Online Poker Alaska - a guide to playing for fun & profit in 2023

Can I play online poker in Alaska? The answer is yes!

Is it legal to play online poker in Alaska? The answer to this is also yes!

Now you may be asking yourself, "Can I play online poker for real money in Alaska?" and the answer is a resounding yes. When you are thinking of online gaming hotbeds, you generally do not think of Alaska at the top of that list, and after the research we have done, there is no reason to think that assumption isn’t correct. Gambling and poker does not appear to hold a very prominent spot in the Alaskan culture right now as evidenced by the dearth of options for land-based gambling. In fact, out of 50 states, Alaskans were ranked number 40 with regard to the percentage of state population partaking in Internet poker. But just because gambling is not the fad du jour for your state, this does not necessarily mean that you have no Alaska online poker options.

At the Federal level, internet poker is not regulated, nor is it criminalized. It is perfectly legal for players to engage in real money poker games over the web. However, we would all feel more comfortable in a regulated market so as to avoid another "Black Friday" incident. The state of Alaska itself seems to have little chance of passing state regulation of online poker any time soon mainly due to a lack of political will. We suggest writing your congressional leaders and letting them know you want regulated online poker in your state!

Now with all of that said, that does not mean that citizens of the state of Alaska are out of luck if they are in the mood to fire up an online poker game while in the privacy of their home, igloo, etc. The northernmost state of the Union has some great offshore gaming sites that are willing to service those would-be poker players in Alaska, and we have compiled a list of those sites for you to choose from!

As an Alaskan, you have quite a few possibilities when it comes to choosing an online poker site. Rather than leaving you to perhaps fall into the hands of an unscrupulous business entity, we've done the work of identifying the most reputable and legitimate online poker rooms that serve Alaska. When you play at any of the organizations on our list, you'll benefit from well-designed software, a plethora of game stakes and types, and the prompt payment of any winnings you're fortunate enough to accumulate.

1

IGNITION

BONUS:

150% up to $1,500

★★★★★

4.5 / 5

BEST AK ONLINE POKER SITE WITH THE MOST TRAFFIC

NETWORK:

PAIWANGLUO

EXTRAS

CASINO

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If you're searching for the poker site with the largest number of players active, then Ignition is where you ought to go. Numerous cash games are spread including NL Hold'em, PLO, and PLO/8. Blinds go up to $10/20 in big-bet formats and $30/$60 in fixed-limit formats. Other offerings include fast-fold Zone Poker, SNGs, lottery-style Jackpot SNGs, and a wide range of multi-table tournaments, including tournament series offering up to eight figures in guaranteed prize money.

The poker client for Ignition Poker is available for download on Windows and Mac devices. In addition, there is a mobile version of the poker room available to play utilizing any web browser. Ignition offers a welcome bonus worth 150% up to $1,500 when you deposit with crypto. This bonus offer is matched by an additional $1,500 to wager in the casino.

VISIT IGNITION POKER NOW

2

SB POKER

BONUS:

100% up to $1,000

★★★★★

4.4 / 5

BEST AK ONLINE POKER SITE FOR BAD BEAT JACKPOT

NETWORK:

CHICO

EXTRAS

CASINO, SPORTSBOOK

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Devotees of soft poker tables and plentiful promotions often head over to the Chico Network, which houses Sportsbetting.ag and a couple of other sites. SB Poker spreads numerous cash games including NL Hold'em, PLO, PLO/8. Blinds go up to $5/$10 and fast-fold Boost cash games are also available to play. SB Poker is one of the few USA poker sites boasting a Bad Beat Jackpot. The BBJ occasionally reaches as high as $1 million. There are also a wide variety of multi-table tournaments, SNGs, and lottery-inspired Windfall SNGs. Multiple promotional leaderboards offer additional value to grinders and professionals.

SB Poker offers a downloadable poker client for Mac and Windows users as well as a fully functional mobile app. New players are eligible to receive a bonus worth 100% up to $1,000. Additional bonuses and promotions are available throughout the casino, sportsbook, and racebook.

