A Detailed Guide to Gambling in Idaho

The patchwork of statutes, constitutional amendments and regulations which
forms Idaho’s gambling laws can be confusing – even for lifelong residents of
the state.

Commercial casinos are banned, but you’ll find seven such establishments
operating around the clock – on federally recognized tribal lands, of course.
Playing poker in any form puts you on the wrong side of the law, and yet, the
Idaho Lottery readily advertises poker-based scratch card products. Despite the
mounting trend toward abolition of animal racing, Idaho steadfastly clings to
both the thoroughbred and greyhound industries.

All things considered, figuring out what you can and cannot wager money on
when on Idaho soil can be vexing to say the least.

This page has been assembled to provide readers with a clear and concise
introduction to Idaho’s various laws on gambling games. We’re no lawyers, mind
you, just gambling enthusiasts with an interest in seeing every state treat its
players fairly and with respect.

Whether you enjoy a soothing session spent spinning the slots, doubling down
to take on a dastardly dealer or heading online to enjoy poker, table games and
other casino classics from the comfort of home – knowing the law is a key
component to success.

After all, dragging a massive pot at your local poker club, only to see the
police swoop in and confiscate your winnings – would be a serious drag. The same
goes for a life-changing jackpot won on DraftKings, FanDuel or any number of
gambling activities that Idaho currently deems illegal.

Until a federal law is passed to standardize gambling laws nationwide,
Americans are subject to 50 distinct interpretations of gambling law – and Idaho
is simply one piece to that puzzle. For the tens of thousands of Idahoans who
wish to learn more about their gambling rights, the letter of the law holds the
secret to what is and isn’t permissible.

Read on to discover exactly what constitutes a legal wager in the Gem State,
and why, with our comprehensive guide to gambling in Idaho.

Rank	VA Gambling Site	Deposit Bonus	Products	Get Started
#1	Las Atlantis	280% Up To $14,000	Casino	Visit Site
#2	Wild Casino	250% Up To $5,000	Casino	Visit Site
#3	BetUS	125% Up To $2,500	Sports Casino	Visit Site
#4	BetOnline	50% Up To $1,000	Sports Casino Poker	Visit Site
#5	Bovada	50% Up To $250	Sports Casino Poker	Visit Site

Online Gambling and Idahoan Law

For folks in Idaho – or any Americans living outside of Nevada, New Jersey
and Delaware for that matter – knowing whether or not online gambling is a crime
can be difficult indeed.

We’ll tackle that topic in the first entry below, but before we do, let’s
address the factors that you should be searching for in a site. As a player,
your unique combination of knowledge and instinct will always stand as the last
line of defense, so be sure to know what you’re looking for.

The world of online gambling sites spans the spectrum from global online
poker rooms like PokerStars, to the DFS big boys of DraftKings and FanDuel, and
literally thousands of smaller casino, slot, bingo and specialty game providers
in between. Navigating that world can be treacherous for the uninitiated,
especially when deposits made with real dollars are on the line.

Your job is to be selective with your decision making, sifting through the
seemingly endless stream of sites to locate the best of the bunch. Doing so can
be a subjective matter, as your favorite platform may not be ours, but the most
reputable providers out there all have a few things in common.

First and foremost, the best online gambling sites have a proven track
record. Think of them like an eBay seller or restaurants on Yelp – and use
ratings generated by real customers. Online gamblers have never been known as a
shy crowd, so if a site is out there stiffing players on withdrawals, scheming
to take away bonus funds or otherwise acting shadily, the internet will know
about it.

The reams of reviews posted online are your best ticket, but don’t get
carried away by the complaint sections either. Losing players love blasting a
site on their way out of the door. Use your discretion and read between the
lines, so to speak. If somebody is posting a valid complaint about withdrawal
waiting periods – rather than “this game is rigged” nonsense – you’ll know their
issues don’t stem directly from a run of bad luck.

Other important factors to look for when scanning online gambling site
reviews include low playthrough wagering requirements to unlock bonus funds, a
multitude of banking options for deposits and withdrawals, licensing by a
recognized regulatory agency and several years or decades in the industry.
That’s why we prefer to use sites like those listed above, as they’ve all been
in the business for a while now, carefully crafting reputations for excellence
among the notoriously hard to please online gambling community.

Is Online Gambling Legal in Idaho?

Under the provisions of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act
(UIGEA) of 2006, the federal government moved to ban online poker, casino games,
slot machines and the like. The UIGEA is still the law of the land today, but it
relied on an older law known as the Wire Act of 1961 – which prohibited people
from placing sports betting wagers via the telephone.

At the time, the Department of Justice (DOJ) held that the Wire Act applied
to online gambling, as most internet connections utilized dial-up telephone
services at the time. But by 2011, with the gap between traditional phones and
the internet growing wider by the day, the DOJ issued a revised interpretation
of the Wire Act – one which stated that the law only applied to sports betting.

In an instant, individual states were granted the right to regulate their own
online poker and casino game industries – an invitation which Nevada, New Jersey
and Delaware acted upon in 2013. Since then, online gambling has flourished into
a fully legal, regulated and taxed industry in those three states – while
remaining outlawed in the other 47 jurisdictions.

