Best Hawaii Online Poker Sites. Online poker is not yet legal in Hawaii. However, that may not be the case forever, sign up for our email list to be the first to know when online poker becomes legal in your area. BetOnline Poker Room - Best Hawaii Poker Site. BetOnline Poker - One online poker room we have long been fans of is that of BetOnline. If you decide to join up with their service, you will not have to be afraid of being ripped off. Their software has been tooled to be one of the most secure of all the online poker options that serve Hawaii players. If all goes right, online poker should be legal there by 2018. How Many Potential Online Poker Players Live in Hawaii? With only around 90,000 potential online poker customers, Hawaii would definitely have to partner with other states to share its players in order for online poker to be viable and healthy.
Hawaii is a beautiful place, full of lush greenery,surrounded by the ocean, and a hotspot for travelers from the continentalUnited States. However, the landscape ofgamblers is bleak at best. The state has not adopted any of the traditionalgambling laws from the rest of the U.S. and doesn’t appear to be planning to doso anytime soon.
What does that mean for people that love to playpoker? Well, there are some outletsavailable to Hawaiian residents, and we will cover those as well as how best tolearn the game on this page all about poker in Hawaii.
Online Poker in Hawaii
When the online poker boom hit the United States in theearly 2000s, it breathed life into the poker industry in Hawaii. Being so far away from the continentalstates, Hawaiians were finally able to connect with the rest of the country bysitting at common poker tables and in tournaments that could see residentsqualify for huge events like the World Series of Poker.
The sites that Hawaiians were playing on, however, weredeemed to be operating illegally in the U.S., and in 2011, the government tooksteps to shut down the largest sites, essentially ending the run of onlinepoker. To this day, while there are afew states that have added online poker legislation, most Americans, includingthose in Hawaii, can only dream of the days when they could play for millionsof dollars online once again.
Land Based Poker in Hawaii
In most of the states in the U.S., when real money onlinepoker disappeared in the early 2010s, players had the land-based poker rooms tofall back on. Yes, it meant having toleave the house and heading to a facility to play, but for fans of the game, itwas the best available option.
Unfortunately for residents of Hawaii, this is not thecase. The state has no casinos or legal poker rooms, which means the onlyoption for playing land-based poker would be at a social level. This isn’t likely to change anytime soon –there is not much of a desire to add gambling to the landscape, with the statepreferring to rely on tourism to raise tax dollars.
Social Poker in Hawaii
Ok, enough doom and gloom about poker in Hawaii! There is, in fact, some good news -when thesocial networks like Facebook emerged in the late 2000s, game developersrealized there was an opportunity to use the platform to create massivemultiplayer environments. This coincidedvery well with the demise of online poker, which had a huge play moneycomponent. Zynga was the first of thegaming companies to launch a social poker site, which gave players a chance toplay in massive events to try to unlock new levels of the game and to make thetop of their social leaderboard. Playersalso have the option of buying into the upper levels of the game, where the qualityof play is much better. These chip purchases cost real money, so even thoughyou can’t withdraw any winnings, it still simulates playing in a real moneygame if you are playing at a high enough level. It’s a great way to stay sharp, and with multiple options available, wethink it is worth you giving a try.
Subscription/Sweepstakes Poker in Hawaii
Another available outlet for poker players in Hawaii isSweepstakes Poker. Sweepstakes laws aredifferent than gambling laws in most states, which allows companies like GlobalPoker to offer tournaments to players under those rules. Also, there are sites like Club WPT thatoffer you a membership for a fee which gives you access to all their daily andweekly tournaments. You can win someamazing prizes at these sites, so check out our reviews to see which site mightbe the best for you.
Learning Poker in Hawaii
The lack of real money poker in the state shouldn’t stopanyone who wants to learn from gaining knowledge about Hold’em or any othervariant of the game. We have a wholesection of this site dedicated to teaching you the basics of all the games,including new ones like Chinese Poker and Short Deck Poker. After you read up on the ruled, you candownload loads of free play poker apps to your mobile device and start playingthe games. The more hands you play, no matter the stakes, the better you willbecome as a player. Take advantage ofthe fact that there are thousands of poker videos on YouTube and so many bookson the subject that even in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, the next WorldChampion could be learning as we speak.
Online Poker in Hawaii FAQ
Are there any offshore poker sites left after the 2011shutdown that I can play with?