VISIT SB POKER NOW

3

BETONLINE

BONUS:

100% up to $1,000

★★★★★

4.4 / 5

BEST AK POKER SITE FOR MOBILE SOFTWARE

NETWORK:

CHICO

EXTRAS

CASINO, SPORTSBOOK

MORE INFO

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Of the numerous poker destinations that cater to mobile clients, BetOnline has the most well-rounded mobile software, which supports both iOS and Android devices. The graphics are crystal clear, the user interface is intuitive, and the available games list is comprehensive. BOL is a sister site of SB Poker, and thus the poker product is nearly identical and shares its traffic between the rooms.

While BetOnline has a superb mobile client, you can of course play on any traditional PC or Mac device if you wish. You can receive a poker bonus equal to 100% of your first deposit up to $1,000.

VISIT BETONLINE NOW

4

BOVADA

BONUS:

100% up to $500

★★★★★

4.2 / 5

BEST AK ONLINE POKER SITE FOR SPORTS & CASINO

NETWORK:

PAIWANGLUO

EXTRAS

CASINO, SPORTSBOOK

MORE INFO

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Bovada is on the same network that Ignition is, so you'll see the same opponents, tables, and software at either poker room. Bovada also offers a robust sportsbook unlike Ignition, so Bovada may be a good choice if you wish to play poker and bet on sports. The sportsbook lineup includes baseball, football, basketball, football, hockey, tennis, soccer, and more. Bovada also offers a world-class racebook that lists more than one hundred tracks from locations all across the world.

Bovada offers a downloadable poker client for Windows and Mac devices. Alternatively, mobile users can access the poker room directly through any browser. The sportsbook, racebook, and casino can also be utilized on any device. The poker bonus is 100% up to $500 with another $750 available for sports betting and $3,750 in casino bonus funds.

VISIT BOVADA NOW

5

AMERICAS CARDROOM

BONUS:

100% up to $2,000

★★★★★

4.1 / 5

BEST AK ONLINE POKER SITE WITH FREE BANKROLL OFFER

NETWORK:

WINNING

FREE

$10

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The Winning Poker Network is the second-busiest locale in the United States for poker games online, so signing up for its flagship site, Americas Cardroom, is certainly something to consider. ACR is the place to play if you are a tournament player as it boasts the largest selection of small-stakes, mid-stakes, and high-stakes multi-table tournaments. There are also recurring special events including the VENOM and the Online Super Series consisting of over one hundred tournaments. As expected, ACR also offers a wide range of SNGs, lottery-inspired Jackpot SNGs, fast-fold poker, and numerous standard cash games. NL Hold'em, PLO, PLO/8, and LHE are a few of the notable games available.

Windows and Mac users can utilize a full downloadable poker client. Mobile players will be limited to a smaller selection of games including Jackpot SNGs and certain tournaments. Use our exclusive code PRB10FREE for a free $10 bonus. You can also claim 100% up to $2,000 on your first deposit.

VISIT AMERICAS CARDROOM NOW

6

COIN POKER

BONUS:

100% up to $700

★★★★★

4.0 / 5

BEST AK ONLINE POKER SITE FOR CRYPTO GAMING

NETWORK:

STANDALONE

EXTRAS

30% RAKEBACK

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CoinPoker is the largest cryptocurrency-centered poker site available. It denominates its poker games in USDT (Tether) but you can conduct deposits and withdrawals with several other cryptos, like Bitcoin and Ethereum. The gaming lineup offered here includes NL Hold'em, PL Omaha, 5 Card Omaha, and Open Face Chinese. Leaderboards run frequently to put more money into the pockets of the most dedicated grinders.

CoinPoker offers software compatible with PCs, Macs, tablets, iOS devices, and Android devices. CoinPoker boasts an excellent series of welcome bonuses comprising a 100% bonus of up to $100, a 100% bonus of up to $300, and another 100% match bonus of up to $700! In addition, 30% rakeback is available through the CHP crypto token.

