{"id":5534,"date":"2023-02-01T16:36:42","date_gmt":"2023-02-01T16:36:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.top10pokersites.net\/?page_id=5534"},"modified":"2024-02-15T15:46:00","modified_gmt":"2024-02-15T15:46:00","slug":"laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.top10pokersites.net\/top-10-us-poker-sites\/alaska\/laws","title":{"rendered":"Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Alaska has never been a state synonymous with the gambling industry, poker being part of it. Apart from those looking for gold and oil, the Final Frontier doesn\u2019t offer much gambling options.<\/b> Even though games of skill are recognized as legal, poker is categorized as a game of chance, which also applies to its online counterpart.<\/p>\n

Not being the most popular tourist destination and occupying the bottom of the list for population density (56th with 1.3 people per square mile) have taken its toll on the overall development of the casino sphere in the state.<\/p>\n

This article explores the small, albeit existing, state\u2019s gambling scene, examining its Alaska online poker laws, land-based poker regulations, and its future gambling prospects.
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<\/i> Is Online Gambling Legal in Alaska?<\/span><\/h2>\n\"OnlineGambling in Alaska is governed by archaic local regulations<\/b> that haven\u2019t been updated. Even so, online games of chance and betting are included in the general definition of gambling, meaning they are not recognized as legal in the state. In short, Alaska does not currently have any legislation permitting online poker or similar activities.\n

AS 11.66.200 suggests that gambling is considered a violation<\/b> on the first offense, yet a class B misdemeanor on the second and each subsequent one. Thus, no other forms of online gambling exist in the state, which also applies to online casinos and online sports betting besides poker.<\/p>\n

The situation isn\u2019t that different for land-based options, as the only available options are bingo, pull tabs, and charity games.<\/b> The only way to access those options is by visiting a tribal casino.<\/p>\n

The absence of online gambling laws also paved the way for the gray legal area, <\/b>allowing offshore casinos and poker rooms to offer their services to Alaskan players. In other words, these platforms aren\u2019t licensed or regulated by a regulatory body from AK but rather a remote regulator, such as Curacao, Malta, Kahnawake,<\/b> and others. Even though there are no cases of anyone being prosecuted for joining and playing at offshore poker platforms, it\u2019s still better to consult a legal expert<\/b> about this, as you\u2019ll directly violate Alaska Code sec. 11.66.200.<\/p>\n

Poker Laws<\/h3>\n

\"Law\"Poker is defined as a game of chance in Alaska, although betting on games of skill is permitted. Due to this, poker can only be played socially and at home.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a definition of \u201ccontest of chance\u201d taken from Alaska Statutes:<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2018Contest of chance\u2019 means a contest, game, gaming scheme, or gaming device in which the outcome depends in a material degree upon an element of chance, notwithstanding that the skill of the contestants may also be a factor.<\/i>\u201d AS 11.66.280<\/p>\n

In plain English, a game is still considered a contest of chance, even if some skill is involved, such as in poker, according to Alaskan law.
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Online Poker<\/h3>

There are no concrete legislative pieces that outlaw online poker. There are no online poker sites or apps operating in the Final Frontier. <\/b>The only option to consider is accessing offshore poker sites. As already stated, you\u2019ll be directly violating Alaskan law in that case too, but the chances of getting prosecuted for that are slim.<\/p><\/div>\n

Land-Based Poker<\/h3>

No forms of land-based poker are available in Alaska due to poker\u2019s legal status.<\/p><\/div>\n

Home Poker<\/h3>

Social gambling in a private residence is allowed<\/b>, meaning you can play poker in your home with friends, as long as nobody collects a rake. Social gambling is defined in section 11-66-280 of the Alaska Statutes<\/a> as gambling in a home where no house bank, house player, or house odds exist<\/b>. Moreover, no house income is made due to operating the game.<\/p><\/div>\n

<\/i> What Forms of Gambling Are Legal in Alaska?<\/span><\/h2>\nThe only legal forms of gambling are pull-tab games, bingo, and dog mushing betting<\/b>. Most of it is offered via tribal bingo halls and pull-tab parlors.
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AK Tribal Casinos<\/h3>

All tribal casinos in Alaska aren\u2019t strictly casinos but rather gambling properties that offer pull-tab games and bingo. They are allowed to operate thanks to the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1986<\/a>, a federal legislative piece that allowed Native Americans to offer gambling services inside their federally-approved territories.<\/p>\n

The following options are among the most notable options for land-based players interested in pull-tab and bingo games.<\/p>\n