Author avatar
Editor: Philip Conneller
As a journalist, Philip Conneller has covered the gaming industry for the past two decades. As an editor, he was part of the team that launched Bluff Magazine at the height of the poker boom. Now, as a writer and reporter, he focuses on gaming law, tribal gaming, politics, crime, and regulation.
Toggle image Close Toggle image Show table of content

Opportunities to gamble in Alaska are few and far between. Casino-style games are completely banned – even the local Native American tribes aren’t allowed to operate gaming establishments that offer slots, video poker, or classic table games. Pull-tab games are legal, but the number of venues that offer them is very limited. There is no regulation of online games, and local businesses are prohibited from operating online casino sites.

Illegal gambling in Alaska is covered by Alaska Code, section 11.66.200, et. seq. Engaging in unlawful gambling is considered a violation for the first offense and a class B misdemeanor for the second and subsequent offenses.

A computer or mobile device equipped with gambling software could arguably be considered a "gambling device," the possession of which constitutes a class A misdemeanor.

Alaska’s forfeiture laws allow the state to confiscate any devices utilized for gambling and any money used as a bet or stake.

AllowedNotes
Land-Based GamblingYesBingo only
Online GamblingYesDaily fantasy sports and skill games
LotteryNo -
Charitable GamingYesBingo and pull-tabs (see Alaska charitable gaming laws for more info)
Minimum Gambling Age19 for bingo; 21 for pull-tabs-

Regulations are somewhat archaic and haven’t been updated to address the issue of online gambling in Alaska, but the general definition of gambling is broad enough to cover online games of chance and betting. However, no one has ever been prosecuted in Alaska for playing on an offshore site.

Gambling is defined as “staking or risking something of value upon the outcome of a contest of chance or future contingent, not under one’s contingent or influence, upon an agreement or understanding that person will receive something of value in the event of a certain outcome.” The law does not apply to social gambling and home games.

Alaska Online Gambling Laws

Unlike land-based gaming, online gambling isn’t covered by the Alaska Statutes and Codes. In essence, the relevant regulations simply haven’t been updated to match the current situation and to keep up with the most recent technological advancements.

The Alaska Attorney General's Office has expressed an opinion that you could be prosecuted for playing real-money games online. However, in practice, not a single resident has been fined or jailed for playing at an online gambling site, and law enforcement has no interest in going after individual players.

There are no regulations specifically prohibiting residents from playing on such sites. Conversely, there’s little to suggest that the state’s general anti-gambling regulations should not apply to internet games. It's what offshore operators like to call "a gray area."

Alaska Poker

Betting on games of skill is allowed in Alaska, but unfortunately, state lawmakers have defined poker as a game of chance. As a result, poker is only legal as a social, in-home game where the organizer cannot profit commercially.

Online poker in Alaska has the same status as casino games. Many offshore poker platforms accept Alaska-based players. They like to argue that offering this service is not strictly illegal because the law doesn’t specifically mention online games. Critics of this interpretation argue it's flawed and that the technology used is irrelevant in determining whether something constitutes illegal gambling in the state. However, it's a point of law that has never been tested in Alaska, and no state resident has ever been prosecuted for gambling online.

Alaska Sports Betting

Dog mushing is an important Alaska tradition, and wagering on dog-mushing contests is the only form of sports betting allowed in the Last Frontier. Every other form of sports betting is unlawful. This remains the case even though the US Supreme Court struck down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, the federal prohibition of sports betting, in May 2018.

Many offshore betting sites accept Alaska-based gamblers. However, from a legal perspective, using such platforms isn’t any different from playing online casino games or online poker. Thus, engaging in sports betting over the internet from Alaska could constitute a violation of Alaska Code sec. 11.66.200.

Alaska Daily Fantasy Sports

DFS contests are widely considered to be skill-based. Unlike poker, they haven’t been directly targeted by Alaska lawmakers. Consequently, participating in these contests on dedicated DFS sites is assumed to be legal, an assumption that hasn’t been challenged by the authorities. As it stands, all major US-facing DFS platforms, including DraftKings, FanDuel, Yahoo DFS, and Fantasy Draft offer their services to Alaska-based fans. DFS-specific legislation isn’t likely to be introduced in the foreseeable future.

Alaska Lottery

Alaska doesn’t operate a state lottery and isn’t likely to establish one anytime soon. The only way to engage legally in lottery-style gaming is to purchase pull-tab games from a licensed vendor.

The Alaska Gaming Reform Act (1988) provides qualified charities and municipalities with limited opportunities to raise money for charitable purposes by selling pull-tab games.

