Idaho Online Poker – Is It Legal?
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David Manyun
- August 25, 2024
Located in the northwest region of the United States, Idaho is renowned for its picturesque scenery boasting postcard-worthy areas a professional photographer could make a meal of.
However, Idaho’s gambling laws are less exciting, especially for online poker fans. The Gem State has always been incredibly conservative towards real money gambling. In our guide, we’ll cover every aspect of online poker in Idaho and help residents discover the best place to play traditional poker and all their favorite variations.
Below you will find an extensive guide showing you where to find the best Idaho betting sites for poker, as well as information on ratings, thorough reviews on the best operators, and the laws/legislature of online poker in Idaho.
Best Sportsbooks in Idaho for 2024
| SPORTSBOOK | TRUST SCORE | ONLINE SINCE | Expert Review | BONUS | Bet Now |
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2001
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$250 Free Bet
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2011
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$750 Cash Bonus
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2002
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100% Free Play
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1996
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$500 Cash Bonus
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The Best Idaho Online Poker Sites
Our dedicated team of online poker experts at Bookmakers Review has tested various online Idaho poker sites to provide a comprehensive review product. In our online poker Idaho guide, you will find a top-three ranking list, which has been compiled using the strictest of standards so that we can deliver the public an honest review of the best online poker sites in Idaho.
The top three sites below are the best in the online poker scene for players in Idaho:
Idaho Online Poker Sites Reviewed
It’s easy to write a few words and tell you our top three recommended Idaho online poker sites, but we know the proof is in the pudding. For this reason, our experts have documented what makes an operator a noteworthy online poker site, you can find our in-depth reviews below.
1. The Best Online Poker Site in Idaho: Bovada
Key Features
- Fast poker software and a great choice of games
- The most popular poker room in the online poker scene
Bovada is an excellent online site for Idaho poker players. Aside from its notable perks, awesome cash games, and easily accessible site from desktop computers and mobile devices, they’re a brand with a considerable reputation that’s been well-respected within the industry for over a decade.
For poker enthusiasts who know their software operators, you’ll be glad to know Bovada’s poker room operates under the PaiWangLuo software. This network is relatively unknown, but the quality of the casino table games they provide is almost untouchable. You’ll find poker tournaments with minimum betting limits of a few cents all the way up to thousands.
This top-rated online poker site in Idaho gives particular attention to its Texas Hold’em offering, as this version of poker is the most sought-after by its customers. And when you arrive at a table, you’ll notice a rabbit hunting feature, a percentage signaling hand strength (excellent for beginners), a live chat, fold, show, and hand history. You can also join tables that keep you anonymous, thus preventing your opponents from seeing your statistics.
Bovada excels and is the best online poker site in Idaho for many reasons. Whether you’re looking for Texas Hold’em, 5-Card, 3-Card, Omaha, Caribbean Stud, or any of the most popular forms of poker, you’ll find it behind excellent poker software that runs effortlessly no matter what device you decide to play on.
Speed and efficiency don’t just arrive from Bovada’s poker software, as players will notice a fast payout system that usually withdraws funds to your bank account within 24 hours or instantly for cryptocurrency depositors.
New customers are greeted with special welcome bonuses, and regular players receive promotions during their stay. A deposit match poker bonus of up to $500 is a great way to pad your bankroll, and a minimum deposit of $20 is excellent for newcomers looking to test the waters. Crypto depositors have lower minimum deposit limits. Plus, there are numerous promo codes at Bovada that can provide even more bonus funds.
On the topic of money offerings, the online poker promotions at Bovada are difficult for their competitors to challenge. Regular $10,000+ Texas Hold’em tournaments, a monthly $1 million Sit & Go, and progressive bounties give players three valid reasons why Bovada is the best in the business.
2. The Best Online Poker Tournaments in Idaho: BetOnline
Key Features
- High stake games or lower wager requirements available
- One of the biggest online poker bonus offers for new users in Idaho
BetOnline is one of the most respected offshore gambling operators worldwide. They’ve steadily risen above the competition with more than twenty years in the game. While they’re known as the best sports betting site for North American residents, avid casino game players shouldn’t neglect their poker services.
