Alaska Gambling
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 best 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, Alaska online sports betting and online gambling.
Best Alaska Online Casino Sites
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Established 2021Must be 18+ to participate. T&Cs apply.Daily Login Bonuses AvailableCustomer Support Available 24/76-Tier Loyalty 'Star System'not requiredPromo Code
The code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)Our Rating
Gambling.com users rating of this casino site out of 10098Slots
The total number of all Online Slot Games available1150+Jackpot Slots
The number of Progressive Jackpot Slot Games available25+Live Games
The total number of Live Dealer casino games available0WOW Vegas is a highly reputable social casino that lets players purchase Gold Coins (WOW Coins) and win sweeps coins that can be redeemed for real-world prizes. Players will also find a myriad of slots available from popular providers like Betsoft and Pragmatic Play. - 2
Established 2023Must be 18+ to participate. T&Cs apply. - 3
Established 2012Must be 18+ to participate. T&Cs apply. Void in ID, KY, MI, NV and WA. - 4
Established 2023Must be 18+ to participate. T&Cs Apply. Void in ID, MI, NV, & WA. - 5
Established 2024Must be 18+ to participate. Void in GA, ID, KY, MI, NV, WA - 6
Established 2022Must be 21+ to participate. T&Cs Apply. - 7
Established 2022Must be 18+ to participate. T&Cs Apply. - 8
Established 2024Must be 18+ to participate. Void in AL, GA, ID, KY, MT, NV, WA. T&Cs Apply. - 9
Established 2024Must be 18+ to participate. T&Cs Apply. Void in AL, DE, GA, ID, KY, LA, MT, MI, NV, NJ, PA, and WA. - 10
Established 2023Must be 18+ to participate. T&Cs Apply. Void in GA, ID, MI, and WA. - 11
Established 2022Must be 18+ to participate. T&Cs apply. - 12
Established 2023No Purchase Necessary. Void where prohibited by law. Must be 18+ to participate. T&Cs Apply. - 13
Established 2024Must be 18+ to participate. Void Idaho, Kentucky, Michigan, Nevada & Washington. - 14
Established 2023Must be 18+ to participate. T&Cs Apply. To Claim, Open Up Live Support. - 15
Established 2024Must be 18+ to participate. T&Cs Apply. Void in AL, GA, ID, KY, MT, NV, and WA. - 16
Established 2024Must be 21+ to participate. T&Cs Apply. - 17Must be 18+ to participate. Void in ID, LA, MI, MT, NV and WA.
- 18
Established 2023Must be 18+ to participate. T&Cs Apply. - Must be 18+ to participate. T&Cs Apply.
- 20
Established 2022Must be 18+ to participate. T&Cs Apply. Void in ID, MI, WA and WY. - 21
Established 2023Must be 18+ to participate. T&Cs Apply. Void in ID, MI, MT, NV, and WA. - 22
Established 2023Must be 18+ to participate. T&Cs Apply. Void in MT, KY, ID, WA, NV. - 23
Established 2023Must be 18+ to participate. T&Cs Apply. Void in ID, MI, MT, and WA - 24
Established 2022Must be 21+ to participate. T&Cs apply.
Online Casino Gambling in Alaska
Social Casino Offers Only Available
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.
Timeline of Gambling Legislation in Alaska
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.
Alaska rejects the creation of a state lottery, despite public opinion largely in favor of one.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Pull-tab games are legalized, with businesses and charities allowed to apply for a permit to sell them.