Even so, the UIGEA was written to target online gambling operators – and not
players. As the law is constructed, playing online gambling games is not a
crime, only conducting business related to such games.

As such, American players have spent the last decade bringing their bankrolls
to the handful of offshore online gambling platforms which choose to serve the
U.S. market in spite of the UIGEA. You’ll learn more about those offshore
operators in the next entry, but for now, just know that Idahoans interested in
online gambling have no other options on the table. Despite the rush of
legislation being introduced to regulate online gambling – highlighted by the
momentum seen in states like Pennsylvania, New York, Massachusetts and Illinois
in recent years – Idaho has introduced no such proposals. One reason for the
lack of activity on the online gambling front in Idaho may be the state’s
Constitution, which is rather strict when it comes to all forms of wagering.

According to a 1992 amendment added to Article III, Section §20(1)-(3) of the
Idaho Constitution, online gambling may very well be explicitly outlawed there
(emphasis added):

“No activities permitted by subsection (1) shall employ any form of casino
gambling including, but not limited to, blackjack, craps, roulette, poker,
baccarat, keno and slot machines, or employ any electronic or electromechanical
imitation or simulation of any form of casino gambling.”

From the look of things, gambling via your computer, laptop or mobile device
very well constitutes the commission of a crime under Idaho law. With that said,
no records of any arrests or fines associated with online gambling in Idaho –
from the player’s side of the spectrum – can be found. That would lead one to
reasonably believe that while online poker rooms, casinos and slot parlors are
surely not legal under the state’s strict laws, playing on them is not
punishable either.

Are Offshore Gambling Sites Safe?

Yes. Also… no.

As with any question about the gambling industry and integrity, deciding
whether or not an online gambling platform deserves your business is a touchy
subject.

A simple search on Google will show you that many online gambling operators
are far from reputable, as players routinely report delayed payouts, missing
bonus funds and other shenanigans. Complaint boards have been established
specifically for online gamblers, and the internet is littered with tales of
stolen jackpots, cheaters plying their trade and in the worst cases – sites that
simply up and vanish with player funds in tow.

On the other hand, tens of millions of Americans log on and fire up their
online poker, slot, casino and DFS accounts each and every day – so it stands to
reason that plenty of people are not being ripped off.

That’s the truth of it, as any industry would be doomed from the start if all
providers were actively defrauding their customers.

In reality, the online gambling industry is just like its brick and mortar
counterpart in many respects – right down to the ratio of respectable operators
to bad apples. The thing is, when the internet is concerned, the vocal minority
is always heard first and foremost.

The only reason sites like the ones we recommended have been in business for so
many years, and even decades, is their respective reputations. By diligently
ensuring that all withdrawals are paid in a timely manner, handling customer
complaints with aplomb and constantly staying at the forefront of security and
game integrity, these platforms have set themselves apart from the pack.

The ancient maxim of caveat emptor – or “buyer beware” – still holds legal
precedence to this day. Those words matter more in the online gambling industry
than most others, simply due to the lack of regulation caused by the UIGEA’s
draconian approach.

If you find yourself wondering whether a specific online gambling site is
safe, perform your due diligence first and foremost. Check with fellow players
through review aggregation sites, confirm that their licensing and accreditation
is legitimate and most importantly, take your time doing so.

When you’ve read up and researched on all there is to know about a particular
platform, the evidence for its reliability – or lack thereof – will be right
there for all to see.

Can I Be Arrested for Gambling Online in Idaho?

See the first question for more detail, but this is a “splitting hairs”
scenario if we ever saw one.

In other words, you could get arrested for gambling online in Idaho, but you
almost surely won’t be. The state’s laws make illegal gambling, online or
otherwise, a misdemeanor offense – but no Idahoan has ever been prosecuted for
their online gambling play.

More Gambling Laws in Idaho

• Casino Gambling: (Illegal – Commercial)
• Tribal Gambling: (Legal)
• Poker: (Illegal)
• Horse Racing Betting: (Legal)
• Dog Racing Betting: (Legal)
• Lottery: (Legal)
• Bingo: (Legal)
• Daily Fantasy Sports: (Illegal)
• Charitable Gaming: (Legal)
• Social Gambling: (Illegal)

Chief among the state’s gambling laws is Section §18-3801 of the Idaho
Statutes, which defines gambling under the following terms:

“‘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, bacarrat [baccarat] or keno, but does not
include:

(1) Bona fide contests of skill, speed, strength or endurance in which awards
are made only to entrants or the owners of entrants.”

Article III, Section §20(1)-(3) of the Idaho Constitution effectively limits
the state’s legal gambling avenues to the lottery, pari-mutuel racing and bingo
or raffle games when played for charity:

“(1) Gambling is contrary to public policy and is strictly prohibited except
for the following:

a. A state lottery which is authorized by the state if conducted in
conformity with enabling legislation; and

b. Pari-mutuel betting if conducted in conformity with enabling
legislation; and

c. Bingo and raffle games that are operated by qualified charitable
organizations in the pursuit of charitable purposes if conducted in conformity
with enabling legislation.

