- The Alaska Casino & Hotel is the state’s top gaming establishment with over 360 slot machines.
- There are only four cities in Alaska with casinos, but there are a ton of things to do there.
- If you like the great outdoors, head up to Alaska for some incredible national parks.
You probably aren’t thinking about moving to Alaska. I know I wasn’t. I imagined it to be completely frozen over, always dark and way too far from any semblance of a fun casino.
But there are some awesome casinos in Alaska! Sure, it’s not exactly the Gambling Capital of the World, but it does surprise some people with its thriving Class III gambling industry.
There are only four cities with casinos in Alaska, which might seem low (it is low), but what are the odds you weren’t planning on visiting Juneau or Ketchikan anyway?
If you find yourself in Alaska, here’s a look at the gambling scene with my official rankings for the best Alaska casinos!
At A Glance
1. Alaska Casino & Hotel
- Slot Machines: Yes
- Poker Room: No
- Table Games: Yes
- Racebook: No
- Sportsbook: No
- Parks Nearby: Kincaid Park
The best casino in Alaska is the Alaska Casino & Hotel in Anchorage. It has two locations within the state’s largest city, and both offer tons of great games.
The main location boasts over 360 slot machines, while the second location has around 50. If you prefer slot machines, you might prefer the smaller location.
However, if you’re looking to play table games, you’ll definitely want to visit the main Alaska Casino & Hotel location.
They have all of your favorites such as blackjack, roulette, craps, pai gow, and more. They also host tournaments throughout the year, so be sure to check those out if you think you have what it takes!
After a long night of gambling, you can retire to one of their deluxe rooms and sleep until noon if you want. There’s really no rush up in Alaska anyway, right?
If you’re looking for things to do near the casino, you should head over to Kincaid Park. It’s a huge park that covers over 1,400 acres and offers breathtaking views of the Chugach Mountains and Cook Inlet.
It’s also home to lots of wildlife, including moose, foxes, eagles, and more. Be sure to bring your camera!
2. AJ’s Egyptian Palace Casino & Hotel
- Slot Machines: Yes
- Poker Room: Yes
- Table Games: Yes
- Racebook: Yes
- Sportsbook: No
- Parks Nearby: Eagle Glacier
The Prince of Wales Island is home to AJ’s Egyptian Palace Casino & Hotel, which just so happens to be one of the top casinos in Alaska.
They have all of the standard casino fare, including slots, video poker, blackjack, roulette, and more. They also have some unique games that you might not see everywhere, such as Pacific Attack, Alaskan Poker, and Crazy Eight.
One thing that puts this casino over the top is the fact that they have a salmon viewing window in the casino. How Alaskan of them.
Not only that, but they also have a large RV parking lot in case you are driving through the area. I don’t recommend driving up to Alaska if you live in the lower 48, but maybe RVing is more your style.
Speaking of styles, if you were born in a certain timeframe, you might be drawn to their disco-themed poker room.
They also have an amazing view of Clarence Strait and the surrounding islands. If you’ve never been to this casino, you should definitely make the trip.
And when you do decide to take a break from the action, head over to Eagle Glacier. It’s one of the many Alaska glaciers, and it’s absolutely stunning.
3. Diamond Jack’s Casino & Resort
- Slot Machines: Yes
- Poker Room: No
- Table Games: Yes
- Racebook: Yes
- Sportsbook: No
- Parks Nearby: Fred Meyer Lookout
The last of the Alaska gambling scenes can be found at Diamond Jack’s Casino & Resort in Juneau.
Like the previous entry, this casino also offers views of the water. It’s almost like everyone in Alaska just looks out at the water all day, but they needed a excuse to open a casino there, right?
In all seriousness, this casino has a little bit of everything for gamblers. They have all of your favorite classic games, along with daily and monthly specials that could benefit your bankroll.
If you’re looking to try your hand at electronic Keno, they have nine machines dedicated to the game.
