Honolulu police raided what they describe as an illegal gambling operation on Mala Street in Wahiawā on Wednesday, hauling away gaming machines and cash in a coordinated takedown. The Narcotics/Vice Division led the search warrant, backed up by District 2’s Crime Reduction Unit and the Specialized Services Division, in what HPD says is part of a months‑long effort to shut down unlicensed game rooms across Oʻahu.
Police say they recovered machines and cash
According to the Honolulu Police Department, officers recovered 10 gambling machines and more than $5,000 in cash during the March 11 search on Mala Street in Wahiawā. HPD said the Narcotics/Vice Division carried out the warrant with assistance from the District 2 Crime Reduction Unit and the Specialized Services Division. The department’s post also shared the Narcotics/Vice hotline, 808‑723‑3933, along with an online form where residents can report suspected illegal gambling.
Part of a broader crackdown
These latest seizures are one piece of a larger enforcement push. Lawmakers and law enforcement officials told Hawaii News Now that HPD has identified roughly 50 known game rooms on Oʻahu, and some operations can bring in thousands of dollars a day. In response, city leaders rolled out a new permit rule for video amusement devices intended to help distinguish legitimate arcades from underground gambling spots. Prosecutors and police say combining criminal search warrants with building and code enforcement has become a key tactic to keep shuttered game rooms from quietly coming back to life.
Legal consequences
Under state law, promoting illegal gambling and possessing gambling devices can lead to criminal charges, and the cash and equipment tied to those operations are fair game for seizure and forfeiture. As outlined by Justia, property used in illegal gambling can be ordered forfeited. A separate statute, referenced by FindLaw, makes possession of a gambling device an offense. Depending on the specific circumstances, prosecutors can seek misdemeanor counts or more serious charges for promoting gambling.
How to report
Honolulu police are asking anyone with information about suspected illegal gambling to call the Narcotics/Vice hotline at 808‑723‑3933 or submit tips through HPD’s online reporting form, according to the Honolulu Police Department. The department also noted that its social media accounts are not monitored around the clock, so residents should call 911 for immediate police service. Investigators did not immediately say whether any arrests were made in connection with the Mala Street operation.
