Alaska gets forgotten a lot. Probably due to being far away from the rest of the United States, but also for being vasts lands of nothingness â besides great nature, that is. Itâs also been forgotten in the context of sports betting. Is it allowed? Is it not?
Keep reading and weâll provide answers. Youâre about to find out everything you ever wanted to know about Alaskaâs sports betting scene in one tiny guide. There is a lot to cover so letâs get right into it.
Quick Alaska Facts
State | Alaska |
---|---|
âïž Sports Betting Laws | âNot Available |
đ« Population | 700'000 |
đ¶ Minimum Gambling Age | N/A |
đïž Retail Sports Betting | âNot Available |
đ Online Sports Betting | âNot Available |
đ± Mobile Sports Betting | âNot Available |
đ Online Horse Betting | âNot Available |
đ DFS | â Available |
Is Sports Betting Legal In Alaska?
No, sports betting is NOT legal in Alaska. Matter of fact, gambling as a whole is illegal in Alaska. The state is one of the strictest against any form of betting sctually. Not only that, but thereâs little hope things change.
There have been a few bills passed around to legalize sports betting â but they went nowhere. Furthermore, because the state is so small population-wise, the major sportsbooks arenât really lobbying in Alaska to change sentiment over gambling. Ironically, the state is being forgotten here too.
This leaves Alaskans with one option: go offshore. These offshore sites work perfectly fine in the state because they operate in foreign countries and by foreign regulations. Plus, offshore sites are arguably better playing experiences for bettors OVER commercial operators. Allow us to explain why that is the rest of this article:
Latest Alaska Betting News
Latest Alaska Legal Betting Updates
Nov 19, 2024 10:16 AM
Sports betting, including mobile sports betting, remains illegal, with ongoing discussions and legislative proposals highlighting the state's cautious approach to potentially regulating and legalizing these activities in the future.
Alaska Sports Betting Timeline
Alaska's sports betting timeline is short and sweet because, well, nothing of note has really happened over the years:
Best Sportsbooks In Each Category in Alaska
Best overall | |
---|---|
Best bonuses | |
Most unique bonuses | BetNow |
Top VIP program | MyBookie |
Best reputation | Bovada |
Best sportsbook | BetOnline |
Best casino | Everygame |
Best mobile app | XBet |
Best for live betting | Everygame |
Best for new players | Bovada |
Best up-and-coming sportsbook | XBet |
Top 7 Alaska Sports Betting Sites
The amount of offshore betting sites that exist is as vast as Alaskaâs own land. They are indeed everywhere, which can be overwhelming when trying to pick one. Thatâs why weâve gone ahead and honed in on the best bookies worth scoping out first. Hereâs our short list:
- BetUS - Extensive range of betting bonuses that pay big time.
- XBet - Really top-notch mobile betting app.
- BetOnline -Â Competitive odds and early line releases.
- Bovada - User-friendly interface and reliable mobile betting experience.
- BetNow -Â Generous welcome bonuses and ongoing promotions for regular players.
- Everygame -Â Long-standing reputation and multi-language support for international bettors.
- MyBookie - Innovative rewards program for long-term betting.
#1 BetUS
#2 XBet
#3 BetOnline
#4 Bovada
#5 BetNow
#6 Everygame
#7 MyBookie
Where Are Sportsbooks Like Fanduel, DraftKings, Caesars?
None of these big-name operators are legally allowed to operate in the state â not as sportsbooks at least (DraftKings and FanDuelâs DFS sites work fine in Alaska). This will remain the case until the state passes legalization for sports betting, which is not very likely. So donât hold your breath of ever seeing these platforms in the state. Ever!
This is why weâre all-in on offshore betting sites. They work right now, and we anticipate them being the only way for Alaskans to bet for the foreseeable future. Of course, not all offshore betting sites are created equal. Thatâs why you should start with the seven sites we listed above.
Latest Sports News
Betting Apps In Alaska
We have an in-depth guide to betting apps you ought to read. Itâs just like this page, but laser-focused on mobile-betting. These days, you shouldnât settle for anything less than a platform that delivers a killer on-the-go experience. Itâs seriously a non-negotiable and that guide will get you going in the right direction.
Start Betting In Alaska Today â Our Guides
We want you to be the best bettor possible â a bettor that actually makes a profit from this (or at least doesnât lose their but off). That requires a little extra studying though. Studying the intricacies of betting. In that regard, start with the intricacies below. Master these and youâll be well on your way to becoming a successful bettor:
- Top Betting Tips â want to make money wagering? Read this!
- Best Sports Betting Strategies â the above article is a college 101 class to this one, which take your betting to the next level!
- How Do Odds Work â self-explanatory here, learn everything there is to know about understanding betting odds.
- Types of Sports Bets â a complete primer to the various types of sports betting forms.
- Betting Odds Calculator â calculate how much money a bet or parlay pays out
Payment Methods Available For Alaska Sportsbooks
Offshore sportsbooks have designed their payment process â both cash-in and cash-out â to be as frictionless as possible. This starts by accepting a wide array of payment methods like the following:
- VISA â the co-most popular card accepted on betting sites.