VISIT COIN POKER NOW

7

EVERYGAME

BONUS:

200% up to $1,000

★★★★★

3.8 / 5

BEST AK ONLINE POKER SITE FOR RAKEBACK

NETWORK:

HORIZON

EXTRAS

CASINOS, SPORTSBOOK

MORE INFO

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Everygame has plenty of traffic for most small-stakes players but lack the liquidity of some of its competitors. The value in playing at Everygame lies in the excellent promotional offers available. You can receive 36% rakeback, no deposit bonuses, reload bonuses, and participate in weekly rake races. Everygame also boasts a robust VIP program for the highest-volume grinders.

Everygame offers a downloadable poker client only for Windows devices. The Instant Play client allows you to play from any other Mac, iOS, or Android device using any browser. New players can receive a welcome bonus worth 200% up to $1,000 and 25 free spins on a slot. Numerous additional promotions are available to play in two separate casinos and the sportsbook

VISIT EVERYGAME NOW

8

SWCPOKER

BONUS:

NONE

★★★★★

3.6 / 5

BEST AK ONLINE SITE FOR # OF POKER VARIANTS

NETWORK:

STANDALONE

EXTRAS

FREEROLLS

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SwCPoker operates its cashier functions and poker play in Bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash. The gameplay on offer is quite varied featuring all of the formats you would expect, like NLHE and PLO, and also rarer types of poker, like HORSE, Razz, Open Face Chinese, and 2 – 7 Triple Draw. Micro-stakes tables are exempt from paying rake and a number of freerolls serve to put some extra cash into your bankroll.

SwCPoker runs smoothly across numerous operating systems including iOS and Android mobile devices, as well as PC and Mac desktops. Although this room currently lacks a first deposit bonus, it offers users up to 50% rakeback based on playing volume.

VISIT SWCPOKER

9

NITROBETTING

BONUS:

100% up to 25 mBTC

★★★★★

3.3 / 5

BEST AK ONLINE POKER SITE FOR BITCOINERS

NETWORK:

STANDALONE

EXTRAS

CASINO, SPORTSBOOK

MORE INFO

READ REVIEW

Unlike many crypto-based rooms, Nitrobetting has deployed Bitcoin exclusively for its poker room. There are no “altcoins” here, simplifying the user experience and cashier procedures. Many poker variants are on offer here including No Limit Hold'em, Limit Hold'em, Six Plus Hold'em, Crazy Hold'em, and Pot Limit Omaha. Recurring and frequent freerolls also offer players additional promotional value.

Nitrobetting operates within any modern web browser, so you can play on almost any type of modern computing device available today. Visit Nitrobetting today and you'll get a 100% up to 25mBTC bonus upon completing your first deposit.

VISIT NITROBETTING NOW

How to Choose the Right Alaska Poker Site For Your Style of Play

All of the online poker choices we've discussed above are fine organizations that will treat you (and your money) with respect. They each have their own strengths and drawbacks, and so the ultimate decision of which one is best will hinge upon your own personal preferences and playing style. We cannot really tell you where to play, but we can highlight a few factors that you might want to think about as you ponder where to sign up.

How Do I Receive Withdrawals and Payouts in Alaska?

All the organizations on our list of recommended Alaska online poker sites pay out wins honestly. Thus, it's more a question of how to request your money rather than if you'll get it. While there are a few payment channels that have been around for decades, like bank wires and paper checks, this is one area in which it's better to try out newer solutions. Bitcoin is our preferred payout system because it has low fees and rapid transaction timeframes. All of the rooms that we deal with allow you to make BTC transfers. If you haven't yet explored the exciting world of cryptocurrency, then we've prepared a primer on Bitcoin gaming for you to educate yourself about it.

Alternatives to Registering Your Account in the State of Alaska

If you are lucky enough to have another address in a nearby state, be it your business address, summer cottage, second apartment, the family estate, etc, you may have other online poker options available to you. Here's a list of the states that residents of the Last Frontier would typically have secondary residences in and Professional Rakeback's review on each of them: Hawaii, Oregon, Idaho, California, Washington, and Nevada. If you happen to live in another state not included on this list, perhaps you could check out our guide to Online Poker in the USA. If you've found this site useful, please consider sharing our site with others as a means of growing the overall poker community, it really is best for all of us!

