(2) Notwithstanding any other provision of Idaho law, a tribal video gaming machine as described in subsection (1) above is not a slot machine or an electronic or electromechanical imitation or simulation of any form of casino gambling. A ruling by Idaho Supreme Court renders slot machines unconstitutional, and Section 18-3804 is added to the Idaho Code, officially making slots illegal for the first time. 1957 The original Horse Racing Act is approved by the Idaho Legislature, but Governor Robert Smylie immediately exercises his veto power to block the bill from becoming law.
- Horseracing (1963), Lottery (1988), Casinos (2002)
- $38 million
- About $120 million
- 18 for lottery and bingo, 21 for casinos and racing
- Idaho only bans smoking in establishments that permit minors
- Horseracing is the only form of legal online gambling
Idaho gambling is quite active in the state. There are seven tribal Idaho casinos that offer slots and video poker. A state lottery sells scratch-offs and lotto tickets. The horse racing industry continues to enjoy popularity; compared to other states. Charities may offer games of chance when the beneficiary is solely a nonprofit organization.
You will find a good selection of Idaho casinos and racetracks spread throughout the state, but if you are looking for casino card games like Blackjack or Poker, you are out of luck. Idaho only allows slot machines and video poker to be played, even at the Indian casinos.
November 2018 Update
Horse Racing rejected during the midterm elections. 54% of voters in Idaho rejected an initiative that would allow horse racing to take place in the state.
Idaho Casinos Map & Guide
- Coeur D’Alene Casino
- Bannock Peak Casino
- Clearwater River Casino
- Fort Hall Casino
- Sage Hill Travel Center
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Types of Online Idaho Gambling Allowed
The only form of online gambling in Idaho is off-track betting on horses. TVG, TwinSpires, and BetAmerica all accept horseracing bets from Idaho residents. As of now, online casino gambling is not legal in Idaho.
Daily fantasy sports contests appear to be legal in Idaho. The companies that provide this service to Idaho players assert that it is a skill game. There is no reason to doubt this. Idaho officials have not provided any reason to believe otherwise. FanDuel, DraftKings, Yahoo! and CBS Sports are among the major operators that accept players from Idaho.
Types of Live Idaho Gambling
- Slots: Yes
- Blackjack: No
- Poker: No
- Craps/Roulette: No
- Horses: Yes
- Lottery: Yes
There are two forms of legalized gambling at live venues in Idaho. Horseracing was the first form of regulated Idaho gambling. This includes live and off-track betting. The other version of live gambling are Native American casinos spread throughout the state. Slot machines and video poker are permitted. Table games and poker rooms are not legal at Idaho casinos.
There is also a state lottery. Standard scratch-off and lotto tickets are sold. This includes interstate drawings like Powerball and Mega Millions.
Idaho Gambling Laws
Idaho is very strict when it comes to gambling, as its gambling laws clearly reflect. However, there is a fun fact about slot machines and their legality. They were banned by popular vote in 1948, so how can the Idaho casinos still operate and offer slot machines to their visitors? There was a certain law that allowed these Native American casinos in Idaho to offer antique slot machines. The tribal casinos fought the state and won, by saying they were not slot machines, but rather lottery terminals. The state has not bothered them since, so players can enjoy these old, but still fully functioning slot machines.
Idaho gambling laws prohibit all forms of gambling, except:
State Lottery
A state lottery which is authorized by the state if conducted in conformity with enabling legislation.
Pari-Mutuel Betting
Pari-mutuel betting if conducted in conformity with enabling legislation
Bingo & Raffles
Bingo and raffle games that are operated by qualified charitable organizations in the pursuit of charitable purposes if conducted in conformity with enabling legislation.
The only exception to this is gambling on tribal land. Slots and video poker are permitted at Idaho casinos located on reservations. Blackjack, craps, roulette, poker, baccarat and electronic versions of these games are illegal, even when operated by Native American casinos in Idaho.
List of Idaho Casinos
There are two types of Idaho gambling establishments. One is racetracks and are the oldest form of gambling in Idaho. The other is tribal casinos, where players enjoy slots and video poker. You will find a detailed list of Idaho casino locations and websites below. You can also use our Idaho casinos map to help guide you to the nearest location. There is also a list of Idaho racetracks.
Casino | Size | Address | Website |
---|---|---|---|
Bannock Peak Casino | 60 Slot Machines | 1707 W. County Rd. | www.shobangaming.com |
Clearwater River Casino | 400 Slot Machines | 17500 Nez Perce Highway | www.crcasino.com |
Coeur D’Alene Casino | 1,600 Slot Machines | 37914 South Nukwalqw | www.cdacasino.com |
Fort Hall Casino | 900 Slot Machines | 1-15 Exit 80 – Simplot Road | www.shobanhotel.com |
It’se Ye-Ye Casino | 110 Slot Machines | 419 Third Street | www.crcasino.com |
Kootenai River Inn Casino | 500 Slot Machines | 7169 Plaza St. | www.kootenairiverinn.com |
Sage Hill Travel Center | 100 Slot Machines | I-15 exit 80 | www.shobangaming.com |
Idaho Racetracks
- Gem County Fairgrounds
- Les Bois Park (includes off-track betting)
- Pocatello Downs
- Intermountain Racing
- Rupert Downs
- Jerome Horseracing
- Oneida County Fairgrounds
- Cassia County Fairgrounds
- Eastern Idaho Fairgrounds
- Sandy Downs (includes off-track betting)
History of Idaho Gambling
The Idaho Constitution forbids most forms of gambling. The only exemptions are charitable gaming, horse racing, and the state lottery.
Slot machines were legal between 1947 and 1953. These devices overflowed from Nevada during this era. The state legislature fought back and closed the loophole these devices briefly enjoyed. The games were forced back south into Nevada or were destroyed.
Idaho legalized horse racing in 1963. Off-track betting was added in the 1970’s. Racing revenues dropped after Idaho tribes were permitted to offer slots and video poker. The state legalized historical racing machines in 2013 to help the tracks survive this loss in action. State lawmakers repealed historical racing in 2015.
Greyhound racing was legalized at the same time as horses. The last track closed in 1995. Idaho banned greyhound racing when the last track shuttered. Off-track betting on greyhounds ceased on July 1, 1999.
Coeur D’Alene Casino opened a live poker room in 2014. Idaho officials challenged the tribe’s position that poker was legal through the state’s pari-mutuel laws. The state contended that poker was expressly illegal under the state constitution. The state prevailed when the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals sided with it in July 2015. Coeur D’Alene Casino was forced to shut down its poker room in 2015.
Idaho Casinos & Gambling FAQ
Is horseracing legal in Idaho?
What types of legal Idaho online gambling is there?
The only form of legalized online gambling is off-track betting. Online poker, casino games and sports betting are all illegal in Idaho.
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that live poker rooms are illegal in 2015.
The last greyhound track in Idaho closed in 1995. The Idaho Legislature quickly repealed the state’s greyhound racing laws. Off-track betting was permitted until July 1, 1999.
Virginia Slot Machine Law
The Idaho Lottery was created in 1988. Instant and lotto tickets are sold.
Yes. Casinos in Idaho are legal and are permitted to offer slots and video poker.
There are currently seven Native American casinos in Idaho spread throughout the state.
Indiana Slot Machine Laws
The minimum Idaho gambling age is 21 for casinos and racing bets, and 18 for the lottery and bingo.
Wisconsin Slot Machine Laws
The Idaho Legislature legalized instant racing machines in 2013 but the law was repealed two years later.