Yes, there are a few small online poker sites that areaccepting American players to this day. However, these sites are unregulated and are not based in the UnitedStates, which poses a significant risk to players. Being illegal in the eyes of the U.S.government means that moving money to and from these poker sites is gettingharder every day. Further, the games aresmall, and the players are strong, so it isn’t much of a casual pokerexperience. We know it is a temptingthought to sign up and play with one of these sites, but in general, we do notrecommend this to our readers.
Why is real money online poker legal in some statesbut not others?
Technically, all gaming regulation is dealt with at thestate level. When the federal governmentstepped in and shut down all the poker sites due to violations of federalbanking laws, it didn’t change the fact that if states wanted to passlegislation of their own, they could do so. A handful of states, starting with New Jersey, took the initiative tolaunch online poker sites in a regulated environment, but the rest of thecountry was slow to respond. Now, withlegalized sports betting sucking up all the oxygen in the room, there is moreof a chance of online poker becoming relevant again the next few years.
The island state of Hawaii is one of the premium vacation destinations on the planet, with luscious beaches, scenic volcanos (let’s hope they stay that way), and dense tropical landscapes. It’s hard to be dealt a bad hand in a place like that! Residents and visitors to the region who enjoy playing Texas Hold ‘Em and Omaha can have their cake and eat it too, because the best online poker for 18+ bettors is legally available over the Internet.
Although there are no domestic poker rooms on the island, over 18 poker players can access the best online poker sites on the net. Don’t just play in the surf: A quick readthrough of our Hawaii poker guide will have you paddling out to the top offshore casinos and dropping in on real money poker tournaments and cash table play.
The best part is, the online poker games Hawaii has to offer are available to those in the area that are 18 and up, so if you’re a legal adult, you can become a legal member. Read on to discover mobile poker options, bonus offers, and everything else that will prepare you for the best poker online in HI.
Best Online Poker Sites For Hawaii That Accept 18 And Up Members
| Poker Site | Bonus | Rating/5 | USA | Visit Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 100% Max $500 | 4.7 | ||
| 2 | 100% Max $1,000 | 4.3 | ||
| 3 | 125% up to $1,250 | 4.3 | ||
| 3 | 100% Max $1,000 | 4.2 |
Is Poker Legal In Hawaii For 18+ Players?
Domestic poker for real money is not allowed within the borders of Hawaii, but online poker with an offshore casino is accessible in the Aloha State. Offshore gambling is not defined in US or HI state gambling laws, leaving a tidal wave sized loophole allowing for regional 18 and over bettors to play poker online. Eighteen-year-olds can safely play poker with any top-rated online casino recommended on this page without fear of penalty from any authorities.
Online Poker Hawaii
Hawaii’s Minimum Poker Age
The minimum age to play poker offshore with an online casino in Hawaii is 18 years old. Hawaii is one of many 18+ US poker states that does not allow for domestic poker rooms, leaving offshore as the only viable option for real money poker play on the island. The offshore casinos recommended on this page are available to HI gamblers and offer safe and reliable online poker tournaments and cash tables that rival the best Las Vegas resorts.
Hawaii Online Poker Sites
Retail Poker Rooms In Hawaii
Unfortunately, there are no retail poker rooms or casinos located inside the borders of the state of Hawaii. Unlike other states in the USA, Hawaii is not in favor of legalizing regulated gambling and has passed legislation that strictly forbids all forms of gambling that are based on the island. For now, poker players in HI will need to rely on the gambling options available online with offshore casino betting sites.
Types Of Online Poker Available In Hawaii
The best online poker rooms offer the main three variants of poker that are popular in the US. If you don’t know the rules, each site will explain them in detail, so you can refine your poker strategy for each one. The poker games available are the following:
- Texas Hold ‘Em (aka Texas Holdem, or simply Holdem)
- Omaha Hi/Lo
Hawaii Online Poker Game
Online Poker Cash Tables In HI
At online poker sites, you will have the option to play cash table games or participate in poker tournaments (see below). Cash poker tables are the fastest way to play your hand, as the contests are over in a matter of minutes.
Many sites allow you to play multiple poker hands across multiple tables at once. This is called multi-tabling, and you can participate both online via a web browser or through dedicated PC software downloadable from your site of choice. We don’t recommend multi-tabling for 18+ poker beginners, but once you get your sea legs, go all in!
