Thinking about betting the horses from Hawaii? Here’s where the state actually stands — what’s legal, what isn’t and what your options are.
Can You Bet on Horse Racing in Hawaii?
Hawaii is the other state, with Utah, that bans all forms of gambling. There is no racetrack, no lottery, no sportsbook and no legal horse betting of any kind.
National advance-deposit apps do not operate in Hawaii, so residents have no legal online route to bet on racing.
Horse Racing & Betting in Hawaii
No racetrack — Hawaii has no horse racing.
Online wagering is not legal — Hawaii bans all forms of gambling, so no betting app or racebook serves the state.
There is no legal horse-race betting in Hawaii.
More on Racing in Hawaii
There is no legal way to bet on horse racing — or anything else — in Hawaii. Along with Utah, Hawaii is one of only two states with a total prohibition on gambling: no state lottery, no casinos, no horse racing or pari-mutuel wagering, no sports betting, and not even daily fantasy sports.
The only carve-out is informal social gambling, such as a private poker game at home.
For now, the only legal way for a Hawaii resident to bet on horses is to do so while physically present on the mainland, in a state where it is legal.
Horse Racing in Hawaii: Status & Outlook
Hawaii has no horse racing history to build on — no commercial pari-mutuel track has ever operated in the islands. Bills to authorize pari-mutuel racing surfaced in 1999, 2000, 2013 and 2015, but all died early, and well-organized opposition such as the Hawai'i Coalition Against Legalized Gambling has helped keep the statutes intact.
Hawaii's prohibition is unusually deep. Most restrictive states treat gambling as a policy choice; Hawaii's ban is woven through its penal code (HRS Chapter 712), and its geographic isolation removes the cross-border pressure that pushed many mainland states to legalize — there is no neighboring state whose sportsbooks residents can drive to.
That combination makes change slow.
Sports betting, not horse racing, is the form most likely to arrive first. In 2025 a sports-betting bill (HB 1308) passed the Senate and came closer than any prior measure before collapsing in conference over tax and licensing terms; Governor Josh Green has signaled openness to legalization.
A fresh slate of 2026 bills covering sports betting, a casino and online gaming was introduced but again failed to advance. Pari-mutuel horse racing has far less legislative momentum than sports betting.
We'll update this page if legislation advances.
For now, Hawaii residents who want to bet on horses or sports must do so on the mainland. Nevada — long nicknamed Hawaii's "ninth island" for its popularity with travelers from the state — offers full sports and race-book wagering, while California offers online ADW horse betting once you are physically inside the state.
Who regulates horse racing in Hawaii
Hawaii regulates pari-mutuel horse racing through a single dedicated board. There is no legal sports betting in the state, so no sportsbook regulator exists.
No gaming regulator (all gambling prohibited)
Hawaii has no gaming or racing regulator because it permits no commercial gambling. Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 712 broadly prohibits wagering of all kinds — there is no lottery, casino, racetrack or sportsbook. There is no minimum betting age because there is no legal betting.
How to Bet on Horse Racing
New to the windows? Start with the straight bets. A win bet needs your horse to finish first; place pays if it runs first or second; show pays for first, second or third. They are the cheapest way to learn the game.
From there come the exotics, where the real payouts live. The exacta asks for the first two home in order, the trifecta the first three, and the superfecta the first four. Multi-race bets — the daily double, Pick 3, Pick 4 and Pick 6 — string winners together across races, and the Pick 6 jackpot can roll into life-changing money. Our guide to exotic bets walks through each one, and the beginner’s guide to betting on racing covers the basics end to end.
Hawaii Horse Racing Betting FAQs
Where can Hawaii residents legally bet on horses?
Only on the mainland. Nevada offers full race-book and sports wagering, and California offers online ADW horse betting — each available once you are physically inside that state.
Are there any racetracks in Hawaii?
No. Hawaii has never had a commercial pari-mutuel racetrack, and there is no legal off-track or online wagering.
What are my options?
There is no legal horse-race betting in Hawaii.
Can I use TwinSpires or AmWager in Hawaii?
No. The national ADW apps geofence Hawaii — you cannot fund an account or place a bet from the islands. You can use them once you are physically present in a state where they are licensed.
Where can Hawaii residents legally bet on horses?
Only on the mainland. Nevada offers full race-book and sports wagering, and California offers online ADW horse betting — each available once you are physically inside that state.
Does Hawaii have a state lottery?
No. Hawaii is one of the few states with no lottery of any kind, part of its blanket prohibition on gambling.