Idaho Sports Betting Guide

Idaho Legal Sports Betting Overview

Idaho Sports Betting Summary

Online and retail sports betting are currently illegal in Idaho. Unlike in other states, there have been no attempts to pass any wagering legislation since the US Supreme Court struck down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (PASPA) in May 2018.

While the state has traditionally negative views on gambling due to its high Mormon population, it has successfully launched horse race betting and casino gambling. You can also visit one of the five neighboring states that do offer sports betting; Montana, Oregon, Wyoming, Washington, and Nevada. The success these states are seeing from wagering may encourage Idaho lawmakers to consider sports betting in the future.

Read our complete guide to Idaho betting, which covers the current legal status, history, latest news, likely restrictions on wagering, and legal alternatives for bettors in the Gem State.

Idaho Online Sportsbook Summary

Online sports betting is illegal in Idaho, and this looks unlikely to change soon. Current ID lawmakers have shown no interest in adding the Gem State to the list of legal betting states, with no legislation submitted as of August 2022. Due to this lack of support to legalize wagering, sportsbook brands such as DraftKings and FanDuel have not been actively pursuing Idaho like in other states.

Idaho does welcome some forms of gambling, including online horse race betting. You can use betting sites like TwinSpires and TVG to legally wager on races in the state and across the US. Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) games are illegal following a decision by Attorney General Lawrence Wasden in 2016.

Neighboring states like Montana, Oregon, Wyoming, Washington, and Nevada all have online sports betting. In Montana, you can use state-run sportsbook Intralot to wager. Oregon employs a similar system, but their exclusive sportsbook is DraftKings. Wyoming has three online sports betting options: DraftKings, BetMGM, and FanDuel. While online sports betting is legal in Washington, you must stay on the grounds of a partner tribal casino to use betting apps. Nevada has the biggest online sports betting market, with online sportsbooks including Caesars, SuperBook, and WynnBET.

How to Place a Bet in Idaho

While sports betting is illegal in the Gem State, you can still bet on horse races online.

Follow our guide below to ensure you wager legally and safely:

1. Research horse races before placing a bet, including turf condition, horse form, and jockeys. More informed wagers have a better chance of winning.

2. Visit a legal horse racing betting site like TwinSpires or TVG.

3. Register by entering your full name, email, phone number, and address. You will also need to enter the last four digits of your Social Security number to verify your identity and protect your account.

4. Visit the cashier section to make your first deposit. Choose a payment and how much money to add, ensuring you meet the site’s welcome bonus terms.

5. Choose a horse race and select your bet. Add it to your bet slip, decide your stake, and confirm the wager.

6. Return to the cashier section, where you can withdraw any winnings you might have.

Who is Eligible to Bet in ID

If Idaho legalizes sports betting, it is expected to follow regulations in nearby states. The current gambling age in Idaho is 18, but most states require you to be 21 to place bets. The Gem State could enforce either gambling age, and you will need to prove your age with a photo ID before betting.

In addition, Idaho would likely enforce the same restrictions on bettors which are seen in other states. These include preventing the following individuals from betting:

• Players, coaches, employees, or members of any professional or college sports team.

• Officials, referees, or umpires of professional or college sports leagues.

• Individuals who have professional or regulatory authority to influence players.

• Individuals employed by a sports league who can create or influence rules for that sport (e.g., NBA, NCAA)

• Individuals who have an ownership stake in a sports team.

• Individuals who have access to non-public information about a sports team (e.g., access to player medical records).

• Individuals that have voluntarily excluded themselves from gambling activities.

• Individuals who are prohibited from betting at a state or federal level (e.g., due to criminal history).

Latest Idaho Sports Betting Updates

Timeline for Sports Betting in Idaho

• May 14, 2018: The US Supreme Court strikes down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (PASPA). This gives each state the right to legalize sports betting.

• 2016: AG Wasden declares Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) games illegal as a violation of Statute 18-3801 of the Idaho constitution.

Idaho Sports Betting Background

Sports betting has always been frowned upon in Idaho, with the state’s prominent 20% Mormon population being a significant factor in opposition. The Mormons believe gambling is a vice and should be avoided. This influence resulted in Statute 18-3801, making gambling illegal in its entirety.

However, sports bettors can remain hopeful, as parts of 18-3801 have been amended over the years to allow gambling like video slots and poker.

Future of Idaho Sports Betting

It doesn’t look like sports betting will come to Idaho for some time, as no legislation suggesting its legalization has been submitted since the US Supreme Court struck down PASPA. There are no major local elections for another two years, so the current group of lawmakers with no interest in sports wagering will continue until then.

Idaho Sports Betting Locations

There are seven land-based casinos in Idaho operated by tribal authorities, but none of these locations offer retail sports betting. Two tribal casinos have opened since 2020, and a tribal gaming test ground opened at Coeur D’Alene on December 31, 2021. Land-based gaming is clearly a big industry for Idaho lawmakers, with further casino expansion by tribes under consideration.

Two of Idaho’s neighboring states have retail sports betting, with Washington operating seven sportsbooks at land-based casinos. Some of these sportsbooks are run by local tribes, but you can also find Caesars, FanDuel, and BetMGM. There are 187 retail sportsbooks in Nevada spread in casinos all over the state.

Idaho Lottery Locations

The Idaho Lottery was formed in July 1989 and is a member of the Multi-State Lottery Association. Funds from lottery tickets, bought at more than 1,200 locations, are used to fund public schools, colleges, and universities. In ID’s neighboring state, Montana, the lottery oversees sports betting which could be possible in Idaho, but lawmakers haven’t discussed it.

