Problem Gambling Treatment in Hawaii

Casino gaming: Both land-based and online casino gaming is illegal in the state of Hawaii. Despite this, illegal poker rooms and gambling houses draw hundreds of residents into the underbelly of Honolulu, each week. Additionally, tens of thousands of residents each month access online casino gaming through illegal offshore platforms.

Online sports betting: At press, sports betting remains illegal in Hawaii. However, a bill legalizing Hawaii sports betting has gained momentum after it unanimously passed by the Economic Development and Technology Committee in January of 2025. The House Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs Committee passed HB 1308 (6-4) as it prepares to be presented to the Committee on Finance. Mounting concern from government agencies in the state may or may not stall this momentum, but the potential for online sports betting regulation in the state remains ever-present. Moreover, as with online casino gaming, offshore operators have infiltrated the island chain to compromise the behavioral health of its small populous.

Given that gambling is unregulated in Hawaii, problem gambling statistics gathered from within the state are limited. That being said, data that does exist is very concerning:

• Hawaii ranks 1st among all 50 U.S. states for gambling related arrests (source)
• The phrase “problem gambling treatment” and semantic variations are searched up to 800 times per month in Honolulu alone (Google keyword research)
• The National Council on Problem Gambling reports that an estimated 24,000 people in the Hawaiian islands struggle with compulsive gambling

Meanwhile, Hawaii residents share the following problem gambling statistics with the rest of the country:

• 20% of sports bettors are in or have been in debt from sports betting ( source )
• Average gambling addict (male) debt is between $55,000 and $90,000 ( source )
• About 3% of problem gamblers in the USA are $300,000 in debt due to their addiction ( source )
• Nearly 15% of problem gamblers have committed a crime to support their addiction ( source )
• Divorce rate for habitual gamblers is 31% compared to 21% for those who rarely gamble ( source )
• Suicide rate is 16 times higher for problem gamblers ( source )

Kindbridge provides effective treatment in a confidential and welcoming virtual environment. Our therapists are accessible whether you’re in Aiea (Oahu), Bellows Airforce Station (Oahu), Kapolei (Oahu), Kona (Big Island), Paia (Maui), Princeville (Kauai), Waianae (Oahu) or any of the other towns and communities within the Aloha State. In addition to gambling disorder, Kindbridge therapists are qualified to treat other mental/behavioral health issues that you may live with, such as anxiety and depression which impact more than 38% of the HI population. Further, Kindbridge specializes in the treatment of cooccurring mental health disorders (i.e. PTSD) exhibited by active military and veterans, a population that is proportionately higher than all other U.S. states. Residents have the option to select one-on-one therapy, group therapy, or a combined approach.

Your problematic relationship with gambling also has an impact on loved ones and Ohana. In addition to gambling addiction treatment for individuals in Hawaii, Kindbridge provides couples and family counseling.

Kindbridge Behavioral Health offers flexible pricing for online counseling. Gambling addiction therapy rates and subscriptions can be found here. Hawaii residents may also qualify for direct billing through our insurance partners. Understanding that the military household population is proportionately large in HI, Kindbridge is pleased to announce that we also offer coverage through TriCare West.