Idaho Gambling

Back in the days of the Old West, Idaho was considered something of a hotbed of gambling. Gold rush speculators, arriving here in droves to seek their fortune, fell over themselves to gamble at the locally regulated casinos, which popped up like wildfires across the state. How times have changed.

These days, the Gem State offers very little in the way of legalized gambling opportunities. Sure, there’s the immensely popular state lottery and some (heavily regulated) bingo fun to be had but, aside from that, offerings are limited largely to pari-mutuel sports betting Idaho and some modest electronic casino games provided by tribal casinos.

Though there is no specific legislation banning online gambling in Idaho, the state’s definition of gambling is broad enough to effectively cover internet gambling within its all-encompassing terms. In short, it's not allowed.

That doesn't seem like it will change anytime soon. Voters rejected a proposed historic horse racing measure in 2018, cutting off another potential gambling opportunity. Future efforts are unlikely.

Expand

Best Idaho Online Casino Apps and Sites

Affiliate Disclosure: At Gambling.com, we want to ensure that players are matched with the right casino and sportsbook offers for them. For this reason, some of the recommended site links are affiliate links. This means that if you visit a website through our link and make a deposit, Gambling.com will receive a commission payment at no extra cost to you. At Gambling.com, we want to ensure that players are matched with the right casino and sportsbook offers for them. For this reason, some of the recommended site links are affiliate links. At Gambling.com, we want to ensure that players are matched with the right casino and sportsbook offers for them. For this reason, some of the recommended site links are affiliate links. This means that if you visit a website through our link and make a deposit, Gambling.com will receive a commission payment at no extra cost to you. All product reviews and recommendations are still impartial as our editorial standards are designed to be commercially independent and follow a professional methodology. More Less

1. 1

   

   Established 2022

   More Details

   $1,000 Spin to Win Virtual Credits Everyday

   Play Now

   

   

   

   

   

   
   Must be 21+ to participate. T&Cs apply.
   Big Selection of Games

   Respectable Brand Present in Multiple States

   Generous Promotions for New Customers

   Promo Code

   The code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)

   not required

   iOS Casino App

   No

   Top Slot Game

   Sands of Mystery

   Our Rating

   Gambling.com's rating of this casino site out of 100

   98

   Casino Games

   The total number of casino games available

   807

   Live Casino Games

   The number of live casino games available

   25

   BetRivers is a reputable brand that has established online sportsbooks and casinos in multiple US states. BetRivers.net is the social casino that allows players to play without risking real money.

   BetRivers.net Casino

Online Casino Gambling in Idaho

Social Casino Offers Only Available

As gambling legislation goes, Idaho’s prohibition stands at the broader end of the spectrum. As well as prohibiting games of chance that include elements of skill, it specifically mentions poker, a game that tends to generate the greatest discussion in the skill-versus-luck debate.

Here’s the definition, according to Chapter 38, 18-3801:

“Gambling” means risking any money, credit, deposit or other 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 an event, including a sporting event, the operation of casino gambling including, but not limited to, blackjack, craps, roulette, poker, baccarat or keno…”

While this statement makes no direct reference to online gambling, it’s easy to see how its broad working could be applied to internet-based play. There are no certified legal online betting options for now in Idaho and little momentum to change that in the foreseeable future.

Social casinos are available and legal in Idaho, though, both on the internet or as an app, and feature all the popular online casino usa games, including slots, blackjack, video poker and roulette. It is free to play. While you cannot win money playing games at social casinos, the sites like WinStar, LuckyLand and Chumba casino typically offer sweepstakes (games of chance) with prizes that can include real money jackpots.

Idaho Poker Online

Not Legal

Because it is mentioned specifically in the state’s anti-gambling legislation, it is illegal to play poker in Idaho. Even social poker games are prohibited. The authorities used to be very proactive about enforcing this legislation, famously busting a group of retirees who dared to play a casual small-stakes game back in 2011. The fallout from that incident, spearheaded by a large public outcry, led to a modest relaxation in the government’s approach. It is now widely believed that small home-games are unlikely to receive a similar response, even though they are still technically illegal. That being said, online players on illegal offshore sites shouldn't try their luck.

© PA

North Carolina Casino Effort Runs Into A Snag

August 2nd, 2023

2 min read

DraftKings Casino Promo for Summer - Guaranteed Mystery Prize for New Players

July 4th, 2023

2 min read

© PA

An Alternative Way To Legalize Online Casino And Poker

May 1st, 2023

3 min read

Top 5 Social Casino Fish Table Games

September 26th, 2023

11 min read

The Top Casino Games that Pay Real Money

August 9th, 2023

8 min read

DraftKings Rocket Game: Strategy and Review

June 26th, 2023

7 min read

Contributors

Hi, I'm Daniel Smyth

"Over the past 10+ years, Daniel Smyth has written news, reviews, promo content, and just about anything else you can think of. If it’s about betting, he has done it. Daniel started out as a features writer for WPT Poker Magazine before taken on the role of strategy editor. Since then, he has branched out to casino gaming and sports betting."

Interests

• Online poker
• Online casinos
• Sports betting

Reviewer since June 2018