Keno is huge in Alaska, as there are several other keno lounges scattered across the state. I’ve never quite figured out the appeal of keno, but perhaps you’re a big fan.
When you need a break from the casino, I suggest heading to Fred Meyer Lookout. It’s not much to look at during the day, but at night, the city of Juneau lights up beautifully.
In my opinion, it’s one of the best things to see in Alaska, even though it’s technically nothing special.
4. Jamestown S’klallam Casino
- Slot Machines: Yes
- Poker Room: No
- Table Games: Yes
- Racebook: No
- Sportsbook: No
- Parks Nearby: Fortification Point
Jamestown S’klallam Casino isn’t in Alaska, but it’s closer than the Ketchikan casinos, and it’s well worth the short drive.
Located on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada, this facility is gorgeous. Seriously, just look at it. When’s the last time you played at a log cabin casino?
Never? Well, now’s your chance.
Inside, you’ll find plenty of slot machines, video poker, and video keno. They also have a few table games, including blackjack, roulette, and Caribbean Stud.
If you get hungry, be sure to try some traditional west coast cuisine at the onsite restaurant. I hear the halibut is particularly good.
When you take a break from the action, you’re going to want to head to Fortification Point. Located on the western tip of the island, the point provides a breathtaking view of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Olympic Mountains.
The drive to this casino from any of the Alaska casinos is quite lengthy, but trust me, it’s worth it.
Alaska Casinos to Avoid
Kelly’s Cabin Keno Lounge
- Slot Machines: No
- Poker Room: No
- Table Games: No
- Racebook: No
- Sportsbook: No
- Keno: Yes
I can’t, in good faith, recommend any of the keno lounges in Alaska. Specifically, I won’t be recommending Kelly’s Cabin Keno Lounge in Anchorage.
Look, I get it. Sometimes you just want to play keno. It’s mindless, and sometimes you win some money. Who am I to judge?
The problem is that this isn’t even a small casino with keno. This is literally just a keno lounge.
Is there a bar? Yeah, there’s a bar. Is there anywhere to sit? Of course, there is. Why would they not have places for you to drink and gamble?
This place looks like someone’s cabin, except instead of mounts and taxidermy of animals on the wall, there are televisions displaying keno cards.
Maybe I’m being too hard on this place, but come on. It doesn’t even have a website, which tells me the place can’t be doing well. Perhaps I’m wrong, but I simply cannot in good faith recommend this keno lounge.
On the plus side, it looks like there’s free parking, so at least you won’t be out any money there.
Which Alaska Casino Will I Visit First?
It doesn’t look like I’ll be visiting Alaska anytime soon, but if I do, I know exactly which casino I’ll be visiting first. However, I might make a slight detour to Jamestown S’klallam Casino.
Unfortunately, it’s not actually in Alaska, but it’s closer than the other casinos, and it looks incredible. Honestly, have you ever seen a casino built into a log cabin before? I certainly haven’t.
Anyway, back to the Alaska casinos. Out of the casinos in Alaska, AJ’s Egyptian Palace Casino & Hotel takes the cake. Not only does it have a wide selection of games, but it also has salmon viewing and a cute disco poker room theme.
What more could you ask for? If you plan on flying up to Alaska, I strongly recommend making a stop at this casino. Just be careful not to spend all of your money on Pacific Attack.
Alaska might not be on your radar as your next vacation destination, but maybe it should be. Not only can you experience the beautiful Northern Lights, but you can also hit up some awesome Alaska casinos. Some even have views of the water and the mountains.
If you’re looking to plan your next vacation around some quality gambling spots, check out the best casinos in Colorado and the best casinos in South Dakota.
Footnotes:
casino apps with real rewards- Information on Alaska provided by .
- Alaska glaciers information provided by .
Anthony is a sports writer for GamblingSites.com on the editorial team. He enrolled at Utah State University, majoring in communications. Anthony found his passion for writing about sports. He previously wrote for a number of utility and craftsmen trade publications, following that up with writing about the NBA and data analytics.
