Gaming law is generally the law that applies to the gaming or gambling industry, including casinos, lotteries, horse racing, dog racing, sports betting, card games, table games, social gambling, bingo, raffles, slot machines, scratch tickets, etc. Gaming law includes state and federal statutes, rules, and regulations—and legal principles from traditional areas of law, such as contract law, administrative law, constitutional law, criminal law, and regulatory law. For example, the federal statute prohibiting illegal gambling businesses is located at 18 U.S.C. §1955.

In Idaho, gaming law is primarily governed by state statutes, which prohibit most forms of gambling. The Idaho Constitution explicitly bans all forms of gambling except for the state lottery, pari-mutuel betting, and bingo and raffle games operated by charitable organizations. Casinos are not allowed in Idaho, except for those operated by federally recognized Native American tribes on their reservations, which are permitted under the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. Sports betting, including horse and dog racing, is limited to pari-mutuel wagering systems. The state lottery is authorized and regulated by the Idaho Lottery Commission. Social gambling in private settings, where no person profits other than personal winnings and the gambling is not conducted as a business, is allowed. The federal statute 18 U.S.C. §1955, which prohibits illegal gambling businesses, would apply in Idaho in cases where a gambling operation violates both federal law and state law. It's important to note that while some forms of gambling are permitted, they are strictly regulated, and engaging in unauthorized gambling activities can result in criminal charges.