Idaho Sports Betting 2025: Legal Status & ID Sportsbooks
NOT LEGAL
Idaho sports betting isn’t legal right now, and with no active bills in play, it may stay that way for a while. Instead, find alternative betting markets here.
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Last Updated: 7 August, 2025
No, Idaho has not legalized any form of sports betting.
There are no active bills or legislative proposals to change this.
The state has never introduced a serious attempt to legalize sports wagering.
Cultural and political resistance, especially from religious groups, remains a major barrier.
Key facts of Idaho betting
How do I gamble in Idaho?
While sports betting and DFS are both banned in Idaho, there are still a few legal ways to gamble in the state.
These options include horse racing, tribal casinos, and social sportsbooks.
Each one comes with specific rules and platforms, so it’s important to know what’s allowed before you start.
Social sportsbooks in Idaho
Social sportsbooks like Fliff and Chalkboard are legal in Idaho.
These apps let users make sports picks using virtual coins instead of real money.
Because they don’t offer direct cash payouts, they’re not considered gambling under state law.
Other legal gambling options
Idaho allows pari-mutuel wagering on horse races at select tracks and simulcast venues like the Greyhound Park.
There are also tribal casinos across the state that offer slot-style games and bingo.
The state lottery is legal and widely available.
Some small-scale charitable raffles may be allowed under local laws, though they're tightly regulated.
The minimum age to gamble in Idaho is 18 for most legal options, including horse racing and tribal casinos.
Some platforms, like social sportsbooks, may set their own age limits, typically 18 or 21, depending on their terms.
Always check a platform’s age policy before signing up to make sure you're eligible.
Can I bet on sports in another state?
Yes, Idaho residents can legally bet on sports by traveling to a nearby state where it’s allowed.
You must be physically located in a legal betting state to place a wager.
Using a mobile betting app from Idaho, even if it’s based elsewhere, is not allowed.
GPS tracking on sportsbook apps will block bets made from inside Idaho.
Oregon offers full online sports betting with remote sign-up, making it the most accessible option near western Idaho.
Nevada allows retail and mobile betting, but mobile apps often require in-person setup.
Montana also offers limited sports betting through a state-run platform available at licensed locations.
Traveling across state lines is the only way for Idahoans to legally place real-money sports bets right now.
Betting sites to avoid
With no legal sportsbooks in Idaho, some residents turn to offshore sites that claim to accept U.S. players.
These sites often look professional, but they’re not licensed or regulated by any U.S. authority.
That means your money isn’t protected, and there’s no legal support if something goes wrong.
⚠️ Even if these sites accept Idaho players, they operate outside U.S. law. We strongly advise using only legal, regulated platforms when they become available. ⚠️
Pros and cons of sports betting in Idaho
Pros
- ✅ Neighboring states offer legal betting access
- ✅ Social sportsbooks provide legal risk-free options
Cons
- ❌ No legislation or active push to legalize
- ❌ Offshore sites pose safety and payment risks
Latest sports betting updates in Idaho
The future of sports betting in Idaho
Idaho remains one of the few states with no real movement toward legal sports betting.
Since the 2018 PASPA ruling, lawmakers have shown little to no interest in introducing legislation.
Cultural factors, particularly strong opposition from religious communities, continue to influence the lack of progress.
Even neighboring states’ success with legal markets hasn't spurred Idaho into action.
Tribal casinos could offer a path forward, but no formal proposals have been made.
Similarly, launching sports betting through the state lottery or adopting an online-only model like Tennessee are options, though they haven't been discussed publicly.
Based on current trends, we don’t expect major changes in 2025.
Unless a significant political shift or revenue need occurs, Idaho is likely to remain on the sidelines of the sports betting wave.
Other types of legal betting in Idaho
While sports betting sites aren’t legal in Idaho, a few other types of gambling are allowed under state law.
These include tribal casinos, online horse race betting, pari-mutuel wagering, and legal lottery games.
DFS is banned, but social sportsbooks remain a legal option.
Horse racing
Idaho allows legal betting on horse racing through both in-person and online channels.
Tracks like Pocatello Downs and simulcast venues such as Greyhound Park offer on-site wagering.
Online platforms like FanDuel Racing accept Idaho customers for advance deposit wagering.
There are no live major racetracks in the state, but seasonal events still occur at county fairs.
Pari-mutuel wagering
Pari-mutuel betting is legal for licensed horse racing events in Idaho.
This system pools bets and pays out based on odds set by the collective pool.
You’ll find this format at events like Jerome Horse Racing and other county fairs.
It’s one of the oldest and most widely accepted forms of betting in the state.
Charitable bingo and raffles
Charitable gaming is allowed in Idaho under specific local and nonprofit guidelines.
Organizations can host bingo nights and raffles, but they must meet state and county licensing rules.
Online charitable gambling is not permitted; these events must be held in person.
Proceeds often go to community programs, religious groups, or educational causes.
Yes, social sportsbooks are legal and available in Idaho.
They use sweepstakes or virtual coin models, meaning no real-money bets or cash payouts.