Operated by Chico Software, BetOnline’s poker tables are in good hands and work exceptionally without lag or significant issues. When you combine this with regular tournaments, low wagering requirements, and high limits, it’s no surprise that BetOnline is a top online poker site in Idaho. Some poker games can even start as small as 1-2 cents!
Poker tournaments are BetOnline’s bread and butter; whether you’re looking for big or small buy-ins, various options suit bankrolls of any level. Eight regular tournaments are available, and customers love the $1 million windfall, rebuy frenzy, progressive bounties, and continued jackpots that can exceed $50,000.
The poker room at BetOnline has excellent features, especially the Six Plus. Here, cards below six are removed and play out as a regular Texas Hold’em game. Unique games like this separate BetOnline from the competition, further adding to its prestige as an online poker provider.
BetOnline covers the basics, such as outstanding customer service, various banking options, and excellent bonuses with BetOnline promo codes, but they also have a dedicated app for online poker. This provides poker enthusiasts with a mobile experience that can be accessed anytime and anywhere.
3. Excellent Bonuses for Online Poker Players: Everygame
Key Features
- A strong mobile presence with the Instant Play Poker App
- Variety of poker tournaments
Previously known as Intertops, Everygame has maintained its excellence despite the branding change and has offered solid consistency in the online casino industry since 1996. And when it comes to poker tournaments and cash games, Everygame is an ideal choice for players.
Working under the Horizon poker network software, they excel at cash games with a tournament schedule where you can always get involved in. The usual poker suspects like Texas Hold’em, Hi-Lo, and 5-card can be found at Everygame and many more.
Catering to new and experienced players, Everygame has two to four-cent blinds on low-staked and no-limit games for the high rollers. In addition, you shouldn’t neglect the promotions and bonuses, such as the 200% new player matched deposit bonus that can be claimed up to $1,000 or as low as $25. And the promo codes at Everygame can add even more value.
Long-term promotions are also a plus at Everygame, with a unique rewards program known as the Poker Instant Rewards Program, where players can gain player points and cash in for free stuff.
Is online poker legal in Idaho?
Simply put, no, online poker isn’t legal in Idaho. However, Idahoans can still play online poker. Sound confusing? Don’t worry, we’ll explain.
Poker coincides with the state’s ban on online gambling. Popular forms of gambling like Idaho sports betting and playing your favorite casino games, technically, aren’t legal.
The current gambling laws in Idaho state that residents cannot wager for money online with operators based in the United States – highlighted in section 20 of the Idaho Constitution. As the location of operators is expressly noted, a gray area in the law can be taken advantage of.
The online poker laws in Idaho don’t prohibit Idaho citizens from utilizing poker sites outside the U.S., such as offshore casinos and poker sites. While it may sound scary to some, offshore poker sites are nothing more than operators outside the U.S., and they often reside in countries such as Costa Rica or Panama.
The top offshore casino sites offering poker in Idaho recommended in this guide are all regulated and completely legal, which should put your worries to rest. Suppose you’re from Idaho or any state in the U.S. that bans online poker. In that case, you can instantly register with offshore casino sites, deposit, and play online poker without facing prosecution.
Video Poker
Dissimilar to traditional poker, video poker is a game of chance – like slots or blackjack – which presents familiar poker foundations but is nothing more than a digital game based on luck.
Despite separating itself from a typical game of poker, video poker is still illegal and falls under the same laws as other gambling activities in Idaho. Fortunately, although it’s technically illegal in Idaho, players can still access hundreds of video poker variations at offshore sites.
Casual Poker
Casual poker is prohibited in the state of Idaho. A famous story emerged from Idaho when federal officers stormed a social game of poker that pensioners were playing. The backlash from Idaho locals was intense.
Since this unethical approach by the police took place, the laws have been altered, so the police must seek approval from the prosecutor’s office before their planned raids. With that said, the state hasn’t changed its stance on casual poker, and no form of real-money poker is allowed in Idaho, whether at a casino or a personal game with friends.
