Alaska Online Casinos and Gambling Sites
Alaska is generally strict about commercial gambling, and online gamblers have to seek offshore sites for top online casinos and sportsbooks.
This guide to gambling in Alaska offers the best online sites and what makes them stand out. I’ve chosen these outlets because of their reputation for security and reliability.
Here, you’ll also find information on all forms of gambling available in Alaska and state efforts to expand the market.
Gambling Highlights
The following table provides a snapshot of what forms of gambling are legal in Alaska. From online to land-based casinos and other forms of gambling such as state lottery.
Is Gambling Legal?
Grey Area
Legal Gambling Age
19
Land-Based Casinos
Class II
Online Casinos
Offshore Only
Land-Based Sports Betting
No
Online Sportsbooks
Offshore Only
Legal State Lottery
No
Charitable Gambling
Yes
Table of Contents
Jump to Specific Areas of This Page
Is Online Gambling Legal in Alaska?
Key Takeaways
- Alaska-based online gambling sites are illegal.
- Gamblers in Alaska access offshore wagering sites.
- Offshore gambling sites are regulated in foreign jurisdictions.
- Legislative proposals to allow online gambling have not been enacted.
Online gambling is not legal within Alaska’s borders. However, laws in AK do not restrict gambling on offshore sites, which allows Alaskans to gamble on licensed and regulated sites in foreign jurisdictions.
There have been efforts to introduce Internet gambling to Alaska, first through a lottery proposal and later with an online sports betting bill. Those proposals had not gained ground as of 2024, and the future of online gambling is uncertain.
Until the state approves some online wagering, Alaska players will continue using offshore internet casinos.
I’ll discuss those options and games Alaskans can play. And I’ll suggest top sites for people in The Last Frontier.
Best Alaska Online Casinos in 2024
While no online casinos are based in the state, Alaskans aren’t left out in the cold. There are top online sites and sportsbooks people in Alaska can easily access.
Here are some of the best gambling sites they have available:
| RANK | CASINO | BONUS | PAYOUT SPEED | LICENSED | TOTAL GAMES | SLOTS | OUR RATING | CLICK TO PLAY |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
DuckyLuck Casino |
BONUS 500% up to $7,500 | PAYOUT SPEED 1-5 Days | LICENSED Yes | TOTAL GAMES 699 | SLOTS 600 | OUR RATING 4 / 5 | Play Now |
| 2 |
Bovada Casino |
BONUS 125% up to $3,750 | PAYOUT SPEED 1-3 Days | LICENSED Yes | TOTAL GAMES 549 | SLOTS 435 | OUR RATING 4 / 5 | Play Now |
| 3 |
SlotsandCasino |
BONUS 500% up to $7,500 | PAYOUT SPEED 1-2 Days | LICENSED Yes | TOTAL GAMES 691 | SLOTS 594 | OUR RATING 3.9 / 5 | Play Now |
| 4 |
BetUS |
BONUS 150% up to $3,000 | PAYOUT SPEED 1-7 days | LICENSED Yes | TOTAL GAMES 491 | SLOTS 367 | OUR RATING 4.5 / 5 | Play Now |
| 5 |
Cafe Casino |
BONUS 350% up to $2,500 | PAYOUT SPEED 1-3 Days | LICENSED Yes | TOTAL GAMES 547 | SLOTS 384 | OUR RATING 3.5 / 5 | Play Now |
*Last Updated: November, 2024
Top Online Casinos Reviewed – Key Features
Look at these sites Alaskans can use for casino games and sports betting.
The Best Alaska Online Casino for Slots & Other Games
DuckyLuck Casino is a lively site with a quacky mascot and hundreds of slots, table games, video poker, and specialties.
DuckyLuck hosts over 500 slots, displaying them alphabetically, so a favorite title is easy to find. Their table games are the most popular, including various versions of blackjack and roulette.
