Unlike many states that simply lack regulation for poker and gambling, Hawaii explicitly prohibits operators from offering these entertainment services in any form.
Still, while you won’t find any regulated online poker sites in Hawaii, and it doesn’t look like this will change anytime soon, you can still enjoy online poker on sweepstakes platforms or by signing up with an offshore poker site.
Big welcome bonus
33% rakeback
Action packed games
Leading crypto site 
Very soft games
Free SC every day
Legal in the US
Trusted brand 
Super-soft games
5% instant rakeback
Quality web-based software
Great casino offer But not all poker platforms are created equal, so it’s important to pick one that works best for you. On this page, we will go over essential considerations and share with you the best online poker sites in Hawaii.
Can I Play Online Poker in Hawaii?
You can play online poker in Hawaii, but only through a sweepstakes poker platform or an offshore online poker site. This is because the Aloha State currently has a very firm stance against all forms of gambling, and there are no state-licensed poker operators.
Hawaii Online Poker Facts
| Available options | Sweepstakes operators & offshore sites |
| State-regulated poker sites | Not available |
| Age limit for Hawaii online poker | 18+ |
| Best HI poker site | CoinPoker |
Best Online Poker Sites in Hawaii
As we mentioned above, there’s currently no way to play on a state-licensed poker site, meaning that you aren’t able to sign up with a regulated site like PokerStars, BetMGM Poker, or other platforms that are available in other US states. Still, there are trusted online poker sites you can explore, and we’ve filtered the best three for you below:
#1. CoinPoker – The Best Pick for Hawaiian Players
With real-money games and great 24/7 action, CoinPoker offers a packed schedule of daily and weekly tournaments and cash games. When it comes to the latter, cash games feature leaderboards for popular poker variants, with daily prize pools of USDT 1,000.
CoinPoker is a cryptocurrency-only online poker site with a relatively lenient KYC policy, offering a smooth, private experience. Its welcome bonus and 33% rakeback also add value by boosting your bankroll.
#2 ClubWPT Gold – Customizable and Backed By a Strong Brand
ClubWPT Gold offers a polished poker experience with customizable features and a user-friendly interface. Backed by the reputable World Poker Tour, it provides legal sweepstakes poker with real cash prizes. Players can enjoy soft competition, especially in cash games and daily tournaments.
The site offers a solid welcome bonus and daily SC freerolls. This means that you’ll get free coins every day just for logging in. Currently, there are only Texas Hold’em games available, but there’s a wide selection of MTTs and ring games to pick from.
#3. Stake US – Popular Sweepstakes Crypto Poker Site
Stake US is a great option for Hawaiian poker players looking for a sweepstakes site focused on cryptocurrency. While the player traffic isn’t as huge as on some other sweepstakes sites, Stake US is a superb poker platform, especially for those looking to focus on micro and low-stakes games.
The site’s poker software supports all standard settings, allowing you to fine-tune and customize your experience. Additionally, it features a solid casino platform where players can enjoy entertaining online casino games whenever they want to switch up their online gambling sessions.
Free Poker vs Real-Money Games
Real-money sites usually offer larger player pools, higher stakes, and more game variations, but also require strict gambling regulation and approval. In states like Hawaii, where this is lacking, players are only left with offshore poker site options.
In contrast, sweepstakes poker sites use virtual currencies and not real money. This typically includes two currencies: Gold Coins, which you purchase, and Sweeps Coins, which you receive and can use to wager and redeem for cash prizes.
This allows sweepstakes poker sites to operate as promotional contests and not traditional real-money ones. Thanks to this, sweepstakes poker is entirely legal in Hawaii and most US states.
Sweepstakes Model Explained
The sweepstakes model might sound complicated at first, but it’s actually a pretty simple system that lets players legally win real money in states where online gambling is banned or unregulated.
The way it works is that you buy a package of Gold Coins for entertainment, let’s say $50 worth. Along with that purchase, you get a bonus of 50 Sweeps Coins, which are given out for free as a promotional perk. You can then use those Sweeps Coins to play poker tournaments or ring games.
For instance, if you win a sweepstakes tournament and earn 100 more Sweeps Coins, you can later redeem them for real cash prizes. It’s generally accepted that 1 Sweeps Coin is worth $1, so in this case, you would redeem a real cash prize of $100.
Regulation Landscape in Hawaii
Hawaii is known for having some of the strictest anti-gambling laws in the United States. Under state law, the Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 712, nearly all commercial gambling is explicitly prohibited. This includes casinos, online casino games, sports betting, and poker.
Because Hawaii does not license or regulate online poker, and there is no process for obtaining an online gambling license, there is an effective regulatory void in this space. While residents may access offshore poker or casino platforms, they are not regulated by Hawaii or, in a way that offers consumer protections, by U.S. law.
There are signs of an emerging legislative movement, but no bill has yet been passed, and significant hurdles remain. Additionally, Hawaii’s geographical isolation and small market will certainly pose challenges for creating a bustling online poker ecosystem.