Facts About Alaska Poker Industry

This section aims to provide factual information about the laws and legality surrounding online gambling and poker in the State of Alaska, land-based gambling information, current and future state regulations, and the history of gambling and poker throughout the state.

Alaska Online Poker Laws

Alaska doesn't have any legal codes dealing with poker as conducted online, so we have to fall back on the statutes that concern gambling in general, which are contained in the Alaska Statutes, Title 11 - Criminal Law - Chapter 11.66 - Offenses Against Health and Decency - Article 02 - Gambling Offenses. First off, let's start with a few definitions. In 11.66.280, we see that:

(3) "gambling" means that a person stakes or risks something of value upon the outcome of a contest of chance or a future contingent event not under the person's control or influence, upon an agreement or understanding that that person or someone else will receive something of value in the event of a certain outcome;

There is a list of exceptions that follow, including bona fide business contracts, amusement devices, and activities permitted in other parts of the law, which basically refers to charitable gaming. Poker is not excluded from this definition of gambling, which means that whether or not it's permitted under Alaska law hinges on what's considered a “contest of chance.” The lawmakers have declared in the same section of law that:

(2) "contest of chance" 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;

Ah, it's the old Material Element Test. Some contend that poker is a game of chance under this rule, but others believe otherwise. The entire test is basically subjective, and so it can be interpreted in whatever way the AK authorities would like. For more information on the Material Element Test and its shortcomings, you can read this paper by gaming lawyer Erica Okerberg.

Moving on to 11.66.200, which defines the crime of gambling, we encounter the following language:

(a) A person commits the offense of gambling if the person engages in unlawful gambling.
(b) It is an affirmative defense to a prosecution under this section that the defendant was a player in a social game.
(c) Gambling is a violation
(1) for the first offense;
(2) punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000 for the second and each subsequent offense.

For a first offense, which is considered a violation under Alaska law rather than a misdemeanor or felony, the punishment is a fine of not more than $500. Even for subsequent offenses, the fine merely rises as high as $1,000. There's no possibility of incarceration at all.

Even if we put the worst spin on the language employed here and treat poker as though it were contrary to the law, these fines are largely an imaginary threat. Alaska has never prosecuted – much less convicted – anyone for playing online games for money on their computers. You're totally in the clear, from a legal standpoint, if you wish to enjoy real-money internet card games while residing in Alaska.

Notice that you can't get in trouble for participating in a “social game.” This is described as ”gambling in a home where no house player, house bank, or house odds exist and where there is no house income from the operation of the game.” Home games are thus OK as long as nobody is making any money other than as a player.

Things are not so chipper for people actually engaged in gambling as a business. The crimes for which they can be legally charged include Promoting Gambling in the First Degree, Promoting Gambling in the Second Degree, Possession of Gambling Records in the First Degree, Possession of Gambling Records in the Second Degree, and Possession of a Gambling Device. Some of these offenses are Class A Misdemeanors while others are Class C Felonies. The maximum punishments can be as serious as five years in prison and a fine of $50,000.

Regardless of these legal proscriptions, there are hardly any online gaming firms that exclude Alaskans from partaking of their services. These groups have retained the advice of expert counsel who have probably assured them that their risks of ever getting into legal hot water are in the range of slim to none. Thus, you have a comprehensive palette of internet poker rooms to choose from.

Land-Based Gambling

Alaska has one of the bleakest ecosystems for land-based gambling anywhere in the United States. Casinos are not present, apart from a few tribal bingo halls and pull-tab facilities, which are not casinos in the traditional sense because slots are not permitted. There's no lottery and no pari-mutuel racetrack betting. Very limited wagering on sporting events can be found due to carve-outs in the law for moose derbies, dog sled races, and similar competitions, but these occasions are few and far between. All of these activities must be managed by a licensed group to be legal.

Card players in The Last Frontier must content themselves with social games, which are explicitly allowed under the law, and membership cardrooms that get around the law by not charging a rake. Instead, members must pay a fee every so often, like once a month, and can then play poker for the chance to win real money prizes.