No activities permitted by subsection (1) shall employ any form of casino
gambling including, but not limited to, blackjack, craps, roulette, poker,
bacarrat, keno and slot machines, or employ any electronic or electromechanical
imitation or simulation of any form of casino gambling.”

The penalties for illegal gambling, a misdemeanor offense, are codified under
Section §18-3802 of the Idaho Statutes:

“(1) A person is guilty of gambling if he:

(a) Participates in gambling; or

(b) Knowingly permits any gambling to be played, conducted or dealt
upon or in any real or personal property owned, rented, or under the control of
the actor, whether in whole or in part.

(2) Gambling is a misdemeanor.”

Crucially, subsection (b) specifically outlaws the provision of gambling
games on one’s own property, thus making “social gambling” activities like home
poker games and sports game pools illegal.

The genesis for Idaho’s current status, in which ostensibly illegal slot
machines can now be found by the thousands in tribal casinos, stems from the
2002 passage of Initiative 1, the Idaho State-Tribal Gambling Compact
Initiative. After 57.8 percent of voters supported the measure, tribal casinos
were permitted to spread video gaming machines (VGMs) that closely mimic slot
machine gameplay – aside from a few crucial tweaks in appearance:

“Gaming machines used by Indian tribes which are not activated by a handle or
lever, do not dispense coins, currency, tokens or chips, and which perform only
certain defined functions, and defining such machines as neither slot machines
nor imitations or simulations of any form of casino gaming.”

As the introduction of, and warm reception to, the VGM addition has proven,
Idaho is amenable to reform when it comes to gambling law expansion. With that
in mind, make your voice heard and keep the pressure on local legislators to
take up issues like poker rooms, DFS and online gambling whenever the
opportunity arises – because progress depends on people.

Gambling Venues in Idaho

Thanks to the passage of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) by Congress
in 1988, and the subsequent petition for tribal gaming compacts by the Coeur
d’Alene, the Kootenai and the Nez Perce tribes – Idaho is home to seven tribal
casinos today.

These venues are spread from the state’s northern panhandle (Coeur D’Alene
Casino) to the eastern corner’s I-15 corridor (Bannock Peak Casino, Fort Hall
Casino, and Sage Hall Casino), so residents in all areas have relatively easy
access to the action.

We’ve created capsules for all seven Idaho casinos to get your started on
your journey, complete with opening date, slot machine count, address, contact
information and website URL. Without further ado, take a look below for the
grand tour of Idaho’s thriving casino industry:

Gambling isn’t limited to casinos in Idaho, so check below for information on
the state’s two major off-track betting (OTB) locations:

History of Gambling in Idaho

Idaho Gambling FAQ

The best way to learn about any subject involves asking questions, and not
just listening to answers, but applying them.

For a subject so complex as gambling laws for a specific state, you’ll likely
be left wondering about many aspects of the lesson long after it’s been taught.
Whether you’re a proud Idahoan who wants to know more about their own gambling
rights, or a visitor to spud country looking to stay on the right side of the
law, these three questions might be on your mind at the moment – so we’ll do our
best to answer them below:

Additional Resources

We worked hard to give readers a thorough introduction to the laws governing
gambling in Idaho, but it never hurts to add a little outside research to the
equation.

With that in mind, we’ve located four links which should prove to be helpful
as you continue your Idaho gambling law tutelage:

Chapter 38 of the Idaho Statutes
covers “Gambling” crimes and their related
punishments, with Section §18-3801 defining gambling itself, Section §18-3802
outlining the prohibited forms of gambling, Section §18-3809 addressing
bookmaking, pools and sports betting and Section §18-3810 covering the slot
machine ban.

The Coeur d’Alene Press published this detailed look back at Idaho’s gambling
law timeline in 2015, which comes complete with the newspaper’s “insider” view
into the political machinations behind each major shift and reform.

Published by Ph.D. historian J.M. Neil of The Blue Review, this deep dive
into Idaho’s frontier days describes the phenomenon known as “foot-wide towns” –
or tiny enclaves set up just outside of Boise city limits to escape historical
gambling bans – will transport you to different era. The true story of Garden
City and its rise from slot-machine front to prosperous locale, provides a
telling glimpse into Idaho’s modern aversion to most forms of gambling.

The Future and Your Views

Shortly after the DOJ issued its revised opinion on the Wire Act – thus
paving the way for states to enact their own online gambling laws – the Idaho
Freedom Foundation published a report entitled, “Feds give OK to online
gambling, but it is not likely to happen in Idaho.”

As that dreary headline suggested, most lawmakers in the Gem State simply
don’t view online gambling as a priority – but tens of thousands of players
there do. Even so, not a single bill proposing to legalize and regulate online
gambling in Idaho has been introduced.

In a day and age defined by representatives not adequately working on behalf
of their constituents, this level of inactivity is akin to a crime. Even if
Idaho’s conservative history when it comes to gambling law means the measure
won’t pass muster, declining to even put one forward would seem to be a mistake.