Find the Best Legal Alaska Sports Betting Sites: Safe Bookies

As an anti-gambling state, it makes sense why there would still be no legal Alaska sports betting. However, as a wave of legalization sweeps the nation, it appears that even Alaskan lawmakers are beginning to see the benefits of a legal betting market. For now, locals may be tempted to use illegal offshore bookmakers, but there are plenty of reasons to not use these.

Because we can’t recommend any legal websites that players in AK can access, we’ve instead created this guide to discuss the current laws around gambling in the state. We’ve also offered a number of other betting options, and provided our thoughts on what the future of Alaska sports betting could entail.

What Betting Options are Legal for Alaska Residents

Although it would be great to have an Alaska legal online sportsbook or full-scale casino games to recommend, this is unfortunately not possible for the state right now. Currently, the only betting available for Alaskans is daily fantasy sports and bingo at the few tribal gaming facilities across the state.

Is Daily Fantasy Legal in Alaska?

The only form of legal Alaska online gambling comes in the form of daily fantasy sports (DFS). This is an extremely popular type of game that asks bettors to draft a fantasy lineup of players from the different teams of a major sports league. Points are scored based on the real-life performance of players.

Two of the most reputable sports betting sites include DraftKings and FanDuel, and thankfully, both of them offer their DFS games to players in Alaska. Bettors can draft teams from all major sports leagues, including basketball, football, baseball, ice hockey and soccer. For the time being, DFS is a great alternative for sports betting.

Are there Legal Offshore Sites for Alaska Players

In states where there are no legal websites that offer trusted sportsbooks, residents are often lured into signing up for offshore betting sites. In many cases, players aren’t technically breaking the law and won’t be punished, as most states don’t have legislation that explicitly forbids these activities.

However, this is not to say that they are legal too. Websites such as MyBookie and BetOnline operate without a license, so they have not been approved to guarantee fairness and safety. As they accept players from many illegal markets, this tells us that they are not trustworthy. Instead, its best to wait for an AK legal online sportsbook.

Casinos

Alaska is home to a number of tribal gaming facilities that offer players very limited forms of gambling. These facilities are not technically casinos, and they only offer Class II Gaming which includes bingo and pull-tab cards. For players who want to enjoy more gambling options, it’s best to visit a state where these are legal.

Nearby States with Legal Sports Betting

With there being very limited gambling, sports betting or legal online sports betting in AK, we would recommend that players want more options to travel to a nearby state to bet. Of course, we understand that Alaska doesn’t have any neighbor states, but this doesn’t mean a gambling holiday isn’t possible.

Below, we’ve listed three states that offer the most comprehensive gambling options available. If you’re going to travel, why not go big?

• Nevada
• New Jersey
• Colorado

What would Legal Online Sports Betting Alaska Look Like

In the case that Alaska legalizes sports betting, we would hope to see that players are able to place bets remotely. It’s important to offer legal online sports betting Alaska as the state’s population is particularly sparse, so many people won’t be able to enjoy these games in the case that they are forced to go to a betting parlor to place a bet.

A legal sports betting market would also ensure that players are kept safe due to the fact bookmakers will need licensing approval to operate in Alaska. To earn a license, bookies will need to prove their commitment to offering fair payouts, reducing problem gambling in its customers and verifying players’ ages.

What are the Alaska Gambling Laws

Alaska gambling laws and conservative attitude toward gambling stretches back all the way to its conception. With a population of only one million, there has never been much of a demand for legal gambling in the state. The small size of the population, its sparsity, and the relatively small tourism industry has also made the state not especially important for gambling lobbyists.

Alaska is one of few states that offer no legal state lottery, despite these lotteries bringing millions of dollars a year to fund state coffers. Punishments for breaking anti-gambling laws are also quite severe, which goes to show how much politicians have been committed to blocking gaming in the state.

In order for players to bet at the tribal gaming establishments or to sign up to a daily fantasy sports operator, they must be over the age of 19 years old. These laws are particularly strict, so we would never suggest that underage players attempt to bypass these requirements. It’s likely that Alaskans are used to the lack of gambling opportunities, but recent political moves signal that they may have something to look forward to in the future…

What is the Future of Sports Betting in Alaska?

Recently, a bill was introduced to Alaska’s House of Representatives that seeks to legalize sports betting. In order to establish this industry, the bill would create a state lottery that would overlook how sports betting operates. The addition of a state lottery would also mean residents could take part in major national lotteries like the Powerball and Mega Millions.

There is still no certainty as to whether or not lawmakers and residents will accept the legislation. However, the state’s governor has come out in support of the bill, which would mean that if it cleared the necessary legislative hurdles, the laws would be signed in with ease. It may take years for representatives to agree to the terms of the bill, but we’re watching closely to see if Alaska becomes the next legal sport betting state.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you still have questions about sports betting in Alaska or the gambling laws in general? Below, we’ve answered a number of frequently asked questions about gambling in the state. It’s always best to be informed about the laws before you gamble, so we’re here to help you understand all that’s worth knowing.