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Online gambling in Alaska

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Internet gambling is an exciting pastime, and many Americans gamble for fun and in hopes of making money. While online gambling is legal under the United States federal law, each state can prohibit or regulate it as it sees fit. So, is online gambling legal in Alaska? Continue reading to find the answer to this question.

No, online gambling is not legal in Alaska. Currently, there’s no gambling site that legally offers online wagering options to Alaska’s residents. This means that there are no poker sites, online casinos, or online sports betting sites (including betting on horse racing). The state does not even have a lottery, whether online or offline.

While Alaska law restricts every form of online gambling within the border of the state, there are a few games that residents are allowed to play. The most popular ones are charitable gaming and home poker games. Besides these, social casinos are also legal within the borders of Alaska. A few sites that offer online social casino games and slots in AK include LuckyLand Slots, Chumba Casino, and Funzpointz. LuckyLand Slots and Chumba Casino are both social casinos while Funzpointz is a sweepstakes casino.

Gambling sites that may launch in Alaska in the future

Despite having strict online gambling regulations, there seems to be hoped that things might change in the future. Below are the gambling sites that may debut in Alaska if ‘America’s Last Frontier’ eventually legalizes AK online sports betting within its borders.

FanDuel

When it comes to the top daily fantasy sports (DFS) operators in the United States, FanDuel is one of them. FanDuel started out as a DFS operator and later branched into the online sports betting industry when the United States Supreme Court nullified the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) of 1992.

This online gaming operator has emerged as the dominant leader in the US online sports betting market thanks to its wide range of betting and deposit options, clean interface, and marketing efforts. The gaming operator is now available in more than 10 states in the US, including New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, with more states surely to be added in the future.

BetMGM

Are you looking to access a wide range of AK betting app options in a highly functional manner? If so, then the BetMGM sports wagering platform is an absolute must-have account. The well-known online gambling platform boasts a classic interface with an easy-to-use layout on a very reliable platform. The result is generous bonuses and promotions.

BetMGM betting platform is user-friendly, safe, and licensed in more than 15 states in the US.

Caesars

This online gaming operator is an industry giant with a world-class, trustworthy gambling environment that includes daily promotions, live betting, and a wide range of wagering options. Plenty of bettors across the United States hold Caesars in esteem and have presently ranked it as one of their best US gaming platforms. Caesars was one of the first gaming operators to debut in the United States after the federal ban on sports betting was lifted by the US Supreme Court in 2018.

The Caesars betting platform is currently legal in over 18 states in the US, with the goal of expanding into other states when the opportunity presents itself. Caesars is a great choice for any punter who wants to have an excellent online gambling experience.

BetRivers

This is another rock-solid gaming platform that should be added to every punter’s portfolio of gambling sites because of the available bonuses and wagering options. BetRivers is among the most reliable and secure operators in the market. Plus, the gaming operator offers great sports betting products and casino gambling.

Again, BetRivers has some of the most generous sign up bonuses and promotional offers for online sports wagering in the United States. And the good news is that the operator’s bonuses and promotions come with excellent terms and usually have low wagering requirements. In addition, BetRivers employs the best security measures to ensure that its players’ personal and financial details are kept from the reach of online scammers.

How to sign up for an online gambling account in Alaska

Before you can gamble online in Alaska, you must create a gambling account. The registration process is fast and straightforward, and usually takes five minutes or less to complete. However, keep in mind that the registration form or process may differ from operator to operator. Listed below are the step-by-step instructions on how to create an online gambling account in Alaska.

  1. Choose from our list of online gambling sites in Alaska to find the one that is right for you. The first step to creating an online gambling account in Alaska is to find a legal and reputable site that accepts Alaska players. Choosing an online gambling site can be difficult due to the wide range of operators that are available to punters today. That’s why we do the heavy lifting for you! We carefully review tons of gambling sites to find the ones that will offer you the best online gaming experience. All you have to do is go through our list and pick the online gambling site that meets your needs and personal preferences.
  2. Provide your personal information on the registration form. Once you pick an online gambling site, the next step will be providing your chosen operator with your personal information on the registration form. To do this, simply visit the operator’s official website. On the homepage, you will find the ‘Join’ or ‘Sign Up’ button. Once you click on it, you’ll be redirected to the registration form where you can then enter the required information. The details that you most probably will need to provide include your full name, residential address, email address, phone number, username, and a password of your choice.
  3. Make a deposit using your preferred payment method. Now that you have created your online gambling account, it’s time to make a real money deposit. To fund your online account, visit the operator’s cashier, pick your preferred deposit option, enter the amount, and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the deposit process.
  4. You can start betting now. Once your deposited funds reflect on your AK sportsbooks account, it’s time to start playing. All you have to do is to explore each section of the operator’s site to find the sports or casino games that you would want to wager on.

Does Alaska allow gambling on daily fantasy sports?

Yes, Alaska does permit wagering on daily fantasy sports (DFS). Due to its legal status as a game of skill rather than chance, DFS is considered one of the very few legal forms of gambling. For the same reason, Alaska actually allows full real-money wagering on fantasy sports. DraftKings and FanDuel are to date the only two operators offering online daily fantasy sports within the state of Alaska. Players can enjoy daily fantasy sports such as Online Daily Fantasy NFL, Online Daily Fantasy NHL, Online Daily Fantasy NBA, and Online Daily Fantasy MLB.

Online gambling laws in Alaska

The Last Frontier’s local laws may be referred to as being somewhat ‘archaic’ since they have not been updated to include online gambling in Alaska. However, the state’s general definition of gambling is broad enough to address betting and online games of chance. Code Section 11.66.200; 05.15.680 of the State Law defines gambling as, “Staking or risking something of value upon the outcome of a contest of chance or future contingent event not under one’s control or influence, upon an agreement or understanding that person will receive something of value in event of a certain outcome.”

