State, city target illegal game rooms

HONOLULU — The state and city are intensifying their efforts to address illegal game rooms with a pair of measures aimed at attacking the problem from multiple angles.

Last week, the Honolulu City Council adopted Resolution 143, which establishes a Gambling Room Task Force to advise and assist the Council in identifying and developing solutions to combat the “ongoing proliferation” of illegal game rooms in the city.

“Until recently, there were over 100 illegal game rooms on Oahu, each of them bringing violence and drug abuse into our communities near our families,” said Council member Tyler Dos Santos-Tam, who co-introduced the measure with chair Tommy Waters. “This isn’t an issue that can be solved tomorrow. It needs to be solved today. The council’s game room package is one part of this solution. This task force is another. It brings together everyone who can make a difference — police, inspectors, community members — so that we can act in lockstep in eradicating this issue once and for all.”

The five-member task would be composed of representatives from the Honolulu Police Department, Department of Planning and Permitting and Department of the Prosecuting Attorney, as well as two members appointed by the Council. The task force would be required to submit a written report of its findings and recommendations to the Council.

“Despite the fact that HPD reported this year alone officers have executed over 30 search warrants on properties known to host illegal gambling and on an annual basis confiscate around 500 gambling machines across Oahu, it is difficult to prevent illegal game rooms from reopening after they have been shut down because they are easily launched and are very lucrative,” Waters said. “A more comprehensive look at the issue — from prevention to prosecution — is needed for us to create a more coordinated approach to shutting illegal game rooms down permanently and allowing our residents to feel safer in their own neighborhoods.”

The Council has yet to decide on three other gambling-related measures introduced last year.

Bill 57 would allow the city to impose fines or legal action on landlords who allow illegal game rooms on their property. Bill 58 would allow the Honolulu Police Department, under the authority of DPP, to serve penalties for violations of the building code, fire code and land use ordinance. Resolution 23-228 urges HPD and DPP to work together in gathering evidence and serving notices of violations to take enforcement actions against illegal game rooms.

Earlier this month, Gov. Josh Green enacted SB 2197, which expands the definition of “advance gambling activity” to include various forms of material aid that enables gambling activities, including creating gambling games, contests or schemes; acquiring and maintaining premises and equipment used for gambling; soliciting or inducing people to participate in illegal gambling; and managing financial operations. The new law emphasizes the responsibility of those with control over premises used for gambling. 

The bill was one of 17 measures related to crime prevention and public safety that Green signed on July 9.

“By addressing issues ranging from gun control to gambling regulation and support for survivors of abuse, we are building a safer and more just Hawaii,” Green said at the signing ceremony.

Michael Tsai covers local and state politics for Spectrum News Hawaii. He can be reached at michael.tsai@charter.com.