Alaska Online Casinos – Legal in 2024?

Alaskan players continue to have their patience tested as the state still lacks most forms of legal gambling in 2024. You can visit an Alaska casino, but you will not find traditional slot machines, table games or a poker room there. Things are even bleaker for online gamblers with no legal platform for sports betting, casino gaming, horse racing or poker.

But you have options if you join offshore casinos, which have all these forms of gambling readily available. 

In this guide, we will look at the best Alaska online gambling sites for casino games and what makes them the best as well as the land-based casinos you can visit in the state. We also go over the history of gambling laws in the state and why it could be a long wait for online casino players to get regulated gaming options in Alaska.

Best Alaska Online Casinos

Using our grading system at Bookmakers Review, we have created a top 10 list of the best offshore real money gambling sites for Alaskan players. These sites are known for offering sports betting, but they are also ideal for casino gaming.

1. BookMaker – Great loyalty program
2. Heritage Sports – Casino games have demo versions
3. Bovada – Crypto casino games and huge bonuses
4. BetOnline – Poker tournaments and hundreds of slots
5. BetAnySports – Some of the best live dealer games
6. BetUS – Great bonuses for sports betting and casino
7. WagerWeb – Big crypto bonuses
8. JustBet – Good rewards program for loyal customers
9. Everygame – Great site design and poker tournaments
10. SportsBetting.ag – Unique promos and fast payouts 

Is gambling at an online casino legal in Alaska?

Unfortunately, online gamblers are not feeling lucky in Alaska. Currently, there is no online gambling industry in the state. There has also been no legislation introduced to expand access to sports betting, horse racing or online poker. When something is considered a game of chance rather than a game of skill, that is considered gambling by the state’s definition.

Alaska’s conservative attitude toward gambling is why many residents turn to offshore casinos, which are located in countries where online gambling is perfectly legal, and they will accept users from Alaska to play for real money today. 

Comparing the Top Online Casinos for Alaska

We have included more detailed reviews of our top five online gambling options for Alaskan players. You will find your favorite games including slots, table games and online poker at the following offshore sites. You will also find generous bonuses and a wide range of payment options.

1. BookMaker: Great Loyalty Program

Bookmaker.eu is our top-rated online casino. It hails from Costa Rica, and since 1996, BookMaker has earned its reputation for having the earliest lines for sports betting. This makes it a great site for sharp bettors, and the same can be said for the fact that winning players are not limited.

If you want to bet on the casino frequently at live dealer games, you will not be limited if you win often at blackjack. The live dealer games can go up to $5,000 as the limit for a bet, so high rollers are welcome.

BookMaker is also home to online bingo games and Keno. They have table games, online slots, minigames and video poker. The casino games on the site have RTP info, which is the return-to-player rate. The closer that number is to 100%, the more money that game pays back to customers over the long run.

Despite the reputation of being ideal for sports fans and sharp bettors, this is a great choice for casual gamblers too. BookMaker has top-notch customer support, a variety of options for payment methods and a great loyalty program with reload bonuses.

2. Heritage Sports: Casino Games Have Demo Versions

Since 2001, Heritage Sports has been building its reputation as a top-rated online casino from Costa Rica. The casino section includes over 140 online slots, over 40 table games and a dozen video poker games. The nicest part is you can try all these games for free with the demo versions to find your favorites without spending a dime.

There is also a live casino with your favorite card games like blackjack and baccarat (Super 6 included). You can see the dealer spin the roulette wheel too, and the limits are reasonable. 

Heritage Sports also offers one of the best sportsbooks around with plenty of betting options and a great mobile site for live betting. The bonuses are not as large for new users as other rivals, but you can get great cashback programs here. There is a daily rebate on horse racing, a monthly rebate for your net casino losses and a quarterly rebate on your sports betting volume. Bonus funds can be used anywhere you want on the site at Heritage Sports.

