How Much Would Idaho Sports Betting Be Worth?

Another year is about to pass without the legalization of Idaho sports betting. And many naturally want to know when that will change.

This interest is not out of left field. Following the legalization of sports betting in Missouri, 39 states as well as the District of Columbia now offer some form of wagering. Idaho is now among a winnowing number of holdouts. And a couple of its fellow holdouts are expected to change course by 2026.

Ever since the Supreme Court of the United States overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act back in 2018, though, The Gem State has shown cursory interest in joining the sports gambling wave. All these years later, two questions stand out above else: Why isn’t sports betting in Idaho legal? And how much money is the state potentially leaving on the table because it is not?

Bonus question: Are the answers to the above inquiries perhaps inextricably linked?

Factors That Have So Prevented Idaho Sports Betting from Being Legalized

Before we attempt to project how much Idaho sports betting revenue could theoretically be generated, let us first revisit why the state has so far resisted joining the list of states to approve wagering. The reasons vary in scope and number. Many cite issues with predatory advertising practices. Others do not believe there is a real market for it. Some simply consider it immoral.

At least part of the opposition is logistical. As Martin Green writes for the Idaho Statesman, the need for a constitutional amendment has seemingly obstructed interest:

“Title 18, Chapter 38, states that gambling is illegal, and it defines gambling as ‘risking any money, credit, deposit or other thing of value for gain contingent in whole or in part upon lot, chance, the operation of a gambling device or the happening or outcome of an event, including a sporting event, the operation of casino gambling including, but not limited to, blackjack, craps, roulette, poker, baccarat or keno.’ Many other states had a similar blanket ban on gambling, which they amended after lawmakers introduced bills in the House or the Senate. However, no legislators in Idaho have ever introduced a sports betting bill, and there seems to be very little appetite for it.”

There does not appear to be a singular driving force for this “very little appetite.” Usually the absence of a bill suggests one of two things. First and foremost, policymakers may not think a measure would pass. Beyond that, a lack of interest is often traced back to skepticism over the revenue earning potential.

In theory, the latter reason makes sense. Idaho is not home to any pro sports franchises. Even the college scene is light on more than one or two heavyweights.

Other States Similar to Idaho Have Shown There is Money to be Made Off Sports Betting

The above logic does not quite track in the age of online sports betting in the United States. For one, the internet makes sports fandom accessible to everyone. On top of that, Idahoans are within close proximity to a number of other pro-sports markets.

What’s more, the Idaho sports betting market would not be the first one to legalize gambling without plenty of in-state draws. Consider sports betting in Maine, which launched back in August 2022. They do not have any pro sports teams in-market. They also have a population roughly 500,000 people smaller than that in Idaho. And yet, The Pine Tree State has carved out a steady stream of revenue over the years.

Let us use the most recent calendar year as an example. Maine has so far raked in roughly $4 million in sports betting revenue for 2024. With data through September, this amounts to about $500,000 per month.

If we apply Maine’s revenue share (10 percent tax) to the Idaho state population (about 2 million), The Gem State stands to earn $715,000 per month. That amounts to almost $8.6 million per year. And that is a hefty chunk of change.

Sure, bigger markets might blanch at it. But if Idaho sports betting is worth millions of dollars per year, there should be interest among policymakers in legalizing it.

Will Idaho’s Stance on Sports Betting Ever Change?

Answers to this question are pure conjecture at this point. As far as we can tell, Idaho sports betting will not be on the legislative agenda anytime soon.

This is not to say it will never be legalized. Stances change all the time. The increased number of states with online sports betting work in favor of prompting Idaho to reconsider. Especially if data is ever provided on how many residents cross state lines to place wagers.

The fact of the matter is, despite a limited sports market and population, there is absolutely money to be made for The Gem State. Our estimates are rough. So much depends on what type of tax rate Idaho delivers. But that also means they could be looking at more sports betting revenue than a state like Maine. They always have the option of increasing the tax rate. Online sportsbooks in the USA won’t pay New York sports betting rates, but they will likely consider tax clips north of 10.

To that end, the issue of Idaho sports betting feels like it may have more to do with a perceived lack of voter support. Perhaps lawmakers simply don’t think their historically conservative residents will green light betting. And look, they might be right. At the very least, though, this matter feels like it should be worth further exploration. As of now, data on how voters view Idaho sports betting seems to be nonexistent. We will know the state is considering a change of policy if and when we start to read about surveys seeking voter opinions.

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