Gambling Laws in Idaho

Idaho has an early history of being permissive when it comes to gambling. Nowadays the activity is highly regulated except for online gambling which hasn't yet been specifically legislated.

Which Gambling Activities Are Legal in Idaho?

Idaho gambling laws are detailed in statutes 18-3801 and 54-2501, which define 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 an event, including a sporting event, the operation of casino gambling including, but not limited to, blackjack, craps, roulette, poker, baccarat, or keno'.

Such broad terminology encompasses most forms of gambling. The state laws operate on the basis that gambling is illegal with specific exceptions.

Land-based and Online Casinos

Gambling in a casino is legal in Idaho, but only via one of the seven tribal venues. These are permitted to offer bingo and video bingo games under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988. The tribal casinos are dotted across Idaho and while they can offer select class II games, others are not permitted under state law.

Online casino gambling isn't specifically regulated at present. Without such explicit legislation, it is deemed an illegal activity based on the state's broad definition of gambling.

Residents of the 'Gem State' can easily play slots and online live casino games via the many foreign sites that accept players from the region.

Poker Games

Poker gambling is considered illegal in Idaho, with no tribal casinos permitted to offer the game at their venues. Even social poker games played in private residences are illegal, a stance made very clear by a raid on a pensioners game in 2010. Even though there was significant public outrage over the incident, the law still stood.

Online poker gambling is illegal. The law doesn't mention online gambling specifically, but existing legislation is enough to cover online activities.

Playing Online and Offline Bingo

Playing bingo with cash is legal in Idaho, with both games for charitable purposes and those run by the state's tribal casinos permitted. 

Gambling on online bingo is illegal though as it falls under the state's definition of gambling.

Purchasing Lottery Tickets

In-person lotto gambling is legal with the Idaho Lottery offering tickets for various draw-based games, both local and national, as well as scratch cards and instant win games. Idaho is the first state lottery to offer a VIP program, in which players can claim tangible rewards such as electronics and sporting goods.

Playing online lottery games with cash is illegal. The state-run website serves just for checking tickets and regulatory information purposes only.

Social Gambling and Playing at Crypto Casinos

Even private social gambling activities are illegal and have been targeted and shut down in the past. Lootboxes and skin gambling aren't regulated in Idaho at present, but there is talk on a national level about how to classify and legislate these activities.

Idaho was one of the first states to recognise Bitcoin as a form of currency, but despite this none of the state's legal gambling venues accept virtual coins. Some offshore crypto gambling sites do accept residents from Idaho, though this is illegal.

Is Sports Betting Legal in Idaho?

Sports betting is illegal except for parimutuel betting on horse and greyhound racing. Online sports betting is illegal too, though those participating are unlikely to face prosecution.

Attorney General Lawrence Wasden clarified that DFS was illegal under existing laws which saw operators pulling out of the Idaho market.

Gambling Age Restriction

The minimum Idaho legal gambling age is 18 for bingo, tribal casino and lottery gambling.

Tax Regulations for Gambling in Idaho

Players must pay taxes on their winnings in Idaho. The state lottery and other legal gambling venues automatically withhold the applicable 24% federal tax and the state's 5.8% tax on winnings.

History of Gambling Laws in Idaho

Gambling in Idaho dates back to the 1800s when it was a popular pastime, but in 1953 the activity was banned outright. Parimutuel horse race betting was the first to be given a legal exception in 1963. It wasn't until 1989 that the Idaho Lottery was launched, which was significantly later than most other US states.

Gambling at tribal casinos was permitted by the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act in 1988, with venues opening in 1992. Raffles and charitable bingo games were allowed the following year. Off-track betting was legalised in 2011 and instant horse racing machines were allowed in 2013.

Key Facts

• Casino gambling is legal in Idaho, but only via the state's seven tribal casinos.

• Online casino gambling is unregulated and deemed illegal.

• Both offline and online poker are illegal.

• Bingo is legal in Idaho, with charitable organisations and tribal casinos offering games.

• Online bingo gambling is classed as illegal.

• Lottery gambling is legal, but the online sale of tickets is illegal.

• Sports betting is illegal, except for betting on horse and greyhound racing.

• Online sports betting and daily fantasy sports are illegal.