Honolulu Police Shut Down Illegal Chinatown Gambling Den; 16 Machines and Cash Seized

HPD arrested a 53-year-old man and seized 16 gambling machines and $3,000 in cash during a Chinatown raid on North King Street. Narcotics were also found.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 28, 2026, 7:15 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Hawaii News Now

Strategic Raid on North King Street

The Honolulu Police Department continues its crackdown on illegal game rooms with a high-profile bust in the heart of Chinatown. On Wednesday afternoon at approximately 5 p.m., Narcotic/Vice Division officers executed a search warrant at a commercial establishment on North King Street. The raid was the culmination of an ongoing investigation into reports of unauthorized gambling activity and associated neighborhood disturbances.

Evidence of Large-Scale Gambling and Drug Activity

Upon entering the premises, officers discovered an extensive illegal operation. Police successfully recovered 16 electronic gambling machines and seized roughly $3,000 in suspected gambling proceeds. Beyond the gaming devices, the search yielded a significant amount of possible illicit drugs and drug-related paraphernalia, suggesting the venue may have served as a hub for multiple types of criminal activity.

Suspect Apprehended at the Scene

A 53-year-old male was taken into custody during the operation. He has been formally charged with promoting gambling and possession of a gambling device. While the suspect's identity has not been publicly released pending further investigation, HPD officials noted that the individual was central to the daily operations of the North King Street site. The establishment has since been secured, and the illegal machinery has been removed for forensic analysis.