State Regulation

Comparing Alaska to other American states, we can only conclude that it's among the least likely to establish a state-supervised online poker framework. Not only has it been historically against gambling, with limited charitable exceptions, but it also has a very low population: about 750,000. Thus, any legal, regulated online poker economy would have to partner with other states to have any chance of success. In order to set up such a system, the appropriate legislation would have to be drafted and passed, a licensing body would have to be established, companies would need to be enticed somehow into serving such a small market, and agreements to share player traffic would need to be signed with other states. We don't foresee this happening until and unless state-approved internet poker rooms start to become as popular as state lotteries. And even then, given that Alaska lacks a lottery, it's not a given that such a prospect would necessarily materialize.

History of Gambling in Alaska

The climate of Alaska rendered it unappealing to Europeans for quite a while, but this doesn't mean that there wasn't any gambling going on. The Tlingit people played a variety of wagering games with gambling sticks. Some of these sticks were marked with different patterns, and others were unfinished. The most notable of these pieces was the naq, or devilfish, which acted as a kind of joker or trump. The games involved predicting which stick would be drawn next, attempting to select the naq without looking, and other chance-based activities.

In the 1800s, Russia started minor colonization and fur trading within Alaska, but the total number of people associated with these enterprises was never great. Perhaps nervously eyeing neighboring British colonies and contemplating the difficulty of defending such an icy outpost, Russia sold the area to the United State in 1867 for $7.2 million. The press criticized this purchase, calling it “Seward's Folly” (after Secretary of State William Seward), “Seward's Icebox,” and “(President) Andrew Johnson's Polar Bear Garden.” Initially, the territory seemed to have nothing to offer but ice, snow, and fish.

Skagway, Alaska, 1898

However, the discovery of gold on the Klondike River in 1896 and at Nome in 1898 precipitated a gold rush. Though the Klondike strikes were located in Canada, the closest ports were Skagway and Dyea in Alaska. These towns benefited from the infusion of cash provided by the prospectors and other business people in the area, and gambling halls flourished along with saloons and bordellos. Though there's little historical documentation one way or the other, legend has it that Klondike solitaire first originated or became popular among these gold-hunters.

Several prominent names in the world of gambling, like Wyatt Earp, headed over to Alaska to take advantage of the conditions brought about by the gold rush. However, they were not all reputable gentlemen. Con man Jefferson Randolph “Soapy” Smith soon set up shop in Skagway, running games of chance and poker. His operations were rigged, though, and they were designed to separate a gambler from his money in as efficient a way as possible.

Newspaper Report of Soapy Smith's Death

Soapy amassed political power through shady dealings, aided by the fact that many of the residents of Skagway were only there temporarily with their ultimate destination being the gold fields some distance away. Nevertheless, Soapy's antics caught the attention of the more solid and honest Skagway citizens who formed organizations to try to unseat him. Ultimately, the situation devolved into violence when Soapy Smith was gunned down in 1898 following a three-card monte dispute.

During this time, Alaska was governed as a military district, and there was no body of Alaska law dealing with gaming, so it was mostly ignored by the authorities. The temperance movement was gaining strength, however, and it sought to crack down on drinking as well as the associated vices of prostitution and gambling.

Alaska gained territorial status in 1912, and anti-gambling statutes were drafted. The text of section 2032 of the 1913 Compiled Laws of Alaska reads as follows:

That each and every person who shall deal, play, or carry on, open or cause to be opened, or who shall conduct, either as owner, proprietor or employee, whether for hire or not, any game of faro, monte, roulette, rouge-et-noir, lansquenet rondo, vingt-un, twenty-one, poker, draw poker, brag, bluff, thaw, craps, or any banking or other game played with cards, dice, or any other device, whether the same shall be played for money, checks, credit, or any other representative of value, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine of not more than $500, and shall be imprisoned in the county jail until such fine and costs are paid: Provided, that such person so convicted shall be imprisoned one day for every $2 of such fine and costs: And provided further, that such imprisonment shall not exceed one year.

There's ample evidence to suggest that this law was widely ignored, but the general theme of being against gambling has ever since been a feature of the Alaska legal framework. After becoming the 49th state in 1959, oversight of gambling came under the purview of the Department of Revenue, and charitable bingo was the only game permitted. It was a while before the next authorized form of real money gambling appeared: pull tabs in 1984.

In 1993, there was an overhaul of the state's gambling legislation, but all allowed activities still have to be run through charitable entities, and vendors must also meet with government approval. Organizations applying for charitable gaming licenses have to open their accounting books to public inspection and must pay taxes on the revenue generated. Some of the rules that must be obeyed relate to the maximum prizes that can be awarded and minimum payout percentages. Municipalities can host charitable events too, but they must hold special elections to approve of gambling.

In 1995, cruise ships were allowed to offer gambling while within Alaskan waters, but the legislation authorizing this expired at the end of the year and was not renewed. Other forms of charitable gambling have been added to the list of legal activities, and they often have an Alaska-specific flavor to them. Examples include betting on the outcomes of dog mushes and salmon fishing contests.

Attempts to expand the menu of state-authorized gambling in AK in the 21st century have met with repeated failure. In 2003, a bill to enact a state lottery was defeated, and in 2008, a ballot measure to create a statewide Gambling Board failed. Below, you will find a detailed timeline covering the history of gambling and poker throughout the state of Alaska.

Famous Alaskan Poker Players

Alaska is a pretty out-of-the-way state, far from the global hotspots of poker. Yet, there's at least one prominent poker practitioner who hails from its icy expanses. Perry Green is a native of Anchorage who achieved a moderate level of success at the tables during the '70s. He picked up three WSOP bracelets, the latest being in the 1979 $1,500 No Limit Hold'em event. He also finished second to Stu Ungar in the 1981 WSOP Main Event, collecting $150,000. Most of his more than $1.1 million in live MTT prizes came in decades past, but he has still been active in the poker scene more recently. In the mid-2000s, Green spearheaded an effort to get poker legalized in Alaska, but his efforts came to naught.

Other Types of Gambling in Alaska

Although Alaska may not be well known for offering land casinos and gambling, there are plenty of options online to play for real money. Below, we will cover all of the casinos and sportsbooks recommended by our expert team of gamblers. We have thoroughly verified the trustworthiness and legitimacy of every casino and sportsbook recommended below.

Online Casinos

There are no land-based casinos in Alaska and no real prospect of state-supervised internet casinos appearing anytime soon. This means that your only real option if you enjoy slots, baccarat, craps, and other similar fare is to head online and play at one of the many offshore casinos that accept Alaskan customers.

We have researched this topic extensively and are pleased to present three dependable casinos for you to sample.

1. Cafe Casino - Boosted 350% up to $5,000 Bonus

2. Wild Casino - Five Separate Deposit Bonuses for up to $9,000 Free

3. Ignition Casino - BTC 150% up to $1,500 First Deposit Bonus

There are other excellent casino gaming destinations, and you can read up on them with a page devoted to trusted US online casinos.

Online Sportsbooks

Alaska hasn't really jumped aboard the gambling expansion train as many other states have done, and so it's very unlikely that we'll see homegrown sportsbook firms popping up anywhere in the state in the near future. Nevertheless, you can bet on sports online through the services of an internet bookmaker.

There are quite a few of these online sportsbooks available to Alaskans, and we have determined that three of them provide a superior experience for their users.

1. Bovada Sports - 75% up to $750 Bonus With Crypto (50% up to $250 With Other Methods)

2. Sportsbetting.ag - 100% up to $1,000 BTC bonus (50% up to $1,000 Non-Crypto Bonus)

3. Everygame Sports - Receive a $250 Bonus on Your First Three Deposits

You can get more info about the leading sportsbooks available to you by clicking over to a page describing the best USA online sportsbooks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Online poker in Alaska is a subject that has a lot of wrinkles and nuances. If you have questions about it, then you might be able to find the answers below. We've compiled a lot of information that we think Alaskan online poker players may find useful.