Recent Gambling Consumer Demand Report Leaves Out Idaho Sports Betting Market

A recent study of markets without that have yet to legalize sports betting seeks to project which states have the most to gain by changing their tune. Notably absent from the exercise? That would be the Idaho sports betting market.

As if we needed any more evidence that sports betting in Idaho is not on the horizon, right? 

This study in question is the brainchild of GeoComply, which specialties in geolocation compliance technology. Ever since the Supreme Court of the United States overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act back in 2018, the company has become a touchstone of valuable information for online sports betting in the USA. 

Perhaps most critically, GeoComply has delivered a treasure trove of data over the years for states without legal sports betting. Their studies cover everything from forecasting revenue streams to account creation attempts at online sportsbooks in the USA to rough projections on the number of customers who leave their market to bet on sports in another one.

This most recent deep dive spotlights “consumer demand” for sports betting in markets that do no yet offer it. Their estimations map out the financial stakes for places that will invariably consider joining the legal sports betting ranks. Making this list, in particular, is seen as a gauge. If your state appears on it, the implication is that legal sports betting efforts will gain traction, even if it takes a while. 

With that said, seven of the 11 markets that fall into this bucket make the cut. And the prospect Idaho sports betting market is among those absent. 

Does Absence of Idaho Sports Betting Market from GeoComply Study Showcase a Lack of Interest?

This question is loaded in many respects. There is a clear lack of interest in Idaho sports betting—among lawmakers. Elected officials have yet to meaningfully consider rewriting state gaming laws.

However, consumer demand is an entirely ballgame. Policymaker stances do not always reflect those of their constituents. Just consider the status of sports betting in Texas. Members from both the House of Representatives and Senate are so far not too keen on the idea. And yet, numerous polls over the years show that Texans are more open to the legalization of sports betting, not to mention casino gaming. 

All of which is to say, the Idaho sports betting market can absolutely be part of this discussion. After all, the Nebraska online sports betting market made the cut. Their population size is right in line with that of The Gem State. (Note: Nebraska retail sports betting is currently legal. The online element has yet to be added.)

Idaho nevertheless isn’t included in the most recent projections. Here is the breakdown of all the highlighted states, with their projected sports betting revenue by Year 3 of operations included in parenthesis:

1. Texas ($302.4 million)
2. Georgia ($112.9 million)
3. South Carolina ($60.1 million)
4. Minnesota ($59.6 million)
5. Alabama ($53.3 million)
6. Mississippi ($30.3 million)
7. Nebraska ($19.3 million)

Along with Idaho, Hawaii, Alaska, Oklahoma, Utah and California are all left off the list. This arguably incites more questions than answers. And that might be a good thing if you are among those hoping Idaho sports betting gets legalized.

This New GeoComply Study is Not Necessarily Predictive of Legislation

At first glance, Idaho’s absence can seem ominous for sports betting enthusiasts. But the absence of the California sports betting and Oklahoma sports betting markets prove that doesn’t need to be the case. 

While The Golden State has no plans to discuss legalization this year, it is considered inevitable. The push for sports betting in The Sooner State is awash with challenges, but lawmakers thoroughly debate the topic every year. Heck, there is even Hawaii sports betting legislation on the table in 2025. 

In the end, this study seems less about predicting legalization arcs and more about access. It can be difficult to corral data for created sports betting accounts. These projections, in some cases, can rely heavily on brick-and-mortar casino activity. That information is often closely guarded, particularly in states with serious tribal influence.

Not surprisingly, tribal nations in California and Oklahoma have more sway arguably more than anywhere else in the nation. That helps explain their absence from the list. Plus, if you were to poll experts, most will likely say one or both of these states will approve sports betting before Texas and Georgia, two markets in which the subject is often broached but seldom progressing.

Still, Don’t Hold Your Breath for Idaho Sports Betting Anytime Soon

Of course, just because this study isn’t totally telltale doesn’t mean the inverse has to be true. We know for a fact that Idaho sports betting is quite a ways off. 

Exactly zero pieces of Idaho sports betting legislation have earned serious consideration in recent years. The Gem State opts for a much harder line stance about gambling, almost across the board. Though they used to be more embedded with the industry, we are more than a century removed from those days.

At the moment, it is not quite clear why policymakers are so opposed to discussing the matter. Moral hazard is most definitely at play. Legalized gambling prompts an uptick in reported addiction. But other states continue to discuss—and often green light—it anyway, because the financial upside is so immense.

Although this is just speculation, that appears to be the driving force. Where Nebraska online sports betting projects to be worth $20-plus million per year to state sometime in the near future, Idaho’s number may be much lower. If it weren’t, The Gem State feels like it would have made the aforementioned list. So in this case, its absence is, in fact, predictive. 

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