Everything we found in Idaho
Idaho is one of two states on this site with a bulk-purchase law that reaches pools (Maine is the other). Its lottery also has a clear, friendly split-claim process. Both matter. Every fact below comes from the Idaho Lottery’s FAQ, winner guidebook and claim form, the Idaho Code or the State Tax Commission, linked in the sources, and each one shows the day it was last checked. Pools can be created in every state that runs a lottery; Idaho is open.
Is a private pool legal here?
Ordinary pools, yes, with a ceiling. How the lottery handles a group: The pool agreement names who claims. The Idaho Lottery lets several people claim one prize on its claim form: each person states the share they claim, and the shares must add up to the whole prize. (Idaho Lottery winning ticket claim form (rev. 9/3/2026), checked Oct 8, 2026) The winner guidebook adds that the lottery “can accommodate splitting prizes for prizes over $599,” and the FAQ says “each player shares in the tax liability equally” and each claimant receives a check for their portion.
Now the ceiling. Idaho Code 67-7449: “Bulk purchase transactions shall be prohibited in the state of Idaho.” Section 67-7404 defines a bulk purchase by an amount of tickets within a 24-hour period bought by “any person or persons acting in concert,” and it names “persons coordinating their purchases, sharing funds for purchases.” A pool is people sharing funds. The limit: Idaho does not allow more than $5,000.00 of tickets within 24 hours by people acting together, including people sharing funds. (Idaho Code 67-7449 and 67-7404, checked Oct 2, 2026) An Idaho pool therefore keeps its total ticket spend under that line in any 24-hour window, and its record should show that total per drawing.
Section 67-7437 makes prizes non-assignable and gives competing claimants equal shares. ShareTheWinning is free, takes no cut and never holds money. Whether a particular arrangement is lawful is a question for counsel, not for us.
Minimum age
18 or older (Idaho Lottery FAQ, checked Oct 8, 2026). The FAQ applies the age to buying, selling and redeeming tickets; the statute is 67-7415. Members confirm their age when they join a pool.
Where tickets are sold
Retailers only. The FAQ: “There are no laws in Idaho that allow for purchasing tickets over the Internet or through the mail. To buy tickets, players must visit an authorized retail location in Idaho.” Couriers: the Idaho Lottery does not publish whether courier services may operate; ask the lottery directly through its contact page.
How many drawings one ticket can cover, per the lottery’s game pages:
- Powerball: Up to 15 drawings per ticket (Idaho Lottery Powerball page, checked Oct 5, 2026).
- Mega Millions: Up to 10 drawings per ticket (Idaho Lottery Mega Millions page, checked Oct 5, 2026).
Powerball’s Double Play add-on is offered in Idaho, per the lottery’s Powerball page and powerball.com.
Claim deadlines
180 days after the drawing (Idaho Lottery FAQ, checked Oct 8, 2026), for every draw game, Powerball and Mega Millions included. Idaho Code 67-7438 is the statute.
Where to claim depends on the prize:
- Up to $599: any Idaho Lottery retailer.
- Over $599: a claim form, at the Boise office or by mail to P.O. Box 8687, Boise, ID 83707. Out-of-state winners may mail a claim of any amount.
Can winners stay anonymous?
No. For a prize over $600 the winner's full name, town, game, amount won and the selling retailer are public record under Idaho's Public Records Law. (Idaho Lottery winner guidebook, checked Oct 8, 2026) The claim form notes the lottery may use your name, city and photograph (IDAPA 52.01.03.101.10a), and Idaho Code 67-7441 keeps lottery records open.
Taxes
- State withholding: 5.3% on prizes over $5,000 (State withholding table, checked Oct 1, 2026). The FAQ: “the Lottery automatically deducts Federal and State income taxes from your winnings of prizes over $5,000.” Idaho Code 63-3024 sets the rate and 63-3035A requires the withholding. The rate printed in the older winner guidebook is out of date; the FAQ and claim page are current.
- Federal: The lottery withholds 24% federal tax when a prize minus the wager is more than $5,000. A prize of $2,000 or more is reported to the IRS on Form W-2G. (IRS Form W-2G instructions, checked Oct 1, 2026) The final federal bill is settled on your return.
- Local: the lottery’s claim page lists only federal and Idaho withholding.
On a split claim each member gets their own tax paperwork from the lottery, per the FAQ. The split calculator applies the Idaho rate; see How a pool claims a prize for the general steps.
Claim office
- Boise: Idaho Lottery, 1199 Shoreline Lane, Suite 100, Boise, ID 83702. Monday to Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Mountain time. 208-334-2600.
- Mail: P.O. Box 8687, Boise, ID 83707.
Official site: idaholottery.com.
How our pool record helps in Idaho
A split claim works best when every member’s share is settled before anyone fills in a form. In a ShareTheWinning pool the members, shares and confirmed payments lock before the ticket is bought, so the shares are already agreed; the ticket is photographed and recorded before the drawing; and every change afterward is a new entry, never an edit. The record also shows the pool’s total spend per drawing, so the group can check it against Idaho’s bulk-purchase line. When a prize reaches the Idaho threshold ($600 by default), the round goes on hold and we preserve an export bundle for the lottery, the accountant and, if it ever comes to it, a court.
For the first 48 hours after a win, read You won. The first five things to do. The “If we win” stop on the Journey shows the deadline and the privacy rule for Idaho next to your numbers.