Theoretically, residents could use online lottery concierge services to purchase lottery tickets from other states or countries. However, this could be considered unlawful gambling.

Alaska Bingo

Pull-tab games aside, land-based bingo is the only form of commercial gaming offered legally in Alaska. The number of venues is limited, with three located in Anchorage and a couple more spread across the state. No state-sanctioned online bingo sites are in operation, and while most offshore bingo platforms accept Alaska residents, participating in these games is very likely to fall under the definition of unlawful gaming.

Alaska Tribal Gaming

Alaska Tribes are not permitted to organize gaming under the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. That's because they have a different legal status from their counterparts in other parts of the US. Under the federal Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, the tribes agreed to be classified as “corporations,” as opposed to sovereign nations. This means they have a much more limited version of sovereignty than most tribes in the "Lower 48."

The Native Village of Eklutna has waged a legal battle against the state to build a modest bingo hall on its land, but so far has been unsuccessful.

Alaska Gambling FAQ

What types of gambling are there in Alaska?

Opportunities to gamble in Alaska are scarce, restricted to a limited amount of land-based charitable bingo and pull tabs. There is also a limited opportunity to bet on certain dog-mushing contests. However, many offshore online gaming operators accept Alaska players.

Is online gambling illegal in Alaska?

The state does not license or regulate online gaming. Playing on offshore platforms is at least nominally illegal but no one has ever been prosecuted for doing so.

Are there casinos in Alaska?

Alaska has no casinos, not even tribal casinos. That's because Alaska tribes have a different legal status from tribes in other states and a more restricted version of sovereignty.

Can I play the lottery in Alaska?

Alaska is one of five states that has not established a lottery. Pull tabs are the only lottery style games you can play legally in the state.

Can I play poker in Alaska?

There are no commercially available poker games in Alaska, meaning there are no live poker rooms. Home games are permitted in a social setting. Many offshore online poker sites accept Alaska players, although this is a gray area of the law.

Alaska Statutes

Sec. 11.16.110. Legal accountability based upon the conduct of another.

A person is legally accountable for the conduct of another constituting an offense if

(1) the person is made legally accountable by a provision of law defining the offense;

(2) with intent to promote or facilitate the commission of the offense, the person

(A) solicits the other to commit the offense; or

(B) aids or abets the other in planning or committing the offense; or

(3) acting with the culpable mental state that is sufficient for the commission of the offense, the person causes an innocent person or a person who lacks criminal responsibility to engage in the proscribed conduct.

Sec. 11.66.200. Gambling.

(a) A person commits the offense of gambling if the person engages in unlawful gambling.

(b) It is an affirmative defense to a prosecution under this section that the defendant was a player in a social game.

(c) Gambling is a violation for the first offense. Gambling is a class B misdemeanor for the second and each subsequent offense.

Sec. 11.66.210. Promoting gambling in the first degree.

(a) A person commits the crime of promoting gambling in the first degree if the person promotes or profits from an unlawful gambling enterprise.

(b) Promoting gambling in the first degree is a class C felony.

Sec. 11.66.220. Promoting gambling in the second degree.

(a) A person commits the crime of promoting gambling in the second degree if the person promotes or profits from unlawful gambling.

(b) Promoting gambling in the second degree is a class A misdemeanor.

Sec. 11.66.230. Possession of gambling records in the first degree.
(a) A person commits the crime of possession of gambling records in the first degree if, with knowledge of its contents or character, the person possesses a gambling record used or intended to be used in the operation or promotion of an unlawful gambling enterprise.
(b) Possession of gambling records in the first degree is a class C felony.

Sec. 11.66.240. Possession of gambling records in the second degree.
(a) A person commits the crime of possession of gambling records in the second degree if, with knowledge of its contents or character, the person possesses a gambling record.
(b) Possession of gambling records in the second degree is a class A misdemeanor.

Sec. 11.66.250. Affirmative defenses.
(a) It is an affirmative defense in a prosecution under AS 11.66.230 that the gambling record was possessed by the defendant solely as a player.
(b) It is an affirmative defense in a prosecution under AS 11.66.230 or 11.66.240 that the gambling record (1) was not used or intended to be used by the defendant in the operation or promotion of unlawful gambling; (2) was used or intended to be used by the defendant in a social game.

