Horse racing is one of the very few forms of legal wagering in Idaho, and it is the only way to bet on a sporting event online from inside the Gem State. Here is how it works, which advance deposit wagering (ADW) apps accept Idaho players, and what to know before your first ticket.
Idaho’s constitution declares gambling “contrary to public policy” and bans it, with three exceptions: the state lottery, pari-mutuel betting, and charitable bingo and raffles. Pari-mutuel horse racing sits inside that exception, and it is regulated by the Idaho Racing Commission. That is why you can bet the Kentucky Derby from Boise but cannot place a sports bet on the Boise State Broncos.
In this article 12 sections
- Idaho horse racing in numbers
- Is online horse betting legal in Idaho?
- Horse betting sites in Idaho
- How ADW betting works for Idaho players
- What you can bet on from Idaho
- Types of horse racing bets in Idaho
- Best horse betting apps in Idaho
- Taxes on horse racing winnings in Idaho
- Other legal gambling in Idaho
- Responsible gambling in Idaho
- Idaho horse racing betting in 2027
- More
Idaho horse racing in numbers
| Quick facts | Idaho |
|---|---|
| Online horse betting | Yes, pari-mutuel through ADW apps that accept Idaho customers |
| Legal basis | Constitutional exception for pari-mutuel betting |
| Racing regulator | Idaho Racing Commission |
| Sports betting | Not legal |
| Online casinos | Not legal |
| AmWager minimum age | 21+ |
| State tax on winnings | 5.3% income tax rate |
| Problem gambling help | 1-800-GAMBLER; Idaho Careline 2-1-1 |
Is online horse betting legal in Idaho?
Yes, through pari-mutuel wagering. Idaho’s constitution allows pari-mutuel betting, and ADW operators that list Idaho as an eligible state accept Idaho residents. Your bets go into the same pools as wagers placed at the host track, and the payout is set by the pool after the track’s takeout. You are betting against other bettors, not against the operator.
This is a narrow exception. Idaho has no legal sports betting, and no bill to legalize it had been introduced as of 2026. Tribal casinos offer electronic gaming machines and bingo-based games only, and the constitution expressly bans casino table games.
Horse betting sites in Idaho
AmWager is our racing partner and accepts customers in Idaho. It is a racing-only platform with pari-mutuel pools from tracks across North America and abroad, free past performances and live video on many races. You must be 21 or older to open an account.
Read our AmWager review Visit AmWager →
Other national ADW brands such as TwinSpires and TVG (FanDuel Racing) serve many states. Eligible-state lists change, so check each operator’s terms before you sign up.
How ADW betting works for Idaho players
An ADW account works like a betting wallet. You deposit first, then bet from your balance on races at tracks around the country. The steps are simple:
- Confirm you are 21 or older (AmWager’s minimum) and physically in an eligible state.
- Register with your legal name, address and date of birth so identity checks clear.
- Deposit by bank transfer, debit card or another listed method.
- Pick a track, a race and a bet type, then confirm the ticket.
- Winnings settle to your balance once the race is official.
What you can bet on from Idaho
Through an ADW app, Idahoans get the whole national calendar:
- The Triple Crown: the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes, which returns to the rebuilt Belmont Park in 2027.
- Summer meets at Saratoga and Del Mar.
- The Breeders’ Cup World Championships each fall, scheduled for Belmont Park in 2027.
- Daily cards at tracks from Gulfstream Park in Florida to Santa Anita in California.
Idaho’s own live racing calendar is small. Check the Idaho Racing Commission for current race dates in the state.
Types of horse racing bets in Idaho
Pari-mutuel wagers fall into three groups:
- Straight bets: Win (first), Place (first or second) and Show (top three).
- Exotics: Exacta (first two in order), Trifecta (first three in order) and Superfecta (first four in order). You can “box” them to cover any order at a higher cost.
- Multi-race bets: Daily Double, Pick 3, Pick 4, Pick 5 and Pick 6, where you pick the winners of consecutive races.
A worked example: a $2 exacta box on two horses costs $4. If those two finish first and second in either order, you collect the exacta payout for a $2 ticket. Payouts are only known when the race is official, because they depend on the size of the pool.
Best horse betting apps in Idaho
AmWager’s app runs on iOS and Android with wagering, live video and handicapping data in one place. It checks your location to confirm you are in an eligible state, so keep location services on. When comparing apps, look at track coverage, video quality, rebate or rewards programs and how quickly withdrawals land.
Taxes on horse racing winnings in Idaho
Winnings are taxable income. Idaho taxes them at the state income tax rate, set at 5.3% by House Bill 40 in 2025. Federally, large pari-mutuel payouts can trigger a W-2G, with withholding generally applying when a payout exceeds $5,000 and is at least 300 times the stake. From the 2026 tax year, only 90% of gambling losses can be deducted, and never more than your winnings. Keep a record of every ticket.
Other legal gambling in Idaho
- Idaho Lottery: draw games and scratch tickets, overseen by the Idaho State Lottery Commission.
- Tribal casinos: electronic gaming machines and bingo-based games, permitted under a 2002 voter initiative. Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort in Worley has more than 1,100 machines; Clearwater River Casino & Lodge in Lewiston has around 600.
- Charitable bingo and raffles.
There is no legal sports betting, online casino or poker. See our Idaho gambling guide for the full picture.
Responsible gambling in Idaho
Set a budget before the first post and stick to it. ADW accounts offer deposit limits and self-exclusion. Free, confidential help is available 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER, and the Idaho Careline (dial 2-1-1) connects residents to local services. The Idaho Lottery’s voluntary self-exclusion program covers lottery products. Our responsible gambling guide has more.
Idaho horse racing betting in 2027
Belmont Stakes returns to Belmont Park
The 159th Belmont Stakes moves back to the rebuilt Belmont Park in 2027 after three years at Saratoga, one of the biggest betting days on Idaho ADW accounts.
Breeders’ Cup on Long Island
The Breeders’ Cup World Championships are scheduled for Belmont Park in fall 2027.
No sports betting push yet
No bill to legalize sports betting had been introduced in Idaho as of 2026, and any change would need a constitutional amendment. Pari-mutuel racing remains the only legal way to bet on a sport online in Idaho.
What is the best horse racing betting site in Idaho?
It depends what you bet. AmWager, our partner, covers tracks across the US and abroad with live video and a clean bet slip. TwinSpires, owned by Churchill Downs, has deep handicapping content and TVG and FanDuel Racing add television and streaming coverage. A second racebook account lets Idaho players compare rebates and track lists race by race.
Is online horse betting legal in Idaho?
Yes. Pari-mutuel betting is one of the exceptions in Idaho’s constitution, and ADW apps that list Idaho, such as AmWager, accept Idaho customers.
What is the age to bet on horses online in Idaho?
It depends on the operator. AmWager requires customers to be 21 or older.
Can I bet on sports in Idaho?
No. Sports betting is not legal in Idaho. The nearest legal options are across the border in states such as Oregon and Wyoming.
Can I bet on the Kentucky Derby from Idaho?
Yes. ADW apps that accept Idaho customers carry the Derby and the rest of the Triple Crown, with your bet pooled at the host track.
Do I have to pay tax on horse racing winnings in Idaho?
Yes. Winnings are taxable at Idaho’s 5.3% income tax rate and under federal law. Big pari-mutuel payouts can trigger a W-2G.
