Alaska (AK) Lottery Results & Winning Numbers

By Milo Cruz

Results Updated On:14 Sep 2025 (GMT)

Is there a lottery in Alaska?

There is no official state lottery in Alaska.

While most US states operate their own lottery, Alaska does not sell tickets or run in-state draw games.

Instead, the state only issues permits for charitable gaming such as bingo, raffles, and sweepstakes.

Why Alaska doesn’t have a state lottery

Unlike most states, Alaska state lottery does not exist.

Lawmakers have considered the idea, but several factors have prevented progress:

Population size: Alaska’s small and dispersed population would not generate enough revenue to support a full lottery.
Charitable gaming: Nonprofit groups rely on state-regulated bingo and raffles, and officials fear a lottery would hurt those revenues.
Lack of demand: Reports show little public interest in creating a lottery, making it hard for proposals to gain traction.

How Alaskans play lottery games

Even without a lottery in Alaska, residents can still participate in big draws by traveling out of state or abroad.

Many travel to Canada, where local lotteries sell tickets for national and regional games. While there, players can also sign up with services like theLotter, which allow legal online play if accessed from within Canada.
Others cross into US states where Powerball, Mega Millions, and local draw games are available. Tickets can be purchased in person and brought back home.

Claiming prizes depends on the rules of the state or country where the ticket was bought.

Some winnings can be mailed in, but larger jackpots usually require returning in person.

Neighboring states where Alaskans can play the lottery

Even though Alaska does not operate its own lottery, residents can still take part in games by purchasing tickets outside the state.

The closest opportunities are in nearby US states and in Canada.

Washington State Lottery: Offers a full range of games, including Powerball, Mega Millions, Lotto, and scratch tickets. Proceeds support state programs, particularly education.
Oregon Lottery: Features national games like Powerball and Mega Millions, plus state-specific draw games and instant tickets. Revenue helps fund schools, state parks, and economic development projects.

To claim prizes, players must follow the laws of the state or province where the ticket was purchased.

Smaller prizes can sometimes be claimed by mail, but larger jackpots often require winners to return in person.

Alaska lottery results

Because there is no state lottery, there are no Alaska lottery results or Alaska lottery results tonight.

Players must check the official websites of the states or countries where they purchased their tickets.

Multi-state games like Powerball and Mega Millions also publish results nationwide.

Taxes on lottery winnings in Alaska

Currently, Alaska does not impose a state tax on lottery winnings, since it has no lottery system of its own.

However, residents are still responsible for federal taxes on prizes.

The IRS treats lottery winnings as taxable income, and they are reported using Form W-2G.

Depending on the prize amount, a portion may be withheld before you receive your winnings, and the full amount must be included when filing your annual federal return.

In addition, you may face state taxes where the ticket was purchased.

For example, if you buy a winning ticket in Washington, that state’s lottery will withhold taxes according to its rules before paying out your prize.

Each state sets its own tax rates, so the amount withheld can vary widely.

Because Alaska does not have a state lottery, winners only need to consider federal and out-of-state taxes for now.

But if Alaska were to establish a lottery in the future, lawmakers would likely set up a system for state-level taxation of lottery winnings, similar to the approach used in other states.

This could involve specific withholding rates or dedicated rules for reporting and paying taxes on prizes.

Has anyone from Alaska ever won the lottery?

Yes. Even without a state lottery, Alaska residents have won prizes by purchasing tickets elsewhere.

For example, Alaskans who travel to Washington or Oregon have claimed jackpots from Powerball and Mega Millions.

Others have won in Canadian lotteries like Lotto Max while visiting across the border.

These cases show that while Alaska does not sell its own lottery tickets, residents still manage to participate and win by crossing into neighboring regions.

History of lottery efforts in Alaska

Although Alaska has never had a state lottery, lawmakers have proposed the idea several times.

Most attempts failed due to concerns about population size, nonprofit gaming revenues, and public resistance to gambling.

Here are some of the key moments:

1960s: Early proposals for a lottery faced strong opposition, with critics citing risks of social harm and organized crime.
1988-1990: Charitable scratch-off tickets were briefly permitted, but a statewide ballot initiative later ended the experiment.
1998: The Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation held public hearings to gauge support for a lottery, revealing mixed public opinion.
2003: A bill proposing a state lottery was introduced in the legislature but did not advance.
2010: Another proposal suggested using lottery revenue to support education and public services, but it failed to pass.
2016: Lawmakers revisited the idea during budget debates, though the bill did not move forward.
2020: Discussions resurfaced about using a lottery to generate revenue for state programs, especially during fiscal shortfalls.

These repeated efforts show that the concept of an Alaska lottery continues to surface, even if it has never gained enough momentum to become law.

Future of a lottery in Alaska

Although Alaska has no state lottery today, lawmakers and residents continue to revisit the idea when the state faces budget challenges.

Supporters often point to the potential for a lottery to generate revenue without new taxes, while opponents remain cautious about its social impact and limited revenue potential.

If Alaska were to create a lottery, it would likely resemble systems in neighboring states:

Multi-state draw games: Alaska could join national games such as Powerball and Mega Millions, giving residents access to large jackpots.
In-state draws: Smaller draw games unique to Alaska could be introduced to offer more frequent prizes.
Scratch-off tickets: Instant-win scratchers would likely be part of the system, appealing to players who prefer immediate results.
Revenue allocation: Proceeds could be earmarked for education, healthcare, or infrastructure, following the model of other states that dedicate lottery funds to public programs.

No legislation is currently moving forward, but Alaska’s reliance on oil revenue and its recurring budget deficits suggest that the lottery question could return in the future.

Frequently asked questions

Here are some common questions asked by state residents about the Alaskan lottery.

Where to buy Alaska lottery tickets?

You cannot buy tickets inside the state, but you can purchase them in nearby states or Canada. Alaskans often travel to Washington, Oregon, or British Columbia to play. Remember that claiming winnings may require mailing in the ticket or traveling back.

Can you buy Powerball in Alaska?

No, Powerball tickets are not sold in Alaska. Residents must travel to another state to buy them. Results can then be checked online once the drawing takes place.

Will Alaska ever get a state lottery?

It has been discussed several times, but the chances remain low. Lawmakers have pointed to population size and nonprofit funding concerns as barriers. Unless there is strong public demand, a state lottery is unlikely to be created.

Can Alaskans win Mega Millions jackpots?

Yes, as long as the ticket is purchased in a state where Mega Millions is sold. If an Alaska resident wins, they must claim the prize under the rules of that state. Mega Millions results can be checked online or through national outlets.

Can you play lottery in Alaska?

No, Alaska does not operate its own state lottery or sell lottery tickets. Residents who want to play must travel to another state or Canada to buy tickets. They can then claim prizes under the rules of the location where the ticket was purchased.

Why doesn't Alaska have Powerball?

Alaska does not participate in Powerball because the state has no official lottery system. Without a state-run lottery, there is no framework to sell or regulate tickets for multi-state games. As a result, residents must travel outside Alaska to buy Powerball tickets.