While Idaho might not have a lot of citizens, those who do live there deserve great online gambling options. This is especially so since the state is lacking in land-based wagering establishments and the government shows little desire to change that.
Sadly, many small states would easily be forgotten as it is not worth it for sites offering games there. Idaho is lucky in that respect though as offshore sites have decided that allowing online poker in Idaho is an excellent idea.
A full roster of commendable offshore online poker sites, like Ignition Poker, are by far the best option for Idaho poker players. Below, we will cover all of the best sites available. Please keep in mind that we have vetted these sites and all options presented are fair, provide quality games, and perhaps most importantly, payout winnings promptly.
There are a myriad of online poker sites that accept Idahoan customers and finding a good one might feel like looking for a needle in a haystack. We've narrowed the list down for you a bit by eliminating rooms that are disreputable or dishonest. Whichever of the companies below you sign up with, you'll get to enjoy functional software, honest card dealing algorithms, and the no-nonsense payout of your withdrawal requests. Read the info we've gathered, and then register your account at the Idaho online poker site of your choice.
There's an Idaho statute that specifically mentions poker by name as a type of gambling. However, when two individuals were convicted under this law in 2013 for playing live poker, an appellate court threw out the conviction on the grounds that the law was unconstitutionally vague. Thus, it appears that the Idaho law against poker is invalid.
In any case, neither this nor any other Idaho law has ever been used to go after online poker players. Your legal position is secure if you elect to play online poker at home.
There are many possibilities for real money gaming online from within Idaho, which means that it's not easy to identify the best sites for poker. We've gone through all the data carefully to create a list. Regardless of which of the below poker rooms you join, you'll be able to enjoy a variety of games and stakes, fast payment of your winnings, and a fair randomized deal.
Playing online poker in Idaho is not difficult. We've provided simple instructions below for getting started at our favorite site, Ignition Poker. The exact steps for completing the process at another room may differ slightly but should be mostly the same.
None of the rooms for online poker in Idaho are identical to each other. We've used our expertise to research them all, and we have evaluated them against each other according to a set of relevant criteria.
There are many poker variants, like Texas Hold'em, Omaha, Razz, Stud, and HORSE. The specific menu of games available is distinct at each site, and even those providers that offer the same variants rarely spread the same blind levels for each one.
There are plenty of other ways that these rooms differentiate their product lineups. Some sites have such intriguing formats as fast-fold poker, lottery-style sit-and-goes, step tournaments, and satellites to major live events.
If you prefer tried-and-true cashier methods, like credit cards and checks, you'll find plenty of ME online poker sites that cater to your desires. However, with the march of time, new methods, such as Bitcoin, have emerged, and we feel that it's better than legacy payment channels.
BTC enables rapid transaction timeframes combined with low fees. If you haven't yet experienced the benefits of Bitcoin, then you can read this instructional Bitcoin guide to learn how to get started.
When you make your first deposit at a poker site, you'll probably get a bonus that will clear as you play and add extra money to your balance. Then after that, you may be eligible for further bonuses on subsequent deposits, rake races, leaderboards, freerolls, and many other kinds of promotions.
Some promotions are offered month after month, and you can keep taking advantage of them as time goes on. Others are seasonal and are liable to change frequently.
Rakeback is an ongoing rebate on the rake you pay at the tables, and it's one of the most valuable online poker promos you could get. We appreciate the benefits of rakeback so much that we have included it in our name, Professional Rakeback.
Here's a list of the best online poker rakeback sites:
For those who wish to get as much info as possible before committing themselves, we have provided below additional details about our recommended Idaho online poker rooms. Read to find out more about these firms, and then make your selection.
Credit Card, Voucher Code, Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Bitcoin SV, Litecoin, Ethereum, Tether, MatchPay
Ignition is the largest online cardroom open to Americans. Cash games start with micro-stakes and increase up to $10/$20. You can play NL Hold'em, PL Omaha (hi-only and split-pot), and Limit Holdem.
Fast-fold Zone Poker is present too along with lottery Jackpot SNGs and normal single-table games. The tournament schedule is headlined by a weekly $150,000 guaranteed event, and special tournaments that award millions in prize money pop up several times a year.
Ignition has anonymous games where nobody can see your username or get a bead on your long-term play. In addition, seats and tables are assigned by an automatic function, so you cannot choose tables based on who your opponents are. Some do not like this limitation, but it makes newcomers feel comfortable, leading to some soft tables.
You can play at Ignition on a Windows system, a Mac, an Android device, or an iOS machine. The first deposit bonus is 150% up to $1,500 if you deposit with crypto-currency.
