Alaskan Governor, Mike Dunleavy, is hoping to haul the state onto the legal sports betting bandwagon sometime this year. The governor is proposing to make betting on sports legal in the state through two bills that are slated to go before the Legislature for approval sometime during this year’s session which ends in May.
Governor Dunleavy’s Alaska Lottery Corporation Act (made up of the two bills AK SB 188 and AK SB 246), would also see the introduction of a regulated state lottery and casino games such as scratch-offs and keno.
Speaking about his plans, the Governor said: “In the face of low state revenues, my administration has been actively seeking new revenue sources to diversify our economy. Not only does this legislation have the potential of creating new business opportunities, the profits generated from lottery activities will be designated to K-12 education, domestic violence prevention programs, drug abuse prevention programs, foster care, and homelessness.”
Dunleavy pointed out that Alaska is one of only five states in the country that does not have any form of a state lottery.
He proposed that an independent corporation run the new Alaska Lottery Corporation. The lottery will decide which types of games will be available to Alaskans over the age of 18, and will also be responsible for regulating them. It will cost an estimated $3 million to create the lottery.
“I believe it is time we, as a state, have the conversation on the potential benefits that could come from a state lottery,” he said.
Analysts believe that Alaska could see as much as $100 million in revenue each year should the Governor’s bills get the support they need. This will help the Last Frontier State with its growing $1.5 billion deficit.
Opponents to the bills have expressed concerns that the lottery will have a detrimental effect on low-income Alaskans.
