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Technically the northernmost, westernmost, and easternmost state in the United States, Alaska takes up as much space as California, Texas and Montana combined. That said, most of that land is uninhabited, which is one of the biggest reasons there hasn’t been much of a concerted effort to legalize sports betting in the state.
The last big attempt to legalize sports betting in Alaska came in 2022 when Rep. Adam Wool introduced HB 385, which would have authorized sports betting in the state. However, the bill is still sitting in front of the state’s House Labor and Commerce Committee.
With all that in mind, it seems like sports betting won’t be legal in the state until 2025 at the earliest.
Alaska Sports Betting Sites
Sports betting isn’t legal in Alaska, so the state doesn’t have any legal sports betting sites.
That said, DFS (daily fantasy sports) is legal in the state due to verbiage in the 2006 Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act that classified it as a game of chance.
The state also has legal bingo and allows for betting on dogsled and Iditarod races as long as the proceeds benefit a charitable organization and follow the state’s regulations.
The wagers available for dogsled races are:
- Correctly guessing the racing time of a dog team or the team’s finishing position
- The closest guesses on “at least three elements of uncertainty about a dog sled race that cannot be determined” prior to the start of the race
Bettors can also make a $10 entry on a “trifecta” of guesses (essentially a parlay) on the following results:
- The winning musher
- The winning musher’s time
- How many dogs the winning musher brings across the finish line
The closest state with legal sports betting is Washington, which is more than 2,400 miles away — roughly the same distance between New York City and Las Vegas. Accordingly, legal sports betting isn’t easily accessible for Alaskans.
Legal Sports Betting Age
While most states require bettors to be 21 years or older to wager or gamble, you only need to be 18 years old to play daily fantasy sports in Alaska.
The state doesn’t have any casinos with slot machines or table games, which are usually a good reference point for what the legal sports betting age will be.
Professional Sports Teams in Alaska
Alaska doesn’t have any professional sports teams, so the state’s fandom is spread across multiple teams.
That said, many Alaskans support teams located in the Pacific Northwest (Seattle Seahawks, Seattle Mariners, Portland Trail Blazers and Seattle Kraken) or western Canada (Vancouver Canucks), since those are the closest sports markets.
College Teams in Alaska
Alaska doesn’t have any Division I colleges. However, there are two Division II programs, both of which compete as Division I Independents in ice hockey.
The Division II athletic program of the University of Alaska Fairbanks, the Nanooks compete in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference and sponsor 10 sports teams. Their men’s ice hockey team nearly folded in 2020 due to COVID-19 budget constraints, but the team returned to the ice in 2021 as a Division I Independent.
- Alaska Anchorage Seawolves
The Division II athletic program of the University of Alaska Anchorage, the Seawolves also compete in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference and sponsor 13 varsity athletic programs. Their men’s ice hockey team has made three NCAA Tournament appearances and has produced nine NHL players.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I use a sports betting app in Alaska?
No, you can’t use a sports betting app in Alaska since sports betting isn’t legal in the state.
Is DraftKings legal in Alaska?
No, DraftKings isn’t legal in Alaska. Sports betting isn’t legal in the state.
Is FanDuel legal in Alaska?
No, FanDuel isn’t legal in Alaska. The state doesn’t have legal sports betting.
How old do I have to be to gamble in Alaska?
You must be at least 18 to play DFS in Alaska.
How many online sportsbooks are in Alaska?
There are no online sportsbooks in Alaska, as sports betting isn’t legal in the state.
When might Alaska legalize online sports betting?
Alaska could legalize sports betting in 2025, though it’s not guaranteed. While there’s a state bill to legalize sports betting sitting in front of the House Labor and Commerce Committee, there doesn’t appear to be a huge rush to address it.
