Alaska Gambling
FAQ / Q&A -- History -- Regulation -- Land Based Casinos -- Fun Facts
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Regulation and legality of online gambling
Alaska is yet another state where online gambling exists in a perpetual legal grey area.
There don't appear to be any active laws that regulate gaming over the internet in any shape or form, which has resulted in a flourishing ‘grey market’.
While there aren’t any locally-run establishments, neither brick-and-mortar nor digital, Alaskan players can choose from a number of offshore and domestic websites if they wish to partake in their favorite casino games.
The fight to legalize gaming has been going on for quite a while, but no significant efforts were made. Currently, there are talks about online bingo being added to the legislative fold. However, nothing came to fruition, as of mid-2020.
In usual cases, states draft gambling laws because of external pressure from lobbyists. Since Alaska as a whole has a population lower than 77 American cities, there’s no point in creating a market in a region where demand is low. Still, there are ways to get by.Alaska does not offer any state-run online gambling options to its residents or visitors. Online gambling, in general, does not feature in any written Alaskan law. No laws have ever been passed to prohibit gambling over the internet.
The general assumption is that online gambling is illegal in Alaska just because there are no legal acts affirming online gambling to be fully 100% in accordance with the letter of the law. People either choose to avoid online casinos altogether or they use websites which are managed offshore. The situation is not likely to change in the foreseeable future, unless the Alaskan government requires a raise of the state revenue.
Alaska has a population of 700,000+ and the state pays people to live there, while many do not even possess a stable internet connection - so not exactly the top candidate for the legalization of online casino games.
Gambling history in Alaska
The biggest American state, but one of the least populated, Alaska remains known as the Last Frontier. At the time when Alaska was not yet granted statehood, there were no regulations preventing settlers from participating in real money betting on card games such as poker.
Approximately 100,000 prospectors came to Alaska territory during the Yukon Gold Rush of the late-19th century. Most of them went back home empty-handed, but there are reports of around 4,000 of them who struck it rich. The majority of the lucky folk gambled their cash and drunk their money away at Alaska’s makeshift saloons of the time.
The government would not address the issue of gambling until the 1990s. Charity gaming has been allowed in 1960, and charitable Monte Carlo nights began to cause concern among government officials. They were allegedly mocking the legal framework and could potentially compel the state’s tribes to lobby for the opening of full-scale casinos. So they prevented these charitable casino nights and only limited real cash charitable gambling events remained permitted in Alaska.
Tribal casinos do exist, but their status as casinos is very questionable. They offer a limited range of games and many consider them bingo rooms with the addition of pull-tab games. The first tribal casino opened in 1993 when the National Indian Gaming Commission approved its construction in Klawock.
During 1995 there was a law in Alaska that allowed cruise ships to offer gambling in the state’s waters. This business venture generated large revenue, but the law expired at the end of 1995, and has never been re-enacted. Poker, bridge, rummy and some other games were permitted in 2005, but under very strict conditions. The foundation of state lottery was suggested in 2003, but it was rejected by the Alaska state legislature.
Land based casinos
If you wish to engage in live gambling in AK, you need to settle for several smaller tribal casinos and charity events. Pull-tabs, bingo, and raffles rule across the Last Frontier. Slot machines are illegal, as well as video poker machines but Alaska’s rural and arctic environment creates an unusual set of wagering opportunities that go beyond the standard concept of land-based casino gaming. Alaska is the only place where bettors can place wagers on such unusual events as the annual Cabbage Classic, the contest where players guess which crop is the heaviest. Alaskans also bet on dog sled races, moose derbies and fishing competitions, as well as on the temperature, time and date of the coldest day in the Delta Junction during the winter months.
Much of the Alaska reservation land is located far from state’s population base. The scarce tribal casinos are technically bingo halls, and some of them offer pull tabs. These are the most basic of games, and at these venues you won’t find anything remotely resembling poker, blackjack and roulette. Still, if you wish to experience Alaskan land-based gaming options, there are more than 20 venues to visit. The largest gambling establishment in Alaska is the MIC Gaming Hall in Metlakatla, with 90 pull-tab machines and bingo games. Other venues include Native Village of Barrow Pull Tabs in Barrow, Atka Ira Council Pull Tabs in Atka and Agate Pull Tabs in Sand Point, to name a few.
How old do I have to play at Alaskan online casinos?
Given the fact that there is no legislation which determines the legal gambling age in Alaska, we would advise you to adhere to the usual limit of 18 years. This is, of course, related only to casinos that don’t serve alcohol, so you technically won’t be breaking any federal laws.
