Idaho

For those hoping sports betting will be legal in all 50 states one day, we would not recommend holding your breath when it comes to Idaho. Interest in legalizing sports betting has been nonexistent since PASPA was overturned in 2018, and that doesn’t seem to be changing.

Idaho's betting options are pretty limited. The only thing residents can legally bet on is horse racing. A few racebooks are available in the state, but that is about it. Horse racing bets can also be placed at the three racinos throughout the state.

Idaho also prevents users from using daily fantasy apps, so fast-growing DFS apps like Underdog, PrizePicks, and OwnersBox cannot be accessed.

Online sports betting in The Gem State

Idaho is not entirely opposed to gambling, as there are multiple tribal casinos and horse tracks scattered throughout the state. However, even with that, the state’s interest in sports betting has been minimal since PASPA was overturned in 2018. Since the Supreme Court overturned PASPA, many states jumped at the opportunity to capitalize off sports betting. Yet, Idaho has not even had a sports betting bill created by state legislators.

Interest in the state does not seem to be present despite multiple surrounding states joining the rapidly growing list of locations with legal sports betting. In 2017, a lawmaker attempted to pass a bill that allowed tribes to offer video gaming machines, but it was shot down, which does not bode well for a more prominent topic like sports betting.

In 2016, when the state’s attorney general decided to outlaw DFS products, resulting in DraftKings and FanDuel leaving the state, everyone got a pretty good idea of how far ID was and is from passing any sports betting legislation.

Many states with active tribal casinos also encounter many issues when attempting to legalize sports betting. One of the biggest reasons California sports betting legislation has remained illegal is the state's tribal casinos, so that is an entirely different factor that could come into play if Idaho decides to start the legalization process.

Sports betting & gambling legislation in ID

Unlike Utah, gambling is legal in Idaho, just not sports betting. The tribal casinos and race tracks throughout the state do allow gambling to take place legally, but that is the full extent of it. Horse racing is also kept relatively simple in the state. Residents can use mobile racebook apps but no longer use machines to place wagers after lawmakers overturned the machine horse racing law in 2015. To place a bet on one of these races, customers must be at least 18 years old.

One of the most significant laws surrounding horse racing was approved in 2011. It allowed wagers to be placed in areas outside of racetracks, which sparked the introduction of the aforementioned racebooks. If horse racing doesn’t interest residents when it comes to gambling, then those individuals are left with two options: either visit one of the tribal casinos in the state or partake in the state lottery.

Could Idaho Introduce Betting on Dog Sled Races?

Idaho’s snow-covered landscapes serve as the perfect backdrop for dog sledding, a tradition that has endured for centuries. While states like Alaska are famous for mushing events such as the Iditarod, Idaho boasts its own competitive sled dog races, including the Ashton Dog Derby and the American Dog Derby. But could these events represent the next frontier for sports betting?

With the rise of niche sports betting, wagering on dog sled races could introduce a unique experience that is specific to Idaho’s gambling scene. Enthusiasts could place bets on factors such as finishing time. However, legal challenges persist. Idaho has strict gambling laws, and expanding betting to winter sports would necessitate major legislative changes.

Most recent updates from the ID sports betting & gambling scene

• March 5, 2025: Postseason basketball has arrived and Idaho State is (+850) to win the Big Sky Tournament.

• December 23, 2024: The Fiesta Bowl is set, and Boise State will play Penn State as (+11) point underdogs.

• December 16, 2024: Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty came in second in Heisman voting. The Broncos running back will next play in the CFP, where the Broncos are (+6500) to win the National Championship.

• December 9, 2024: After beating Lehigh, the Idaho Vandals are set to play Montana State in the FCS quarter-finals. The Vandals are listed as (+10.5) point underdogs.

• December 3, 2024: In their first FCS playoff game, the Idaho Vandals will host Lehigh as (-14.5) point favorites.

• November 26, 2024: The Idaho Vandals have earned the #8 seed in the FCS playoffs. They are currently (+10,000) to win the National Championship.

• November 15, 2024: As the regular season winds down, the Idaho Vandals currently have the 7th best odds to win the FCS National Championship at (+2200).

• November 1, 2024: Looking for another conference win, Boise State is set to host San Diego State as (-26.5) point favorites on Friday night.

• October 25, 2024: In one of the most anticipated G5 matchups of the year, Boise State will head to UNLV, where they are favored by (-3.5).

