Idaho Slot Machine Casino Gambling 2018

Introduction to Idaho Slot Machine Casino Gambling 2018

Idaho slot machine casino gambling currently consists of seven American Indian tribal casinos. Idaho’s single pari-mutuel facility with live horse racing and “instant racing” machines finally closed in March of 2018.

With its distinctive shape, Idaho forms part of the Pacific Northwest and is located in the northwestern region of the U.S., having a small border with Canada. It also borders six other U.S. states. The capital and largest city is Boise.

Major airports include the Boise Airport (BOI) serving southwestern Idaho, and Spokane International Airport (GEG) serving the northern region from nearby Spokane, Washington. There are also several regional airports available.

This post continues the weekly blog series Online Resource: State-By-State Slots Gambling Summaries, an online resource dedicated to guiding slot machine casino gambling enthusiasts to success. Each weekly post reviews slots gambling in a single U.S. state, territory, or federal district.

Boise Panoramic View [Idaho Slot Machine Casino Gambling 2018]

Relevant Legal Statutes on Gambling in Idaho*

The minimum gambling age in Idaho depends upon the gambling activity:

Land-Based Casinos: 18
Poker Rooms: n/a
Bingo: 18
Lottery: 18
Pari-Mutuel Wagering: 18

The maximum bet in Idaho is $50.

The state originally adopted criminal and constitutional prohibitions against all forms of Class III gaming, except pari-mutuel betting and a state lottery. This action was challenged by the tribe and taken to the federal district court.

Ultimately, the state drafted a proposed constitutional amendment changing its gaming laws, allowing state-tribal compacts to allow the Class III games currently available.

*The purpose of this section is to inform the public of state gambling laws and how the laws apply to various forms of gambling. This information is not intended to provide legal advice.

Slot Machine Private Ownership in Idaho

It is legal to privately own a slot machine in Idaho if it was manufactured before 1950.

Mormon Temple in Idaho Falls [Idaho Slot Machine Casino Gambling 2018]

Gaming Control Board in Idaho

In place of a state gaming commission, state-tribal compacts exist between the Idaho state government and the tribal casinos located within the state. These compacts exist between the Idaho government and the following tribes:

Coeur D’Alene Tribe of the Coeur D’Alene Tribe Reservation, Idaho
Kootenai Tribe of Idaho
Nez Perce Tribe of Idaho
Shoshone-Bannock Tribes of the Fort Hall Reservation of Idaho

Salmon River Rafting [Idaho Slot Machine Casino Gambling 2018]

Casinos in Idaho

Idaho has 7 American Indian tribal casinos located throughout the state.

The largest casino in Idaho is Coeur D’Alene Casino Resort Hotel in Worley, having over 1,400 gaming machines but no table games.

The second largest casino in Idaho is Fort Hall Casino & Hotel in Fort Hall, having over 900 gaming machines but no table games.

Non-Tribal Casinos in Idaho

Pari-mutuel horse racing was legalized in the state in 1964, immediately making existing race tracks legal and allowing additional race tracks to be opened in the same year.

Online horse betting became legal on July 1, 2014, allowing Historic Horse Race betting or “instant racing” machines.

Les Bois Park in Boise was the single commercial track in Idaho. It closed on March 30, 2018. Live racing ended the year before. The pari-mutuel facility stayed open a few more months by offering simulcast betting and “instant racing” machines.

American Indian Casinos in Idaho

The seven American Indian tribal casinos in Idaho are:

Bannock Peak Casino in Pocatello located 47 miles southwest of Idaho Falls, owned and operated by the Shoshone-Bannock Tribe.
Clearwater River Casino and Lodge in Lewiston located 105 miles south of Spokane, Washington on the western border of Idaho, owned and operated by the Nez Perce Tribe.
Coeur D’Alene Casino Resort Hotel in Worley located 105 miles southeast of Spokane, Washington near the western border of Idaho, owned and operated by the Coeur D’Alene Tribe.
Fort Hall Casino & Hotel in Fort Hall located 39 miles southwest of Idaho Falls, owned and operated by the Shoshone-Bannock Tribe.
It’Se-Ye-Ye Casino in Kamiah located 229 miles north of Boise, owned and operated by the Nez Perce Tribe.
Kootenai River Inn Casino and Spa in Bonners Ferry located 104 miles northeast of Spokane, Washington in northern Idaho, owned and operated by the Kootenai Tribe.
Sage Hill Travel Center and Casino in Blackfoot located 28 miles southwest of Idaho Falls, owned and operated by the Shoshone-Bannock Tribe.

San Maries River [Idaho Slot Machine Casino Gambling 2018]

Other Gambling Establishments

As an alternative to enjoying Idaho slot machine casino gambling, consider exploring casino options in a nearby state.

Idaho is bordered by six U.S. states and a Canadian province:

North: British Columbia Province of Canada
East: Montana Slots and Wyoming Slots
South: Nevada Slots and Utah Slots
West: Oregon Slots and Washington Slots

Payout Returns in Idaho

Idaho’s tribal-state compacts do not require a minimum theoretical payout return percentage. Without a minimum payout return, the tribal casinos of Idaho may legally set their payout return to being as low as they wish.

The only real practical limit, therefore, is how low their patrons will accept before choosing to gamble elsewhere. Given the relatively long distances between casinos in some parts of Idaho, there may be less risk of this rejection happening that might occur elsewhere.

Redfish Lake [Idaho Slot Machine Casino Gambling 2018]

Summary of Idaho Slot Machine Casino Gambling 2018

Idaho slot machine casino gambling currently consists of seven tribal casinos, each of which offers video slot machines as well as electronic pull-tab and slot-like bingo machines. Some of these casinos also offer video poker, video keno, video roulette, and electronic blackjack table games.

The existing state-tribal compact does not require a minimum payout return when gambling at any of Idaho’s American Indian tribal casinos. Also, actual payout return statistics are not legally required to be made available to the public,

Annual Progress in Idaho Slot Machine Casino Gambling

In the last year, Les Bois Park closed with its Historic Horse Race betting or “instant racing” machines.

2017 Archive: Idaho Slot Machine Casino Gambling 2017 – Idaho slot machine casino gambling currently consists of seven tribal casinos, each of which offers video games such as electronic pull-tab and slot-like bingo machines. Some of these casinos also offer video poker, video keno, video roulette, and electronic blackjack table games. There is no minimum payout return.