Do you know that Alaska was once owned by Russia? Yes! You read it right. This gorgeous state was purchased from Russia in 1867 for $7.20 per acre. Today, this largest U.S. State by area remains a center of attention for local gamblers and visitors, who visit there to enjoy snowy landscapes, beautiful islands, fjords, mountains, glaciers, tundras, volcanoes, bays, and casinos, of course.
Things You Should Do Before Cashing Out at an Online CasinoThere are no major cities with a vibrant nightlife like Las Vegas or Atlantic City in Alaska. However, the largest city, Anchorage has several great entertainment venues, including movie theaters, bowling alleys, bars, nightclubs, strip clubs, and four top casinos. Unfortunately, all of them are small facilities without any luxury, where both locals and tourists can enjoy video poker machines, slot machines, blackjack, roulette, keno, instant-win games, live poker room, and regular promotions, but not table games and dice games. By the way, the legal gaming age in Alaska casinos is 21, but some establishments allow players aged 18 and over to enter. There are also cruises that operate in Alaskan waters and offer onboard casinos. We will tell you more about land-based and online gambling in Alaska in this detailed guide.
Top Four Casinos near Anchorage, AK
Are you looking for fun things to do in Anchorage at night? If your answer is positive, we highly recommend visiting one of four casino venues located within a 45-minutes drive from downtown Anchorage. No doubt, you will agree with us that this is not plenty to choose from, but these best Anchorage casinos and nearby gambling facilities still have many advantages and something to offer to local gamblers and travelers, who come here from all over America and other countries. So, what are they waiting for you? Let’s find out!
Chinook Winds Casino Resort
This Indian casino is located in Lincoln City, Oregon (about 183 miles south of Anchorage.) Address: 777 Ocean Lake Boulevard N, Lincoln City, OR 97367. Phone: +1 541-994-9611. Chinook Winds Casino Resort features 76,000 square-foot of gaming space with over 1800 slots and video poker machines, popular high-limit and non-smoker’s areas, Keno, Bingo, live Poker Room with Hold’em games, regular tournaments, and fantastic Promotions such as Highest Five Promotion, Hot Seat giveaways, Seniors 10x Club Entry, Veterans Day, Player Birthday Rewards, and others that let you enjoy free play, anniversaries, birthdays, trips, dinners, shows, prizes, and much more. By the way, you can earn points while playing your favorite game that can be exchanged later for vouchers and used throughout the CT Casino Properties.
Guests and guests of the 203-room Chinook Winds Casino Resort can enjoy a full-service restaurant, lounge, deli, espresso stand, gift shop, indoor swimming pool, hot tub, sauna, and fitness center. Daily resort fee: $15; children under 18 are not allowed.
Prince William Hotel & Casino
Located in Valdez, Alaska, this casino offers over 250 slot machines, video poker, and electronic roulette by Bally Technologies, EGM Distributors Inc., JCM Pro, and other leading suppliers. Other amenities include a sports bar, coffee shop, lounge, souvenir shop, and live music events. The Prince William Hotel has 84 rooms, suites, kitchenettes, and efficiency units featuring cable TV, telephone, microwave, refrigerator, air conditioning, and more.
Prince William Hotel & Casino is open 24 hours, 365 days a year. It takes about 3 hours and 20 minutes to get there from Downtown Anchorage. Address: 320 E Meade Ave, Valdez, AK 99645. Phone: +1 907-835-4301.
Lake Lucille Campground and General Store
It takes about one hour to reach this roadside casino from downtown Anchorage. Also, it is located between Anchorage and Valdez on the Richardson Highway. Lake Lucille Campground and General Store features a cozy country store selling food, drinks, fuel, fishing gear, ice, firewood, etc., post office box rentals, payphones, showers, restrooms, RV parking, tent camping sites, and a nice little casino with around 25 slot machines. Sadly, they don’t serve alcohol because they are Mormon-owned. Address: 13006 Glenn Hwy, Eagle River, AK 99577. Phone: +1 907-694-3833.
Crowns of Glory Casino
The last but not least entertaining venue is open 24 hours, seven days a week and features over 200 slot machines, video poker, keno, scratch tickets, and pull-tabs. Besides, the Crowns of Glory Casino boasts a full service deli, pizza, and snacks. They sell gasoline, diesel, and offer RV/Big rig parking, truck/car wash, pay phones, ATM, restrooms, fax/copies, notary public, postal services, and many other amenities. Address: 10845 Ingrahm St, Anchorage, AK 99515. Phone: +1 907-562-4111.