The games are provided by the most innovative creators in the business, such as Betsoft and Dragon Gaming.
They even host a Live Casino that puts you as close to a real casino setting as you can get online. It brings a professional dealer to your screen from Fresh Deck Studios.
There, you’ll find table games like blackjack and roulette with stakes similar to those in Las Vegas.
Top Features
- Excellent VIP program and lucrative bonuses.
- Nearly 600 slots are available with huge jackpots.
- The site hosts a live dealer section with popular table games.
Top Alaska Gambling Site for Sports Betting
Bovada has become a popular site for US bettors since 2011, so it has been around long enough to establish a solid reputation.
Sports betting is the name of the game at Bovada, and you can bet on all of them, from Aussie Rules Football to Volleyball and everything in between.
All the betting options include moneyline odds, point spreads, totals, futures, and more.
They also have the fast action of live betting, where you can follow a moving line and switch sides throughout a game.
While Bovada is the go-to site for sports wagering, you can make it an overall gambling home; they have a casino with hundreds of titles, a poker room with ring games and tournaments, and a racebook covering thoroughbred tracks worldwide.
Top Features
- Bovada’s sportsbook lists dozens of events.
- All betting types are options at the site.
- Bovada also hosts a casino, poker room, and racebook.
How to Choose the Best Online Casinos
I choose these online casinos for many reasons, but the main one is to ensure you get the best experience possible. Here are some key factors I look for in top online casinos.
Online Casino Reputation
I scour the internet for popular and well-established sites among gamblers.Fast & Reliable Payments
Top gambling sites should deliver your winnings and take your casino deposits promptly and efficiently. I look for sites that accept credit cards, e-wallets, and cryptocurrency.Site Security & Safety
If an online casino is less secure than any financial institution, it’s not worth my time or yours. I look for sites with thorough verification procedures and SSL protocols.Game Variety & Quality
A casino is all about games, so I look for volume and variety to attract players of all types.Quality Bonuses
Online casino bonuses should help players. I like lucrative bonuses with competitive and fair wagering requirements.
Top Online Casino Games in Alaska
Alaska’s restrictive gambling laws should not keep players in the state from having fun. Here are descriptions of the types of real money online games you will find at the casinos I recommend:
Online Slots
You won’t find a Vegas-type slot at any land-based casino in Alaska. You will if you hop online and go to one of my top sites.
Each casino I recommend has hundreds of real money online slots. From the simplest 3-reel, single payline slots to the more intricate 5-wheel, multiple payline spinners, any slots player will find something they like.
The themes are the most popular and wide-ranging, the bonus features are compelling, and the bets range from penny slots to big money spins.
Look for jackpots of various sizes, including those life-changing progressives.
Also, don’t be surprised to find a slot contest at any time.
Online Poker
You can play poker around the house in Alaska. But you won’t run into the testy competition you will have at online poker.
Online casinos have tables of all types open all the time. Texas Hold ’em is the most popular game and most sites also have Omaha, including the head-scratching hi-lo titles, stud tables, and mixed-game deals.
Sit in for a few bucks, play penny blinds, or go big at $25 or $50 tables.
Ring games are open 24/7, and tournaments are up for grabs daily with frequent freerolls. Some poker rooms host the World Series of Poker qualifiers.
Not quite sure of your skills? Offshore online poker rooms let you play for free to get in some practice.
Online Blackjack
Undoubtedly blackjack is a favorite game for gamblers because of its ease of play and good returns with the right strategy.
There are no blackjack tables to be found in Alaska. But players in the state can go to offshore sites and find various real money online blackjack games.
The best online casinos each have numerous versions of blackjack, including multi-hand and single-deck games.
Most online casino blackjack tables reshuffle after each deal, so I don’t suggest card counting.
But if you keep a blackjack strategy chart handy, you can expect the same high returns as at any Vegas-type casino. The deals are based on random number generators that the game makers rate.
