Honolulu is ramping up its efforts to shut down illegal gambling operations with the passage of three new bills designed to help law enforcement and property owners target illicit game rooms more effectively. Mayor Rick Blangiardi signed the legislation—Bills 11, 12, and 13—during a press event held at the Waianae Police Station on Thursday, marking a significant milestone in the city’s ongoing campaign to restore safety in local neighborhoods.
“These new laws reflect what our communities have been demanding—real action against the illegal game rooms that bring violence, drugs, and disorder to their doorsteps,” said Councilmember Tyler Dos Santos-Tam, who co-introduced the bills alongside Councilmember Andria Tupola. “This has been a long road, starting with Bills 57 and 58 in 2023 and the game room task force in 2024, and we are here today to celebrate getting Bills 11, 12, and 13 over the finish line.”
Expanded Enforcement Powers for Police and Landlords
Bill 11 significantly sharpens the city’s nuisance abatement efforts. It authorizes faster shutdowns of properties involved in illegal activity and mandates that gambling machines be registered annually with the police chief—raising questions, as gambling is not legal in Hawaii. The legislation distinguishes criminal severity based on the number of devices found: fewer than 20 may result in a misdemeanor, while larger-scale operations can trigger felony charges.
City Prosecutor Steve Alm welcomed the new rules, calling them “smart” and “innovative.” He added, “The first one, Bill 11, is going to require the owners to register all these games and if they don’t, HPD is going to be able to seize them.”
Bill 12 targets code violations, increasing penalties for unpermitted electrical and fire-related work—often common at unlicensed game rooms.
Bill 13 shifts some responsibility to property owners, easing the eviction process for landlords dealing with criminal tenants. It also empowers the Honolulu Police Department to act as an inspection agent when needed. Landlords must still follow tenant notification rules and inspections must occur between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. Officers may also remove unauthorized individuals during those inspections.
“We hope that once the owners are informed and they know that the illegal game rooms are now happening inside of their property, they’re more likely to cooperate with us and not let it continue,” explained HPD Sergeant Leland Kudaishi. “If they allow these types of illegal activities to occur, then we will address them.”
State-Level Concerns Highlight Need for Broader Action
While the new city laws are a step forward, some officials are urging the state to act more decisively. State Senator Samantha DeCorte criticized proposals that soften legal consequences for offenders under 21, warning that such policies could lead to younger individuals being exploited by organized crime.
“Having legislation lessen the consequences saying if you’re below the age of 21 that you will be paroled, all you’re doing is sending a message to the shot callers,” said DeCorte. “On the state side, there has got to be a more aggressive approach to have mandatory consequences.”
Mayor Blangiardi emphasized the city’s commitment to public safety: “This is the kind of legislation we owe to the community to take this kind of initiative, provide this kind of leadership, and get stuff done.”
Source:
“Mayor Blangiardi signs three bills aimed to tackle illegal game rooms”, kitv.com, Jun 19, 2025
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