However, since the relevant laws have not been updated to keep up with the latest technological advancements and to meet the present-day situations, Alaska iGaming lovers can join offshore online gambling sites.

Again, it’s worth mentioning that the Alaska Attorney General once expressed an opinion that the state could theoretically prosecute anyone wagering on any form of real money games under the existing laws. But the truth is that not even a single Alaska resident has been jailed or fined for playing at offshore gambling sites so far. Plus, the state’s local law enforcement does not seem to be interested in chasing after individual punters. However, we do not encourage players to go against the state’s gambling law. Plus, it’s not safe to gamble with most offshore sites since they are not regulated by reputable bodies. This means that they can rip you off your cash and go unpunished.

History of gambling in Alaska

When it comes to the legal standpoint, the history of gambling in Alaska is pretty short. Despite the fact that gambling has existed in this state in some form for a long time, the first gaming law wasn’t introduced until 1960. Over the following years, the state introduced a few more regulations. Below is a timeline of gambling in Alaska.

  • 1960 — The first Alaska gaming regulations were written and the state-appointed the Department of Revenue to oversee all gambling laws.
  • 1984 — The Department of Revenue approved pull tab games.
  • 1993 — Alaska takes complete regulatory charge of third-party gaming bodies, moving minimum payments from 15%-30% in pull tab games.
  • 1995 — The state approved betting in cruise ship casinos off the coast of Alaska; however, the regulation didn’t last past 1995.
  • 1996 — Alaska legalized three video pull table games, namely Snow Machine Classic, Deep Freeze Classic, and Sled Dog Race Classic.
  • 2011 — The state deemed pay-to-play golf video games as gambling and banned them.

Upcoming regulations and expected changes to the gambling laws in Alaska

There are currently no upcoming changes in Alaska’s gaming legislation and regulations. In fact, changes in the state gambling regulations were last made in 2011! For now, no one can possibly predict what people should expect with regard to gambling in Alaska. However, we recommend that you check this page from time to time for any updates concerning the gambling situation in the state.

Who regulates online gambling in Alaska?

Evidently, no one regulates online gambling in Alaska since it is still not legal. However, if the Last Frontier decides to legalize online gambling, the Alaska Lottery Commission will most likely be the body to regulate it. This may sound strange since such a body does not currently exist in Alaska, right? Let us explain how and why we came to such a conclusion. In the past, there has been a desire to establish the Alaska Lottery. And during the last few pushes that the state has given toward the legalization of online gambling, it was also suggested that the Alaska Lottery should then have the authority to head the new industry. This is the very same route that was followed by many other states in the United States, thus it is quite possible that Alaska may decide to do the same.

Besides establishing the Alaska Lottery Commission, another body that could possibly regulate online gambling when it becomes legal in the state is the Alaska Department of Revenue. The Tax Division of the department may, specifically, be the regulator. Putting this division in charge of Alaska online gambling may also seem a bit odd at first glance. But since it already controls charitable gaming (which is considered to be the legitimate form of gambling in the state), it’s safe to say that the division may likely regulate any form of legal gambling in the state. The state may also decide to create an entirely new regulatory body, should things ever get to that point.

At this point in time, there are only three legal forms of gambling available for Alaska residents. In this section of the article, we’ll briefly look at and discuss each of them.

Charitable bingo and raffles

Alaska charitable gaming refers to raffles, bingos, and several other games of chance that are conducted for charitable purposes. The Alaska Department of Revenue regulates all charitable gaming activities within the state borders. This department also collects license and permit fees, a 3% pull tab tax, and a 1% net proceeds fee. It is, however, important to take note that selling raffle tickets in Alaska is illegal, except for charity purposes. It is also known that 10% of the earnings (after the prize money has been dealt) go to the state’s coffer.

Home poker

According to code section 11.66.280(9) of Alaska law, “social game means gambling in a home where no house player, house bank, or house odds exist and where there is no house income from the operation of the game.” This simply means that the state only allows home poker games in social settings, but no rake is permitted.

Cruise ships that offer casino games onboard

Although gambling is not legal in Alaska, the cruise lines usually open their casinos when they are sailing the international waters of British Columbia, Vancouver, and Canada. At other times, their casinos will be closed. You can thus play and enjoy your favorite casino games during the time their casinos are open.

FAQ

When will online gambling become legal in Alaska?

At this point in time, no one can tell when online gambling will become legal in Alaska. However, everyone is hoping that things will change soon so that Alaska bettors can join in the worldwide fad. We are, however. keeping track of things and will keep updating this page. Be sure to bookmark it and visit us from time to time so you don't miss out on any updates.

How old do I need to be to gamble online in Alaska?

As in the case of many states in the United States, the Last Frontier has two official legal gaming ages. The two different ages are for different gambling activities. You must be 19 years old before you can start playing in bingo halls. On the other hand, you must be at least 21 years old before you can play pull-tab games. From what's already on the ground, it's safe to say that the legal age for online gambling will be 21.

Can you play slots online in Alaska?

No, you cannot currently play any online slots in Alaska since online gambling is not allowed within the state.

Can you play poker online in Alaska?

Like many other forms of online gambling activities, playing poker online is, unfortunately, not yet legal in this state.

Should I play at offshore gambling sites in Alaska?

No, playing at offshore online gambling sites is not the best alternative. Playing with an offshore gambling site is risky. These gambling sites should not merely be trusted since most of them do not hold a valid gambling operating license, which means you as a consumer are not protected by any gambling laws or regulations should any foul play take place from their side. It is also not safe to provide them with sensitive details like your personal bank information, identity number, etc.