Is there gambling in Idaho? Yes, there is, but only in licensed gambling venues. As of 2021, there are several places in the state where gambling is possible. Some of those establishments are tribal casinos; others are commercial racinos.
In those venues, Idaho gamblers can play all kinds of traditional casino games, including slots, roulette, baccarat, and many others. In racinos, they can also bet on horseracing events. Sports betting, however, remains illegal in this state.
What about internet gambling in Idaho? All forms of internet gambling, including both online casino gambling and sports betting, are not permitted by the law. However, many online gambling sites still keep on accepting users from Idaho.
No one can say for sure why this is the case. It could be that no one in Idaho has ever been processed for gambling online, even though such activity is a misdemeanor in the eyes of the law.
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Interesting Facts About Idaho
The official state nickname of Idaho is the Gem State. It references the fact that the state is a natural gem of the United States, where the US Forest Service holds almost 40% of the land. Apart from its natural beauty, Idaho has many man-made structures worthy of wonder.
Actually, historians suggest that this area may have been populated since more than 14,000 years ago. The European exploration of this part of America is a relatively recent activity as the first non-indigenous settlers arrived only in the 1800s. Mormons were the first Europeans to settle in the area, although they thought they were in Utah.
Before that, these lands were ruled by various Indian tribes, including the Shoshone, Coeur D’Alene Tribe, Kootenai Tribe, and the Nez Perce people. Even today, Idaho has a significant native American population in the four reservations within the state’s borders. In these areas, the tribes run seven casinos, all of which are among the most visited gambling venues in Idaho.
Idaho Gambling Venues
In Idaho, you need to be at least 18 to be allowed to gamble. Another condition is to gamble inside a licensed gambling venue. Right now, there are 13 places with an Idaho gambling license. Seven are located in the Indian reservations; others are spread across the state.
The biggest casino in Idaho is situated in the Coeur D’Alene Reservation in the north-western part of the state. The casino in question is the Coeur D’Alene Casino Resort Hotel, which has more than 60,000 square feet of gambling space. There are over 1,600 gambling machines in the casino, including everything from slots to video poker.
Other Idaho casinos are significantly smaller. For example, the second-biggest casino, the Clearwater River Casino in Lewiston, has just over 600 gambling machines. Apart from Idaho-based casinos, gambling lovers from the Gem State also often pay a visit to casinos across the border.
Idaho’s neighboring state of Nevada is the home to more than 440 casinos. Las Vegas might be too far south, but there are plenty of casino venues just next to the state border. Many of those run sportsbook operations as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Currently, there are no written Idaho gaming rules or laws that state that gambling is prohibited. As such, players that are over 18 years can wager at online casinos, poker rooms, bingo halls, and sportsbook sites without having to worry about committing a crime or not.
To gamble in Idaho, you will be required to reach a minimum of 18 years old, except for Clearwater casino, which does not accept players except if you have reached at least 21 years old.
Yes, it does apply to winnings of $5,000 and above. When you gamble and win in Idaho, you will be required to report your winnings as income on your federal income tax return. The payer will give you the Form W-2G, which will report your winnings to you and the IRS. On the other hand, if you are a casual gambler, you will need to report your winnings on the “Other Income” line of your Form 1040, U.S. individual Income Tax Return.
Currently, there are no laws or legislations that govern and regulate online gambling in the state of Idaho. As such, players should know that when they encounter any issues, there are no laws to protect them within the state. Because of that, we do recommend that you carry out a proper background check on the gambling sites before you join them. However, You can check our review page for the best online casinos in Idaho.
Since online gambling is not really safe in Idaho, it’s recommended that you take some security measures to ensure your safety online. To do this, we advise that you gamble only at licensed casinos, using a strong password, wagering within your bankroll, and many more.
No. There has been no report of anyone getting arrested for gambling at online casino sites in Idaho. However, you should ensure that you report your winnings and pay the federal tax that applies to it to avoid being arrested.
