gambling, and self exclusion programs for anyone who wants to avoid gambling.

WSN.com also hosts its own responsible gambling center, written by health and responsible gambling experts Daniel Umfleet and Pat Eichner.