Hawaii’s anti-gambling laws prohibit traditional casinos, but Hawaiian residents can enjoy sweepstakes casinos, which use Gold Coins (GC) and Sweepstakes Coins (SC) that are redeemable for cash prizes. This guide covers everything you need to know about sweepstakes casinos available in Hawaii, including bonuses, top games, the history of gambling, and frequently asked questions.
If you’re looking for casino-style games in Hawaii, your options are limited to social and sweepstakes casinos. These sites do not accept money for gambling purposes; instead, they allow you to purchase virtual currency, which you can use to play slot games and table games without spending money directly.
While online casino games for real money are not available in Hawaii, sweepstakes casinos offer a range of slots, roulette, table games, and live casino experiences that allow players to earn virtual currency. Below, we’ve listed some of the best games to play at sweepstake sites in casinos in Hawaii.
We’ve listed some RTP figures for various popular casino games at online casinos in Hawaii. RTP is a critical metric for understanding casino games. It represents the percentage of total wagers a game is statistically programmed to return to the average player over an extended period.
The best players pay attention to the RTP of a game when devising a gambling strategy, as games with higher RTPs offer better theoretical odds over time. While some slot games have high RTPs, table games such as blackjack and baccarat typically have the highest RTP. While finding high-RTP games can enhance your strategy, remember that luck remains decisive in any session.
Pretty much all forms of gambling are prohibited in Hawaii, but there are a few online options available. Check out our overview below:
Hawaii has one of the most limited gambling landscapes in the United States, prohibiting all forms of gambling, including online casinos, sports betting, poker, and daily fantasy sports. Since the islands received statehood in 1959, state law has defined gambling as risking something of value on a game of chance. This means that other forms of gambling, common in even non-sports betting states, such as pari-mutuel horse racing betting, are unavailable in Hawaii.
Recent efforts to legalize gambling have stalled, including efforts to legalize sports betting and license a casino resort on Oahu. While proponents have argued that legal gambling would increase revenues and bring additional tourists to the islands, the state’s history as a non-gambling state has prevented progress. Politics in the state means that Hawaii’s strict anti-gambling stance is unlikely to change.
You must create your account after choosing your Hawaii online casino. Luckily, creating an account is easy, and in a few steps, you’ll be spinning the reels or playing hands of blackjack in no time. Follow our step-by-step guide below.
At real-money casinos, players wager cash directly on slots or table games. Sweepstakes casinos, such as those available in Hawaii, use Gold Coins, which can be exchanged for spins on slot games and to play table games, and Sweepstakes Coins, which are earned through continued play. You can redeem SC for prizes such as cash, gift cards, or merchandise. Below is a step-by-step guide to purchasing GC and redeeming prizes.
Here are some of the payment options you can use to redeem and purchase coins at Hawaii sweepstakes casinos:
Sweepstakes and social casinos in Hawaii are open to players aged 18 and older. They usually ask you to verify your age by providing documentation that proves your age.
To access Hawaii sweepstakes casinos, players must be 18 years old. Your casino will request that you provide a copy of your photo ID to verify your age and prevent fraud. The verification process usually takes a few days to finalize. Most platforms allow users to purchase virtual coins for gameplay during the waiting period, but prize redemptions are typically unavailable until verification is complete.
No regulatory body is responsible for online gambling in Hawaii, as the state prohibits all forms of gambling for real money. Efforts to establish a gambling regulator were embarked upon in 2023, but lawmakers halted them.
While Hawaii remains one of the strictest states in the country regarding gambling, numerous attempts to legalize online gambling have occurred in recent years. Below, we’ve listed some landmarks in the state’s efforts to bring safe and legal gambling.
The HI Attorney General issues legal guidance indicating that daily fantasy sports (DFS) are not legal in the state.
Representative Chris Todd introduces HB 1107, a bill to establish a state-run entity for operating sports betting. However, the bill fails to secure enough support to pass through the committee stage.
State Senate Donna Kim introduces SB 595, a bill to establish a task force to examine the options for Hawaii's online gambling. The bill fails to pass by the end of the legislative session.
A new sports betting bill, HB 1973, is submitted to the Hawaii Legislature. The bill specifies that sports wagering shall not be considered a game of chance, but it does not gain support. Two bills, HB 1962 and HB 1815, also failed to pass.
Representative John Mizuno submits a new Hawaii online gambling bill, HB 344, which is referred to a committee and deferred to the following legislative session.
Senator Ronald Kouchi submitted HB 2762, a bill to grant a 40-year license for a hotel and casino on the island of Oahu, but it has failed to progress.
While some platforms may claim to offer casino games for real money in Hawaii, these sites are not legally permitted. These platforms are based outside the jurisdiction of the State of Hawaii, which is referred to as an offshore site.
These sites are unregulated and do not have to comply with any regulations designed to protect players and provide them with fair games, trusted payment methods, and responsible gambling methods. For safe and legal alternatives, trusted social and sweepstakes casinos offer secure payments, age verification, and reliable support, all while complying with state laws. Stick to these options to protect your experience.
Hawaii has no land-based casinos, as the state prohibits gambling for real money. Neither commercial nor tribal casinos are available in HI. While land-based casinos might launch in the state in the future, the prospect of casinos opening in the Aloha State seems distant.
No, online casinos for real money are not legal in Hawaii. All forms of gambling for real money are illegal in the state. Despite this, sweepstakes casinos offer casino-style games without spending a dime and accept players from the Aloha State.
Yes, sweepstakes casinos accept players in Hawaii. These platforms do not exchange currency for gambling; instead, they allow players to purchase virtual currency, which can be used to spin the reels, play blackjack, and participate in other table games.
This page recommends the best online casinos! Our recommended sweepstakes and social casinos are tested for various factors, including payment safety, game fairness, and promotions and bonuses.
Yes, the platforms listed on this page are safe and trusted. To ensure the safety of your chosen online casino, look for trusted payment methods, such as bank cards, e-wallets, and games developed by reputable software providers.
Yes, of course you can! While Hawaii doesn’t offer online casinos for real money, several sweepstakes casinos are accessible in the Aloha State, providing a range of bonuses, including welcome offers, reload bonuses, and regular promotions for returning players.