Alaska is geographically the largest U.S. state and the most sparsely populated, with a total population of fewer than 750,000 people. Its remoteness, and the subsequent lack of internet connectivity in more rural areas, help explain why online gambling in Alaska has not been a hot topic for the snowy state. That is not to say that there is no gambling at all in the Last Frontier, but there is no rush there to create legislation around real money online casinos.
Much of Alaska’s recent legislation has centered on pull tabs, a variation of scratch cards, where players pull a tab off a card to reveal symbols in hopes of a winning combination. While gambling in brick-and-mortar casinos remains illegal, the state laws are somewhat more open around poker, daily fantasy sports and online gambling.
Best Alaska Online Casino Apps and Sites
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The code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)
not required
Bonus Wagering
The number of times you have to play through your bonus before you are able to withdraw any winnings
1x
Payout Time
The average withdrawal processing time
3-5 Days
Casino Games
The total number of casino games available
328
Jackpot Slots
The number of jackpot slot games available
0
Live Casino Games
The number of live casino games available
0
Wow Vegas is a fun social casino with promotional sweepstakes which focuses on providing players with hundreds of social casino-style games to keep them entertained. This innovative brand has something for everyone, from slots to blackjack
The code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)
not required
Bonus Wagering
The number of times you have to play through your bonus before you are able to withdraw any winnings
1x
Payout Time
The average withdrawal processing time
3-7 Days
Casino Games
The total number of casino games available
322
Jackpot Slots
The number of jackpot slot games available
29
Live Casino Games
The number of live casino games available
0
Pulsz social casino platform offers a big selection of social casino games. Players can join the platform from a big number of US state, as it's a social casino. The 24/7 available support makes the platform user-centric.
The code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)
not required
Bonus Wagering
The number of times you have to play through your bonus before you are able to withdraw any winnings
1x
Payout Time
The average withdrawal processing time
1 Day
Casino Games
The total number of casino games available
807
Jackpot Slots
The number of jackpot slot games available
11
Live Casino Games
The number of live casino games available
25
BetRivers is a reputable brand that has established online sportsbooks and casinos in multiple US states. BetRivers.net is the social casino that allows players to play without risking real money.
The code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)
not required
Bonus Wagering
The number of times you have to play through your bonus before you are able to withdraw any winnings
1x
Payout Time
The average withdrawal processing time
1 hour - 5 days
Casino Games
The total number of casino games available
190+
Jackpot Slots
The number of jackpot slot games available
10+
Live Casino Games
The number of live casino games available
0
Hard Rock Casino is a popular chain of cafes, hotels & casinos globally. Its social casino product is available in numerous US states and features hundreds of games.
The code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)
not required
Bonus Wagering
The number of times you have to play through your bonus before you are able to withdraw any winnings
1x
Payout Time
The average withdrawal processing time
1 hour - 5 days
Casino Games
The total number of casino games available
190+
Jackpot Slots
The number of jackpot slot games available
10+
Live Casino Games
The number of live casino games available
0
Hard Rock Blackjack casino allows blackjack fans to have some fun without spending real money. The social casino allows player communication, making the blackjack experience even better.
The law is very clear that gambling within brick-and-mortar casinos is a no-go in the state. That extends to online gambling. The state offers no legal online gambling options, and there doesn't seem to be a change on the horizon. So anyone expecting to see a promotion like NJ online casino bonuses shouldn't hope much. The state regulations are clear when it comes to offline and online gambling.
Social casinos are available and legal in Alaska, though, both on the internet or as an app, and feature all the popular casino games, including slots, blackjack, video poker and roulette. It is free to play. While you cannot win money playing games at social casinos, the sites like WinStar, LuckyLand and Chumba casino typically offer sweepstakes (games of chance) with prizes that can include real money jackpots.
Alaska Poker Online
Not Legal
Alaska has produced two World Series of Poker (WSOP) winners, Perry Green and Greg Hobson, which shows the strong tradition of online poker in Alaska. Green, a former fur trader, even spoke to the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce in 2005, advocating the legalization of poker. He reasoned that there was a vibrant underground poker community in Alaska and that legislation in its favor would allow the state to profit from it. Lawmakers passed legislation but the steep licensing fee deterred any partners.
So for now that means just like online casinos in Alaska, online poker is also illegal. Though the WSOP success shows there was interest, the state has not moved toward legalization recently. The Last Frontier also has to deal with challenges from remote areas that might struggle to find a stable internet connection to enjoy more than a few hands.
Sports Betting in Alaska
Not Legal
Alaska has no history of gambling like some other states, so there are no racetracks or sportsbooks. However, Alaskans can compete in charity gambling, where they bet on fishing competitions or sled racing. Unlike more typical forms of sports gambling, Alaskan players guess a time and the person who comes closest wins. All of the profits earned from these types of events go to charity and may not be donated to political parties or lobbyists.
However, wagers on other sports like football or basketball is still illegal. There appears little push from state lawmakers to join the sports betting legalization effort.
Alaska Daily Fantasy
Offers Available
Daily fantasy sports in Alaska are completely legal, with leagues such as FanDuel and DraftKings offering contests to thousands of Alaskans. The state sees these opportunities not as games of chance, but rather as something of a hobby that requires a degree of skill and knowledge. As a result, they are not categorized as gambling, and therefore the state's gambling laws do not apply to them.
There are also online skill games offered by WorldWinner, where gamers can play titles such as Spades and Bejeweled for real money. Players play against one another, agreeing to a wager before the game gets underway. Again, as these are seen as games of skill against an opponent, they are legal under the existing legislation.
How to Deposit and Withdraw from AK Gambling Sites
Almost 30 years since the state's first vote on the matter, Alaskans again vote on the subject of legalizing gambling. Although the vote ultimately rejected legislation, the ratio showed a shift upward in its favor.
2003
2 of 7
Alaska rejects the creation of a state lottery, despite public opinion largely in favor of one.
1995
3 of 7
Gambling is briefly legal on Alaskan waters this year, when the state offered cruise ships the right to operate in exchange for a one-off fee. Despite the state earning more than $500,000, the law was never renewed. However, cruise ships still visit Alaska and may offer guests casino games when in international or Canadian waters.
1993
4 of 7
The National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) orders the construction of a casino on tribal land near the city of Klawock. However, the state pre-empted the casino’s opening by passing a law that banned wheel, card and dice games. This did not deter the NIGC, which later opened a bingo hall in Klawock and another in Metlakatla.
1990
5 of 7
On the back of Gnatensky’s campaign, Alaska holds a vote to decide whether to legalize gambling and create an official gaming commission. The final tally was almost 2-1 against the measure.
1987
6 of 7
Mike Von Gnatensky runs in the primaries as a nonpartisan candidate for mayor of Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city. One of the linchpins of his campaign was his promise to legalize casinos in Alaska and thus bring investment to the city. However, Gnatensky failed to garner enough votes to win a spot on the general-election ballot.
1984
7 of 7
Pull-tab games are legalized, with businesses and charities allowed to apply for a permit to sell them.