Other Gambling Attractions Near Anchorage, Alaska
We hope you enjoyed our overview of four best casinos close to Anchorage. Of course, this list could be longer, but the truth is that the Last Frontier State ranks 48th in the nation in terms of gambling size and scope, and you may not find the abundance of gambling options available in Las Vegas, Atlantic City, or other famous gambling destinations. Nevertheless, Alaska has many interesting attractions for all tastes and budgets. For example, you can go fishing, take boat tours, watch wildlife, visit museums, or try dog sledding in winter. And if you dream of playing poker, blackjack, slots, or lottery in Alaska, we will tell you how to do it.
Poker Rooms in Anchorage, AK
There is no place in Anchorage where you could play Texas Hold’em, Omaha, or other exciting variants of this strategical card game against other players openly. However, casino venues feature live poker rooms where players can enjoy hold ’em games at all limit levels in a variety of formats – cash games, single and multi-table tournaments, sit-and-go’s, and satellite tournaments. By the way, Alaska Poker Sports Center – the biggest poker room in Alaska has 18 tables!
Blackjack in Alaska
Blackjack is the most popular table game, and many people love hitting 21. Unfortunately, Alaska doesn’t feature live dealers and real tables, so gamblers cannot play this exciting game at brick-and-mortar casinos or other venues. However, they can play various online blackjack games for free or real money using their computers, smartphones, and tablets. In addition, every Tuesday and Friday, the Sourdough Mining Company runs Black Jack Promotion that lets randomly selected guests win up to $1,000 bonus dollars based on the total of guest’s hand.
online casino marylandAlaska Lottery
Unlike other forms of gambling, the Alaska Lottery has its own history. It began in 1972 when Gov. Keith Harper signed into law a measure that created the Alaska Lottery. Interestingly, the first draw took place on November 11, 1972, and the lucky winner of the first Alaska Lotto ticket was Juneau resident Donna Brown, who hit the jackpot of $12,840. Since then, this regional lottery has generated millions of dollars in revenue for the state’s senior benefit program. Currently, Alaska Lottery features three draws: Powerball, Mega Millions, and Alaska Lotto.
Powerball is available in almost every city, town, and village in Alaska. Tickets cost $2 each, and drawings take place every Wednesday and Saturday at 8:59 p.m. (Alaska Time.) Players must be at least 18 years old and reside in Alaska. Mega Millions and Alaska Loto drawings take place twice a week as well but on different days of the week. When you are finished testing your luck in Alaska Lottery, you can visit one of the best Alaska gyms.
Cruise Ships with Casinos
Do you want to find an awesome casino in Anchorage, Alaska? Well, we have fantastic news for you! There are many large cruise ships operating in Alaskan waters that feature modern casinos on board. Thus, you don’t have to give up your gambling hobby during your Alaskan cruise vacation. Instead, you can enjoy even wider choice of slots and table games, breathtaking Alaskan nature, scenic cruises, delicious meals, and unforgettable impressions. Below, we have picked three best Alaska cruise ships with casinos.
Mobile Casino Apps That Deserve More CreditNorwegian Pearl
This luxurious cruise ship sails under the Norwegian flag and can carry more than 2,300 passengers and 1,000 crew members. Passengers can enjoy spa services, fitness center, rock climbing walls, basketball court, ice skating rink, nightclubs, shopping arcades, two main dining rooms, eight restaurants, 13 bars and lounges, five swimming pools and twelve hot tubs, theater, casino, and many other entertainment venues. By the way, Norwegian Pearl visits incredible Alaskan destinations, such as Ketchikan, Tracy Arm Fjord / Sawyer Glacier, Juneau, Skagway, and Victoria, British Columbia.
Celebrity Solstice
This beautiful cruise ship operated by Celebrity Cruises was built in Italy and launched in 2008. Accommodation on board consists of 1,726 staterooms, of which 86% have ocean views and 67% have private verandas. Celebrity Solstice measures 122,00 tons, has 11 decks, and can carry up to 2,800 guests and 1,184 crew members. Onboard amenities include AquaSpa + Silhouette, Gym, Basketball Court, Library, Art Gallery, Business Center, Photo Gallery, Shops, Theater, Ice-skating Rink, Martini Bar, Casino, and much more.