Live Dealer Games
Alaskans must board a cruise ship or travel a long way to reach a real casino with table games.
With an online gambling site, however, anyone can get the feel of an actual casino floor without leaving home. That atmosphere is provided through the magic of live dealer online casinos.
Go to one of the live casino sections and click on a blackjack, roulette, baccarat, or other card table.
You will then be streamed to a “studio table” with a friendly dealer and other participants to interact with. The tables offer high stakes, and the screen displays make the games easy to play.
You can even tip the dealer before leaving with your winnings.
Other Online Casino Games
Online casinos go beyond the usual casino games at land-based operations. Here are examples of off-the-floor games you can play:
Alaska Online Casino Bonuses
Online casinos have some of the best promotions and offers in the gambling industry. Here are some of the most common bonus types you’ll find.
Welcome Bonuses
Large introductory offers that nearly every online gambling site provides to new players.
Free Spin Offers
Promotional deals that give you a set number of free rounds on specific games.
Reload Deals
Get additional bonus cash when you deposit additional funds or top off your account.
Our Favorite Bonuses
Bonuses make online casinos unique. They are usually deposit-match offers with wagering requirements that compel players to stick around and enjoy the games for a while.
Below are examples of great bonuses you will find at online casinos.
500% up to $7,500 + 150 free spins Bonus
DuckyLuck Casino has a splashy bonus awaiting you when you join their lively site.
It’s a three-deposit 500% match bonus that can add up to $7,500 in bonus money.
It comes with a rollover requirement of 30 times the deposit plus the bonus.
That’s more than fair compared with the industry standards.
The welcome bonus provides an additional 150 free spins on featured slot games.
125% up to $3,750 Crypto Welcome Bonus
If you want to play the Bovada Casino, you can get a crypto bonus of up to $3,750 over three deposits.
Your first deposit has a 25x rollover, while the other two have a 50x playthrough requirement.
Use the bonus code BTCCWB1250 on your first deposit and BTC2NDCWB on the second and third to claim this offer.
Bovada also offers a sports bonus worth up to $750 in cryptocurrency that comes with a 5X rollover requirement.
Casino Apps
You don’t have to download an app to play casino games on your phone.
Today’s HTML5 technology allows you to use the browser of your iPhone, Android, or e-tablet to access most mobile casinos and games easily.
Connections and devices vary so much that I suggest first playing using your browser.
Just access the site and play to see how easy it is.
Legal Gambling Facts for AK Players
Here are some facts about AK online casinos that you need to consider before playing on a gambling site.
- Top offshore online casinos are available to Alaska gamblers.
- Offshore sites are regulated in foreign jurisdictions but are designed for US players.
- The best online casinos offer games you cannot find in land-based Alaska gambling houses.
- Cryptocurrency is a payment option at most online casinos.
- Research is the best tool when shopping for an online casino.
Alaska Gambling Laws Summary
Alaska is different. It’s not too permissive in its legal approach to gambling.
Conventional casinos are forbidden. However, the Alaska law is more open to other forms of gambling.
Many forms of charitable gaming can benefit municipal functions and conventional charities. Activities such as bingo and pull tabs can be played in many ways, including with slots-like machines.
You can’t find a horse or dog track to bet on, but there is a legal way to wager on dog-sled races and other culturally associated events.
