What is Alaska Charitable Gaming?

Alaska Charitable Gaming is a form of gambling that is authorized by the state of Alaska for the benefit of nonprofit organizations. Charitable gaming includes activities such as bingo, pull-tabs, raffles, lotteries, and Calcutta pools. Charitable gaming is regulated by the Alaska Department of Revenue, which issues permits and licenses to eligible organizations and operators.  Alaska Indoor Sports Distributing is a pulltab and bingo distributor that supplies charities with products and tools to operate charitable gaming in Alaska. Our customers purchase charitable gaming products on our website alaskapulltabs.com.  

When was Alaska Charitable Gaming legalized?

Alaska Charitable Gaming was legalized in 1960, when the Alaska Legislature passed a bill that allowed nonprofit organizations to conduct bingo games and raffles. The bill was sponsored by Representative Warren A. Taylor, who argued that charitable gaming would provide a source of revenue for community services and projects. The bill was signed into law by Governor William A. Egan on May 27, 1960.

How many charities participate in Alaska Charitable Gaming?

According to the Alaska Department of Revenue, there were 669 active charitable gaming permits in fiscal year 2020, representing 539 different nonprofit organizations. These organizations include religious groups, fraternal orders, veterans associations, civic clubs, educational institutions, health and welfare agencies, and cultural and recreational groups. The total gross receipts from charitable gaming in fiscal year 2020 were $322.6 million, of which $47.6 million were net proceeds for the nonprofit organizations.

What are some examples of charities benefiting from Alaska Charitable Gaming?

Alaska Charitable Gaming has supported a variety of causes and projects in the state, such as:

• The Alaska Native Heritage Center, which received $1.2 million from charitable gaming in fiscal year 2020, and used the funds to preserve and promote the cultures and traditions of Alaska Native peoples.
• The Fairbanks Community Food Bank, which received $417,000 from charitable gaming in fiscal year 2020, and used the funds to provide food assistance to over 30,000 people in the Fairbanks area.
• The Alaska Zoo, which received $354,000 from charitable gaming in fiscal year 2020, and used the funds to care for and educate about the wildlife of Alaska and the Arctic.
• The Anchorage Symphony Orchestra, which received $198,000 from charitable gaming in fiscal year 2020, and used the funds to perform and promote classical music in the Anchorage community.

What are some suggestions for improving Alaska Charitable Gaming?

Alaska Charitable Gaming has faced some challenges over the years, such as:

• If commercial gambling were approved in Alaska there is the potential competition and conflict between charitable gaming and commercial gambling, which affect the market and demand for gaming products and services.
• Alaska charitable gaming is the gold standard for charitable gaming across the country, To keep our charitable gaming the gold standard, there is a need for charitable gaming to have a great working relationship with it regulators.