{"id":2605,"date":"2026-07-15T04:34:47","date_gmt":"2026-07-15T04:34:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hawaiimovinginsider.com\/?p=2605"},"modified":"2026-07-15T04:34:47","modified_gmt":"2026-07-15T04:34:47","slug":"crackdown-on-illegal-game-rooms-includes-arrests-millions-in-fines-and-liens","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hawaiimovinginsider.com\/?p=2605","title":{"rendered":"Crackdown on illegal game rooms includes arrests, millions in fines and liens"},"content":{"rendered":"
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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. <\/p>\n

Read more Hawaii man hits massive jackpot at the Fremont Hotel in Las Vegas<\/a><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re focused on it. We listen to the community when it comes to these issues, and we respond and act quickly,\u201d said Honolulu Police Chief David Lazar.<\/p>\n

Penalties for property owners<\/h2>\n

On the civil side, Honolulu\u2019s Department of Planning and Permitting has targeted 34 properties under the new laws, involving violations for building, zoning, electrical, and housing codes.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Altogether about $6.65 million in fines have been levied, with more accruing each day. <\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cUsing these tools, they\u2019ve been able to shut down and keep these game rooms shut down,\u201d Dos Santos-Tam said.<\/p>\n

He noted suspected game rooms on School Street, Gulick and Palama have not reopened, \u201cand that makes a big difference for the quality of life for the neighbors.\u201d <\/p>\n

His district includes Kalihi, Chinatown and parts of downtown.<\/p>\n

Hidden operations, neighborhood impact<\/h2>\n

For years, residents have complained that the illegal businesses would be raided one day, then reopen just days later. <\/p>\n

Read more Gov. Green signs bills to support kupuna, set AI guardrails<\/a><\/p>\n

Defense attorney and former deputy city prosecutor Victor Bakke said the operations are tied to other criminal activity \u2014 \u201cthe drug dealing and then the robberies.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

\u201cBecause they\u2019re not going to call the police and say they got robbed, they\u2019re left to police themselves,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Bakke said the owners should also face criminal charges to add another layer of risk.<\/p>\n

\u201cMake the landlords an actual co-conspirator in the gambling process, promoting gambling in the first degree, and charge them criminally,\u201d he said. \u201cThen 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bakke said civil penalties may not be enough to scare some landlords.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

\u201cIf you\u2019re making $10,000 a month in rent and you got to pay a $2,000 fine, it\u2019s just the cost of business,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re rolling up our sleeves with the residents that live there and coming to the table and putting together strategies to address anything that\u2019s taking place,\u201d Lazar said.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Read more City met with eight developers on Chinatown Cultural Plaza redevelopment<\/a><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

New laws target landlords tied to illegal game rooms with daily fines and liens. 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