
Idaho sports betting is not yet legal. Hence, all forms of real-money sports predictions are out of reach. This can be quite frustrating for those who want to engage with their favorite sports beyond just watching the gaming action.
Luckily, there is an alternative that aligns with state laws—social sportsbooks. These platforms provide a way for sports fans to participate in predictions without the need for real-money betting. I have discussed all there is to know about sports betting in Idaho and made a few recommendations for the best social sportsbooks for sports lovers.
If you are wondering whether Idaho sports betting is legal, the short answer is no. Idaho prohibits online sports betting and other forms of real money sports wagering. Social sportsbooks, however, offer a legal and entertaining alternative to traditional sports betting.
Feature | Details |
---|---|
Legality of Online Sportsbooks | Illegal |
Social Sportsbooks | Legal |
Tribal Casinos | Legal, limited to Class II games |
Legal Gambling Age | 18-21, depending on the activity |
Like social casinos, social sportsbooks in Idaho allow sports enthusiasts to use virtual currencies like Gold Coins or Sweepstakes Coins for gameplay. Idaho is one of the few US States that prohibits most betting activities.
Most social sportsbooks don’t offer Idahoans the option to redeem Sweepstakes Coins for cash prizes. This is because the state is fully against incentivizing betting activities.
It is very clear that online sports betting and real money sportsbooks are prohibited under the state’s gambling regulations. Tribal casinos operate under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, allowing Class II gaming options like bingo and electronic pull-tabs but excluding Class III sports betting.
The state’s gambling statutes also permit live horse racing and pari-mutuel wagering. For official updates on Idaho’s gambling laws, visit the Idaho State Lottery and the Idaho Legislature websites.
Social sportsbooks like sweepstakes casinos use Gold Coins for free, and Sweepstakes Coins for promotional play. Sports fans who use Gold Coins to make sports predictions get a chance to win more Gold Coins, which cannot be redeemed for prizes.
Sweepstakes Coins, however, can be used to make predictions in promotional mode. This means users have the chance to win Sweepstakes Coins, which are redeemable for prizes. In Idaho, however, this isn’t as straightforward as not many social sportsbooks offer this option.
If you are new to social sportsbooks, here are the key features you should look out for:
With that said, below is an overview of the top social sportsbooks available in Idaho.
This social sportsbook was launched in 2024. It offers both social casino games and sports predictions. It ranks among the best social sports betting sites, thanks to the platform’s superb user experience, regular ongoing promotions, and unbeatable discounts on GC bundle purchases.
The site's top bonuses include a no-purchase offer of 1,000 GC + 3 SC and a referral bonus of 15 K GC + 70 SC. SportsMillions features contests in major leagues like the NFL and NBA. Check out this SportsMillions review to explore the platform's other offerings.
Known for its simple yet intuitive site design, Legendz sweepstakes excels in providing a social experience with community-driven contests. The platform covers niche sports like darts, futsal, and badminton alongside major leagues such as the NHL and MLB.
As noted in our Legendz review, this sweepstakes casino has an active community base, which attracts most users looking to join like-minded communities and share predictions and tips.
When you sign up with Legendz, you get free 500 GC + 3 SC. There is also a 10% discount if you decide to purchase a Gold Coin package in the first hour. Bettors should remember at this stage, that no purchases are necessary since there are free options to claim Gold Coins. Legendz has a solid VIP Program and a generous referral bonus.
Sportzino was launched in December 2023 and is currently available in 46 US states. It offers 800 + casino games and comprehensive sports contests, covering major leagues. As a new user, you will receive a welcome bonus which contains 220,000 Gold Coins and 10 Sweepstakes Coins.
Other bonuses include a optional first purchase offer that packs 1.3 million GC + 35 SC as a free bonus for $19.99, social media contests, and a daily login bonus. Refer to the latest Sportzino review to check out the most recent bonuses.
Thrillzz is a popular social sportsbook focusing on mobile-friendly gameplay with live contests for major leagues like the NFL, MLB, and NBA. The platform’s simple interface makes it ideal for beginners.
If you are signing up with the platform for the first time, you can claim 3 free Thrillzz Sweeps, plus a 100% match up bonus up to $25 in Thrillzz Coins. In this Thrillz review, I have discussed the various rewards on the platform and how you can claim them.
This is one of the most practical social sportsbooks that balances exceptional user experience with excellent bonuses and promotions. Fliff offers Android and iOS apps designed for newbies and seasoned sports fans.
When signing up with the platform, use the bonus code PROMOGUYSOCIAL and purchase a $50 Gold Coin package to claim $100 in Fliff Coins. In a recent Fliff review, I covered how unique this social sportsbook is and how it has grown to become a go-to option among sports fans in the United States.
The short answer is No. But while you cannot place a sports bet in Idaho using real money, you can participate in sports prediction using virtual currencies.
