US Alaska Online Casinos

Alaska has a little bit more of a blanket restriction than other states in that they define, "Unlawful Gambling," as, "Any gambling not specifically allowed by law." What that means is that Alaska effectively does not decide what forms of gambling are illegal, they decide what forms are legal, and anything that doesn't fall under what they authorize is automatically illegal. 

Players should know Alaska is highly unlikely to prosecute someone for gambling as a mere player in the first place, and the first instance of, “Unlawful Gambling,” is actually known in the state as a “Violation,” and carries with it no other legal consequences. In other words, even if someone did get caught gambling online, simply means don’t do it anymore and no consequences would follow.

Much like with other states, actual enforcement mechanisms are more meant for those individuals or businesses who would conduct unlawful gambling, including online, as operators within the state. This is true of any state in the country with the exception of those who have specifically allowed for online gambling by way of the commercial casinos located in the said state.

For these reasons, the majority of online casinos are willing to operate and offer their services to players hailing from Alaska. Follow our lead to discover more about your options as a player.

Is Online Gambling Legal in Alaska?

As introduced, Alaska is moderately restrictive when it comes to gambling online. Even though the country has introduced proper definitions of what's allowed and what's not, and even has proscribed theoretical penalties for those caught gambling online, first-time players do not get penalized but rather warned not to do it again. First-time players don’t get fined, since they've only done a violation of the said rule, and are advised never to do it again before they face meaningful penalties.

In theory, the Federal Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act applies mostly in Alaska. The state defined unlawful gambling as “Gambling not specifically allowed by law” and since basically no vertical has been legalized or regulated, all forms of online gambling are considered illegal. It’s just that players are not immediately fined, but the first time they engage in unlawful online gambling, they get off with a warning. The second time they are caught gambling online, however, they will get a Class B Misdemeanor fine of up to $2,000 or end up in jail for 90days. We wanted to dig deeper into this matter and found no evidence of any mere player getting prosecuted or fined for gambling online.

Operators, on the other hand, those that engage in “Promotion Gambling” for the purpose of profiting from it, do get prosecuted and punished. They get charged with a Class B Felony or Class A Misdemeanor, depending on the amount of money involved. "Possession of a gambling record" is also punishable by law for operators.

To conclude, no online gambling vertical is legal in Alaska. Not even sports betting is available in Alaska, but there are some land-based forms of gambling that are permitted. Continue reading to find out more about them.

Land-Based and Tribal Casinos in Alaska

Casinos on cruise ships, once the ship set sail and entered international waters, were legal and offered to Alaskan residents, believe it or not, but are not today. Land-based casinos are not legal either. In fact, even though many tribal gambling establishments in Alaska call themselves casinos, they do not actually offer any casino games like roulette, blackjack, or different poker variants. What they do offer is pull-tabs, bingo, and similar games. Alaskan tribes’ authority is limited anyway, and the federal law goes above everything else.

The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act 1988 allows tribes in Alaska to actually offer the same forms of gambling that are legal in Alaska. Tribal operators need a state permit to organize contests for which the prize will be based on skill rather than chance. Pull-tabs and bingo are such games, but casino games that are based on chance are strictly forbidden, both offline and online. Federal judges scupper Alaska tribes’ plans to open casinos that offer casino games.

Sweepstakes and Social Casinos Available in Alaska

Alaska is pretty transparent when it comes to what’s allowed and what’s not. Sweepstakes are legal, just because they do not require an actual purchase to participate. Requiring a purchase would violate both federal and state laws and would result in fines, as that would mean that the operator is offering gambling, not sweepstakes.

As you know, sweepstakes and social casino sites do not ask players to deposit funds in order to play. Across these sites, you can play casino-style games using coins. Basically, you can get a taste of the casino thrill without investing in your gaming time. In case you are in for the real deal, stick with us to learn more about online casinos that you can access as an Alaskan player.

Sportsbetting in Alaska

Alaska is a state that forbids online sportsbetting. Even though the authorities considered legalizing it under the guidance of the state lottery, at the moment of writing, sportsbetting is off-limits and by the looks of it, will stay so in the near future.

As a player from Alaska, if you wish to engage in sportsbetting, or online casino gambling, for that matter, you will need to look for gambling sites that cater to players from your state, but are based in a different state or country.

How to Find the Best Online Casino in Alaska

Considering the fact that you can only join sweepstakes and social casinos legally, and no actual online casinos in Alaska, you would need to focus on finding sites that you can join as an Alaskan player. You can join an online casino without feeling guilty because even if you get caught the first time gambling online, you will go off with a warning to not repeat that. So, until that happens, you can gamble online as much as you wish.

To do that, however, you will need to find the proper site to join. Thousands of online casinos are at your disposal, but you must aim for sites that are licensed by at least one well-known regulatory body. Sites licensed in US states that offer legal online gambling should be your first choice, even though offshore, European sites licensed by the likes of Curacao, the UK Gambling Commission, or the Malta Gaming Authority are also good choices. Licensed sites must respect the said rules as introduced in their respective jurisdictions, hence, they are safer and better for you to consider joining, as they will come with transparent rules.