Sec. 11.66.260. Possession of a gambling device.
(a) A person commits the offense of possession of a gambling device if, with knowledge of the character of the device, the person manufactures, sells, transports, places, or possesses, or conducts or negotiates a transaction affecting or designed to affect ownership, custody, or use of, a gambling device knowing that the device is used or is to be used in unlawful gambling.
(b) It is an affirmative defense in a prosecution under this section that the gambling device possessed by the defendant was used or intended to be used only in a social game.
(c) Possession of a gambling device is a class A misdemeanor.

Sec. 11.66.270. Forfeiture.
If used in violation of AS 11.66.200 - 11.66.280, the following property shall be forfeited:
(1) a gambling device or gambling record; (2) money, not found on the person, used as a bet or stake; (3) money used as a bet or stake which is found on the person of one who conducts, finances, manages, supervises, directs, or owns all or part of an unlawful gambling enterprise.

Sec. 11.66.280. Definitions.

In AS 11.66.200 - 11.66.280, unless the context requires otherwise,

(1) "contest of chance" means a contest, game, gaming scheme, or gaming device in which the outcome depends in a material degree upon an element of chance, notwithstanding that the skill of the contestants may also be a factor;

(2) "gambling" means that a person stakes or risks something of value upon the outcome of a contest of chance or a future contingent event not under the person's control or influence, upon an agreement or understanding that that person or someone else will receive something of value in the event of a certain outcome; "gambling" does not include

(A) bona fide business transactions valid under the law of contracts for the purchase or sale at a future date of securities or commodities and agreements to compensate for loss caused by the happening of chance, including contracts of indemnity or guaranty and life, health, or accident insurance;

(B) playing an amusement device that

(i) confers only an immediate right of replay not exchangeable for something of value other than the privilege of immediate replay; and

(ii) does not contain a method or device by which the privilege of immediate replay may be cancelled or revoked; or

(C) an activity authorized by the Department of Revenue under AS 05.15;

(3) "gambling device" means any device, machine, paraphernalia, or equipment that is used or usable in the playing phases of unlawful gambling, whether it consists of gambling between persons or gambling by a person involving the playing of a machine; "gambling device" does not include

(A) lottery tickets, policy slips, or other items used in the playing phases of lottery or policy schemes; or

(B) an amusement device as described in (2)(B) of this section;

(4) "gambling enterprise" means a gambling business that

(A) includes five or more persons who conduct, finance, manage, supervise, direct, or own all or part of the business;

(B) has been or remains in substantially continuous operation for a period in excess of 30 days or has a gross income of $2,000 or more in any single day; and

(C) is not a municipality or a qualified organization under AS 05.15.690, except that, for purposes of this paragraph, no application for a license under AS 05.15 is required to be considered a qualified organization;

(5) "gambling record" means any writing or paper of a kind commonly used in the operation or promotion of unlawful gambling and includes lottery tickets, policy slips, or other writings or papers used in the playing phases of lottery or policy schemes;

(6) "player" means a person who engages in gambling solely as a contestant or bettor, believing that the risk of losing and the chances of winning are the same for all participants except for the advantages of skill and luck, without receiving or becoming entitled to receive any profit from gambling other than personal gambling winnings and without otherwise rendering any material assistance to the establishment, conduct, or operation of the particular gambling activity, except that, for purposes of this paragraph, a person who gambles at a social game on equal terms with the other participants does not "otherwise render material assistance" to the establishment, conduct, or operation by performing, without fee or remuneration, acts directed towards the arrangement or facilitation of the game, such as inviting persons to play, permitting the use of premises for the game, or supplying cards or other equipment used in the game;

(7) "profits from gambling" means that a person, acting other than as a player, accepts or receives money or other property under an agreement or understanding with another person by which the person participates or is to participate in the proceeds of gambling;

(8) "promoting gambling" means that a person, acting other than as a player, engages in conduct that materially aids any form of gambling; conduct of this nature includes

(A) conduct directed toward the

(i) creation or establishment of the particular gambling activity or acquisition or maintenance of premises, paraphernalia, equipment, or apparatus used in the gambling;

(ii) conduct of the playing phases of gambling; or

(iii) arrangement of the financial or recording phase of gambling or toward any other phase of its operation; or

(B) having control or right of control over premises that are used with the defendant's knowledge for purposes of gambling and permitting the gambling to occur or continue without making an effort to prevent its occurrence or continuation;

(9) "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;

(10) "something of value" means any money or property; any token, object, or article exchangeable for money or property; and any form of credit or promise directly or indirectly contemplating transfer of money or property or of an interest in money or property or involving extension of a service, entertainment, or privilege of playing at a game or scheme without charge;

(11) "unlawful" means not specifically authorized by law.

*******************************