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.

Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 712 broadly bans wagering, and national ADW racebooks such as AmWager and TwinSpires geofence the islands out. 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.

If Hawaii ever legalizes online wagering, the national operators would lead the way: the 2025 sports-betting framework contemplated at least four online sportsbooks, and DraftKings, FanDuel and BetMGM publicly backed the effort. Horse racing, if it followed, would most likely arrive through the same national ADW apps — AmWager, TwinSpires, FanDuel Racing, DRF Bets and others — rather than any in-state track.

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.

Nearest states where Hawaii residents can legally bet

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.

Hawaii horse betting — frequently asked questions

Is horse racing betting legal in Hawaii?

No. Hawaii prohibits all gambling, including pari-mutuel horse racing, online ADW and simulcast wagering. It is one of only two states (with Utah) that ban gambling outright.

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.

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.

Is sports betting legal in Hawaii?

No. A 2025 bill passed the Senate before failing in conference, and 2026 measures did not advance. Sports betting remains illegal, though it is the form most likely to be legalized first if the law ever changes.

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.

New to horse betting in Hawaii? Explore our guides for clear answers to the most common questions — explained by veteran horse racing commentator Mike Brunker of the Las Vegas Review-Journal.