Idaho Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 2018

Introduction to Idaho Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 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 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.

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This post continues the weekly series Online Resource: A State-By-State Slot Machine Casino Gambling Series, 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 the federal district.

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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 offer the Class III Vegas-style games currently available.

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*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.

Gaming Control Board in Idaho

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

1. Coeur D’Alene Tribe of the Coeur D’Alene Tribe Reservation, Idaho
2. Kootenai Tribe of Idaho
3. Nez Perce Tribe of Idaho
4. Shoshone-Bannock Tribes of the Fort Hall Reservation of Idaho

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.

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List of 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.

List of Tribal Casinos in Idaho

The seven American Indian tribal casinos in Idaho are:

1. Bannock Peak Casino in Pocatello located 47 miles southwest of Idaho Falls, owned and operated by the Shoshone-Bannock Tribe.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Fort Hall Casino & Hotel in Fort Hall located 39 miles southwest of Idaho Falls, owned and operated by the Shoshone-Bannock Tribe.
5. It’Se-Ye-Ye Casino in Kamiah located 229 miles north of Boise, owned and operated by the Nez Perce Tribe.
6. 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.
7. Sage Hill Travel Center and Casino in Blackfoot located 28 miles southwest of Idaho Falls, owned and operated by the Shoshone-Bannock Tribe.

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

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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.

Our Idaho Slots Facebook Group

Are you interested in sharing and learning with other slots enthusiasts in Idaho? If so, join our new Idaho slots community on Facebook. All you’ll need is a Facebook profile to freely join this closed Facebook Group.

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There, you’ll be able to privately share your slots experiences as well as chat with players about slots gambling in or near Idaho. Come join us!

Summary of Idaho Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 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,

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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.

Related Articles from Professor Slots

• 11 Things You Need To Know About American Indian Tribal Casinos – Tribal gaming is involved, even sophisticated, in terms of legal, regulatory, political, and economic factors. It’s one of the least understood segments of the U.S. gaming industry. This summary article on American Indian tribal casinos helps slot machine casino gamblers better understand the tribal casinos they visit.

Other State-By-State Articles from Professor Slots

• Online Resource: A State-By-State Slot Machine Casino Gambling Series – This online resource for slot machine casino gamblers summaries a third year of 56 weekly posts for each U.S. state, territory, and the federal district. Slots players begin here to learn about the slots gaming industry in each U.S. gaming jurisdiction. This summary article links to 56 individual state-specific posts useful to slots players.
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