Alaska

Gaming Laws in Alaska

Section 11.66.270 in the Alaska Statutes defined “gambling” as when a “person stakes or risks something of value upon the outcome of a contest of chance or a future contingent event not under the person's control or influence, upon an agreement or understanding that that person or someone else will receive something of value in the event of a certain outcome”. The law also states that “a person commits the offense of gambling if the person engages in unlawful gambling”, with unlawful being defined as “not specifically authorized by law”.

This roundabout of definitions seems to indicate that any wager made in the state of Alaska is an unlawful one, though there is an exception made for social games. Gambling “in a home where no house player, house bank, or house odds exist” and the house is not making money is legal in Alaska.

Sports Betting in Alaska

Under the definition of gambling in the state of Alaska, sports betting remains illegal. There are no forms of state regulated sports betting available in Alaska either online or offline. Alaska has made no changes since being offered the option of prohibiting or legalizing sports gambling in 2018. Being caught gambling can legally result in a violation the first time around and more severe penalties in future instances. The law isn't as lenient when it comes to bookmakers. Falling under the branch of promoting gambling in the first degree, bookmaking carries with it a Class C felony.

Online Betting

Alaska currently does not offer legal online sportsbooks due to strict state gambling regulations and a lack of legislative action on the issue. The state has been slow to address the growing popularity of online sports betting, with proposed legislation often stalling or failing to gain momentum. Alaska's conservative stance on gambling and limited infrastructure for regulating such activities have contributed to this situation. As a result, residents are left without legal online betting options.

Poker and Casino in Alaska

Tribes in Alaska would love to own and operate casinos on their land, but a loophole in the definition of the lands in this state allow Alaska to ban its tribes from doing so. Native American tribes in Alaska have fought for the right to open casinos, but haven't been able to make up any legal ground.

As a result, Native American tribes are limited to offering low-stakes bingo events and pull-tab cards on their lands. There are no casinos or poker rooms anywhere in Alaska.

Other Gaming Options in Alaska

Gaming options are few and far between in the state of Alaska. In fact, Alaska is one of only six states in the country that doesn't have a state-run lottery, and therefore does not partake in popular country-wide games such as Mega Millions and the Powerball.

Charity Gaming Laws

Alaska's Charitable Gambling Provisions offer some random and unique betting opportunities for residents of the state. Included in the specific list of things that bettors can wager on are when the first sandhill crane will land at a particular place and how many cases of canned salmon will be packed at the Petersburg canneries over a set time.