Legal Poker For Hawaii Residents
The state of Hawaii is often regarded as a fun, carefree place, so the general assumption may be that the state’s attitudes toward gambling are lax and permissive. In reality, just the opposite is true. As Hawaii poker lovers will surely attest, the opportunities for legal Hawaii gambling—and legal Hawaii poker, in particular—are few and far between. There are no real casinos in the state, and even the rules concerning home poker play are a little strict. With that said, Hawaii has been inching toward a more gamer-friendly outlook for years now, including legal discussions about casinos, online gambling, and more. For those seeking legal Hawaii poker opportunities, then, a brighter day might soon be coming.
For now, though, options are limited, at best. This page, an educational resource for Hawaii gamers, will explore some of the state’s gambling laws. We will note the relative scarcity of options for casino play, and also explain the rules concerning social poker games. From there, we’ll get into the prickly—though ultimately very positive—news about online gaming in the state of Hawaii.
Hawaii Poker Laws & Statutes
Again, the state of Hawaii does not have a very open or accommodating attitude toward gamers, which might come as a bit of a surprise. The simple fact is that gambling is not legal here, and there is nothing in Hawaii that could accurately be described as a true casino. Online poker is not really mentioned in Hawaii’s laws at all, but it does stand as a safe option for Hawaii poker enthusiasts; more on that in a moment.
A reason for hope is the fact that Hawaii’s lawmakers have considered numerous ventures for expanding the state’s gambling opportunities. Just in the last couple of years, Hawaii’s legislators have weighed new bills meant to legalize casinos, or to sanction Internet poker. With time, the state is sure to come around to a more gamer-friendly way of thinking!
Is it Legal to Play Online Poker in Hawaii?
Another point of consideration is online poker. Here, things get a bit more difficult to pin down. You see, online poker is really not mentioned in Hawaii’s laws at all. This does not mean that it is illegal, though it is also not quite fair to say that online poker is sanctioned by the state.
The short answer is that, while Hawaii does not explicitly condone online poker, it also does not criminalize it. You will not be penalized or prosecuted for playing in an online poker room, not if you’re a Hawaii resident. Thus, online poker is a safe option for Hawaii poker buffs—and in fact, it’s really the only convenient way to play!
Can I Get into Trouble for Playing Online Poker Hawaii?
Let’s address that same question from another perspective. Will Hawaii residents get into trouble with the law, just for playing in online poker rooms? The answer is no, and the important point to make is that, questions of legality aside, online poker is absolutely safe for Hawaii residents.
Again, there is really no mention of Internet poker in Hawaii’s laws. What this means is that there is no criminalization, no prosecution for those Hawaii residents who play in online poker rooms. Those who wish to play in online poker rooms can do so and not have to worry about what the law says.
Legal Poker Sites That Accept Hawaii Players
Many residents of Hawaii are interested in online poker but are unsure if it is legal or not. Luckily it is completely legal to gamble online in a poker room in Hawaii. Since many people are unaware of this they also don’t know good sites for online poker, so listed below are the best sites on the web.
Bovada Poker - Most Trusted Online Poker Room For Hawaii
When a serious poker player wants to really win some money they go to Bovada. Bovada is one of the most profitable and popular poker rooms on the web right now and it is easy to see why. Bovada poker has been leading the pack ever since they first opened their doors to U.S. players 20 years ago. Since then they have been offering poker players in Hawaii a top notch place to play poker and make some money.
One of the ways that they help new players earn money is by giving them money. When a player makes their first deposit to Bovada’s poker room they will keep track of how much was deposited and give back the entire first deposit over the course of play. As the player earns more points by playing in their poker room they will get more and more of the deposit back. It is a great incentive to keep playing because no matter what, a new user is always getting closer to making more money.
BetOnline Poker - All Hawaii Players 18+ Welcome Here
Anyone who is somebody in the online poker scene knows all about BetOnline. Not only are they the most lucrative poker room on the web but they are widely considered to be one of the most fun to play with. Not only do they offer the most guaranteed tournament money out of any site on the web but they also make sure to offer plenty of seasonal tournaments and events to keep players interested any time of the year.
One of the reasons they are so popular among poker fanatics is that they constantly have promotions of all kinds running that reward people just for playing frequently. BetOnline poker bonuses are far more then just deposit bonuses, you can receive
a bonus just for getting a certain hand dealt to you, or maybe they will be running a rake race where players compete to see who can earn the most rake during the event. On top of that they have $10,000 guaranteed tournaments every weekend so avid poker players can always win some money.
| Legal Hawaii Poker Sites | Welcome Bonus | What To Play | Site Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bovada Poker Play / Sign Up | $1,000 FREE - 100% Match | Hold'em - Omaha Hi/Lo - Stud Hi/Lo |  |
| BetOnline Poker Play / Sign Up | Maximum $1K: 200% Rate | Texas Hold'em - Omaha Hi/Lo | |
| SportsBetting Play / Sign Up | 200% Match / $1,000 Max | Texas Hold'em - Omaha Hi/Lo | |
| 5Dimes Poker Play / Sign Up | Vary Weekly - Check Website | Texas Hold'em - Omaha Hi/Lo |  |
Does Hawaii Have Legal Land-Based Poker?
Next, we’ll turn out attention to some of the specific forms of gambling that are approved in Hawaii. First, we’ll look at live, land-based poker options—which are, sadly, very scarce. As we have already mentioned, casinos are more or less non-existent here, and it’s not as though it’s easy for a Hawaii native to hop in the car and drive to an adjacent state! As such, home and social games are the only real options for live poker. The only stipulation is that you cannot profit from these games; that is, you cannot turn your house into a for-profit casino.
Legal Land-Based Poker Rooms For Hawaii Players
Legal questions aside, where can Hawaii residents go to play poker? As we have lamented already, the options for live and land-based play are pretty tough to find. You won’t find any real casinos or poker rooms in Hawaii—not legal ones, anyway—and the laws concerning home games, while not totally restrictive, do impose a few limitations.
With that said, online poker is a much better option. Internet poker rooms are quite commonplace, and they are also quite accommodating to Hawaii gamers. As such, Hawaii residents can participate in online poker rooms without worry and without fear.
Future of Poker/Online Poker in Hawaii
A final question to consider: What does the future hold for Hawaii’s poker laws? Is there a chance that the state’s stance on gaming could become more lax and more accommodating to gamers? Only time will tell, but it seems as though Hawaii is moving in the right direction. In the last couple of years, lawmakers have made attempts to legalize casino and online gaming. Those these attempts have not yet proven effective, they have laid a foundation for some important changes to Hawaii gambling laws.
In the meantime, Hawaii gamers are not without options. There are always home poker games, and there are always Internet poker rooms. In fact, online poker is both the most convenient way for Hawaii poker buffs to play, and also the most fun—to say nothing of the most safe!
