Honolulu has introduced a new permit requirement for businesses operating arcade-style video machines, enforced by the Honolulu Police Department (HPD). This initiative aims to combat illegal gaming operations that often disguise unlawful gambling under the guise of legitimate entertainment. Failure to obtain the necessary permit could lead to penalties for operators.
Details of the New Permit System
The new regulation mandates that any establishment offering a “video amusement device” must be properly permitted. This category includes a range of digital entertainment devices such as video games, virtual reality simulators, and dance or motion games. Notably, the permit does not cover music devices or vending machines, as outlined in the Revised Ordinances of Honolulu. The law categorizes these devices as a subset of electronic amusement devices that require registration when accessible to the public.
The permit requirement was established under Ordinance 25-28, part of a legislative package signed by Mayor Rick Blangiardi in June 2025. This measure equips law enforcement and code enforcement teams with enhanced tools to dismantle illegal game rooms. City officials and prosecutors emphasized that the new rules are designed to simplify the process of seizing unregistered machines and to hold property owners accountable for activities occurring on their premises.
Application Process and Compliance
The HPD’s Narcotics/Vice Division has made the Video Amusement Device Permit Application available on its website. Operators are encouraged to download the form and adhere to the outlined submission procedures. For inquiries or concerns regarding permits, the division offers a reporting hotline at 808-723-3933 and an email contact form for tips.
Running a video amusement device without a permit can result in various enforcement actions, which may include warnings or even misdemeanor charges. The local code allows the police chief to reject permit applications if the proposed location is likely to lead to increased criminal activity or disturbances, as stipulated in the Revised Ordinances.
This permit requirement is part of a broader strategy to address illegal gaming issues in the city. The HPD’s Narcotics/Vice Division, in collaboration with a multi-agency initiative known as Operation Follow Through, has been executing criminal search warrants alongside building and fire code enforcement. This approach aims to prevent previously shuttered venues from reopening without oversight. Local media reports have documented numerous closures and seizures as authorities work to dismantle persistent gambling operations across Oʻahu.
Legal ramifications associated with illegal gaming are significant. Under state law, possessing a gambling device constitutes a misdemeanor under HRS §712-1226, while promoting gambling in the second degree can lead to felony charges under HRS §712-1222. Prosecutors have been leveraging these statutes, along with city ordinances, in cases involving illegal game rooms.
City officials have conveyed a clear message: operators of video amusement devices must familiarize themselves with the permit application process available on the HPD’s website. The aim of this permitting system is to reduce the potential for illegal gambling concealed within arcade-style entertainment, thereby fostering a more regulated environment for businesses in Honolulu.
