How Hawaii defines gambling
Hawaii law defines gambling around staking or risking something of
value on a contest of chance or another event outside the player’s
control, with the understanding that someone may receive something
of value depending on the outcome.
In addition, the law defines a contest of chance broadly. An
activity can fall within that definition when chance plays a
material role, even if player skill is also involved.
Hawaii’s gambling restrictions
Hawaii Revised Statutes section 712-1223 addresses participation in
gambling activity. Separate provisions cover gambling promotion,
devices and records.
Hawaii recognizes a limited social-gambling framework. However,
that exception contains several conditions and should not be treated
as general authorization for commercial online casino activity.
What this means for sweepstakes platforms
Sweepstakes casinos generally use two separate currency modes.
Entertainment currencies do not qualify for cash prizes, while
promotional currencies may become prize-eligible after applicable
conditions are met.
In addition, many platforms provide free promotional participation
methods. However, a free entry route does not by itself establish
that every game, offer or operator falls outside Hawaii’s gambling
laws.
For that reason, the platforms on this page are described as
available to eligible Hawaii users rather than as Hawaii-licensed
online casinos.