HONOLULU (KHON2) — Honolulu Police said the District 5 Crime Reduction Unit, assisted by the Narcotics Vice Division, executed a search warrant on Wednesday in Palama.
Viewer video showed the interior following the raid with the words “cashier” written on the walls and clean marks on tables where gaming devices once sat.
HPD said it recovered 15 gambling devices and cash. HPD also arrested a game room employee for second-degree promoting gambling which is a Class C felony.
“We’re working really closely with HPD, with the narcotics vice unit and we’ve assigned a deputy prosecutor full-time to work on game rooms,” explained Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney Steve Alm. “So we’re taking it very seriously and, you know, just recently a person who went into a game room and shot and killed somebody was charged with murder and he was convicted last week, and so he’s looking at life in prison.”
HPD said Wednesday night’s bust is the 15th so far this year.
Since Jan. 1, HPD has made 19 arrests, recovered multiple firearms, and recovered over 150 gambling devices valued at over $1 million.
“Last year dozens of game rooms were shut down and the effort is going to continue,” said Alm.
Police believe there are roughly 60 illegal game rooms in operation today, which is half the number they estimated to be in operation this time last year.
They believe it’s down due to fewer property owners tolerating illegal activity.
“So if we find out there’s activity, we can file a lawsuit, that illegal activities are taking place on your property, and we’re filing against the building owner if they take care of it right away and kick the people out, so be it. If they don’t, we can try to get the court to order the person to not use the property for up to a year,” Alm explained.
HPD said it will continue to work closely with city prosecutors and federal law enforcement to address game rooms through nuisance abatement and forfeiture proceedings.
“We’re trying to close down as many as possible,” Alm said. “But I think the relationship between the prosecutor’s office and the police has never been better in trying to go after this kind of illegal activity.”
Two weeks ago, HPD raided a Haleiwa home saying officers confiscated games, guns, drugs, and money.
Alm said prosecutors are considering going for forfeiture for properties that continue operating and don’t take reasonable steps to stop the illegal activity.
“If we’re able to enforce against the landowner, the property owner, they have the most control, they can shut down any activity on their property by making sure no one is renting from them or using their property in an illegal way,” explained Honolulu City Council member Matt Weyer.
There are two city council bills looking at targeting landlords.
Bill 57 would give the City greater authority to prevent illegal game rooms by imposing fines or legal action on landlords who allow illegal game rooms on their property. Bill 58 would allow the HPD, under the authority of the City’s Department of Planning and Permitting, to serve penalties for violations of the building code, fire code, and land use ordinance. And Resolution 23-228, which urges HPD and DPP to work together in gathering evidence and serving notices of violation to take enforcement actions against illegal game rooms.”
“We as a city can’t keep playing the whack-a-mole game with these game room operators, we have to go after the landlords who keep enabling it,” said City Council member Tyler Dos Santos-Tam.
In 2024, the legislature passed SB 2197, which is awaiting action by Governor Josh Green, to amend the definition of “advance gambling activity” to hold property owners accountable by closing a loophole in the law that allows property owners to avoid prosecution for gambling offenses if they make any effort, regardless of how minimal or ineffective, to prevent illegal gambling activity on their property.
The following is attributable to the Office of the Governor:
“Governor Green is concerned about illegal gambling establishments since they seem to generate a hotbed of other criminal activity and are in neighborhoods that are endangering our communities. While it is premature to commit to passage since we are still awaiting final legal analysis from the Attorney General, it appears likely that the Governor will favor this bill unless there is a legal flaw or an objection from one of the departments.”
Anyone who has information or sees suspicious activity is encouraged to contact CrimeStoppers.com or call the Narcotics Vice Division hotline at 723-3933.