Idaho is one of those states where racing - be it live racing, simulcast wagering or off track betting - is in a state of flux. After more than 40 years of operation, the state's premier live racing facility at Le Bois Park in Boise closed down in 2016 after operating for a short time as a simulcast-only facility. Although OTBs are allowed at non-live racing locations, we can't find any information to suggest OTBs or simulcast racing is being offered anywhere in Idaho as of the summer of 2017.
Idaho Off Track Betting Sites
Given the lack of simulcast wagering options in Idaho, the best bet for Idaho horse race fans who want to wager on major stakes races and events is to do so through an online racebook. Online betting sites are secure, easy to navigate, and offer added incentives such as first deposit bonuses, daily or weekly win-or-lose cash back rebates and future bets and other prop wagers.
If you're a horseplayer who likes to bet both straight Win, Place or Show wagers as well as exotics like exactas, Daily Doubles and Pick 3s, you want a racebook that offers the best cash back offers for all kinds of wagers. To that end, BetOnline is one of the better choices, due to the fact they offer the same 7% daily cash back on all internet racing wagers, as opposed to other racebooks that typically offer one percentage for exotics, and a lower percentage for straight wagers.
Idaho Horse Race Tracks
With the demise of Le Bois Park, Idaho offers a very limited amount of live horse racing. For 2017, the Idaho State Racing Commission lists four live racing dates through May at Pocatello Downs in Pocatello, and two days of live racing in each of June, July and September at Sandy Downs in Idaho Falls. There are also a total of 10 days of racing at the Onedia County, Casia County and Eastern Idaho state fairs, the first two in August and the latter in September.