Credit Cards, Person to Person, Money Orders, Bank Wire, Cashiers Check, Bitcoin, Avalanche, Binance, Bitcoin Cash, Cardano, Dogecoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Polygon, Ripple, Shiba Inu, Solana, Stellar, Tether, Tron, USD Coin
SB Poker and its partner site BetOnline are fine destinations for ring games up to $5/$10, Windfall lottery tournaments, Boost fast-fold games, and more. Cash tables are offered for NLHE, PLO, PLO/8, and 5 and 6 Card Omaha. There are separate Bad Beat Jackpots for each blind level of NLHE and PLO ring games. One drawback, though, is the high rake.
Promotions include occasional reload bonuses, leaderboards in various game formats, contests and missions, and the RISE rewards program.
There are downloads available for Windows and Mac, and this poker room also works nearly flawlessly on mobile phones and tablets. The first deposit bonus is a 100% up to $1,000 match, and there are plenty of casino and sportsbook welcome offers too.
Credit Card, Voucher Code, Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Bitcoin SV, Litecoin, Ethereum, Tether, MatchPay
Bovada is a partner of Ignition, and the poker platform is virtually identical at the two sites. However, Bovada lets you bet on sports, which is not possible at Ignition.
All the major professional sports leagues, like NFL, NHL, and MLB, are covered, and you can also bet on collegiate athletics and all manner of other contests, like political elections and DOTA matches. A racebook is included, so you can make your straight and exotic wagers on races in the United States and around the world.
Bovada software runs on Mac and Windows operating systems, and there's also a web-based interface for mobile users. New poker customers can claim a 100% up to $500 bonus, another $3,750 for casino games, and $750 to engage in sports betting.
Credit Cards, Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ethereum, Tether, Money Transfer
ACR Poker has cash games as low as $0.01/$0.02 as well as stratospheric tables of $25/$50 and even higher. There are a few niche poker variants here that aren't found at every site, like 7 Card Stud.
Where ACR truly shines is in its tournament selection. A few times per year, there are series that hand out seven or eight figures in prize money as well as a recurring Venom event that guarantees no less than $5 million!
You can run the ACR software on a PC or Mac, and there's also a mobile client. We've partnered with the site to provide a $10 no-deposit bonus unlocked with the bonus code PRB10FREE. Then when you're prepared to deposit your own funds, you'll get a 100% up to $2,000 bonus.
Bitcoin, Ethereum, Tether, CHP, Polygon, BNB
Of the numerous crypto-centered poker sites available, CoinPoker is the busiest. Poker play is denominated in Tether (USDT), but you can utilize a few other coins for cashier functions, like Ethereum, Bitcoin, and CHP, CoinPoker's proprietary coin.
The poker variants offered include NL Hold'em, PL Omaha, and 5 Card Omaha. Unfortunately, there are no standard sit n' gos, but lottery-style Cosmic Spins are present.
The CoinPoker software is widely compatible with numerous operating systems. You can play on any Windows, Mac, Android, or iOS device. CoinPoker currently offers new players a welcome bonus of 150% up to $2,000. Additionally, you'll get 33% rakeback every week if you maintain a balance of the proprietary CHP crypto coin.
Credit Card, Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Lightning Bitcoin, Litecoin
Traffic levels at Everygame are a bit light, particularly in high stakes, but it should suffice if you like to play just a couple of games at once. This site shines in other ways, though, such as in the variety of bankroll-boosting offers available. For starters, you can get 36% rakeback by following our links and then compete in weekly rake races, join tournaments with frequent overlays, and advance through the loyalty program.
The full Everygame poker software is compatible only with Windows, but there's an Instant Play version on the web that permits you to play on a Mac, mobile device, or tablet. The initial deposit bonus is 200% up to $1,000.
Bitcoin
All poker play and cashier operations at SwC are done utilizing Bitcoin. The games offered are quite varied featuring all of the usual poker formats, like NLHE and PLO, and also fairly obscure types of poker, like H.O.R.S.E., Razz, and Open Face Chinese.
SwCPoker offers HTML5, browser-based software, that is compatible with any modern computing device. There are also downloadable clients available for PC, Mac, and Android users. Although SwC doesn't extend any deposit bonus, you can receive up to 50% rakeback through the Krill rewards program.
Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Litecoin, Ethereum, Tether, USD Coin, BNB
Nitrobetting is a crypto-only poker room with NL Hold'em and PL Omaha games. The Nitrobetting poker software runs in a web browser, so you can access it on any modern computing device. There's no poker bonus, but you can earn up to 35% rakeback depending on your monthly volume of play.
This section will provide factual information regarding the history of gambling activities and poker throughout the state, famous Idaho poker players, live poker options, and more.
Unfortunately, poker is not authorized anywhere in the state, and this includes the tribal casinos too. Even home games are banned, so your best bet for live poker may be to head across the Nevada border where there are some poker games running.
Another option for many Western Idaho poker players is to head over to Ontario, Oregon for some live poker. Ontario is only a 45-minute drive from the capital of Idaho, Boise, and there are two excellent live poker venues available.
