Crackdown on illegal game rooms includes arrests, millions in fines and liens

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – New laws that took effect last year are targeting property owners who allow illegal game rooms to operate, hitting them with daily fines and liens.

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That, combined with law enforcement efforts, have resulted in 30 game rooms being raided so far this year by Honolulu police officers. Four individuals have been arrested and charged with gambling-related crimes, and 451 devices have been seized.

“We’re focused on it. We listen to the community when it comes to these issues, and we respond and act quickly,” said Honolulu Police Chief David Lazar.

Penalties for property owners

On the civil side, Honolulu’s Department of Planning and Permitting has targeted 34 properties under the new laws, involving violations for building, zoning, electrical, and housing codes.

In total, DPP has issued approximately 50 violation notices across these properties. Of those, 14 have advanced to notices of order, because the violations were not corrected.

Altogether about $6.65 million in fines have been levied, with more accruing each day.

So far, only $13,000 have been collected but Honolulu City Council member Tyler Dos Santos-Tam said it is progress. Liens have also been placed on some properties.

“Using these tools, they’ve been able to shut down and keep these game rooms shut down,” Dos Santos-Tam said.

He noted suspected game rooms on School Street, Gulick and Palama have not reopened, “and that makes a big difference for the quality of life for the neighbors.”

His district includes Kalihi, Chinatown and parts of downtown.

Hidden operations, neighborhood impact

For years, residents have complained that the illegal businesses would be raided one day, then reopen just days later.

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Defense attorney and former deputy city prosecutor Victor Bakke said the operations are tied to other criminal activity — “the drug dealing and then the robberies.”

“Because they’re not going to call the police and say they got robbed, they’re left to police themselves,” he said.

Bakke said the owners should also face criminal charges to add another layer of risk.

“Make the landlords an actual co-conspirator in the gambling process, promoting gambling in the first degree, and charge them criminally,” he said. “Then you will get a lot more attention from these landlords if they think that they actually could go to jail rather than just paying a fine.”

Bakke said civil penalties may not be enough to scare some landlords.

“If you’re making $10,000 a month in rent and you got to pay a $2,000 fine, it’s just the cost of business,” he said.

HPD said increased law enforcement disrupts the activities, removes machines from circulation, and signals to the operators and neighbors that complaints are being taken seriously.

“We’re rolling up our sleeves with the residents that live there and coming to the table and putting together strategies to address anything that’s taking place,” Lazar said.

HPD said the department depends on tips from the public because illegal game rooms are designed to stay out of sight. Call Honolulu CrimeStoppers at (808) 955-8300 with tips.

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