There is no legal way to bet on horse racing in Alaska. The state bans virtually all gambling — there are no racetracks, no simulcast wagering, no online racebooks, and no legal sportsbooks or state lottery.

The only gambling permitted is charitable and tribal gaming (pull-tabs, bingo, e-bingo and VLT-style games), with proceeds going to nonprofit causes and no table games allowed. National advance-deposit wagering (ADW) apps such as AmWager, TwinSpires, FanDuel Racing and DRF Bets all geofence Alaska out.

For now, the only legal way for an Alaskan to bet on a horse is to do so while physically present in a state — or Canadian province — where horse betting is regulated.

Horse Racing in Alaska: Status & Outlook

Alaska’s horse racing history is quickly told: there isn’t one. No commercial racetrack has ever operated in the state, no pari-mutuel meet has ever been licensed, and no Alaska-bred has ever made a mark on the sport.

The terrain, climate and small, widely dispersed population have never supported a racing industry, and the state’s long-standing hostility to gambling left no opening for one to develop.

Alaska is one of the most restrictive gambling jurisdictions in the United States and one of only a handful of states with no lottery. State law prohibits games of chance for money outside narrowly drawn charitable-gaming rules, and the legislature has repeatedly declined to expand them.

Unlike Alabama or Texas — where online horse wagering is legal even without live tracks — Alaska has never carved out an exemption for advance-deposit wagering under the federal Interstate Horseracing Act.

Change is unlikely in the near term. There is no active bill to legalize horse wagering, sports betting or online casino, and any expansion would face both statutory and political resistance.

The most plausible first step, if Alaska ever moves, would be authorizing regulated online wagering rather than building physical racetracks — the same remote-first model smaller, low-population states have adopted.

If Alaska did legalize online horse betting, the national ADW operators that already serve dozens of states — AmWager, TwinSpires, FanDuel Racing, DRF Bets, NYRA Bets and 1/ST BET — would be the natural first entrants, since they need no in-state infrastructure. A regulated sports-betting market would likely draw the major books (FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, Caesars).

We’ll update this page if any legislation advances.

For now, Alaskans who want to bet the Kentucky Derby, the Breeders’ Cup or any other race must do so from outside the state. The nearest regulated options are across the Canadian border — British Columbia’s Hastings Racecourse (via PlayNow and HPIbet) and the Yukon (HPIbet) — or in the Lower 48 states listed below, where you can open an account once you’re physically present.

Nearest states where Alaska residents can legally bet

Who regulates horse racing in Alaska

Alaska regulates pari-mutuel horse racing through a single dedicated board. There is no legal sports betting in the state, so no sportsbook regulator exists.

Alaska horse betting — frequently asked questions

Is horse racing betting legal in Alaska?

No. All horse wagering — including online ADW apps and simulcast — is prohibited. Alaska bans nearly all gambling outside narrowly defined charitable and tribal gaming.

Are there any racetracks in Alaska?

No. Alaska has never had a commercial racetrack and has no live racing or simulcast venues.

Can I use TwinSpires, FanDuel Racing or AmWager in Alaska?

No. The national ADW apps geofence Alaska — you can’t fund an account or place a bet while located in the state. You can use them once you are physically present in a state where they are licensed.

Where can Alaskans legally bet on horses?

Only while physically present in a regulated jurisdiction. The nearest are British Columbia (Hastings Racecourse, via PlayNow / HPIbet) and the Yukon (HPIbet) in Canada, or Lower-48 states such as Washington, Oregon and California.

Can I watch horse races online in Alaska?

Yes. Streaming a race — for example an official track feed — is legal. Only wagering is prohibited.

Will Alaska ever legalize horse betting?

There is no active legislation. If Alaska ever moves, regulated online ADW is the most likely first step, since the state has no racing infrastructure to build around. We’ll update this page if that changes.

New to horse betting in Alaska? Explore our guides for clear answers to the most common questions — explained by veteran horse racing commentator Mike Brunker of the Las Vegas Review-Journal.