Council advances tighter rules for electronic amusement devices and boosts tools to address illegal game rooms

The Budget Committee advanced local proposals this week aimed at tightening regulation of electronic amusement devices and giving police and prosecutors additional tools to address illegal game rooms.

Councilmember Tupolo presented amendments to Bill 11 to clarify the definition of devices “available to the public,” to add the term “police chief” as an alternate title where the ordinance uses “chief of police,” to remove a redundant defined term and to make technical edits. Sergeant Leland Kurishi of the Honolulu Police Department told the committee HPD supports the measure and is willing to enforce the ordinance provisions.

Why it matters: Council members and public speakers said illegal gaming operations have created neighborhood public‑safety problems and that clarifying device definitions and enforcement authority will help the city address activity that brings crime and other disorder into residential areas.

Key points of the committee discussion

- Definitions and technology: Public testimony flagged the pace of change in technology — ‘‘tap to play,’’ QR‑code interactions and promotions — and urged the council to ensure the statutory language covers newer business models. Testifier Natalie Iwasa asked the committee to review the definition closely so it does not create unintended exemptions for emerging device types.

- Enforcement and remedies: HPD’s gambling enforcement sergeant said the department will enforce the law as drafted and welcomed clearer definitions. Councilmembers said the bills are intended to give police and prosecutors more options to treat persistent illegal gaming operations as public nuisances.

- Federal context and remedies: A public speaker recommended the council consider federal guidance — the federal Gambling Devices Act and related statutes — for definitions and forfeiture standards, and suggested cross‑referencing state criminal forfeiture provisions where appropriate.

Committee action and next steps

- Bill 11: The committee amended Bill 11 to the posted CD2 (technical changes to definitions and terms) and reported the measure out for third reading.

- Bill 12: The public‑nuisance bill addressing gambling activities was reported out for third reading; committee members said they expect the measure to complement Bill 11.

What was not decided: The committee did not adopt additional cross‑references to federal statutes at the hearing and asked staff to continue working with the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and HPD to ensure the definitions are enforceable and technology‑proof.

The measures advance to full council for further readings. Police and community advocates told the committee they view the proposals as practical steps to reduce neighborhood harms from illegal gaming venues.