Idaho Gambling
Updated: May 24Back 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.
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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 casino 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.
Sports Betting in Idaho
Not Legal
Pool and billiards notwithstanding, sports betting in Idaho is pretty much restricted to pari-mutuel betting on horse and greyhound races, including live simulcast events. This type of wagering comes from the French term “pari-mutuel” meaning “mutual betting”. It’s pretty straightforward in that it collects all bets of a certain type together in a pool then calculates the payoff odds by working out how the pool will be shared among all the winning players.
Other than that, there are no legal options in person or online for sports like baseball, basketball and football. State lawmakers have shown little interest in changing that anytime soon.
Idaho Daily Fantasy
Not Legal
Idaho is one of a dwindling number of states that prohibits operators from offering paid daily fantasy sports to its citizens. However, this hasn’t always been the case. Not long ago, industry leaders like DraftKings and Fanduel were more than welcome to advertise and operate in the Gem State. Everything changed in 2016, though, when Attorney General Lawrence Wasden concluded “paid daily sports offerings... constitute gambling under Idaho law”. While it’s possible this stance may change in the future, few believe it will be anytime soon. Daily fantasy sites are blocked in the state because of this.
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Contributors
Hi, I'm Ron Fritz
"Three decades covering online gaming, news and sports. My expertise is government and legislation, breaking down the latest online gambling industry developments to keep you in the know."
- Gambling legislation
- Online casinos
- Gambling industry
Reviewer since July 2019