| Alaska Gambling | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Land-based casinos in Alaska | The state has no casinos with conventional slots and table games. Many operations with Class II electronic bingo and pull-tab games are called casinos in Alaska. You must be age 19 or older to play. |
| Online Gambling | Online gambling sites are against the law inside Alaska, but online players can access offshore sites that are regulated in foreign countries. |
| Sports Betting | Sports betting is illegal within the state’s borders, but a bill allowing online sports betting was under consideration in 2023. |
| State Lottery | Alaska does not sponsor a state lottery. |
| Charitable Gambling | The state has many forms of charitable gambling, including customary bingo, electronic bingo, pull-tabs, raffles, and other wagering contests. |
| Poker | Poker rooms are forbidden by Alaska law. However, private poker games and tournaments can occur as long as no host or organizer profits. |
| Horse & Dog Racing | There is no pari-mutuel betting on horse racing in the state. But Alaskans can legally bet on some dog-sledding contests. |
| Fantasy Sports | Daily fantasy sports are legal in Alaska. Many online sites serve the state. |
| Social Gambling | Alaska law allows for private games in which no organizer profits. |
| Taxes on Gambling Winnings | Alaska has no income tax, so gambling winnings are not taxed. Federal taxes would apply to bingo, raffle, or contest winnings of over $600. |
Disclaimer: The information on this page does not, nor does it intend to, constitute legal advice. This page is for learning purposes and may not have the most up-to-date information year-round. Readers should contact their attorney and/or accountant for advice concerning any particular legal matter. Do not take any action without first contacting a lawyer in your state.
Gambling Laws: A Deep Dive
Alaska law forbids most types of gambling. State statutes contain detailed provisions on what forms of wagering are permitted and how they are regulated.
The state Department of Revenue has broad oversight over regulating these types of betting. However, local governments determine the games allowed and issue licenses and permits.
The contests Alaskans can wager on come under the category of charitable gaming, but they are wide-ranging.
Bingo is permitted in many forms, but people in Alaska can also take a chance on things such as the biggest cabbage at the State Fair or the coldest temperature at Delta Junction – all uniquely Alaskan.
Land-Based Casinos
Alaska has no conventional casinos with slots and table games. But the law allows for Class II gambling houses, which are operations with slots-type bingo and pull-tab games.
Three of these businesses are operated by Native American tribes under provisions of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.
Pull-tab operations that call themselves casinos or gambling houses are regulated by state and local authorities and are considered charitable gaming operations.
Horse & Dog Tracks
Customary pari-mutuel betting on horse and dog racing is against the law in Alaska. But Alaskans can wager on some sled-dog races, including the world-famous Iditarod.
Bingo, Lottery and Charitable Gambling
Charitable gaming is pretty much the extent of gambling in Alaska. But it covers as much ground as the state itself.
Bingo is popular in the state, and as many as 15 towns and cities host bingo halls. You can play bingo in many ways, too.
There are traditional paper bingo parlors with door and individual prizes. But there are also electronic bingo machines that look much like slot machines but are networked to a main game for a jackpot.
Then, pull tabs can be purchased and reveal numbers for winners.
Charities and local governments may sponsor bingo games and raffles, offering prizes totaling up to $2 million a year.
Alaskans can bet or buy chances on dozens of other contests and games. Here are some:
- Big Bull Moose Derby
- Cabbage Classic
- Canned Salmon Classic
- Crane Classic
- Deep Freeze Classic
- Snow Machine Classic
All of these – and more – are actual contests defined by law in which folks in Alaska can put down money to guess the biggest, best, highest, or lowest of just about anything the state is known for.
All come under the heading of Charitable Gaming, and the proceeds benefit charities and communities.
So, why would a state with so many prize-winning contests have a state-sponsored lottery? Alaska doesn’t.
Social Gaming at Home
The laws against gambling in Alaska provide an exemption involving social games.
That means people in the state can engage in private games by law as long as no one host or organizer is guaranteed to profit.
Poker Rooms and Clubs
There are no legal live poker rooms in Alaska. However, free poker tournaments are held in private settings where no rake is collected.
The legal exemption for social gaming applies.
Sports Betting
Sports betting is not allowed in Alaska, though the state legislature has a proposed bill to allow mobile sports betting.
The bill had not reached a floor vote by 2024, and until the law is passed, Alaskans turn to offshore sportsbooks to wager on various events.
Casinos in Alaska
The state has no casinos. Alaska only operates with Class II games, which include electronic bingo and pull-tab machines.
