Landlords of Hawaii Underground Gambling Hubs Face Harsher Penalties
Illegal gambling rooms in Hawaii remain a paramount problem on the island state, but Gov. Josh Green (D) and lawmakers hope to crack down on the illicit betting operations through a newly enacted law.
Green this week signed Senate Bill 2197, which expands the penalty structure for landlords who lease property to unsavory individuals who use their occupancies to run illegal gambling dens. The legislation, introduced in January by state Sen. President Ron Kouchi (D-Kauai), amends the definition of “advances gambling activity” to repeal language that had protected landlords against certain charges related to their tenants’ actions.
“Advances gambling activity” is a key phrase in Hawaii’s gaming ban. The phrase refers to one’s actions to promote gambling in the first and second degrees.
