【22Bet】New online sports betting bill emerges in Alaska

The bill outlines a detailed regulatory framework for licensing, operating, and taxing mobile sports betting platforms, with an effective date set for 1 January 2026, contingent upon the issuance of at least three operator licences.

HB 145 proposes legalising mobile sports wagering through a licensure system administered by the Alaska Department of Revenue. A licence would be required for any entity seeking to offer mobile sports wagering in the state.

To qualify, applicants must already hold a mobile sports wagering licence in at least three other US states and undergo a criminal history check. Licence fees are set at $100,000 annually, with provisions for additional processing fees.

The bill allows for up to 10 licences to be issued and establishes a 20% tax on adjusted gross revenue from mobile sports wagering.

It includes strict operational requirements, such as identity verification for bettors, system integrity protocols, data retention, and mandatory reporting of suspicious activity.

Licensees are also required to maintain house rules, display responsible gambling messages, and prevent individuals under 21 from participating.

Almost all forms of bets could be offered

Betting formats authorised under HB 145 include single-game wagers, parlays, teasers, in-game bets, prop bets, futures, and more.

Bets must be placed by individuals physically located in Alaska or in jurisdictions with which the state has signed agreements for cross-border wagering.

Importantly, HB 145 exempts licensees from municipal wagering taxes and establishes clear enforcement provisions.

These include penalties of up to $10,000 per violation and the potential for licence revocation or suspension for offences such as fraud or regulatory non-compliance. All activities under the act are treated as privileges, not rights.

The legislation also instructs the Department of Revenue to adopt regulations based on models from other states with existing mobile sports wagering laws.

The regulations are to include consumer protections, data security requirements, financial reporting standards, and procedures for licence issuance and revocation.

Alaska not in a rush to consider sports betting

HB 145 represents the most comprehensive attempt to date at legalising sports betting in Alaska, but is not the state’s first effort.

In recent years, multiple attempts have sought to introduce legal sports wagering, all of which ultimately failed to advance through the legislative process.

In 2020, then-Governor Mike Dunleavy took the first significant step toward legalising sports betting in the state.

He introduced a piece of legislation intended to establish a state lottery, which also included sports betting by listing it among the permitted lottery games. Legislators stepped in and blocked the initiative.

In 2022, Rep. Adam Wool put forth HB 385, a bill aimed at legalising and establishing regulations for online sports betting.

However, a formal bill never advanced beyond preliminary discussions, in part due to concerns from religious and conservative groups, as well as hesitation among lawmakers about potential social impacts and limited infrastructure.

Since then, Alaska hasn’t tried to make another real effort to legalise sports betting.

The 2025 introduction of HB 145 demonstrates a shift in approach by focusing exclusively on mobile sports wagering, a sector that has proven more feasible in other US states due to its lower overheads and greater accessibility.

By limiting the number of licences and requiring operators to have experience in at least three other states, the bill attempts to ensure that only established and credible entities enter Alaska’s market.

HB 145 also acknowledges the potential for interstate cooperation by allowing the Department of Revenue to enter into agreements with other jurisdictions for cross-border betting, provided it complies with federal law.

This provision could help increase liquidity and market size for operators, enhancing potential tax revenues for the state.