Hawaii joins Utah as one of only two U.S. states that prohibit virtually all forms of legalized commercial gambling, a longstanding policy that has left many residents eager for regulated wagering alternatives. In recent years, prediction markets have emerged as a new avenue for Hawaiians interested in betting (via event-based speculation) despite ongoing scrutiny and legal objections from state officials who argue that these platforms closely resemble sports betting and other forms of gambling. Their arrival has generated considerable debate, particularly among public health advocates concerned about the potential impact on populations already recognized as being at elevated risk for developing gambling- and trading-related harms. Hawaii is home to a large active-duty military and veteran community, significant student populations attending institutions such as the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Hawaiʻi Pacific University, and BYU Hawaii, as well as many households facing economic hardship. Meanwhile, communities including Kalihi, Waiʻanae, and Makaha have long experienced socioeconomic challenges that can heighten vulnerability to financial risk-taking, while more affluent neighborhoods throughout Oʻahu, Maui, Kauaʻi, and the Island of Hawaiʻi are by no means immune to the appeal of increasingly sophisticated online platforms. By blending elements of financial technology with event-based wagering, prediction markets have blurred the traditional distinction between investing and gambling, creating a new set of challenges for Hawaii’s consumers, policymakers, and healthcare providers alike.
Recognizing the unique challenges facing Hawaii, Prediction Market Help (PMH) has made the Aloha State one of its highest priorities for outreach and resource development. With a physical presence in Honolulu on Oʻahu, PMH is uniquely positioned to understand the local landscape while connecting individuals and families with trustworthy support. Rather than simply compiling a directory of providers, PMH carefully evaluates and vets both virtual treatment programs and in-person outpatient clinicians throughout Hawaii, considering factors such as clinical expertise, treatment philosophy, accessibility, and experience treating gambling, trading, and prediction market-related harms. The result is a curated collection of support services designed to help vulnerable individuals—and the ʻohana who stand beside them—find compassionate, evidence-informed care with confidence. Whether the challenges stem from prediction markets, online sports betting, financial trading, or other forms of internet-based wagering, PMH’s goal is to simplify the search for quality recovery and trading addiction treatment in Hawaii. Links to our independently reviewed providers and support services are provided below.