However, you can always double-check the age requirements in the casino’s terms and conditions to see if there is anything special you have to watch out for. If you do this and subsequently adhere to these rules, you won’t be risking any kind of repercussion.
Do Alaskan casinos offer live dealer games?
Because there are no online casinos based in Alaska, we would have to say no. However, many domestic and offshore casinos are willing to welcome players from all states, which would give you access to live dealer games. US-centric sites are known for their love of live blackjack and roulette, you should be able to have a blast.
To be sure that you’re able to play live dealer games without any problems or obstacles, check the casino’s policy on restricted states. Even though some sites are willing to manoeuvre through many different laws around the country, most take a free-for-all approach and accept everyone into their ranks.
Which payment methods can I use at Alaskan online casinos?
Just like in every other part of the US, people are particularly fond of using credit cards. There’s no need to create an extra account or go through any other processes - you just input your card number, SSC, and expiry date. Once you’re done with that, you’ll be free to make transactions as you please. However, many players avoid using credit cards because of fees and long waiting times.
Popular alternatives are eWallets such as Neteller, Skrill, and PayPal, with other brands such as Paysafecard and PayNearMe also providing an upgrade in terms of speed, as well as an absence of transaction fees. You can also find casino sites that accept cryptocurrency payments, with the most famous currencies being Bitcoin, Ripple, Ethereum, and Litecoin.
How long do I have to wait to receive my payment?
This mostly depends on two factors - the casino’s own rules on allowing transactions and the nature of the payment option you’re using. While you’ll mostly encounter sites that are liberal when it comes to giving your payments the green light, some require you to undergo a lengthy security check. Such a check can last up to a week, with possible additional requirements such as scanning your bank statements or utility bills.
To avoid unnecessary expenditures in the form of fees, many players have turned to eWallets. In this case, you can accept your payment to go through either instantly or in around 24 hours. Cryptocurrencies are also leaders when it comes to speed, with Bitcoin transactions taking no longer than 2 hours, as a worst-case scenario.
Can I get free spins while playing at an online casino in Alaska?
Yes, of course. Both domestic and offshore sites make excellent use of this popular reward, sometimes even equipping their promotions with more than 100 free spins. The amount of spins you’ll get depends on the site’s strategies, as some prioritize free bets and financial rewards over free spins. Be prepared to conduct research and you’ll easily find a free spin offer you’ll enjoy.
Do Alaskan casinos offer welcome bonuses?
Plenty of them do, yes. A welcome bonus is a great way to test a new site out and see if their interface and offer are a good fit for you. Most casinos use this approach as an incentive for players to join, as they’re basically getting free money to play with. Because you’re playing with cash that’s not yours, you’ll be able to focus on the game itself and make better decisions.
However, you should be wary of the possibility that you might not be eligible for the welcome bonus. There are sites that accept players from the entire US, but only restrict their promotions to states which have effectively legalized online gaming.
Is it safe to play at Alaskan online casinos?
Technically yes, as you can find good brands that aren’t licensed in the state. However, the lack of an Alaskan gaming license means that no jurisdiction can pick up your case if a dispute occurs. Things can get even worse if you stumble upon a fraudulent casino. Be aware that you’re playing at your own risk and that you should only consider sites with proper SSL encryption protocols implemented.
Can I find limited-time offers at online casinos in Alaska?
Definitely. Lots of casinos use these promotions to advertise the launch of a new game and attract players to try it ous by giving out rewards or providing interesting incentives. Follow the news to see when a new live dealer game or slot will be released, and be on the lookout for promotions pertaining to said title. That’s the best way to maximize the value of these types of offers.
Do I need an ID to register at an Alaskan online casino?
Yes, almost no website is willing to let players register anonymously. Verifying your identity might seem like an invasion of privacy, but it has been proven as one of the best methods or prevent fraudulent activities from taking place on the site.
Fun Facts about Alaska
- Alaska occupies 1/5 of the entire USA and it is twice the size of Texas. 5% of Alaska is covered in glaciers (around 100,000 glaciers). There are more than 100 volcanoes in AK, and each year Alaska suffers around 5,000 earthquakes. Alaska territory was purchased from the Russian Empire in 1867 for 7.2 million U.S. dollars ($118 million when adjusted due to inflation). Real Madrid paid for Cristiano Ronaldo $2.5 million more.
- There was no need to buy any property in Alaska until 1986. Anyone could build a house wherever they wanted, and it would be lawfully theirs.
- John Carpenter’s 1982 horror classic, ‘The Thing’, is set in Antarctica but was actually filmed in Alaska.
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