• October 18, 2024: The Idaho Vandals will host Cal Poly this weekend as (-22.5) point favorites.

In-person sports betting sites and locations

While Idaho does have seven tribal casinos, due to the state of sports betting legislation, those locations do not have the option to accept wagers. If the state ever decides to move forward with a sports betting bill, then these tribal casinos would likely be the perfect place for retail betting to start since they are already established.

In-person wagering in Idaho is limited to horse racing betting, as five places in the state currently host races. While five tracks host races, only Greyhound Park & Event Center is a simulcast facility. Each facility requires bettors to be at least 18 years of age.

Is There an Underground Gambling Scene in Idaho’s Ranching Community?

Idaho’s ranching culture is engrained with tradition and a strong sense of community. However, could this old-school way of life also give rise to an underground gambling scene? While Idaho enforces strict gambling laws, rumors of high-stakes poker games and unofficial rodeo side bets circulate in rural areas where under-the-table cash deals and handshake agreements still hold significance.

In bars, barns, and anywhere else, ranchers and rodeo riders meet, they may be placing bets on bull rides, bronco busting, and even cattle herding competitions. These unofficial wagers, often exchanged at county fairs or during private gatherings, could represent a hidden layer of Idaho’s western heritage. Unlike flashy casino tables, these games are off-the-record, invite-only, and driven by trust rather than formalized betting laws.

While authorities seldom crack down on these informal gambling scenes, as they have bigger fish to fry, the existence of these underground games remains an open question. Are these merely friendly bets among cowboys, or is there a more extensive network of high-stakes, under-the-radar gambling in Idaho’s ranching heartland?

Sports betting in neighboring states

With their disregard for a sports betting bill, Idaho has fallen behind its surrounding states significantly on the matter. Of course, Nevada is close by, but that gambling layout is nearly impossible to replicate. At the same time, a state like Oregon has operated strictly with mobile betting and has been successful.

Five of Idaho’s six surrounding states all have some form of legalized sports betting, so while residents have options all over the place, the state will continue to lose potential tax dollars by bettors traveling outside the state to place wagers. Just Oregon alone, which has had legal betting since October of 2019, has made over $80 million in tax revenue.

What’s Next For ID Betting Apps?

Currently, there isn’t much optimism about legalized sports betting in ID. There have been no rumors or talks of a sports betting bill being created anytime soon, and even if it does, it doesn’t necessarily mean it will be passed.

Racebooks remain the only betting apps that Idaho residents can download and use. Additionally, after DraftKings and FanDuel were forced to stop offering DFS contests in the state, it’s hard to know if they would attempt to reenter the market if sports betting became legalized.

Potential sports betting revenue impact on Idaho's economy

Due to the current state of sports betting legislation in Idaho, there are no handle, revenue, or tax numbers to report. While it is tough to speculate what sports betting would bring to the state, we know how much of an impact the tribal casinos make. According to the American Gaming Association, tribal casinos have an estimated economic impact of $353.5 million.

Regarding sports betting alone, we can look at Oregon again to see what a strong comparison could be for Idaho. As of March 2025, after around six years of legal sports betting, Oregon has produced over $2.6 billion in handle, which has resulted in over $273 million in revenue and more than $138 million in tax income. So, the potential is certainly there for the Gem State.

West Virginia is an excellent state to compare in terms of population. Since legalizing sports betting, the state has recorded over $2.7 billion in placed sports wagers (betting handle) and over $252 million in sportsbook revenue. Of course, plenty of factors contribute to these numbers, including the number of licenses the state allows.

Social Media Meets Sports Betting: Idaho’s Hot Springs as a Revenue Stream

Idaho’s famous hot springs, such as Kirkham, Goldbug, and Trail Creek, aren’t just popular with tourists and influencers, but they may represent an untapped revenue stream for the state’s future betting market. If Idaho legalized novelty wagering along with sports betting, social media-driven markets based on Instagram tags, geo-location data, and seasonal photo traffic could add a unique twist to traditional sports betting.

Using numbers we have from gaming tribes impact if just 0.1% of a $353 million annual sports betting handle came from hot spring-related novelty bets, that’s $353,000 in new wagers, and with a potential 10%–15% tax rate expected from a sports betting bill, Idaho could see $35,300–$52,950 in seasonal tax revenue from this market alone. These bets could boost tourism in rural regions, promote digital engagement, and diversify Idaho’s future betting portfolio beyond traditional sports.