Over 18 Poker Tournaments In Hawaii
The top-rated online poker sites that we recommend on this page feature a large variety of poker tournaments available to gamblers within Hawaii’s state lines. Most tournaments have buy-ins as low as $5 and feature jackpot pools that can reach seven figures.
Poker tourneys range from quick Sit ‘N’ Go events where you compete against 10 or so players to multi-day events where you compete against thousands.
Poker tournament schedules are posted now and always updated, so browse the available times, entry fees, and jackpots to see which competition is best suited to your style of play – and your bankroll!
Hawaii Online Probate Records
HI Online Poker Banking Options
When visiting one of the reputable online poker sites that we recommend, you’ll notice that the use of cryptocurrency is preferred across the board. That is because crypto is unregulated and can be freely deposited and withdrawn without any bank or government oversight slowing down transactions.
Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ripple, Tether, Ethereum, and Litecoin are accepted at most poker sites, and they are the only means of deposit that will provide a same day payout. Bonus cash offers are often increased when crypto used, too, giving members every reason to abandon traditional methods of payment and get on the Bitcoin bandwagon.
Below are other common options for banking. Just remember, these include various transaction waiting times and added fees that you avoid when using Bitcoin and supported altcoins.
- Deposit: Credit/Debit Cards, Wire Transfers, Cashier’s Checks, P2P Services (MoneyGram, Western Union), Money Orders
- Withdrawal: Wire Transfers, Cashier’s Checks By Courier, P2P Services, Money Orders
Hawaii Online Poker Bonus Options
Offshore poker casinos that offer their online betting services to the Hawaii region are eager to attract new members and are always coming up with new promotions that enhance gamblers’ bankrolls with bonus cash. Most online poker bonuses that we’ve often seen are welcome bonuses for first-time players, matching your initial deposit to the tune of $500 to $1000 or more.
Poker bonus cash is distributed into gamblers’ accounts in small increments based on the earning of rewards points. These points are acquired through the completion of poker games at cash tables or in select tournament play. The bonus cash can only be earned during the first 30 days of membership, so don’t delay – The more you play, the more they pay!
HI Mobile Poker Apps For 18+
Each one of our recommended online poker sites features mobile gambling through the use of web apps. These applications do not require any downloads or updates, as they are browser-based.
Just click on the link to one of our recommended poker sites above using a current mobile browser (Google Chrome, Safari, Opera, Firefox), and the onboard technology will conform to screen sizes and act just like a downloadable iPhone poker app or Android poker app.
All of the options featured at these online casinos are also available on their web apps, making for a complete mobile poker experience on iPads, iPhones, and Android-based smartphones and tablets.
Live 18 And Up Poker In HI
Because of the nature of poker rules, live poker is not a necessary option for online play. Unlike the game of blackjack, for example, poker does not involve any attempt to attain money from the house, so the presence of a live dealer is unnecessary. All online poker games use certified, audited RNG (random number generation) technology to ensure an honest shuffle and a fair draw, every time.
That said, the poker games presented at our preferred online casinos are “live” in that you are competing against actual human opponents in a real-time atmosphere. Many professional World Series of Poker players learned the ropes playing poker online, so it can accurately prepare Hawaii gamblers for live poker if and when they visit a casino in another state.
There are no poker rooms for real money in Hawaii. The state has passed laws that strictly forbid all forms of gambling, and they do not appear to be inclined to change their mind on the subject any time soon. For now, an offshore casino site is the best option for HI bettors to play poker.
Because of the way that state and federal gambling laws are designed, players that are 18 years old and up can play poker online for real money with an offshore casino. Until HI lawmakers change their stance on gambling, online poker rooms operating offshore are the best bet for those in the region.
Absolutely. There are no laws that currently prevent people that are inside the borders of Hawaii from participating in online poker for real money with an offshore casino. These offshore poker rooms offer a full bevy of gaming options that are available to those that are 18 or older, with full casino games, live dealer table games, and even sportsbooks and racebooks in many cases.
Some, but not all, of our recommended online casinos offer free play poker for their real money games. This can be a vital tool in the bag of any poker player, as the games operate identically to when cash is on the line. Don’t learn the ropes with money at risk. Play video poker for free online to develop the best poker strategy. (You can find video poker in the “Casino” section of your poker site of choice.)