Alaska Gambling Laws: A Comprehensive Guide
Alaska is one of the most unique American states simply owing to the fact that it only shares a land border with Canada and is not connected to the United States by land. Since it was purchased from Russia on 30th March 1867, Alaska has been in a perpetual state of catch-up to its mainland counterpart due to its remote location and unique climatic conditions. But how does it look on the Alaska gambling laws front?
Alaska Gambling Laws Summarized
Our team of researchers set out to create a comprehensive guide on everything there is to know about the gambling laws in Alaska. This article has been written to help you understand the legalities of gambling in Alaska and the different forms of games that are offered to residents of the largest state in the USA. From its history to understanding what you are allowed to play in the state, we cover all of the most important and vital details. Stay with us until the end and find everything you need to know.
History of Gambling Laws in Alaska
In 1960, the legislature legalized certain forms of gambling for the first time, and the Department of Revenue was given complete control over all gambling activities in Alaska. However, only Bingo was allowed by state law. In 1984, the Department legalized pull-tab games.
In 1993, the HB 168 law was passed and brought a large set of reforms to existing AK gambling laws. The state now took regulatory control of third-party vendors, facilitating the sale of pull-tabs directly to customers through contracts with the government. This ruling also increased the minimum payments to 30% – from 15% – of adjusted income for pull-tab games, with a minimum requirement of 10$ adjusted gross income for all other regulated gambling activities.
In 1995, the state legislature legalized cruise ship gambling in Alaska waters. For the first time, cruise ships were required to pay a fee to the government to offer games. This rule generated more than $500,000 in revenue during the first year of implementation. Unfortunately, the law expired at the end of the 1995 legislative session and was never revived.
Overview of Alaska Gambling Laws
Local gambling regulations in Alaska are outdated and have not been updated to include online gambling in its purview. However, the general definition is so broad that it can be interpreted in a way that will allow it to be applied to online games.
According to Alaskan law, gambling is defined as “staking or risking something of value upon the outcome of a contest of chance or future contingent not under oneās contingent or influence, upon an agreement or understanding that a person will receive something of value in the event of a certain outcome.” However, this law does not apply to social and home gambling.
Alaska Online Gambling Laws
Unlike land gambling, online gambling is not addressed by the Alaska Statutes and Codes. Essentially, the relevant regulations simply have not been revised since the emergence of online gambling as a global phenomenon. However, local businesses in Alaska cannot legally own and operate an online gambling business. The attorney general of Alaska had once pointed out that any games involving real money could theoretically be prosecuted under the existing regulations.
On the bright side, not a single resident or native of Alaska has been prosecuted, fined, or jailed for gambling. So far, in a state preoccupied with nature, wildlife, and large gas reserves, the issue of online gambling receives little to no attention from lawmakers. We’ll let you know in case of any updates on the Alaska online gambling laws. For the time being, you can check our selection of the best online casinos in the USA.
Alaska Casino Laws
Alaska is one of the few states in the USA where casino-style games are completely banned. Even the large native population of Alaska, whose numbers exceed more than 15% of the total residents of the state, are prohibited from owning and operating casinos of any sort. The only legal form of gambling is pull-tab games, even though a very limited number of venues offer these games to their patrons.
There are no regulations specifically pertaining to online games, and local businesses are prohibited from operating the online casino format. According to state law, it is also illegal to bet on out-of-state platforms, but operators freely welcome Alaska’s residents. According to them, there are no explicit regulations preventing residents from playing on their sites. While this might be true, thereās still nothing concrete to suggest that the stateās laws on gambling should not apply to internet games. Still, the minimum gambling age in Alaska is 18 years.
Poker Laws in Alaska
According to gambling laws in Alaska, betting on games of skill is allowed. However, the laws have defined poker as a game of chance, and therefore, it is only legal as a social, in-home game. Online poker shares the same status as casino games. A wide range of offshore poker platforms accept Alaska-based players.
From the perspective of these operators, nothing in the AK gambling laws states that gambling activities cannot be conducted online. Thanks to the state’s laws and regulations being left open to interpretation, players are advised to use caution and discretion should they choose to gamble online in Alaska.
Alaska Sports Betting Laws
One of the most important Alaskan traditions, Dog Mushing, is the only activity in which sports betting is allowed in the state. Betting on any other form of sport in Alaska is considered illegal, despite the striking down of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act in May 2018.
It is important to note that the same nuances that apply to online gambling also apply to online sports betting. To summarize, placing bets over the internet is likely to constitute a violation of the Alaska Code sec. 11.66.200.
Daily Fantasy Sports in Alaska
Alaskan lawmakers have considered Daily Fantasy Sports contests as games of skill and not luck and, therefore, have not targeted them and explicitly stated that they are illegal like they have for poker. Fortunately, this means that participating in Daily Fantasy Sports contests on online platforms is perfectly legal according to Alaska gambling laws under the state’s definitions of games of skill.
Additionally, itās safe to assume that any sort of regulation isnāt likely to be introduced anytime soon since Alaskan laws havenāt even addressed online gambling yet. This is probably a good thing, as any legislation is likely prohibitive, considering the stateās stance on all gambling-related matters.
Frequently Asked Questions on AK Gambling Laws
This is the end of our article about the gambling laws in Alaska. Now that you understand the legalities of gambling in the state, letās answer some top questions surrounding gambling in the Last Frontier. Check out the short FAQ section below:
1ļøā£ Is it legal to gamble in Alaska?
The state is highly prohibitive and does not allow any forms of games that involve money, except for wagers on Dog Mushing. According to Alaska gambling laws, horse racing and dog racing tracks in the state are also illegal. However, residents of Alaska can enjoy a game of bingo in one of the stateās regulated Bingo halls.
2ļøā£ Is online gambling legal in Alaska?
No, online gambling is considered illegal in Alaska. However, the stateās current gambling laws have made no mention of online gambling, and to date, no one has been prosecuted for betting online in the state. Online gambling in Alaska looks set to remain a gray area in the foreseeable future.
3ļøā£ Where can Alaska gamblers place bets?
The regulations in the state allow for games to be held socially or at home or other forms of private property. Since way back in the history of Alaska gambling laws, there has been a prohibitive stance towards gambling. The only way to get the full casino experience in Alaska is to gamble online with an established offshore operator.
4ļøā£ What are the Alaska online gambling laws?
As per our Alaskan gambling laws overview, gambling is covered by the Alaska Statutes and codes 11.16.110, through Section 11.16.270. Remember: none of these regulations specifically address online gambling, and local authorities could be free to argue that existing Alaska laws apply to online play. No players have been prosecuted for betting online.
5ļøā£ Can I play poker in Alaska?
According to gambling laws in Alaska, skill-based games are allowed. Poker, however, has been categorized as a game of chance. Therefore, playing poker in Alaska is illegal. This applies to real money games. Playing at a social event or your home is allowed.