Our expert reviewer had the pleasure of visiting both of the poker rooms in Ontario, OR. Please feel free to check out our reviews of Action's Card House or Ontario Poker Room and Social Club.
Idaho has had a history of permitting small-scale locally authorized gambling, including cardrooms and slot machines, but all of these limited forms of gaming came to an end in 1953 when the state Supreme Court declared all such activities illegal.
Since then, types of gambling have been slowly added to the legal menu over time. First was parimutuel wagering, which became legal in 1963, Then in 1988, a state lottery was approved, and the constitution was changed to permit charitable raffles and bingo. The '90s saw tribal casinos open up in Idaho, but they're restricted to Type II gaming only, which does not include poker.
Idaho and its citizens haven't really made much of a mark on poker. One exception in Kevin McPhee from Coeur D'Alene who had made over $6 million in offline poker tournaments and another $7 million online. Dylan Linde, also from Coeur D'Alene, has meanwhile scored around $9.3 million in live poker tourneys.
Perhaps you happen to have another address in a nearby state, be it your business address, summer home, second apartment, family estate, etc. If this applies to you, then you may have other online poker options available to explore. Here is a list of the states that border Idaho and Professional Rakeback's review on each of them: California, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, or Wyoming. If none of these states are relevant to your situation, then our overview of the U.S. online poker scene may be more to your liking.
With a dearth of offline cardrooms, many view Idaho online poker as the best way to indulge in their poker-playing hobby. All of the sites we recommend for online poker in Idaho are reliable and trustworthy, so open up an account today, and head on over to the virtual felt.
We here at ProfessionalRakeback find online poker to be an engaging and intellectually stimulating hobby. However, some players might struggle with gambling addiction and internet poker may be detrimental to their lives. If you think you might have a problem, please feel free to review the following resources:
With so few avenues available for live poker gaming within Idaho, it wouldn't be surprising if you had unanswered questions regarding the online variety. Below you'll find some of the most common questions about online poker in Idaho along with the answers to these queries.
The attitude of Idaho law enforcement toward online poker playing is one of laissez-faire. No one has ever gone after internet card enthusiasts within the state, and it's unlikely that they ever will. As far as the federal government is concerned, there's nothing to worry about either. While the Department of Justice used to state that online poker was against the Wire Act, a reevaluation of the legal situation in 2011 clarified that the Wire Act only treats the subject of betting on sports, not other forms of gambling. With this shift in interpretation, the UIGEA also doesn't apply to online poker anymore either. Anyway, these federal bills don't target ordinary players but rather go after the enterprises engaged in accepting online gambling bets.
It's completely legal for you to play at PokerStars from within Idaho's borders. Yet, if you should attempt this course of action, you may be disappointed. While it's fine for you to play at Stars, it's not kosher for the company to offer you its poker services. As part of the resolution of the Black Friday legal quagmire, PokerStars signed an agreement to exit the U.S. market except in those jurisdictions, like New Jersey, where online poker has been made explicitly legal.
The minimum gambling age in Idaho is 18, and this is how old you must be to gamble online too. While it may be tempting to fabricate your personal info if you're younger than this age, doing so is most unwise. You'll probably have to submit supporting documentation before withdrawing any money, and your account may be closed and all funds seized if your ID doesn't match the details you entered upon registering your account.
Accepting deposits and processing cashouts for American customers has long been a sore spot with online poker firms. There used to be annoying delays and fees associated with checks, bank wires, and other forms of payment. However, the rise of digital currencies, like Bitcoin, has rendered these unpleasant nuisances things of the past for many internet poker grinders. As long as you have BTC exchange and wallet accounts, you can get your cash on to and off of every site that we recommend speedily and without any problems. Two other popular crypto-currencies are Ethereum and Bitcoin Cash. You can find out how to use them for online poker with our ETH internet gambling guide and our instructional page on Bitcoin Cash online gaming.
Idaho and the Federal government both want their cut of any profits you make at the tables. They may view virtual gambling as an unsavory pastime, but as Roman Emperor Vespasian noted almost 2,000 years ago, “money has no stink.” You must keep your own tax records and file the appropriate paperwork because the sites themselves don't report anything to the authorities. If the amount you win is significant, then you might wish to retain the services of a qualified accountant. The IRS website has a page about reporting gambling income, which may be useful to you.
If you appreciate mobile gaming, then you'll be glad to learn that you have several options, including Ignition Casino and Sportsbetting.ag. Some rooms have a restricted palette of games open to users of phones and tablets, though, so you'll have to install the full desktop package if you wish to sample the entire range of games at these sites.
You can research the topic of gambling in Idaho further with the resources below:
We strive to maintain this information and update it frequently with our research. However, we are not immune to making mistakes or omitting information that you, dear reader, may find of use. If you have any further questions not addressed in this guide or have noted any discrepancies or inaccuracies we urge you to contact us with your questions and concerns so that we may swiftly address them!
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