Idaho Poker Laws
Idaho online poker laws prevent locals from partaking in such activities. The state’s current laws keep online poker as an illegal activity. Still, the law itself mentions explicitly “within the United States,” thus presenting Idaho natives with an opportunity to seek online poker services outside of the state.
This grey area is entirely legal to take advantage of and is the main reason why Idaho residents flock to BetOnline, Bovada, BetAnySports, Everygame, or BetUS to find online poker cash games and tournaments along with other authentic casino action.
As the offshore poker sites mentioned aren’t licensed by the U.S., they aren’t forced to follow laws from the United States. Accepting players from the United States into their poker rooms is legal, and some operators have treated customers in the U.S. with the utmost respect and decency for decades.
Playing Legal Online Poker in Idaho
Online poker and live in-person poker is a story of two games. Rules will vary, and so will the games available, but mostly, it’s the way games are presented and the unique offerings that are very different.
As in-person games are illegal in Idaho, playing at an online poker site is the best option for residents of the Gem State. But for those wondering why online poker is generally more advantageous, we’ve compared the key differences below.
Promotions
Commercial casinos fall short when compared to the excellent promotions offered when playing poker online. BetOnline, for example, offers a deposit match bonus of up to $1,000. The biggest opportunity for bonus money usually comes when users sign up however there are additional promotions for existing users too. Loyalty programs also help unlock additional promotions just for playing your favorite online casino games.
Tournaments
In-person poker tournaments take time and preparation to set up. The best online poker sites in Idaho require nothing more than a few clicks to create multiple tournaments.
Convenience
Even if Idaho legalized poker at their local casinos, you’d still have to travel and abide by casino rules while playing a game of poker. Online poker sites in Idaho remove a lot of unnecessary hassle, and as the cost of living and petrol prices surge, money can be saved by playing a hand of poker in the comfort of your home.
Table Choice
If you were to partake in a live poker game, you’d have to play the variation available or one dictated by those involved. However, using the recommended online ID poker sites from our top five rankings will present a vast selection of poker games. You can go from playing a hand of Texas Hold ’em to a game of 5-Card poker in a few clicks.
Learning
Not everyone is an expert poker player, but online guides and unique resources can heavily assist the inexperienced. But if you’re in a real-life situation, you cannot conveniently open your poker guide at the table.
Playing Poker in Idaho
We’ve already highlighted that online poker is illegal in Idaho, but in-person poker is also criminalized, thus giving locals minimal options to enjoy an exciting hand of poker. For this reason, utilizing an offshore sportsbook and poker provider is the only choice for residents of the Gem State.
When you’re looking for the most reputable and trustworthy Idaho online poker sites, you want to ensure they have the best promotions and bonuses, the standard of play is high quality, they offer variety in game choice, the stakes suit your needs, and the site’s design and usability are top-notch.
If you’re still undecided, choose an operator from our guide. You can rest assured that our expert team has compiled a top-five list of Idaho’s most noteworthy online poker sites.
FAQs — Idaho Online Poker
Is online poker legal in Idaho?
No, online poker in Idaho is illegal within state borders. However, the extensive reviews in our guide have highlighted the offshore online poker sites that are entirely safe, legal, and accessible by residents of the Gem State.
Is there online gambling in Idaho?
Online poker and gambling, in general, are criminalized in Idaho, but this should not deter residents from wanting to get in on the action. Offshore operators such as Bovada and Everygame offer Idaho poker players the opportunity to play without breaking the law.
Can you play online poker in Idaho?
Yes, many sites accept players from Idaho and around the U.S. Some of the most notable sites offering legal online poker in Idaho include BetOnline and Bovada.
Where can you gamble in Idaho?
There are over a dozen tribal casinos in the state of Idaho that offer a limited range of games; pari-mutuel horse race betting is offered at racetracks and off-track betting facilities. For the widest selection, the best choice is offshore sites.
What is the best online poker site in Idaho?
There is no doubt that Bovada, BetOnline, Everygame, BetUS, and BetAnySports are the best Idaho poker sites. These sites have a notable poker room with exceptional welcome bonuses, customer support, a safe and secure website and years of experience.
