Table of Contents
Idaho Online Gambling & Betting
While gambling has been prohibited in Idaho for over a century, the state was once known for its bustling gambling scene, which included slot machines and card gaming. Through further regulations over time, the Idaho gambling sector has now been boiled down to tribal casinos, lotteries, and pari-mutuel betting.
To partake in digital or physical gambling, you have to meet the minimum legal age in Idaho, which is 18-years-old for everything but sports betting, which requires you to be 21-years-old.
Again, Idaho is fairly strict when it comes to gambling. The state prohibits all forms of gambling unless it is state lottery, Pari-mutuel betting sites, or bingo and raffles. The seven Tribal casinos even have strict rules against them and are only allowed to do video poker and slots. In the future online gamblers in Idaho may see sportsbooks like William Hill, Pointsbet, bet365, BetMGM, Betrivers/SugarHouse, TheScore, Betfred, Betway, SBK, Draftkings, Fanduel and other sports and maybe even casino betting online platforms.
Online Casino in Idaho
You aren’t permitted to use online casinos in Idaho. The Gem State stringently enforces its laws against gambling, and yet, the rules themselves are rather broad. While they directly mention games like blackjack, baccarat, craps, keno, roulette, and poker, the generalized nature of what they define as gambling is also assumed to ban any potential form of Idaho online gambling.
You can play many popular casino games in Idaho, however, only if you make the trip to one of the Native American casinos. These tribal halls are exempt from state gambling law and are permitted to offer video-form gambling games.
Sports Betting in Idaho
You aren’t permitted to place sports bets in Idaho, both off and online. The vast majority of states have introduced a bill to, at the very least, address the removal of PASPA in some way. However, Idaho gambling legislation hasn’t budged an inch, meaning that sports betting remains outlawed across the state. As it stands, authorities aren’t currently considering alterations to the status quo.
That said, it is still legal to partake in live pari-mutuel betting at horse and dog racing events in the Gem State. Outside of this, sports betting in Idaho isn’t permitted.
Online Poker in Idaho
Online poker in Idaho is currently illegal. Once a staple of entertainment gambling in Idaho, the state is now staunchly against online poker. The classic card game is mentioned directly in regional gambling law, so there isn’t any leeway when it comes to the operation and use of online poker platforms.
Live poker is an absolute no-go in Idaho, and even social poker games have been loudly and publically brought down. A famous case in the early 2010s saw a small-stakes game between seniors get busted, putting off even the notion of social poker games.
Daily Fantasy in Idaho
You aren’t permitted to bet on daily fantasy sports in Idaho. Many states that are presently against online sports betting or are undecided, still see the big-name daily fantasy sports platforms present betting options within state borders. However, following their firm anti-gambling stance, DFS has been made illegal under Idaho online gambling law.
Both DraftKings and FanDuel were asked to vacate the state, which they did, under the agreement that, should DFS return to Idaho, they would be allowed back. However, since the ban, there hasn’t been any indication that Idaho DFS will be legalized.
Esports in Idaho
Betting on Esports is illegal in Idaho. Esports is catching on in Idaho and across the United States, with the Gem State having already established the Idaho Gaming League, college, and high school teams. However, as is the case with sports betting, esports betting in Idaho isn’t allowed.
Lottery in Idaho
Playing the lottery in Idaho is legal. The Idaho Lottery is the only form of Idaho gambling that’s regulated, offering state-based games and access to multi-state lotteries. You can buy tickets for Lotto America, Powerball, and Mega Millions, as well as play tabs and scratch games.
Horse Racing Betting in Idaho
While Idaho is not a state known for horse racing, betting on it is legal here. It is internet or off-track betting facilities only in the Gem State. Online operators, including TVG, and land-based casinos with sportsbooks allow you to place parimutuel horse racing bets on simulcast events from around America.
Idaho Gambling Sites
Want to know more about Idaho online gambling laws, taxes and development? Follow updates at statelaws.findlaw.com/idaho-law