Hawaii and Idaho stand apart from the broader national trend toward regulated sports wagering. While legal online and retail sports wagering is now available in 39 states plus Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico — a landscape transformed by the Supreme Court's May 2018 ruling striking down PASPA — both Hawaii and Idaho remain among the 11 holdout states where sports betting is fully illegal, covering both in-person and mobile wagering. That means residents cannot legally place a single bet through any licensed sportsbook, regardless of the sport or the platform.
Why is sports betting still completely illegal in Hawaii and Idaho?
Neither state has passed enabling legislation that would create a regulatory framework for sportsbooks to operate under. Hawaii's geographic isolation and cultural resistance to expanded gambling have historically made legislative momentum difficult, though industry observers do predict Hawaii may move toward regulation by 2026. Idaho's constitution and longstanding legislative posture present similarly high barriers. Until either state's legislature passes a sports betting bill and a governor signs it into law, no licensed operator — not DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, nor any other major platform — can legally accept wagers from residents. For a full picture of where wagering has been authorized, see Where Sports Betting Is Legal in 2026 — State-by-State Guide.
Can I just use a licensed app from another state while visiting or living in Hawaii or Idaho?
No, and this is a point that trips up many bettors. Every licensed sportsbook app uses geolocation verification technology that checks your physical location at the exact moment you attempt to place a wager — not your billing address, not your home state of record. A bettor physically located in Hawaii or Idaho cannot place a bet through a licensed app even if their permanent residence is in New Jersey or Colorado, two states where wagering is fully legal. Think of it this way: if you land at Honolulu airport and open your FanDuel app, the geolocation check will detect you are in Hawaii and block the transaction. Our page on Sportsbook Geolocation — Your Physical Location Determines Eligibility explains exactly how that verification process works and what it means for travelers.
What about using an offshore sportsbook to get around the ban?
Some bettors in restricted states turn to offshore or illegally operating books, but doing so carries serious risks that licensed-market bettors never face. Offshore operators function outside any state consumer-protection framework, which means no regulatory body will intervene if a site refuses to pay out winnings, mishandles your deposit, or shuts down without warning. Before considering that route, read our detailed breakdown at Offshore Sportsbooks — Why Illegal Books Leave Bettors Unprotected.
What is the minimum betting age in Hawaii and Idaho — and does it matter right now?
Because sports betting is entirely prohibited in both states, there is effectively no applicable state minimum betting age for licensed sportsbooks — the question is moot until legislation passes. That said, if either state does eventually legalize, the age floor will matter immediately. The national majority standard is 21, aligning with existing casino gambling requirements, though a small number of states permit wagering at 18. For context on how other states have set their thresholds, see Sports Betting Minimum Age by State — 21 Is the Majority Rule.
What should Hawaii and Idaho residents do in the meantime?
- Monitor your state legislature each session; Hawaii in particular has seen recurring bill introductions that analysts consider a sign of eventual movement.
- Avoid offshore books — the lack of consumer protections is a real financial risk, not a hypothetical one.
- If you travel to a legal state, confirm your geolocation is registering in that state before placing a wager, and be aware that the moment you cross back into Hawaii or Idaho, app access will be blocked.
- Verify age requirements in whichever state you plan to bet from, since rules vary and can change through legislative action.
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