As legislative efforts to legalize sports betting in Oklahoma and Hawaii have stalled this year, Alaska remains a surprising holdout with its proposal still under consideration. Last week, the Alaska House Labor and Commerce Committee held a hearing on House Bill 145, a measure introduced by Representative David Nelson that seeks to legalize online sports betting in the state.
Though the committee did not vote on the bill, the fact that it advanced to a hearing before the legislative session ends Wednesday is noteworthy. While passage in 2025 appears unlikely given the narrow time window, Alaska’s legislative structure allows bills to carry over into the 2026 session.
Nelson’s proposal, introduced in March, would permit up to ten online sportsbook operators to enter the Alaska market. Should the number of applicants exceed that cap, the Department of Revenue would award licenses based on projected operator revenues from comparable jurisdictions. The bill sets a licensing fee of $100,000 and proposes a 20% tax on gross sports betting revenue.
Governor Mike Dunleavy has previously identified sports betting as a potential revenue generator for the state. Nelson echoed that sentiment in a sponsor statement, highlighting the economic and consumer protection incentives behind the legislation.
“There are potentially millions of dollars being illegally wagered in Alaska each year,” Nelson stated. “The illegal and unregulated market continues to grow in states without legal alternatives. These black markets are predatory and offer no oversight or consumer protections, and generate no revenue for the state.”
He stated that legalizing sports betting could help diversify Alaska’s revenue streams while capturing activity that is already occurring underground. “Legalizing sports wagering is a simple solution that would capture a market which already exists in the state,” Nelson wrote.
During the hearing, GeoComply Senior Adviser John Pappas offered testimony underscoring the demand for sports betting in Alaska. From January 1 to May 1, GeoComply recorded 126,933 geolocation checks originating in Alaska attempting to access legal sportsbooks in other states.
These checks came from more than 23,000 online accounts, representing a 60% increase compared to the same period last year.
While Alaska’s bill inches forward, efforts elsewhere have faltered. In Hawaii, a sports betting measure passed both legislative chambers but failed in a conference committee. In Oklahoma, several bills advanced further than ever before, passing through a Senate committee, but ultimately stalled before reaching a final vote in the upper chamber.
Original article: https://www.yogonet.com/international/news/2025/05/21/105509-alaska-sports-betting-bill-still-in-play-as-legislative-session-nears-end
