Is Sports Betting Legal in Alaska? Everything You Need to Know

Since the 2018 Supreme Court ruling lifted the federal ban on sports betting, over 30 states have embraced it, but Alaska’s conservative stance keeps it sidelined. With no regulated sportsbooks and a history of rejecting gambling expansion, the state leaves bettors turning to risky offshore sites or legal alternatives like DraftKings’ daily fantasy sports.

Sports Betting in Alaska: Current Status

Sports betting is illegal in Alaska. The state’s laws define gambling as risking something of value on a chance-based or future event beyond one’s control, explicitly covering sports wagering.

No regulated sportsbooks, retail or online, operate in Alaska, and the state’s conservative approach to gambling, focused on preventing commercial betting and organized crime, shows no immediate signs of softening.

Unlike states with bustling betting markets, Alaska lacks the infrastructure and major sports teams to drive legalization, leaving bettors without legal in-state options.

Alaska’s Gambling Laws and Federal Regulations

Alaska’s gambling laws are among the US’s most restrictive, overseen by the Alaska Department of Revenue’s Tax Division. Legal gambling is limited to:

• Charitable Gaming: Bingo, pull-tabs, raffles, and lotteries (e.g., Iditarod betting) for nonprofit causes, requiring organizations to have 25+ members and three years of operation.

• Social Games: Private poker games without profit motives.

• Tribal Gaming: Two Class II facilities (Klawock and Metlakatla Bingo Halls) offer bingo and pull-tabs, but broader tribal casinos face legal disputes under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA).

Prohibited activities include commercial casinos, horse race betting, poker rooms, and sports wagering. Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) is legal, classified as skill-based, allowing platforms like DraftKings to operate without formal regulation.

Federal laws impact offshore betting:

• Wire Act (1961): Bans interstate sports betting communications, targeting operators.

• Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA, 2006): Prohibits financial institutions from processing illegal gambling transactions, affecting offshore sites’ payment systems.

These laws reinforce Alaska’s ban on unregulated sports betting, making offshore platforms illegal for operators, though individual bettors face minimal prosecution risk.

Recent Developments in Alaska Sports Betting

[May 20, 2025]: Alaska’s HB 145 Sports Betting Bill Stalled After May 16 Hearing With No Vote 

[March 26, 2025]: Alaska House Bill 145 Proposes Online Sports Betting Framework 

Legislative Efforts to Legalize Sports Betting

Alaska has seen cautious steps toward legalizing sports betting, but none have succeeded:

2020: SB 188/HB 246: Governor Mike Dunleavy proposed creating an Alaska Lottery Corporation to oversee a state lottery and sports betting. Stalled by COVID-19, the bills expired in committee.

2022: HB 385: Representative Adam Wool’s bill aimed to legalize mobile sports betting and regulate DFS. It languished in the House Labor and Commerce Committee, with no progress by 2023.

2025: HB 145: Introduced by Representative David Nelson in March 2025, this bill proposed mobile sports betting with up to 10 licenses, a $100,000 annual fee, and a 20% tax on adjusted gross revenue. Key features included:

• Oversight by the Alaska Department of Revenue.
• Mandatory responsible gambling tools and age verification.
• Allowance for bets on professional, college, and Olympic events.
• Effective date of January 1, 2026, if three licenses are approved.

HB 145, however, remained in the House Labor and Commerce Committee, with no vote before the session’s end.

Alaska’s small population (737,000), lack of professional sports teams, and absent gambling infrastructure (no casinos or robust lottery) hinder progress. Past rejections of gambling expansion (e.g., 1990 and 2008 referenda) show public skepticism, though fiscal pressures may shift attitudes.

Why Legalization Faces Challenges

Alaska’s unique characteristics stall sports betting legalization:

• Small Market: With a population smaller than most states, Alaska offers limited revenue potential for operators, reducing lobbying efforts compared to markets like New Jersey.

• No Sports Infrastructure: The absence of professional teams or NCAA Division I programs lowers local betting interest and operator incentives.

• Regulatory Gaps: Without casinos or a state lottery, Alaska lacks a ready framework for sports betting oversight, requiring new regulatory bodies.

• Geographic Isolation: Alaska’s remote location and dispersed communities complicate retail betting, favoring mobile-only models like HB 145 but adding logistical hurdles.

• Public Resistance: Historical opposition to gambling, rooted in concerns about crime and morality, persists, though 57% of Alaskans in 2022 disagreed that gambling is immoral (Sports Betting Dime).

Despite these barriers, demand is evident: GeoComply reported 126,933 failed attempts by Alaskans to access legal sportsbooks in other states from January 2024 to May 2025, with 23,000 unique betting accounts reflecting a 60% year-over-year increase.

