Alaska’s attempt to legalize online sports betting under House Bill 145 has stalled in committee, raising questions about legislative appetite despite strong consumer demand. Introduced by Rep. David Nelson, the bill aims to authorize up to 10 mobile sportsbooks, each required to pay a $100,000 annual license fee and remit 20% of adjusted gross revenue in taxes. Only operators active in at least three other states would be eligible.
While the House Labor and Commerce Committee held a public hearing, no vote was taken, and with the 2025 legislative session nearing adjournment, the bill is unlikely to advance this year. However, procedural rules allow the bill to carry over into the 2026 session.
From a regulatory perspective, HB 145 mirrors frameworks adopted by other emerging states, including provisions for responsible gambling — such as prohibiting ads targeting individuals under 21 and mandating prominent display of addiction resources. The bill also preempts local opposition by centralizing oversight under the Alaska Department of Revenue.
Supporting data from GeoComply revealed 126,000 geolocation pings from 23,000 unique Alaska-based accounts attempting to access legal sportsbooks in other states between January 1 and May 1, 2025 — a 60% YoY increase. The figures suggest pent-up demand that remains unmet by current law, which only permits retail betting under limited scope.
The failure to act in 2025 may cost Alaska not only in terms of tax revenue (projected at $4 million to $7 million annually), but also in controlling unregulated offshore betting exposure. Analysts suggest that without regulatory infrastructure, consumers will continue seeking out unauthorized platforms. HB 145’s legislative inertia illustrates the challenges of aligning consumer behavior, political will, and regulatory capacity in a conservative policy environment.
