Hawaiian City Further Clamps Down on Illegal Gambling

As Hawaii still struggles to pass an efficient gambling regulation, the proliferation of black-market operations has put most authorities on notice. In order to restrict the reach of these pernicious activities, more legislation has been passed in the city of Honolulu, with Bill 11, 12, and 13, all outlining a possible course of action against various sectors.

Hawaiian City Takes Matters into Its Own Hands, Cracks Down on Gambling

Bill 11 wants to introduce a permit system that will track electronic gambling devices as well as outline specific penalties for non-compliance. Then, Bill 12 will seek to deny, suspend, or revoke permits in case of gambling violations.

Bill 13 will allow property owners and landlords to help with inspections and evictions in those cases where the landlords suspect that an illicit gambling activity is going on. These evictions will be assisted by the Hawaiian Police Department.

Hawaii has been trying to introduce various regulated gambling activities over the past years, but to no avail. Most recently, in 2025, legislation was passed to move the issue once again, consigning the Aloha State to the list of a few in the country that do not regulate gambling.

However, the good news is that there was legal momentum building up until a snag was hit in April. There is now a lobby of legislators who can see and appreciate the benefits of a potential regulated industry, cracking down on illegal gambling, clearly seen as part of it.

Until such a time that there is a regulated gambling industry in Hawaii, however, local authorities will be prone to come up with their measures against illegal gambling.