Alaska Veteran Groups Seek Modernization of Charitable Gaming

Adapting pull-tab gaming to digital platforms could sustain veteran organizations' community programs and services.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 7:39pm

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A serene, painterly scene of a veteran organization's building, its warm lighting and shadows evoking a sense of timeless community spirit and purpose.As veteran organizations adapt to changing times, modernizing their charitable gaming models could help sustain their community impact for years to come.Anchorage Today

Alaska's veteran organizations, including the VFW, American Legion, and AMVETS, have long relied on charitable gaming, particularly paper pull-tabs, to fund their operations and community programs. However, as consumer behavior has shifted towards digital platforms, these veteran groups argue that modernizing pull-tab gaming to include electronic options is necessary to keep up with the times and maintain participation and revenue.

Why it matters

Veteran organizations play a vital role in supporting service members' transitions to civilian life and responding to community needs. The revenue from charitable gaming, like pull-tabs, helps sustain these organizations and the critical programs and services they provide. Modernizing this gaming model to better reflect how people engage today could help ensure the long-term viability of these veteran-focused institutions.

The details

Currently, paper pull-tabs remain the primary legal form of charitable gaming in Alaska, but veteran groups argue this outdated format fails to attract younger veterans and new members who are accustomed to digital interactions. Thirteen other states have already adopted electronic pull-tabs in addition to paper versions, allowing charitable gaming to better align with modern consumer preferences without abandoning the tight regulations and charitable purpose that distinguish it from for-profit gaming.

  • Charitable gaming, particularly paper pull-tabs, has supported Alaska's veteran organizations for decades.
  • Consumer behavior has shifted dramatically towards digital platforms in recent years.

The players

VFW 9365 Susitna Post

A local VFW post that relies on charitable gaming revenue to fund its operations and community programs.

American Legion Jack Henry Post 1

A local American Legion post that depends on charitable gaming to sustain its services for veterans and the surrounding community.

AMVETS Post 9

A local AMVETS post that utilizes charitable gaming proceeds to support its mission of assisting veterans and their families.

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What they’re saying

“Modernization is not a reinvention of charitable gaming but a revitalization of it.”

— JR Hackett, VFW 9365 Susitna Post's legislative chair

“If the way people prefer to engage has evolved, ignoring that reality puts these organizations at risk.”

— Justin Mills, American Legion Jack Henry Post 1's commander

“Modernizing pull tabs is, at its core, an acknowledgment of where Alaskans are today.”

— Scott Montagne, AMVETS Post 9's department commander

What’s next

The Alaska state legislature will consider bills to allow electronic pull-tabs in addition to paper versions, which would enable veteran organizations to adapt their charitable gaming models to modern consumer preferences.

The takeaway

Updating Alaska's charitable gaming laws to include digital pull-tabs could help sustain the vital community programs and services provided by the state's veteran organizations, ensuring they remain relevant and accessible for the next generation of veterans and their families.