3. Bovada: Crypto Casino Games and Huge Bonuses

Bovada is one of the most well-known online poker sites, which runs on the No. 1 poker network for American players. You can play in poker tournaments and cash games with your favorite styles of games. But beyond the poker, you will find a very good casino that has great blackjack options, a numbers game that is unique to the site and runs every 40 seconds, the best virtual racing markets around and even crypto casino games.

In fact, the bonuses at Bovada Casino are especially great for crypto users. New users can get up to $3,750 in bonus funds over their first three crypto deposits. You can play a variety of games with progressive jackpots (including progressive jackpot slots) and other fun features from the likes of developers like RealTime Gaming. Your favorite casino games like table games (blackjack, roulette, baccarat, Pai Gow Poker, Tri Card Poker, craps, etc.) and specialty games (Keno and several bingo variants) are also available. All types of gamblers are welcome, and the live dealer games have very high limits.

There are not as many Bovada promo codes for existing users as there are at other sites. But they make up for it with the big welcome bonus and the structure of the reward program. The more you bet, the more points you accumulate. These points never expire and you will not lose your tier status no matter how long your account stays inactive. Those points can be redeemed for bonus bets or poker tournament entries. 

4. BetOnline: Poker Tournaments and Hundreds of Slots

With BetOnline, all types of gamblers are welcome to win real money online in a variety of ways. You can do online sports betting with opinionated lines. You can get the best daily rebates on the racebook for a variety of tracks from around the world.

You can enjoy hundreds of casino games, including many flashier games from Nucleus Gaming and more developers. There are many slots, table games, video poker and specialty games (Keno and scratch cards). They can be harder to find than at the other sites, but there is a whole section for live dealer games (blackjack, roulette, baccarat, Super 6). 

Online casino players will appreciate the high limits, fast payouts and range of payment methods always offered by BetOnline. It also is one of the best options for poker tournaments and cash games for both pros and casual players. You will find a variety of bonuses in the promotions section as well. Additionally, a BetOnline promo code can be used to gain additional perks and benefits.

5. BetAnySports: Some of the Best Live Dealer Games

Our No. 5 online casino is also from Costa Rica. BetAnySports may have a quirkier layout but once you get used to the choices it offers you, you will find one of the best online gambling sites. New users even get to choose from a menu of sign-up promos.

The casino section includes eight different casinos to choose from, with two more coming soon. There is overlap in these casinos with the games offered, but each BetAnySports casino has its own unique flavor to it, providing a great variety in your choices. There are even 3D slot games.

The live dealer experience at BetAnySports is one of the best as the dealers can even call you by your name if you want. They have blackjack, roulette and baccarat, just like the rival sites.

For lottery fans, there is no better choice than BetAnySports, which has its own lotto section. You can play your favorite numbers daily in many state drawings around the country. Winners also get 80% better payouts than retail. 

Our Rating Methodology

We get into our rating methodology for the top sportsbooks further below in the guide, but the best offshore casinos for online gamblers are defined by offering a variety of games, including your favorite games in slots, table games, specialty games, video poker machines and more. ‌We also expect to see many generous bonuses, crypto bonuses, a wide variety of payment options and top-notch customer support. The best online gambling experience will hit the mark in all these different areas.  

History of Alaska’s Gambling Laws

Alaska has taken a firm stance on not legalizing most forms of gambling. If something is viewed as a contest of chance, then you probably cannot legally bet on it in Alaska. It was only in 1984 that pull-tab games were legalized. The state still does not have its own lottery, and the tribal casinos are not allowed to have traditional slot machines, table games or poker tables.

On multiple occasions in 1990 and 2008, more than 60% of voters were against expanding gambling in the state, either through casino-style gaming or establishing a gambling commission. 

Even when sports betting was starting to get legalized in many states after PASPA was overturned in 2018, Alaska has stuck to its guns and not joined the trend. In 2020, Gov. Mike Dunleavy tried to move a bill that would eventually legalize sports betting, but it had the unfortunate timing of coming before COVID, which closed things down and killed any interest in the bill. Not having any professional sports teams in Alaska and not having the climate for horse racing makes it harder for the state to drum up motivation for more gambling ventures.