Next, you need to check online casinos for payment method options. Since you'll probably be making international transactions, you have to be certain that the methods at your disposal will be global, safe, and trustworthy. You'll be trusting them with your money, therefore, you must be certain that the methods offered are completely secure to use. Not only that, but must also have a wide choice of options, alternative and standard banking methods alike. It won’t hurt if the casino you’re eyeing also offers cryptocurrencies, in case you wish to have a fully decentralized online gambling experience. Digital currencies offer the fastest payouts, too, but so do many alternative solutions like global eWallets. Quick transactions are a must, as you’d want to enjoy your wins as soon as possible.

Last but not least, of course, is the choice of games. You'd like to join an online casino that offers a variety of casino games so that you can try any and all. Slots are the hottest at the moment of writing, so make sure the casino offers thousands of them. Live Casino games are also a hit, so it would be a big plus if the site you're eyeing gives you the option to try them, as well. No matter which game type is your favorite, you must join an online casino that offers it and gives you a huge variety of titles to choose from and play.

At all costs, avoid joining sites that offer none of these things. Stay away from unlicensed sites, sites that offer a limited choice of games and payment methods, and sites that do not offer proper safety and protection measures. Look for well-reputed online casinos, sites that you can trust.

How to Sign Up and Play for Real Money in Alaska

Alaskan players can practically join any online casino they see fit. And since we already went through the criteria an online casino must meet to be trustworthy, you know what to look for as an Alaskan player.

So, after you find the right online casino for you, you can proceed by joining it. To do that, follow this easy step-by-step procedure:

1. Head over to the online casino that you want to join and locate the Sign Up/Join Now! button.
2. After you press it, you will see a registration form, to fill it out with personal info, such as phone number, full name, and email address.
3. As soon as you accept the T&Cs, your account will be ready to be funded.

Due to regulatory reasons, all legit online casinos are obliged to put players through a procedure called KYC (Know Your Customer). That’s why upon registration, you will be asked to verify your identity. So, attach a copy or scan of an identification document issued by your state, such as an ID, passport, or driver's license. Provide any other documents, as required. As soon as you do that, you can make your first deposit. Follow these effortless steps to do that:

1. Locate the Banking Methods page and look for the Deposits section.
2. Go over the methods offered and select the one that suits you best.
3. Enter the needed card/account details and confirm the transfer.
4. The funds will arrive in your casino balance instantly or in several hours/days, depending on the payment method you used.

What Payment Methods Can You Use to Deposit and Withdraw in Alaska?

Given how you’d need to use a payment method that functions internationally, a decent choice ofglobal payment solutions is a must. As an Alaskan player, you will be making international deposits and withdrawals to and from sites based all across the world, so you need to have at your disposal methods like credit and debit cards, cryptocurrencies, pay-by-mobile options, and eWallets, to name a few options. It is also essential to use a solution that processes transactions in the local currency. Bank wire transfers come in handy for withdrawals in US dollars, but some players use it for deposits, too.

Alaskan players at the moment of writing prefer using alternative solutions for their deposits and withdrawals across online casinos. PayPal is their go-to method, but they also use Bitcoin and Skrill a lot, in addition to wire transfers and bank-issued cards.

What Casino Software Providers and Games Are Available in Alaska?

If you're an experienced online casino player, you know that when online gambling first started emerging, not that many software developers were able to penetrate the US market. Online casinos that US players could join would only offer games by the likes of Rival, RTG, and High5Games, for instance.

Nowadays, however, since many US states are offering regulated online gambling markets, industry-leading software developers are powering the game selections across top online casinos. As an Alaskan player who can join any online casino, regardless of where it is based, you get access to games delivered by the likes of Playtech, Games Global, Red Tiger Gaming, and Evolution, as these are developers licensed to offer their games to players from all across the world, the US included.

Games delivered by these developers aremodern, exciting, and engaging to play. So, no matter your preferences, you will certainly experience world-class online gambling time playing the hundreds of titles at your disposal across legit online casinos that you can join as an Alaskan player.

What Casino Bonuses Can Players in Alaska Claim?

All online casinos that want to attract and retain players offer bonuses and promotions. The casino sites you’ll come across as an Alaskan player will most certainly give you a Welcome Offer, the least if not dozens of other offers.

A Welcome Bonus offer usually includes a match to your deposit and Free Spins, depending on the types of players targeted. If the casino targets slot players, an extra Free Spins offer will be available on its site. As a slot player, therefore, you can enjoy spins that you won’t need to pay for, to play some of your favorite titles. Cashback offers are also popular with Alaskan players, as they offer a portion of the money lost back. Daily, weekly, and monthly offers are also available across many sites, as are exclusive tournaments. Some online casinos even offer No Deposit bonuses, which do not require you to make a real money deposit to claim them.

And while all of these bonus offers sound exciting, you should be aware of the wagering requirements that they come with. Especially No Deposit bonuses, which must come with some strings attached. Wagering requirements are the conditions you must meet in order to be eligible to cash out winnings that you've made using the bonus you've claimed. The average and player-accepted wagering requirement is 30x, but should you find an offer that comes with lower than that, grab it!

Responsible Gambling in Alaska

Gamblers Anonymous, National Council on Problem Gambling, Problem Gambling Helpline, and Gam-Anon are all great organizations you can turn to in case you experience a gambling problem as an Alaskan player. The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services is always at your disposal, too.

When choosing a site to join, make sure it allows you to self-exclude, though, and offers tools and resources for support in case you need any help. Top online casino sites do, therefore, for many reasons, aim for online casinos like that.

Further Reading

• Top Online Casinos for Alaska