Risks of Offshore Betting Sites

With no legal sportsbooks, many Alaskans use offshore platforms like Bovada, BetOnline, or BetUS. While not illegal for individuals, these sites pose significant risks:

• Legal Risks: Using offshore platforms violates Alaska’s gambling laws, though individual prosecutions are rare. UIGEA targets operators, but players could face scrutiny in strict jurisdictions.

• Financial Risks: UIGEA blocks payments, causing delays or seizures. Offshore sites may withhold winnings or close accounts arbitrarily, with reports of such issues on forums (Reddit).

• Security Risks: Lacking US-regulated data protection, offshore sites risk breaches or fraud. No legal recourse exists for compromised accounts.

• Fairness Concerns: Without US audits (e.g., eCOGRA), offshore platforms may offer unfair odds or manipulated outcomes, unlike regulated sportsbooks’ certified systems.

• Limited Protections: Offshore sites provide minimal responsible gambling tools and no dispute resolution, leaving players vulnerable to account closures or payment disputes.

These risks highlight why offshore betting is a poor substitute for regulated options.

Legal Alternatives for Alaskans

Alaskans seeking safe betting options can explore.

Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS): Legal in Alaska as a skill-based activity, platforms like DraftKings and FanDuel offer contests for NFL, NBA, and more. Other DFS sites include PrizePicks and Fliff, with “pick’em” formats mimicking betting.

Travel to Legal States: States like Washington offer sports betting at tribal casinos or retail locations, though travel from Alaska is costly and impractical.

Social Betting Platforms: Sites like Fliff and Sportzino provide free-to-play games with virtual currencies or sweepstakes models.

Charitable Betting: Legal bets on events like the Iditarod, when tied to nonprofit causes, provide a niche option.

Await Legalization: If HB 145 passes in 2026, mobile sports betting could become a regulated reality.

Responsible Gambling Practices

Betting, legal or not, demands responsibility to avoid financial or personal harm. Follow these practices:

• Set a Budget: Use only disposable income, splitting it into sessions (e.g., $20 from $100). Never bet essential funds.

• Use Limits: Regulated platforms like DraftKings offer deposit, loss, and time limits; offshore sites rarely do, increasing risks.

• Avoid Chasing Losses: Don’t raise bets to recover losses, as this fuels bigger setbacks.

• Take Breaks: Pause every 30-60 minutes to stay mindful and avoid impulsive bets.

• Seek Help: If betting feels problematic, contact 1-800-GAMBLER or Gamblers Anonymous. Alaska’s 2-1-1 Helpline or Department of Health and Social Services offers local referrals.

Regulated platforms enforce responsible gambling with AI monitoring and robust tools, unlike offshore sites’ minimal safeguards.

Future Outlook for Sports Betting in Alaska

The future of sports betting in Alaska is rather uncertain but shows some potential. House Bill 145’s detailed framework shows growing legislative interest, but its stall in committee and Alaska’s unique challenges, small population, no sports teams, and regulatory gaps, make near-term legalization unlikely.

Public demand, with $348 million spent annually on out-of-state betting and 53% supporting gambling revenue for problem gambling programs, could drive change by 2026 or beyond.

Fiscal pressures from COVID-19 recovery may also push lawmakers to consider new revenue sources. Until then, Alaskans must rely on legal alternatives or avoid offshore risks.

Is sports betting legal in Alaska in 2025?

No, sports betting is illegal in Alaska as of June 2025. The state’s strict gambling laws prohibit it, and no regulated sportsbooks operate in-state.

Can I use offshore betting sites like Bovada in Alaska?

While not illegal for individuals, using offshore sites violates Alaska’s laws and carries risks like payment delays, data breaches, and unfair odds. Regulated alternatives are safer.

What legal betting options are available in Alaska?

Alaskans can participate in daily fantasy sports (DFS) via DraftKings or FanDuel, bet on charitable events like the Iditarod, or use social betting platforms like Fliff.

Why hasn’t Alaska legalized sports betting?

Alaska’s small population, lack of sports teams, absent gambling infrastructure, and historical public opposition to gambling slow legalization efforts.

What is House Bill 145, and could it legalize sports betting?

HB 145, introduced in 2025, proposes mobile sports betting with up to 10 licenses and a 20% tax. It stalled in committee, making legalization unlikely before 2026.

Are daily fantasy sports (DFS) the same as sports betting?

No, DFS is skill-based, legal in Alaska, and involves creating fantasy teams to compete based on player stats, unlike betting on game outcomes.

How can I gamble responsibly in Alaska?

Set a budget with disposable income, use limits on regulated platforms, avoid chasing losses, take breaks, and seek help via 1-800-GAMBLER if needed.