Unlike traditional online betting sites, social sportsbooks do not involve direct real-money betting. Still, they allow users to win redeemable prizes. The goal is accumulating Sweepstakes Coins through gameplay and exchanging them for cash or gift cards.
Each social sportsbook has unique rules for prize redemption, so be sure to review their terms carefully. For instance, Legendz requires users to accumulate at least 100 SC before redeeming the SC winnings for prizes, while this figure is 50 SC for Sportzino.
Having discussed the various social sportsbooks available to Idahoans, you can now pick one site to sign up with and begin making sports predictions. Below is a quick overview of the Google Play Store and App Store ratings of the top Idaho betting apps.
App Name | App Store Rating | Play Store Rating | Top Feature |
---|---|---|---|
Fliff | 4.8 | 4.7 | Available in 48+ states |
Thrillzz | 4.4 | 3.9 | Beginner-friendly |
SportsMillions | 4.6 | It is not yet available on the Play Store. | Competitive bonuses |
Sportzino | 4.1 | Not Available on the App Store. | Unique markets & generous promotions |
Efforts to introduce legal sports betting in Idaho have been minimal. No formal bills have gained traction in the state legislature, which reflects the state’s historically conservative approach to sports betting and gambling.
Looking ahead, the chances of sports betting becoming legal in Idaho are quite minimal. Unlike other states, there has been no notable push from stakeholders or voters to revisit this issue. Without substantial shifts in public opinion or legislative advocacy, sports betting is unlikely to gain approval in the state anytime soon.
Like most states that prohibit gambling and sports betting, Idaho still permits certain types of gambling within the state. These include:
The legal gambling age in Idaho varies based on the activity:
Gambling winnings in Idaho are subject to federal and state income taxes. For prizes over $5,000, the Idaho Lottery automatically withholds 24% of federal taxes and 5.695% of state taxes.
It is important to note that all gambling winnings are considered taxable income and must be reported on your tax return, regardless of the amount. The withholding rates are designed to cover the anticipated tax liability, but depending on your overall income and tax situation, you may owe additional taxes or be entitled to a refund when you file your return.
Most social sportsbooks cover popular sports such as football, basketball, and baseball. Some, however, go the extra mile to cover niche sporting events like badminton and futsal, making them attractive to a particular group of sports fans.
In Idaho, the types of sports you can engage with depend on the site you signed up with. But generally, expect the major sports leagues and perhaps a few sporting events in the niche category.
Social sportsbooks offer bonuses and promotions to incentivize users to play on their platform and keep engaging with their offerings. These promotions often come in the form of virtual currencies like Sweepstakes Coins and Golf Coins. Here are the most basic bonuses and promotions you can expect at any Idaho social sportsbook.
New users receive free Gold Coins and Sweepstakes Coins upon sign-up. Simply register to claim this reward.
Log in daily to collect free Gold Coins and Sweepstakes Coins. No additional steps are required.
Invite friends to join and claim extra virtual coins. This bonus is often tied to some eligibility requirements. Both you and your referrals may benefit from the offer.
If you buy an optional Gold Coin bundle, you will receive additional bonus Gold Coins automatically added to your account. Gold Coin bundles can come with free Sweepstakes Coins as a bonus, but that is not always the case. It is also important to understand that Sweepstakes Coins cannot be purchased in any way.
It is worth noting that most operators offer bonus promo codes, which unlock exclusive offers. So, you always want to look for during sign up and when purchasing Gold Coin bundles.
All the Idaho sportsbooks recommended above provide secure payment options for purchasing Gold Coins packages. Here is a quick overview of what to expect from each.
Payment Method | Purchase Time | Redemption Time | Fees |
---|---|---|---|
Credit /Debit | Instant | 3-5 days | Varies by card |
PayPal | Instant | Within 24 hours | Negligible |
Online Banking | Instant | Up to 24 Hours | None |
If you were to choose the best Idaho sportsbook, there are a couple of factors you need to consider. We assess these platforms based on factors like:
Idaho promotes responsible gambling by offering resources for those in need. Here are some notable bodies and resources that ensure the safety and welfare of social sportsbook fans.
Idaho is not the only state where traditional sports betting is illegal. Below are the other states where sports fans can participate in sports predictions using virtual currencies.
As seen in the sections above, Idahoans may not have access to real-money sports betting, but social sportsbooks like Fliff and SportsMillions offer legal and engaging alternatives. Explore these platforms today for a safe and entertaining way to enjoy sports predictions.
No. Real-money sports betting is prohibited, but social sportsbooks are legal.
Top options include Fliff, Thrillz, SportsMillions, and Legendz.
Yes. After meeting the redemption requirement, you just need to redeem your potential SC winnings for cash prizes or gift cards. Some social sportsbooks in Idaho, however, may not support this feature.
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