Because of this format, they’re not regulated like real sportsbooks under state gambling law.
Popular options include Fliff, which uses play and promo coins, and Chalkboard, which offers betting-style social interaction.
These platforms are legal to use and don’t require a gambling license.
They provide a safe, free-to-play way to engage with sports betting mechanics.
How to start betting in Idaho
While some guides may claim you can bet on sports in Idaho, you can’t, and we’ll only show you real, legal ways to gamble, which may not involve sports at all.
Social sportsbooks
Social sportsbooks like Fliff and Chalkboard offer free-to-play betting without real money.
These platforms use virtual coins or sweepstakes entries, letting users enjoy betting mechanics legally.
They don’t offer cash payouts, but prizes or rewards may be available depending on the model.
No gambling license is needed, and Idaho residents can use them without violating state law.
Online horse race betting
Idaho allows legal horse betting through online racebooks like FanDuel Racing and TwinSpires.
You must register an account and fund it using approved payment methods.
These platforms cover major races across the US, including the Kentucky Derby.
Bettors can place pari-mutuel bets and follow live race streams from their phone or computer.
Charitable gambling
Charitable bingo and raffles are legal in Idaho if hosted by licensed nonprofits.
These events usually take place in community halls or religious venues.
Proceeds often support educational, religious, or health-related causes.
Online charitable gambling is not allowed; games must be held in person.
Crossing state lines to bet legally
Idahoans can travel to neighboring states with legal sports betting to place bets.
Oregon allows fully online betting with remote sign-up, making it a top choice.
Nevada and Montana also offer options, though Nevada may require in-person account setup.
Make sure you're physically in the legal state when placing a bet; apps use location tracking.
Social sportsbooks in Idaho
Social sportsbooks are fully legal in Idaho, offering a risk-free way to enjoy sports betting mechanics without breaking the law.
1. Fliff
Fliff is one of the most popular social sportsbooks available in Idaho.
It offers two modes: Fliff Coins (free play) and Fliff Cash (sweepstakes eligible).
You can earn rewards through daily logins, challenges, or by purchasing coin packs.
The app features a wide range of sports and bet types, mimicking real sportsbooks.
Because it uses a sweepstakes model, it’s fully legal to use in Idaho.
Top features:
Free and sweepstakes-based betting
Real prize redemptions
Wide range of sports
Daily login bonuses
Mobile-friendly interface
Pros and cons
Pros
- ✅ No real-money risk
- ✅ Legal and accessible in Idaho
Cons
- ❌ Can’t withdraw cash like a sportsbook
- ❌ Odds and features differ from real books
2. ReBet
ReBet brings daily sports picks with free coin entries and a competitive leaderboard.
It encourages friendly rivalries while mimicking sportsbook gameplay.
The platform is ad-supported and has a growing user base.
There’s no real-money wagering, so it's legal across Idaho.
It’s a solid option for casual players looking for daily action.
Top features:
Free daily coin reloads
Competitive leaderboard
Picks across major U.S. sports
Clean mobile UI
Fast signup process
Pros and cons
Pros
- ✅ Easy to use and join
- ✅ No legal risk
Cons
- ❌ No real-money prizes
- ❌ Smaller community than others
Types of bets in Idaho
Even though sports betting isn’t legal in Idaho, it’s helpful to understand the different types of bets, especially if you use social sportsbooks or travel to a legal state.
Moneyline: A straight bet on which team or player will win. No point spread is involved; just pick the winner.
Point spread: This bet involves selecting a team to win or lose by a set number of points. It helps even out mismatched games.
Over/Under (totals): You’re betting on whether the combined score will go over or under a line set by the sportsbook.
Futures: A long-term wager on outcomes like who will win a championship or MVP. These are placed well in advance.
Parlays: A bet that combines two or more picks. All of them must win for the parlay to pay out, higher risk, higher reward.
Prop bets: These are bets on specific events within a game, like which player scores first or how many yards a QB will throw.
Live betting: Also called in-game betting, this allows you to place wagers as the action unfolds. Odds update in real time.
Frequently asked questions
Responsible gambling in Idaho
Even though sports betting isn’t legal in Idaho, other forms of gambling, like horse racing and tribal casinos, are available.
It’s important to approach any type of gambling responsibly.
Gambling should be for entertainment, not a way to make money or manage stress.
If you find yourself chasing losses, gambling with money you can’t afford, or hiding your activity, it may be time to seek help.
Here are some resources available in Idaho and nationwide:
Idaho-specific resources:
Idaho Problem Gambling Hotline — Call 1-800-522-4700 for 24/7 confidential help
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare — healthandwelfare.idaho.gov offers addiction support and treatment referrals
Gamblers Anonymous Idaho — www.gamblersanonymous.org for local meeting info
National organizations:
National Problem Gambling Helpline — Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit ncpgambling.org
Gamble Aware — www.begambleaware.org for prevention tools and support
International Center for Responsible Gaming — www.icrg.org for research and educational resources
If gambling starts feeling like a problem, don’t wait; support is available, and recovery is possible.
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