Off-Track and Stadium Betting Locations

Idaho welcomes horse race betting across the state at racetracks and state fairs. The Idaho State Racing Commission oversees all horse racing and wagering on races.

You can visit three off-track betting (OTB) locations in Idaho and place pari-mutuel wagers on races:

Idaho Responsible Gambling Resources

• National Council of Problem Gambling Idaho – Offers a variety of screening tools, resources, and local treatment facilities. It also operates a 24/7 helpline and a live chat. (800) 522-4700

• Gamblers Anonymous – Holds meetings where problem gamblers can share their experiences. The organization also offers a free 20-question screening guide and a full recovery program. (855) 222-5542

• GamTalk – A national 24/7 moderated peer support forum, allowing problem gamblers to chat and receive help online.

Idaho does not operate a self-exclusion list, and currently, there are no state-funded organizations to help problem gamblers. However, national organizations operate in Idaho freely and provide assistance.

Teams to Bet on in Idaho

• Pro Sports

Idaho has just under two million residents, with no major league sports team in the state. There are still plenty of sports fans who choose to get behind teams in nearby states.

Here are some of the most popular franchises in Idaho:

• Minor Sports

For sports fans who want to keep it local, there are several minor league sports teams. The Idaho Falls Chukars play minor league baseball in the Pioneer League. Named after the Chukar game bird found in ID, the team has produced many notable players, including seven-time MLB All-Star, five-time Golden Glove Winner, and 2015 World Series MVP Salvador Perez.

The Boise Hawks also play in the Pioneer League at the 3,500-seater Memorial Stadium in Garden City. The team has produced 23 World Series champions, including three-time winner, John Lackey.

Ice hockey fans can watch the Idaho Steelheads compete in the ECHL as an affiliate of the Dallas Stars. The team has won two Kelly Cups since joining in 2003 and is named after a rainbow trout native to Idaho.

• College Sports

Boise State Broncos: The Boise State University Broncos are famous for their football program, which went undefeated in 2006 and 2009 to win unclaimed FBS National Championships. The school also produced NFL Hall of Famer, Dave Wilcox.

Idaho State Bengals: Playing in orange and black, the Bengals represent Idaho State University and the basketball team that made the Elite Eight in 1977. However, the football team has not been so fortunate, with only one winning season between 2014 and 2022.

Idaho Vandals: Representing the University of Idaho, the Vandals play in silver and ‘vandal gold’. The football team was founded in 1893 and now plays at an indoor arena, the Kibbie Dome. This was the smallest FBS football arena until the program was demoted to the FCS in 2018. The Vandals’ football program has produced players like three-time All-Pro guard, Jerry Kramer and three-time Super Bowl winner, Mark Schlereth.

• Women’s Sports

There are no professional women’s sports teams in Idaho, but each of the Division I schools sponsors several women’s varsity teams. The University of Idaho’s women’s basketball is the most successful of these programs, reaching six NCAA Tournaments.

How Does Idaho Compare to Other States?

• Market Coverage

Looking at Idaho’s neighbors, we can see what a sports betting market in the Gem State may offer. Sportsbooks in Washington, Oregon, Nevada, Montana, and Wyoming offer a wide variety of markets on major league sports like the NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB. Some betting sites cover up to and over 20 sports, with niche sports like NASCAR and soccer.

• Competitive Odds & Prices

Some of the biggest sportsbooks in the US are available in Idaho’s neighboring states, like FanDuel, DraftKings, and Caesars. These betting brands operate in dozens of states, providing the same generous odds in every state. If sports betting is legalized in ID, it is expected that these sportsbooks will launch in the state and bring great betting lines with them.

Gambling Revenue

Idaho is missing out on revenue benefits of sports betting, as shown by a comparison with New Hampshire. NH has a population of 1.4 million to Idaho’s 1.9 million and doesn’t support any major league sports teams.

From launching sports betting in December 2019 to June 2022, New Hampshire has a betting handle of $1,448,949,479 with sportsbook revenues of $95,824,351. The tax in New Hampshire is very high at 51%, but that has brought in $44,223,202 for the state.

If Idaho legalizes online sports betting, it could bring in even bigger handles and revenues than New Hampshire. While a 51% tax rate isn’t feasible unless the state signs an exclusivity partnership with a betting brand like NH has done, the state could still receive millions in taxes per year.

• Betting Taxes

Regardless of the state where you play, you must declare every cent of your gambling winnings to the IRS. You must also complete a W-2G form if you win more than $600. Sportsbooks can hold up to 25% of your profits for tax purposes. Your betting winnings must also be included in your state income tax, which ranges from 1% to 6% in Idaho.

Sportsbooks must pay a 0.25% excise tax on monthly betting handles regardless of state to follow the Internal Revenue Code. The Code also requires betting brands to pay $50 for every employee involved in taking wagers.

Who Oversees Sports Betting In Idaho

There is no regulatory body to oversee sports betting in Idaho. In other states, lawmakers have either passed responsibility to an existing organization or created an entirely new one. The Idaho State Lottery Commission could take control of sports betting in the state, mirroring places like Montana and West Virginia that have done the same. The Idaho Racing Commission is another possibility, with Arkansas being the only other US state to give its racing commission this responsibility.

Regardless of the regulatory body, the responsibilities will be the same. The regulator will create the rules for sports betting, establish the licensing process, and ensure every betting operator is safe.