Gambling in Idaho is defined as “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, baccarat, or keno.” These activities are tightly regulated, and the authorities are adamant about enforcing the law.Įven DFS companies, which are allowed to operate in most US states, were forced out of the Idaho market upon reaching an agreement with the state attorney general.

Over the years, exceptions were made for pari-mutuel horse race betting (1963), state lottery games (1989), tribal gaming (1992), charitable bingo and raffles (1993), off-track betting (2011), and historical horse racing (HHR) games (2013). Everything changed in 1953 when the legislature passed a statewide prohibition law.

Throughout the 1800s, gambling in Idaho was popular and regulated by individual towns.

Tvg gambling laws