Best Michael Jackson Slots (and Where to Play Them)Radiance of the Seas
This elegant cruise ship belongs to the Premier Cruise Line and can carry more than 2,000 passengers and 686 crew members. Radiance of the Seas features over 800 cabins, including virtual balcony staterooms that provide stunning views of the sea, Spa and Fitness center, Rock-climbing wall, Jogging track, Golf simulator, Three-tiered theatre, Casino, Night clubs, Pools and Whirlpools, Solarium, Library, Art gallery, Internet Center, and many other amenities. The vessel calls at Icy Strait Point, Hubbard Glacier, Skagway, Endicott Arm, Sitka, Ketchikan, and Victoria.
History of Gambling in Alaska
Archaeologists believe that indigenous peoples inhabited the Alaska region as many as 12,000 years ago. These ancient people gambled, like modern society, according to historian David K. Leffler. He found evidence of a gambling-like contest called “knucklebone” that used caribou or mammoth knuckbones. The winner was determined by the distance thrown. Another primitive game known as “aces,” used large fish vertebrae. Modern versions of these traditional games are still played by villagers.
brand new casinos 2024Gambling in modern Alaska dates back to the Gold Rush era in the late 1800s when miners rushed to the territory to find gold. According to some estimates, about 100,000 people participated in the greatest land rush in American history. Most of them tried , faro, roulette, keno, and other popular games. Some historians believe that Nome became the gambling capital of the world in 1899–1909 due to the intense gold rush activity. Even the mayor of Nome at that time, C.A. Nordale, operated faro tables under his name, the so-called Mayor Nordale Faros.
In those days, there were many saloons in Alaska that featured card tables and slot machines. Gambling reached its peak after the prohibition of alcohol in 1959, so many places shifted their focus from liquor to gambling to keep the doors open. Nowadays, there are hundreds of Native Alaskan villages with legal Class II casinos and bingo halls, daily and weekly state lottery, charitable bingo, raffles, and hints. But full-fledged Las Vegas style casinos are still taboo in Alaska despite numerous attempts to change the situation.
Alaska Gambling Laws
According to Alaska Statute 11.66, only the Alaska State Lottery and certain forms of charity gambling are legal in the state. Running a gaming operation without authorization is a violation subject to a fine of up to $10,000. Operators of illegal gaming establishments face a minimum fine of $25,000. Native Alaskan villages or organizations can apply for Class II gaming permits, which allow operating bingo games, bingo-related games, pull-tab games, tip jars, and similar types of games. All other forms of gambling are banned.
Best PayPal Casinos in the UK for 2023Alaska definition of “gaming” includes not only slot machines, banking games, and wagering games but also any contests, games, or devices where anything of value depends upon risk, chance, or opportunity, although skill and knowledge may also be considered. Regarding social gambling, Alaska laws allow running a non-profit game where everyone has an equal chance of winning and losing provided no one makes money except players themselves. Hosts of such games cannot admit anyone under 21 and should not bet, manage bankroll, or loan cry-outs to players. What’s more, the collective annual net win cannot exceed $2000.
How to Become a Casino Dealer in Alaska
Becoming a dealer in Alaska is easy because there are no special requirements to applicants. Of course, you will need to attend a two-to-four weeks dealer school and obtain a certification diploma proving your skills and knowledge. After that, you will be able to find an entry-level job in one of small Alaska casinos or gaming facilities. Your responsibilities will include dealing cards, chips, roulette wheels, and other games to players according to the rules of the game. Additionally, you will be responsible for protecting wire bets, monitoring the pot, watching for cheating, collecting losing bets, paying winning bets, keeping accurate tables, and interacting with patrons.
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Unfortunately, state laws continue to restrict the number of brick-and-mortar casinos in Alaska, their working hours, and gaming options. On the bright side, residents and visitors of this state can enjoy endless gambling possibilities offered by offshore gambling sites. In fact, most Alaskans prefer to play slots for real money online because it gives them a chance to get amazing gambling experience from anywhere in this huge state. In addition, the best USA online casinos accept deposits and cashouts, feature hundreds of quality games, high payout rates, generous bonuses, loyalty rewards, VIP programs, tournaments, social gaming, mobile gaming, and much more.
However, we would like to warn you because not all internet casinos are worth your attention. Many websites look good but fail to deliver promised goods. That’s why it is important to make sure that you are going to register with a licensed, secure, and reputable site that meets your highest expectations. Luckily, we have already inspected dozens of online casinos and picked the best one that accepts players from Alaska. Its name is Wild Casino, and we highly recommend it because this brand new online casino features a wide selection of quality games, attractive bonuses, fast payouts, and excellent customer service. Want to know more about this fascinating gambling destination? Then check out our in-depth .
