The remote and beautiful state of Alaska is known for some breath-taking scenery and superb natural wildlife, but it’s not known for being a gambling hotspot. Alaskan state legislation is highly restrictive on gambling activities, but, even here, there are still opportunities to enjoy a little flutter.
The state makes it possible to obtain permits to operate charitable bingo and sell pull tabs cards. Therefore, there are a couple of licensed venues taking the opportunity to offer this form of gambling entertainment.
Will the situation with online gambling in Alaska change in 2020?
Sports betting in Alaska is illegal so you will not be able to find any land-based sportsbooks in the state. That said, while it is illegal to operate a sportsbook in Alaska online or on land, it is not necessarily illegal to place a sports wager. Therefore, the only sportsbooks to utilize while in Alaska are of the off-shore variety such as Bovada and 5Dimes.
The online gambling laws of Alaska are very strict and casinos are not allowed to operate in the state. However, there are several Class II Native American Bingo Halls which offer bingo and pull-tab games such as Klawock Bingo and Metlakatla Bingo Hall.
Just like sportsbooks in Alaska, online poker is illegal in the state. However, while it is illegal to operate an online poker site in the state, it is not illegal to play poker online. Off-shore poker sites are the only option.
The state’s size and lack of major population centers is a major reason we don’t see legal forms of gambling in Alaska and the lottery may be the best example of this. With the population so small and spread out, no one is going to travel long distances to buy a lotto ticket. Therefore, Alaska is one of only six states which do not offer a lottery.
Fantasy sports gambling in Alaska is illegal but does operate in the state. Sites such as DraftKings and FanDuel do operate in Alaska. However, this is only because the Alaska justice department has done nothing to stop them from doing so. Can you wager on DFS in Alaska? Yes, although it is important to note this is a legal grey area.
All forms of horse racing are illegal in Alaska and this has everything to do with the state’s location, size, and lack of major population centers. Plus, Alaska is cold and far away so it has long been ignored by the horse racing industry. You won’t even find greyhounds or OTBs in the state.
10 Biggest cities in Alaska for online gambling: