Alaska Could Greenlight Online Sports Betting in 2026

Alaska lawmakers are set to review a new bill that would legalize online sports betting across the state. According to Next.io, the measure was introduced by State Representative David Nelson.

The proposal lays out a framework for licensing, operations, and taxation of bookmakers. If passed, Alaska’s regulated market could officially launch as early as January 1, 2026 — provided at least three licenses are issued.

Under the bill, no more than 10 operators would be allowed to enter the Alaskan market. Bookmakers looking to go live in the state would also need to meet specific eligibility criteria — most notably, they must already be licensed and operating in at least three other U.S. states.

The proposed licensing fee is set at $100,000 annually, with operators taxed at 20% of their gross gaming revenue (GGR*).

Only Alaskan residents aged 21 and older would be eligible to place bets.

The bill also outlines penalties and potential license revocation for non-compliance. The state’s Department of Revenue would have the authority to fine operators for fraudulent activity or regulatory breaches, though penalties top out at a modest $10,000.

It’s worth noting this isn’t Alaska’s first attempt to bring legal betting to the state. Similar efforts were introduced in 2020 and 2022 but failed to gain enough traction with lawmakers.

Currently, Alaska remains one of 12 states where sports betting is still off the table. Meanwhile, 38 states and Washington D.C. have legalized wagering in some form. For context, Missouri voters approved regulated sports betting in their state during the November 2024 elections.

* GGR is a financial metric used to measure gross earnings, calculated by subtracting total winnings from total bets.