The closest Alaskans get to a conventional casino is through the seasonal cruise liners that frequent the state’s Inside Passage.
Top Gambling Houses
- MIC Gaming Hall
- Jack’s Ripples
- Aurora Pull Tabs
Summary
- Total Gambling Houses: 3
- Total Bingo Halls: 10
Alaska Gambling vs. Closest Neighboring States
The Last Frontier has no US states on its borders, but here is how it compares to states in the northwestern part of the Lower 48 regarding legal gambling.
| State | Is some form of Gambling Legal? | Legal Gambling Age | Legal Land-Based Casinos | Playing at Online Casinos | Legal Sports Betting | Legal State Lottery | Charitable Gaming |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | Yes | 19 | Class II | Offshore Only | Offshore only | No | Legal |
| Washington | Yes | 18 | Yes | Not Legal | Yes | Yes | Legal |
| Oregon | Yes | 18 – 21 | Yes | Grey Area | Yes | Yes | Legal |
| Idaho | Yes | 18 | Yes | Grey Area | Not Legal | Yes | Legal |
| Montana | Yes | 18 | Yes | Grey Area | Yes | Yes | Legal |
Alaska’s closest out-of-state gambling outlets are in the bordering Canadian provinces of Yukon Territory and British Columbia.
Both provinces have land-based casinos, the closest being in Dawson City, Yukon, near the Alaska border.
BC has legal online gambling, but it is generally not an attraction for Alaskans traveling to Canada.
A Brief History of Alaska Gambling
It makes sense that Alaska has been resistant to gambling through the years. The state coffers have earned steady revenue from oil and mining.
Strangely enough, mining triggered gambling in The Last Frontier. The gold rush of the late 19th century brought thousands of prospectors to the Yukon River area and Nome.
With the migration and money came saloons that offered some games. Legendary lawman Wyatt Earp opened a gambling house in Nome in 1899.
But the gambling craze faded with the decline in mining. Though gambling occurred for years, it wasn’t until after Alaska became a US state that lawmakers began to get a handle on betting.
In 1960, the new state legislature legalized certain forms of charitable gaming, adding pull-tabs to the list in 1984.
In 1996, lawmakers authorized wagering on contests such as the Sled Dog Race Classic.
Meanwhile, efforts to open up gambling were struck down by voters in 2008.
A proposal in 2020 to allow a lottery gained no traction, while a sports betting bill sits in the legislature without action.
Responsible Gambling Initiatives
Alaska forbids most types of gambling and, therefore, does not fund state agencies or organizations to address addiction.
To know more about the topic, visit our responsible gambling page.
Summary: Alaska’s Gambling Journey
Alaska is less tolerant of gambling than many states in the US because it has long been dependent on oil and mining as forms of extra revenue.
But mining has waned over the years, and it is safe to say that oil, due to the increasing awareness of climate change, will not be a chief revenue enhancer in years to come.
Some Alaska politicians recognize this and have tried to open the doors to more gambling options, such as online sports betting. They have an agreement, at least in some quarters.
It may take a while, but I believe more Alaskans will realize that more gambling options will serve as a solution rather than a problem.
Accepting online casinos within the state will likely be the last step in that long process. Meanwhile, trusted offshore online sites will serve Alaskans as they have for years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are questions and answers about some elements of gambling in Alaska.
How do tribal casinos differ from commercial casinos in Alaska?
Tribal casinos in the state host Class II games and are regulated federally under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. State and local regulations control all other gambling houses in Alaska.
Are there real money online casinos in Alaska with no deposit bonuses?
Real money online casinos generally require a deposit to match a bonus. However, gambling sites occasionally have special promotions that offer free spins, chips, or cash that don’t require deposits.
Is there any risk of playing at online casinos regulated outside of Alaska?
There is little risk of playing at online casinos regulated outside of Alaska. But you should closely investigate any site for its reputation and reliability.
