New Bill Could Legalize Mobile Sports Betting in Alaska

• Alaska lawmakers are considering HB 145 – a bill to legalize online sports betting.
• The measure would allow up to 10 sportsbook apps that are licensed in at least three other states.
• Sports bettors would need to be 21 and older but could wager on pro, college, and international events.
• Governor Mike Dunleavy has previously supported sports betting as a potential revenue source.

JUNEAU, Alaska – The 2025 Alaska sports betting discussions are underway, as lawmakers consider a new bill that would legalize online wagering in the state.

Representative David Nelson introduced House Bill 145 on Friday, marking one of the most recent attempts to regulate sports betting in Alaska. The bill, which has been referred to the House Labor & Commerce and Finance committees, aims to establish a framework for legal online sports betting while generating new tax revenue for the state.

Key Provisions of HB 145

The legislation places sports betting under the jurisdiction of the Alaska Department of Revenue, which would be responsible for overseeing the licensing and regulation of operators. Under HB 145, the state could issue up to 10 mobile sports betting licenses, with each license requiring an annual fee of $100,000.

In an effort to ensure industry expertise, the bill mandates that legal online sportsbooks must already hold a license in at least three other states. If more than 10 operators apply, the Department of Revenue will award licenses based on factors such as projected sports betting revenue and experience in other jurisdictions.

The proposed law sets the minimum age to bet on sports at 21 and explicitly permits wagering on professional, collegiate, and international sporting events, including the Olympics.

HB 145 proposes a 20% tax on adjusted gross revenue from mobile sports wagering. The bill also includes responsible gambling measures, requiring operators to provide access to problem gambling resources and prohibiting marketing directed at individuals under the age of 21.

Regulatory and Market Considerations

Unlike many other states with legal sports betting, Alaska lacks professional sports teams and NCAA Division I athletic programs, raising questions about the market’s viability. However, proponents of the bill argue that a regulated online betting market could capture demand from Alaskans who currently wager through offshore sportsbooks or travel to legal betting states.

Governor Mike Dunleavy previously expressed interest in sports betting as a means of boosting state revenue during the early COVID years. However, past attempts have failed to gain legislative traction.

The bill’s fate remains uncertain, as lawmakers have only introduced the measure thus far. But if passed, HB 145 would take effect on January 1, 2026, officially bringing Alaska sports betting to life.

News tags: AK HB 145 | Alaska | Alaska Department of Revenue | Mike Dunleavy