- Mastercard â the other co-most popular card across the betting landscape.
- Bitcoin â the payment method that'll earn you the most free play.
- Bank wire â the tried-and-true payment method.
Notice how crypto is an option above? Hereâs another thing thatâs strictly available to offshore betting sites. Even in states that legalized betting, the use of crypto is barred across the board. Bummer because crypto is cheap and fast, which makes it a suited option for offshore platforms.
Alaska Casinos
There are no legal casinos in Alaska. That's why we strongly recommend you to use an online sportsbook or online casino. It's going to be the ONLY way to play blackjack, roulette, slots, or any of the other common casino games you're used to.
History Of Alaska Legalization Efforts
We track the progress of sports betting in all state, but as mentioned before, there's not much to track in Alaska. Here's a small snippet of what's transpired up to now:
Major National Changes In 2018
In 2018, the Supreme Court reverses Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PAPSA)Â â thus ending Nevada's monopoly on sports betting, Gambling on sports is now federally legal and it's on states to act for themselves. Welp, Alaska does not act and betting remains banned.
Fast-Forward to 2020 and Hope for Change
There have been a few attempts to bring casinos to the Frontier state, the first being in 1987 and the last in 2008 which was easily written off with a heavy decline by all government officials. For now, we can assume that thereâs no effort being made to bring sports betting to Alaska, unless oil tanks (which it has in March 2020 due to COVID-19) and Alaska will be looking for other streams of revenue for the state.
Alaskan residents can visit other states, but itâs not a quick trip across state lines as theyâre fairly isolated in the Northern tips of North America. The best option for Alaskan bettors is to sign up at an offshore online sportsbook such as Bovada and place their wagers on the internet.
Betting On Alaska Sports Teams
Admittedly, there are almost zero options here. That's because Alaska has no pro sports teams â and no one even nearby (Seattle is the cloest unless you want to count Canadian pro teams). They also don't have a Division I collegiate program. This means the sports culture in Alaska is pretty tame.
We suppose there are some minor-league level teams in the state. Bets can be had on the Alaska Aces (hockey), Anchorage Bucs (baseball), or Anchorage Glacier Pilots (baseball), but that's really it. Alaskans prefer to do their own winter sports than support any one team.
Other Types Of Betting In Alaska
Donât look hard for legal betting options because thereâs almost none in Alaska. Given the stateâs population of Native Americans (itâs pretty high), youâd think there would at least be tribal casinos. Nope â not even that.
Lottery is also a no-go. In fact, Alaska is also one of five states in the US without a state-run lottery.
Bettors looking for some kind of action can fall back on bingo halls. Yes, bingo halls. There are three (located in tribal land) that offer bingo and video marines.
One other option: daily fantasy sports (DFS). You can enter contests and tournaments in Alaska at the top platforms â DraftKings, FanDuel, PrizePicks, among others.
Sports Betting Rules In Each State
We have state-by-state guides to betting across the country, not just Alaska. Here is our directory of 'em in case you need to brush up on other states:
Responsible Gaming In Alaska
While weâve spent this whole article endorsing gambling, we want to close out with one important warning: keep betting fun. There obviously is a dark side to gambling where itâs not fun and it just presents issues â financial loss, stress, depression, or all the above. This typically happens when a bettor loses control over the habit.
Here are some potential signs that gambling is getting out of control:
- Chasing Losses: Continuously betting more money in an attempt to win back what youâve lost is a major red flag.
- Betting Beyond Your Means: Spending more on gambling than you can afford, or using money meant for essential expenses like rent or bills, is a clear sign of trouble.
- Increased Time Spent Gambling: If you find yourself spending more and more time gambling, to the detriment of other activities or responsibilities, it might be time to reassess.
- Neglecting Responsibilities: If gambling is interfering with your work, relationships, or daily life, itâs important to take a step back.
The above list isnât all-comprehensive by any means but they are the biggest signs we see of problem gambling. If youâre ever displaying even one, it might be worth either stepping back or reaching out for additional support. If you decide on the latter, here are some resources to help:
Gamble Aware (https://www.gambleaware.org/)
A non-profit organization providing resources and support for individuals struggling with gambling addiction.
International Center for Responsible Gaming (https://www.icrg.org/)
The International Center for Responsible Gaming (CRG) is a research institution dedicated to promoting safe gambling practices and addressing gambling-related issues.
24/7 Gambling Support Line (https://www.ncpgambling.org/help-treatment/about-the-national-problem-gambling-helpline/)
A round-the-clock helpline offering immediate assistance and guidance for those experiencing gambling-related problems.
Alaska-specific resources:
Alaska 2-1-1 Helpline (https://www.alaska211.org)
A 24/7 helpline offering referrals and information on local treatment programs and support groups for problem gambling in Alaska.
Alaska Department of Health and Social Services â Gambling Addiction Resources (http://dhss.alaska.gov)
Provides access to various resources for gambling addiction, including counseling and support services for individuals and families in Alaska.
Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority (https://alaskamentalhealthtrust.org)
Offers funding and resources for mental health services in Alaska, including those related to gambling addiction.