Idaho

Idaho finds itself pretty much in the lower end of the pack regarding liberal gambling laws. Geographically, to the southwest, it borders with Nevada and its 300+ land-based casinos. To the southeast lies Utah, with its extreme resistance to online gambling and all other forms. Bordering Idaho to the west and east are Washington, Oregon, Wyoming, and Montana, among the more liberal online gambling states.

At present, the Idaho Constitution authorizes pari-mutuel wagering, a state lottery, and charitable gaming (raffles and bingo). The state has tribal gaming compacts in place, resulting in 7 casinos on tribal lands.

Still, Idaho gambling laws have some ways to go before reaching a fully open gambling state. For example, sports betting, fantasy sports contests, and interactive gaming (online gambling, online casinos, and online poker) remain unauthorized. You can find out about all the legal forms of Idaho gaming in our article below.

The limitations in Vegas-style gambling in Idaho have, in part, has pushed some Idaho players to play at offshore online casinos. Suppose you’re one of those players looking for some of the best online casinos and bonuses. In that case, we suggest you view our top online gambling lists produced by our gurus.

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Idaho Online Gambling & Sportsbooks in 2022

As of 2022, there are no legal sportsbooks or legal online casinos in Idaho, and there doesn’t seem to be any movement to suggest these will become possible in the future.

Since the PASPA bill was deemed unconstitutional in 2018 and states were given the ability to individually decide on their own gambling laws, no bill has appeared in Idaho to suggest change will come.

Best Bonuses in Idaho Casinos

Players searching for the best bonuses in Idaho casinos are undoubtedly looking for a signup no deposit bonus, a deposit bonus, and/or free spins at online casinos. These can be a great way to get to play for free with little risk to your bankroll and to get to know the casino and games.

However, the maximum value of bonus money, the number of free spins, and the applicable slot(s) are ultimately left to the discretion of the casino. Although casino bonuses are meant to be fun, you’re probably hoping to win a few US dollars or Bitcoins too. The bonus T&Cs and wagering requirements can have a significant impact on your chances. This is why you’ll want to find fair bonus terms and conditions to maximize the potential of a cashout, whether it’s casino gambling or sports betting.

Keeping all this in mind, our experts have come up with a list of Idaho casinos that we think you’ll want to see.

Best New Casinos in Idaho

While it is possible to visit one of the seven land-based Class II tribal casinos in the state of Idaho, this may not always be practical or desirable. For starters, you will not be able to find table games like blackjack, roulette, Texas Hold’em, specialty games, et cetera. That doesn’t sound like much of a casino gambling experience to us!

Fortunately, players can now find the best providers of new casino games in Idaho online below. These trustworthy operators offer a wider choice of slot machines, casino games, and live dealer games. Each game’s RNG is tested and certified fair, per online gambling laws, by one or more independent third parties.

USD deposits and withdrawals are fast, safe, and secure using various payment methods like Visa, Mastercard, Discover, Amex, et cetera. Similarly, Bitcoin deposits and withdrawals are equally fast, safe and secure. Qualifying for bonuses, comp points, VIP programs, and other perks is not an issue whether you deposit BTC or USD.

You can find an accompanying review for each casino listed, so there’ll be no surprises. We invite you to have a look.

Idaho Gambling Overview

When Idaho’s Constitution was approved by Congress in 1890, the prohibition of lotteries and gift enterprises was explicitly mentioned. Today, all gambling outside of pari-mutuel, lotteries, and charity gaming remain prohibited. The state does have 7 tribal casino providers that offer video slots and bingo on Indian reservations. It is permitted in Idaho only because the state has limited powers to prevent it.

Among the prohibited forms of gambling are online casinos, sports betting, fantasy sports, and daily fantasy sports. There is currently no proposed legislation to change this, which is in contrast to many other states pushing for changes to online gambling.

Until May 2016, when daily fantasy and fantasy sports were ruled illegal as they were considered a form of sports betting, players from Idaho would participate in the activity. It resulted in big operators like DraftKings and FanDuel leaving the state.

Lotteries

Idaho has a state lottery that works with roughly 1,050 retailers throughout the state. Their products include scratch games, pull tabs, draw games, and multistate draw games. The Idaho Lottery was the first in the United States to launch a player’s club that offers rewards and incentives for buying lottery products. Although a lottery app exists for Android and iOS, players cannot purchase tickets online.

Charity Games

In Idaho, non-profit charitable gambling includes raffles, bingo, and other games of chance. Charitable gaming falls under the agency of the Idaho State Lottery Enforcement Division. Organizations must have been in existence in the United States for at least one year. A single bingo prize must not exceed $3,000 of cash or merchandise. Furthermore, not more than $25,000 of money or merchandise must be awarded in an eight-hour time frame. On the other hand, a single raffle prize cannot exceed $1,000 in cash.

Charities with annual revenue of $10,000 or more must apply for a license. Raffles require a license if the combined value of prizes exceeds $5,000.

Horse Racing and Pari-Mutuel

Pari-mutuel betting is the one form of sports betting that is legal in Idaho, provided it is approved by the commission. This includes live racing, OTB, simulcast and/or televised races. While pari-mutuel horse racing is permitted, dog racing has since been prohibited. Idaho bettors can make OTB online from sites like TwinSpires and TVG. Idaho OTB is the only authorized form of online gambling allowed.

Land-Based Casinos in Idaho

Tribal casinos are the only legal form of land-based casinos (Class II) in Idaho. These offer hundreds of slot machines and bingo. However, table games like blackjack, roulette, poker, keno, and baccarat are not permitted. The ownership of these casinos is split between the Kootenai Tribe(1), Nez Perce Tribe(2), Coeur d’Alene Tribe(1), and the Shoshone-Bannock Tribe(3).