In 2022, Rep. Adam Wool was the next to try introducing a bill to legalize online sports betting, which perhaps could lead to online casino gaming. But his bill stalled after reaching the Labor and Commerce Committee.

There is currently no legislation to legalize online casino gaming or sports betting in the state. This is why Alaskan bettors are best served by joining offshore casinos that accept Alaska residents over 18 years of age to do their gambling business. 

Timeline of Gambling in Alaska State

The following timeline shows the key moments in the history of gambling in Alaska:

• 2022: Rep. Adam Wool presents HB 385 in an effort to have an online gambling law for sports betting. The bill makes it to the Labor and Commerce Committee, but no further. 
• 2020: Gov. Mike Dunleavy introduces a bill for sports betting, but COVID denies any chance of moving to a vote.
• 2018: The Supreme Court reverses PASPA, allowing each state the right to choose to have legal sports betting. 
• 2008: More than 61% of Alaskan voters decline to approve a state gambling commission. 
• 1995: Cruise ship gambling in Alaskan waters is permitted, but the law expires by the end of the year and was never brought back.  
• 1990: Roughly 65% of Alaskan voters say no to casino gaming. 
• 1984: Alaska first legalizes pull-tab games.
• 1960: The Alaska Department of Revenue is established to oversee state gambling. 

Features of the Best Online Casinos

In the following sections, we go over the key features that define the best offshore casinos. Whether you are new or experienced, online casino players should enjoy strong performances in these important metrics. 

Gambling Odds

More for the sportsbook, we expect to see competitive gambling odds. Some sites accomplish this by offering reduced juice, opinionated lines or odds boosts on select markets. But the better odds you can offer a user, the more likely they are to stay with your site instead of placing bets elsewhere.

Betting Markets

When it comes to the online casino, we want to see a wide variety of games, including slot machines, video poker, table games, online poker, specialty games, minigames and more of your favorite games.

Payment Methods

Online casinos should have a wide variety of payment options. Deposit options should include ‌traditional methods like credit cards (American Express included), debit cards and ‌bank wire transfers. They should also include more modern methods like eWallets and a variety of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (or Bitcoin Cash, Litecoin, Ethereum, etc.). Withdrawal options should also be straightforward and accessible.

Generous Bonuses & Promos

Exciting bonuses are a great way for online casinos to draw in new users. Right away, you can get a deposit match with generous bonuses, especially crypto bonuses, just by doing one deposit. Of course, you need to read the terms of bonuses to see what the rollover requirement is and when those funds expire, but the biggest bonuses are usually the welcome bonuses.

However, the variety of bonuses you get as an existing user is also a big reason to join these sites. You should expect free spins, risk-free bets, reload bonuses, odds boosts, a refer-a-friend program and a good reward program. 

Live Dealers

If you want to enjoy an experience that is closest to being inside a real casino, then you have to try the live dealer games found at offshore casinos. They have live dealer card games like blackjack and baccarat, and you can also watch the dealer spin the roulette wheel, another of the most popular table games with a live dealer option. These games have reasonable limits and allow you to chat with other players via text while watching the dealer via video chat. They cannot see you, but you can enjoy a realistic casino experience thanks to live dealers.

User Interface

Whether you are using the desktop version or a web-based version on your mobile device, the site must have a quality user interface. Ease of navigation is the key, as we need to be able to move seamlessly from the sportsbook to the casino to the racebook to the promotions page to the cashier. The best online gambling experience will be with a site that has great layouts, where everything is neatly labeled and it is not a chore to deposit money and request a withdrawal for your winnings. 

Mobile Site Quality

Gambling apps are very popular now that people use their favorite mobile devices to do much of their mobile sports betting and casino gaming. But ‌Alaska casino apps are lacking, as none of the popular American sites are licensed to operate in the state. The offshore mobile casinos do not have apps, but you can find a mobile version of their site that acts like an app.

