For the longest time, Alaska has had a history of being against any form of gambling, and that includes sports wagering. Alaska doesn’t even run a state lottery which means the state’s ability to offer gambling services is extremely limited.
Is Sports Betting Legal in Alaska?
No. As of August 2022, lawmakers in Alaska have not authorized any form of state-regulated sports betting, including brick and mortar, online or mobile. The state doesn’t have any pending legislation to legitimize sports betting as well. This means that residents of Alaska don’t have any options for betting on any sports event in the near future.
Is DraftKings Sports Betting Legal in Alaska?
Yes. The only form of legal online wagering in Alaska is offered by major fantasy sports websites like DraftKings. This means that you can legally bet on fantasy sports with DraftKings, which offers multiple options to choose from.
Why is Sports Betting Illegal in Alaska?
There are different statutes that make it illegal to operate or participate in financial transactions related to gambling in Alaska. The recent attempt by Gov. Dunleavy to legalize sports betting did not bear fruit as no chamber in the legislature moved on the bill. Since there are no major sports in the state, sports betting companies will unlikely spend money lobbying dollars to get Alaska sports betting legalized. Again, since the law against gambling is harsh, most of them don’t want to spend money fighting these laws.
Gambling in Alaska is guided by the Alaska Code, section 11.66.200, et. Seq. One of the laws is that a computer or mobile device equipped with gambling software is considered a gambling device. Therefore, devices such as slot machines are banned, and they are considered a class A misdemeanor. The state also prohibits horse racing. Engaging in unlawful gambling is considered a violation of the first offense. Unlawful gambling is also considered a class B misdemeanor if the offense is a second or a subsequent offense. A computer or mobile device is considered a gambling device, and it is a class A misdemeanor.
Furthermore, Alaska has a forfeiture law that allows the state to confiscate any devices that are used for gambling. The state can also confiscate any money that is used as a bet or stake. The general definition of gambling usually covers online gambling as well. However, unlike land-based gambling, online gambling is not covered by the Statutes and Codes of Alaska. However, it is impossible for Alaskan businesses to operate legitimate online gambling sites. Even the attorney general was of the opinion that playing real money games could theoretically be prosecuted under the existing regulations even if the bet was placed online.
Nevertheless, no one has so far been arrested or jailed for playing at an online gambling site. However, you should be careful because if caught, you can be prosecuted. An additional law that prohibits gambling in Alaska stipulates that playing casino-style games is completely illegal. Even the local Native American tribes are not allowed to operate gaming establishments that provide video poker, classic table games, or slots. Pull-tab games are licit, but they are only provided by limited venues. Dog mushing, which is an Alaskan tradition, and wagering on dog mushing contests is the only form of sports betting allowed. Every other form of sports betting is considered unlawful.
When Will Alaska Sports Betting Start?
Alaska has a reputation for taking a hard line on gambling, and that includes sports wagering. Since Alaska has a very small population, it would make little sense for any form of legalized gambling to be regulated to retail-only operations. The state would make more money by legalizing online sports betting. However, there is no hope that this will happen any time soon.
Latest Alaska Sports Betting News
The bill, which would bring mobile sports wagering to the state, has not yet moved beyond the House Labor and Commerce Committee.
House Bill 385, which was introduced, would allow bettors to bet on mobile college sports events if it is included in the bill’s final version.
State leaders believe that sports betting can raise new revenue that can solve the state budget deficit caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, if the state can agree to open up its restrictive gambling laws, it can start generating no-tax revenue.