Tribal Casinos	Address	Website
Bannock Peak Casino	I-86 (Exit 52) – Arbon Valley, ID 83204	shobangaming.com
Best Western Kootenai River Inn, Casino and Spa	7169 Plaza St. – Bonners Ferry, ID 83805	kootenairiverinn.com/casino
Clearwater River Casino	17500 Nez Perce Rd. -Lewiston, ID 83501	crcasino.com/casino
Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort Hotel	37914 S. Nukwalqw – Worley, ID 83876	cdacasino.com/gaming
Fort Hall Casino	I-15 (Exit 80) – Fort Hall, ID 83203	shobangaming.com
It’se Ye-Ye Bingo & Casino	419 3rd St. – Kamiah, ID 83536	crcasino.com/itse-ye-ye-casino
Sage Hill Travel Center & Casino	I-5 (Exit 89) – Blackfoot, ID 83221	shobangaming.com

Idaho Casinos Map

 

 

Idaho Gambling History

Between 1947 and 1953, slot machines could be found outside Idaho Falls, Garden City, and Pocatello. However, by 1953 the Idaho Legislature declared these unconstitutional. Owners were compelled to destroy them or ship them to Nevada for use in casino gambling there.

In 1963 pari-mutuel horse racing was enacted, which would be regulated by the Idaho State Racing Commission. Greyhound racing was later authorized in 1987. Simulcasting followed in 1990 and then deposit wagering in 2003. In 1996, greyhound racing was banned in Idaho, following a trend seen in other states.

In 1983, a state lottery was proposed and defeated by a legislative committee. In 1988, an Idaho citizen’s initiative approved creating a lottery. Lawmakers later rejected it for not having the required legislative approval. They would later approve lottery measures to the ballot, which would squeak by with a 51% approval in the general election. The first ticket was sold the following year.

In 2002, Idaho authorized tribal casino Class II gaming after the signing of a Compact.

In 2013 Idaho legislators voted to legalize historical racing machines, which was repealed in 2015 despite Gov. Butch Otter’s attempt to veto the repeal. Legislators argued that they were deceived and that the devices were little more than slot machines. Historical racing involves making bets using terminals on randomly chosen horse races with no information on the past results or horses.

In May 2016, Idahoans could no longer participate in online fantasy sports because cash prizes violate state gambling laws. This led two big operators (DraftKings and FanDuel) to withdraw from the state.

Idaho defeated a historical racing measure in November 2018. It would have authorized racing machine terminals that allow players to bet on horse racing replays that have already happened.

Online gambling laws

Up to this point, there hasn’t even been so much as a Bill submitted to legalise online gambling in Idaho. In contrast with many states where lack of online gambling comes down to disagreement over the technicalities, Idaho gambling legislation simply doesn’t seem to have the backing that is seen in other states.

This is not to say that online gambling couldn’t come to the legislature in some form and be passed relatively speedily if the right legislation were to be written. Idaho online gambling seems a distant prospect at the moment, but in each state which has passed laws, it has tended to come down to the extent of legal online gambling and – crucially – where the tax generated will be spent.

For the moment, though, nobody has tried, which implies the will for such an effort is in short supply. Those who wish to play casino games online are continuing to use offshore sites, and no lawmaker seems to see online gambling as a major vote-winner.

Idaho online Gambling FAQ

What types of gambling are legal in Idaho?

Players in Idaho can legally participate in charity games (raffles and bingo), pari-mutuel racing (the only permitted form of online gambling in the state), the Idaho lottery and some multistate lotteries, and gambling at one of 7 tribal casinos.

Are lotteries legal in Idaho?

Yes, Idaho permits state and multistate lotteries, including draws, pull tabs, scratch cards, raffles, and sweepstakes. Idaho residents can also purchase multistate tickets such as Mega Millions and Powerball.

Are lottery winnings subject to tax in Idaho?

The Idaho Lottery deducts State and Federal income taxes on winnings over $5,000. The Federal tax rate is 24%, and the Idaho tax rate is 6.925%.

Is sports betting legal in Idaho?

No, Idaho prohibits sports betting as well as fantasy sports and daily fantasy sports, seeing all of them as forms of online gambling.

Does Idaho have commercial casinos or tribal casinos?

Idaho has seven tribal casinos online, run on Indian reservations that offer bingo and video slots. Table-based casino games are not permitted. There are no Idaho commercial casinos allowed in the state.

What is the legal gambling age in Idaho?

The legal gambling age in Idaho is 18+ to participate in pari-mutuel wagering, the Idaho lottery, and charitable gaming. Idaho’s legal gambling age rises to 21+ for tribal casinos – and will likely be set there if the state ever allows online gambling.

Conclusion

In recent years, we’ve seen a trend towards amendments to individual state Constitutions to authorize different forms of gambling. Although Idaho is no different, the legalization of Idaho online gambling sites and casinos does not appear to be in the cards anytime soon.

Idaho legally permits limited forms of gambling, including pari-mutuel wagering, a state lottery, and charitable raffles & bingo. Idaho also has 7 tribal casinos run by federally recognized tribes that have signed state compacts.

Still, some Idaho residents have turned to online gambling and casinos to play their favorite slots, table games, live dealer games and participate in sports betting They use offshore gambling sites to do this. Although this hints that Idaho gambling could boost state budgets if it were to be legalized, there has been no movement in that direction.

Nonetheless, people are clearly interested in the possibility of Idaho gambling sites offering an online casino account. If you’re interested too, you can find our expert list of recommended online casinos and bonuses in this article.