Idaho sports betting
In the Gem State, there are limited options for bettors who want to engage in Idaho sports betting activities. They can try their luck in horse racing wagers. Playing in Native American-operated casinos is another option for bettors who wish to engage in slot gaming and other traditional casino offerings. Another way to gamble away their money is to purchase tickets to the state lottery.
This article will provide key details about the state of Idaho sports betting such as potential betting sites, Idaho sports betting timeline, and other relevant information. This can guide bettors in the state on how to navigate the Idaho sports betting landscape.
Is it legal to bet on sports online in Idaho?
Idaho is one of the states in the U.S. where sports betting is still not legal. Currently, there is no draft or active sports betting Idaho law that can pave the way for the legalization of sports betting online in Idaho. Bettors in the state can therefore not enjoy the top online gambling sites in the US.
For offshore sports betting, bettors in Idaho can go to various platforms that offer this activity. These offshore betting platforms have licenses from foreign gambling organizations and are based outside of the U.S. However, betting on these sites is risky as these foreign platforms are not regulated by any gambling entity in the U.S. Some of these offshore sports betting operators include BetOnline, XBet, MyBookie, BetUS, BUSR, Sportsbetting AG, BetNow, GTBets, and Betany Sports.
Bettors in the state also have the option of betting on horses in Idaho as this activity is legal in the state. The horse tracks that are operating in Idaho include the Cassia County Fair, the Eastern Idaho State Fair, Oneida Downs, the Pocatello, Rupert Downs, Jerome Racing, and Sandy Downs. The simulcast site for the horse racing operation is the Greyhound Park & Event Center. Aside from this, those who want to bet on horses can also access the sites of BetAmerica, TwinSpires, and TVG through their mobile devices or computers. These three are some of the largest advance deposit betting platform providers.
Engaging in unlawful sports betting online in Idaho is a misdemeanor. The penalty for violating any gambling regulations in the state can be a fine, jail time, or both.
What are the best sites in Idaho to bet on sports?
Bettors in Idaho can already read more about some of the best sports betting sites that will most likely launch in the state once state lawmakers legalize this activity. The section below presents the best sportsbook in the USA that got the best ratings and reviews from various experts and customers. Once the operation becomes legal, customers can easily access the various sportsbook selections to be able to start betting on sports.
BetRivers Idaho
The BetRivers brand is owned by Rush Street Interactive. Customers like the intuitive and well-designed platform of BetRivers. The platform also offers a huge selection of sports and markets. Aside from this, BetRivers also has proprietary team props and games that are not available in other sportsbooks. BetRivers is also known for its iRush Rewards loyalty program for sportsbook patrons. Through this program, loyal customers can avail of various benefits and rewards once they met the required terms and conditions.
BetMGM Idaho
This sportsbook is a brand of the MGM Resorts company. BetMGM’s platform features a layout that customers can easily navigate. The strategic positioning of the key elements of the site enables customers to find what they are looking for easily. The sportsbook also has a practical “Edit My Bet” feature on top of a cash-out option. This feature lets the customers to modify some portion of their bets, increase or decrease their bets, or pile more legs to the bet.
DraftKings Idaho
DraftKings is one of the biggest online sports betting providers in other states where its operations are legal. Players flock to this sportsbook because of its innovative platform and easy-to-use interface. The platform features an intuitive betting carousel that aims to make it easier for players to make a choice among the multitude of selections available in DraftKings’ game catalog. The carousel can personalize the suggested selections to the customers based on their preferences and past gaming history.
FanDuel Idaho
This sportsbook provides a platform that customers like because of its streamlined layout and easy-to-navigate app. Both new and existing customers can find what they are searching for easily with the app’s well-designed menu. FanDuel also spearheaded the deployment of same-game parlays where bettors can parlay their bets within the same game instance. FanDuel also offers generous bonuses aimed at first-time customers.
Unibet Idaho
Unibet is also one of the leading sportsbooks that will most likely operate in ID through a partnership with local tribes. Once the state lawmakers approve the passage of the sports betting Idaho bill, Unibet can already apply for a license to legally operate in the state. This sportsbook is one of the top choices of customers when it comes to sports betting offers. Its well-designed layout enables site visitors to immediately find the games catalog and other menu items. First-time customers like the generous welcome bonus. Bettors also find the quality of Unibet’s game catalog to be one of the most stellar.
A timeline of online sports betting in Idaho
When the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in 2018 that prohibited the legalization of gambling, Idaho lawmakers did not take advantage of this action. Legislators in Idaho failed to draft a bill to make sports betting legal in the state. Even after several years have already passed, the state’s legislators have not yet drafted or filed a solid bill to legalize sports betting in Idaho. In the latest election, some state legislators attempted to pass a proposal to somehow make online betting on horses legal for operators within the state. However, the proposal was rejected by a small vote margin. The proposition could have pushed hard the drive to legalize sports betting in the state.
The resistance against the legalization of sports betting in Idaho could have stemmed from the lawmakers’ apprehension that this could lead to fixed matches, corrupt practices, and other fraudulent activities. However, the state’s legislators are still open to the decision of the public on whether there is enough push from them to finally legalize sports betting in the state. Idaho’s lawmakers and its residents could also be influenced by the decision of neighboring states to finally legalize sports betting within their jurisdictions. Aside from this, there is also a matter of missed state income from sports betting. Idaho stands to earn billions of dollars from sports betting taxes and license fees. This could be a strong motivator in the future to legalize sports betting in the state. The income from sports betting could fund various community projects such as those in critical sectors like education and housing.
Apart from this, sports betting can also pave the way for more jobs to be generated by this sector. This could lift the unemployment rate and the standard of living among the city’s residents. This trend could be seen in other states that have already legalized sports betting activities.
Currently, legislators in the state are still in the process of gathering information about sports betting from the perspective of their constituents. They are also looking at the progress and challenges that other states encountered when they legalize their sports betting operations. The lawmakers are also taking notice of the financial aspects of the operation to ensure that they can have a solid justification once they start to draft the Idaho sports betting bill. Given the mostly positive impact of sports betting in other neighboring states, it might not be long in the future when an approved bill will materialize and make sports betting legal in the state.
Who oversees online sports betting in Idaho?
There are several gaming regulatory bodies in Idaho. Once lawmakers legalize sports betting in Idaho, the organizations below will be overseeing the relevant aspects of the operations of the sportsbooks in the state.
These gaming regulatory organizations in Idaho will work together to oversee the overall gambling operations in Idaho. They will oversee the licensing process, undertake audits to check for compliance, and enforce the state’s gambling regulations. In terms of the licensing process, these regulatory bodies aim to ensure that only those eligible entities can get licenses. They will need to do background checks on all license applicants to ensure that no criminal elements can establish an operation in the state. These regulatory bodies also need to ensure that the sportsbooks will have the capacity and expertise to provide their target sports betting offerings.
With regard to the audit and review process, these regulatory bodies will check and assess the compliance of various gambling service providers to ensure that they are complying with the relevant sports betting laws and regulations in the state. These organizations will also need to enforce penalties or punishments for those who are violating the policies. Some of the penalties that they can impose on the violators include fines, jail time, suspensions, and others. Aside from these main responsibilities, these regulatory bodies will also provide guidance and training to ensure that all the players in the industry are aligned with the state’s standard processes and goals. They also aim to harmonize the interests of various players such as providers, operators, regulatory organizations, bettors, and other parties to ensure a win-win situation for everyone.
The regulatory bodies also provide some recommendations to help the operators increase their earnings and ensure a fraud-free process. In doing so, these bodies hope that these operators can also contribute to the growth of the funds given to various charitable causes in the state.