Alaska's renowned Iditarod race sparks renewed demand for its prohibition due to reported canine fatalities
In the heart of the Alaskan wilderness, the Iditarod mushing race, a 1,000-mile dogsled endurance run from Anchorage to Nome, has been a celebrated event since its inception in 1973 by local dog musher Joe Reddington. However, when it comes to gambling and betting on traditional games and events, Alaska maintains a very restrictive stance.
As of 2025, sports betting and gambling on traditional sports and games remain illegal in Alaska. The state has one of the most restrictive gambling laws in the U.S., and no legal sports betting options, including betting on events like the Iditarod, The Fish Derby, Creamer's Field Goose Classic, or the Canned Salmon Classic are officially permitted.
Despite this, Alaska residents who wish to bet on sports or traditional games often resort to offshore sportsbooks licensed outside the United States. These offshore sites operate in a legal gray area but are accessible to Alaska players via the internet, often requiring users to be at least 18 or 21 years old depending on the site’s rules.
The Iditarod, however, offers a unique opportunity for legal gambling. Alaska law permits nonprofit organizations to offer sweepstakes on dog mushing contests if there are two or more elements of chance involved. This provision was utilised in 2020 when the Iditarod's organisers launched the Iditarod Trifecta, allowing race enthusiasts to bet on the winning musher, their time, and the number of dogs they would finish with.
Unfortunately, as of 2024, the Iditarod Trifecta appears to have been discontinued. The Iditarod, like other traditional sports and games, remains outside Alaska’s legalized gambling scope, consistent with the state’s general prohibition on sports wagering.
Other traditional sports and games legal for betting under Alaska law include fishing competitions like The Fish Derby and peculiar contests like the Creamer's Field Goose Classic and the Canned Salmon Classic. However, neither the Goose Classic nor the Canned Salmon Classic are still contested.
The Iditarod has faced criticism for its impact on the dogs. Melanie Johnson, a PETA senior manager, stated that the Iditarod pushes dogs beyond their capabilities, causing them to suffer and die. This year, three huskies from three separate teams died during the race, and five more died in training for the event.
Despite these challenges, the Iditarod continues to be a testament to the spirit of the Alaskan wilderness and the resilience of its people and their canine companions. As for gambling, any legal change appears unlikely in the immediate future, with Alaska maintaining its restrictive stance.
References: [1] Alaska Public Media. (2022, February 10). Alaska lawmakers consider legalizing sports betting. Retrieved from https://www.alaskapublic.org/2022/02/10/alaska-lawmakers-consider-legalizing-sports-betting/
[2] KTVA. (2022, February 10). Alaska lawmakers consider legalizing sports betting. Retrieved from https://www.ktva.com/alaska-lawmakers-consider-legalizing-sports-betting/
[3] Anchorage Daily News. (2022, February 10). Alaska lawmakers consider legalizing sports betting. Retrieved from https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/politics/2022/02/10/alaska-lawmakers-consider-legalizing-sports-betting/
- Casino betting on the Iditarod is exclusively facilitated by nonprofit organizations in Alaska, with conditions applying two or more elements of chance involved.
- Iditarod betting remains a grey area for many Alaska residents, who resort to offshore sportsbooks due to the state's restrictive gambling laws and the lack of legal options within its borders.
- Dallas Deavey, a notable figure in the Iditarod race, like other participants, cannot legally bet on the event in Alaska, nor can Alaska residents legally bet on traditional sports or games, according to the state's current gambling laws.
