Guide to Online Casinos in Idaho: The Best Idaho Casino Sites for 2024
Online Casinos | Legal Since: |
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Online Slots | TBD |
Online Roulette | TBD |
Online Blackjack | TBD |
Live Casino | TBD |
As one of the least friendly gambling states in the United States, it should come as no surprise that online gambling is illegal in the state of Idaho. Unfortunately, the chances of seeing any Idaho online casinos in the future are pretty slim, with progress on gambling-related matters notoriously slow in Idaho. However, gamblers still do have a number of options when it comes to gambling in the state, so we recommend reading on to discover Idaho’s history of gambling as well as any potential changes that could be on the way for gambling regulations.
- We use trusted sources such as: The Idaho Statesman and The Times-Newsto stay on top of all industry related news and developments.
- We aren’t just experts in online casinos, we have dedicated teams across the gambling industry including for casino games such as slots and have created an online roulette guide.
- We keep on top of any changes to the law by closely following the movements of the Idaho Attorney General’s Office and the State Government in Idaho.
Available Casino Games in Idaho
As mentioned above, Idaho, along with Hawaii and Utah, is one of the least friendly gambling states in the nation. With all table games having been declared illegal in the 1940s and a subsequent ban of slot machines in the following decade remaining in place to this day, the only gambling activities that Idaho’s residents can enjoy legally are bingo, the Idaho lottery and some video gaming options available at tribal casinos. Even Daily Fantasy Sports in Idaho (DFS) are illegal, making it only one of six states across the US to declare what has federally been defined as a game of skill as illegal.
Biggest State Land-Based Casinos
There are six casinos operating today in Idaho, all of them under the control of different Native American tribes. These include the popular Shoshone Bannock Casino Hotel, the Sage Hill Travel Center and Casino, the Coeur d’Alene Casino, the Clearwater River Casino and Lodge and the Itse Ye-Ye Casino and Lodge.
The largest of these is the Coeur d’Alene Casino, which boasts a 300-room hotel, a spa, seven restaurants, an 18-hole golf course, as well as a 100,000-square-foot casino. See below for the address of the top five casinos in Idaho.
- Coeur d’Alene Casino, 37914 S Nukwalqw St, Worley, ID 83876
- Shoshane Bannock Casino Hotel, 777 Bannock Trail, Fort Hall, ID 83203
- Sage Hill Travel Center and Casino, 843 N Treaty Hwy, Blackfoot, ID 83221
- Clearwater River Casino and Lodge, 17500 Nez Perce Rd, Lewiston, ID 83501
- Itse Ye-Ye Casino and Lodge, 419 3rd St, Kamiah, ID 83536
History of Casino Gambling in Idaho
While Idaho had a thriving industry across the state due to the gold-rush, state morals shifted sharply in the 20th century. This resulted in the total ban of both table games and slot machines – bans that remain in place until this day. Only minor adjustments to the laws have been made since then. Below, we have created a timeline of some of the most important years in Idaho’s gambling history. For more information on gambling in the state, visit our dedicated Idaho gambling page .
Year | Event | |
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1949 | After more than a century of a gold-rush inspired gambling boom across the state, casino table games are banned in Boise. Other towns and cities in the state soon follow. | |
1953 | Slot machines are banned across Idaho in a state-wide prohibition effort. The legislation, which came into effect on January 1, 1954, remains in place to this day. | |
1963 | The Horse Racing Act is introduced, allowing gamblers to bet on races at racetracks and country fairs. | |
1989 | The first Idaho lottery is drawn. The lottery becomes so popular that the industry grows to include inter-state games. | |
2002 | A law is passed that allows tribal casinos to include video game style gambling machines in their gaming spaces. | |
2016 | Daily fantasy sports are officially declared illegal by the state Attorney General Lawrence Wasden who says that daily fantasy sports “constitute gambling under Idaho law.” |
Casino Gambling Age in Idaho
The gambling age laws in Idaho stipulate that all players must be at least 18 years old to wager on any gambling games. This includes bingo, the state lottery, and pari-mutuel wagering on horse racing. If a player is caught gambling underage, it is considered a misdemeanor and is punishable with no longer than six months in prison or a fine of $5,000.
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Online Casino AgeIt is illegal for Idaho residents to bet at online casinos in the state.
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Alcohol AgeYou must be 21 years old to drink alcohol in Idaho.
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Weed AgeRecreational smoking of cannabis is still illegal in Idaho.
Responsible Gambling and Addiction Prevention
When it comes to addiction prevention and harm reduction of problem gambling, there are a number of options in Idaho. If you believe that you or a loved are at risk of damages related to gambling addiction, we suggest you contact your local branch of the National Problem Gambling initiative to make full use of their confidential helpline, which you can contact at 1800 522 4700. We also recommend finding a local Gamblers Anonymous meeting to meet like-minded people for support.
Can I Play Without Deposit?
If you regularly travel out of state and enjoy the online gambling market in the US, you may already be familiar with no deposit offers. If you are not, then deposit-free bonuses are a perk that many online gaming operators will offer potential new customers. Essentially, players are given what amounts to free credits to gamble with, allowing you to take their unique offerings for a spin. The advantage of these promotions is that it lets you enjoy the gaming experience without having to make a financial investment. Coupled with the fact that you could win real money from the trial, we can’t recommend trying deposit-free bonuses anymore.
Upcoming Casino Regulation and Expected Changes
There are currently no new gambling regulations to be expected in Idaho anytime soon. Even while many states across the USA are introducing legislation to allow betting, Idaho sports betting remains firm in its stance to keep most forms of gambling illegal. Where there is still hope for some states that do not allow sports betting to amend their laws in the near future, it is safe to say that given the fact that even DFS is illegal in Idaho, this may not happen. Even if wider casino gambling is legalized in the state, it’s unlikely that online casinos will be authorized at the same time. All we can say for those waiting for Idaho online casinos is: don’t hold your breath. It might be a better idea to travel to another state where gambling has been legalized. The best online casinos in PA are a good place to start.