Guide to Online Gambling in Idaho: The Best Idaho Gambling Sites for 2024

Idaho Online Sports Betting Sites

Citizens of Idaho are quite limited in gambling options. Depending on your definition of sports betting, Idaho allows a few options, however, it is restricted to pari-mutuel betting on horse and greyhound races. However, you won’t find any traditional Vegas-esque sports betting sites, because Idaho law has illegalized this form of betting. And if you are interested in some details, you can see the page dedicated to Idaho sports betting.

Gambling Laws in Idaho

Currently, all forms of online gambling are illegal in the state of Idaho. As a result, you will not find any licensed and trustworthy casino operators or sports bookmakers. Title 18 Chapter 38 of the Idaho Statutes defines gambling as “risking any money, credit, deposit or another thing of value for gain contingent in whole or in part upon lot, chance, the operation of a gambling device or the happening or outcome of roulette, poker, baccarat or keno.” As you can see, the law has a pretty wide breadth of coverage and even mentions specific games by name. Legal forms of gambling in ID consist of the state lotteries and casino gambling on tribal lands. It appears as though fans of online play will have to wait for sometime before any legislation allows the activity. My team and I will keep you updated should anything change regarding Idaho’s law and its ruling on gambling.

Idaho Daily Fantasy Sports

Many states have yet to decide whether this activity falls under their definitions of gambling. Idaho, however, made it clear when Attorney General Lawrence Wasden stated, “As I see it, this (daily fantasy) falls within Idaho’s definition of gambling.” As a result, daily fantasy betting in Idaho can’t be serviced by the most popular DFS operators in the USA.

Online Casino Gaming in Idaho

At this moment in time, it is illegal to gamble at online casinos in Idaho and the state has some of the most severe punishments in the country for players who illegally gamble. The only establishments, at which one can play traditional casino games, is one of a handful of tribal casino resorts in ID. Until the law changes, there will be no legal casinos in Idaho.

Online Poker in Idaho

As some residents may or may not know, Idaho’s gambling laws are somewhat unique when compared to the laws of other states. Rather than having a law that seeks to define what an illegal bet is (laws like this are open to interpretation and are the norm for most states), Idaho’s gambling statutes use specific game names, leaving almost no wiggle room. Poker is one of the games expressly forbidden in state territory so, there are no Idaho poker sites to recommend at this time.

The Idaho Lottery Online

Idaho does, in fact, have a state lottery, so it is one of the few legal gambling options in the state. However, when it comes to online play, the state’s laws are just as restrictive as they are with other forms of gambling. According to the official Idaho Lottery website, “there are State and Federal laws that prohibit the sale of Lottery tickets through the Internet.” There are no legal online lottery operators. We recommend that you head straight to our comprehensive Idaho lottery page for an extensive coverage on the matter.

History of Gambling in Idaho

State regulation of the gambling industry began shortly after the second world war when in 1949 Boise criminalized casino table games. The ban quickly spread across the state. 1953, marked the end of slots when legislation outlawed gambling machines. In 2002, the state finally struck a deal with Indian casinos, that allowed video game slots on tribal lands. Long story short, Idaho gambling is limited to lotteries, charitable raffles or bingo, and pari-mutuel horse betting.

Idaho State Facts

Idaho, known for its potatoes and its trout, leaves a lot to be desired in terms of gambling opportunities. Nevertheless, the state’s unrivalled natural beauty provides its citizens with many other ways to enjoy their time. Below you can find some general demographic statistics about ID.

Gambling Age in Idaho

The gambling age in Idaho is 18+. Those 18 years of age and older can participate in the state and national lotteries, tribal casino games, charity bingo, as well as pari-mutuel racing bets. The legal drinking age in the state is 21 years of age but was once 19.

• Online Gambling Age:
  Only citizens 18 and aboveare allowed to gamble legally
• Alcohol Age
  The drinking age in Idaho is at the national level, meaning 21+.
• Weed Age
  Currently, marijuana consumption and possession is strictly forbidden.

Responsible Gambling and Addiction Prevention

Idaho’s commitment to combating problem gambling is disappointing to say the least. Although a study from 2016 estimates that the state earned $377.7 million in revenue from gambling per year, Idaho spends nothing on public funding dedicated to problem gambling services, nor does it have a state affiliate to the National Council on Problem Gambling. There is one Gamblers Anonymous meeting group in Boise, but there are no dedicated state hotlines for players in ID.

Upcoming Regulation and Expected Changes

At this moment in time, it seems that the state’s stance on gambling, offline and online, is not going to change anytime soon. So, if you want to play at an Idaho casino, you’ll have to visit one of the territory’s Indian casinos, or check if there are any Canadian gambling sites available nearby. We will update this page should anything change with the state’s laws. You can also keep track of any changes by referring to our online gambling in the US guide.

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