This is the best way to enjoy your mobile gambling experience, assuming the site runs on a good server that can handle high traffic. Casino games must not lag, or it ruins the experience of playing them. 

Customer Service

Customer service is your go-to option for getting help with your account at an online casino. We think a top-notch customer support team would offer 24/7 support with the most methods of contacting them available, including messages, emails, phone calls and a live chat option. 

Security Features

With online gaming becoming more and more popular, you will find new online casinos all the time. But we stick to trustworthy sites that have a proven track record of handling customers. We feel these sites will do the best job of keeping user data secure as players try to win real money online. 

Land-Based Gambling in Alaska

There are several tribal casinos located throughout Alaska where you can play social games like bingo or pull-tab game machines. None of the land-based casinos in Alaska offer the kind of table games, slot machines and poker options you would find at commercial casinos in other states. 

In the following sections, we look at some of the popular Alaska casinos, which resemble the bingo halls in the rest of the U.S. more than commercial casinos, thanks to the strict gaming laws.

Atka Ira Council Pull-Tabs

Located on Atka Island, you will find pull-tab machines at this land-based casino.

Juneau Tlingit and Haida Tribal Bingo

Located in Juneau, there is a nightly social game of bingo on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at the Juneau T&H Community Center. 

Kake Tribal Heritage Bingo

Located in Kake, you can enjoy bingo games at the bingo hall. 

Klawock IRA Pull-Tabs

Located in Klawock, players can enjoy pull-tab games and bingo tables. This is charitable gaming as the proceeds go to the Klawock Cooperative Association.

MIC Gaming Hall

Located in Metlakatla, the MIC Gaming Hall has dozens of electronic bingo (or instant bingo) machines, making it one of the best options for something resembling slot machine games in the state. 

Sitka Tribal Bingo

Located in Sitka, Sitka Tribal Bingo hosts evening games in a hall every Thursday through Saturday. 

Benefits of Gambling Online in Alaska

There are some obvious and strong advantages to using offshore casinos for your gambling needs in Alaska:

• Offshore casinos are the only place in Alaska where you are going to be able to do sports betting, horse race betting, casino gaming and online poker.
• Alaska does not have any slot machines or poker tables in their tribal casinos, but you can play slots at all online casinos and poker at select sites.
• You will find a greater variety of games offered online than you would at just about any land-based casino in the country. Choose from slots, 3D slots, video poker, specialty games, mini-games, live dealer games and more online casino games. 
• Offshore casinos offer a wide variety of payment methods, including ones you are unlikely to find at land-based casinos like eWallets and crypto. 
• Enjoy exciting bonuses at offshore casinos, including bonus bets, risk-free bets, reload bonuses, deposit matches, refer-a-friend rewards and more. Often, you can earn points in a loyalty program that can be redeemed for more perks. 
• Finally, there is the huge advantage of saving time and money from traveling to a land-based casino when you can just pull out your phone at any time of day and instantly start playing casino games.

How to Create an Online Casino Account in Alaska

We have included the four simple steps below on how to join online gambling sites to win real money today. 

Step 1. Sign-Up

Choose the site you wish to join and visit their page. You will be creating a new account that will need a password that is strong and unique. 

Step 2. Verify Your Details

Your account must be verified before it can be used. You will have to enter personal information such as your name, address, email address and phone number that will receive texts. The site is likely to send you a confirmation link via email or a code via text that must be used to verify your account in the system. 

Step 3. Deposit Funds

Before you go through the deposit process, you should read about the terms of the site’s welcome bonus for new users. This is a one-time offer that is dependent on the size of your initial deposit. Once you figure out how much you want to spend, head to the cashier and choose from the list of payment options to make your first deposit with real money. 

Step 4. Enjoy Casino Gambling

Now your account has money and is verified, so you are free to head to the casino and start betting on your favorite slots, video poker machines, table games and more. 

FAQs – Online Casinos in Alaska