Gambling Laws in Utah

Utah's rich Mormon history means it is one of the most anti-gambling states in the US, with almost all activities being classed as illegal. The only tolerated forms are bingo, under very strictly controlled conditions, and DFS - which currently sit in a grey area.

Which Gambling Activities Are Legal in Utah?

Utah's gambling laws are outdated and extremely restrictive, with almost all forms of gambling being explicitly banned. Those caught engaging in illegal gambling face class B misdemeanour charges which carry a punishment of up to 6 months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000. The charge is upgraded to class A misdemeanour for those caught two or more times, resulting in jail time of up to 1 year and a fine of up to $2,500.

Wagering on Offline and Online Casino Games

There are no casinos, slot halls or other gambling venues within state borders. Tribal casinos are also prohibited as authorities refused to sign compacts with the eight local tribes. Residents wishing to play casino games have no choice but to visit other states.

Online casino gambling is also illegal. There is no avenue for operators to obtain a licence and set up shop in the Beehive State either. Utahns can still access and play online casino slots and other such games, but if caught face heavy prosecution.

Gambling on Poker

Utah is very much against allowing any form of poker gameplay within its borders. Even home-based games are illegal, whether rake or fees are charged or not. As a result, there are no poker rooms or clubs, with fans left to visit out-of-state casinos if they want to play.

Online poker gambling is illegal and whilst popular sites are not permitted to offer their games to Utahns, many still do.

Playing Bingo Games

Bingo with cash is legal, but only under strictly controlled conditions. There are no halls or clubs, whether charitable or commercial.

A restaurant in Salt Lake City was offering bingo cards to customers to boost business, but police raided the location and shut it down. The restaurant owner and authorities eventually agreed that this type of operation would be tolerated, but only if customers had the option not to play. In most cases, businesses avoid this minefield altogether.

Online bingo is banned, like almost all other forms of gambling. There are no Utah-licensed bingo casinos online, and offshore sites are not permitted to serve residents.

Purchasing Lottery Tickets

Utah is one of only a few states that doesn't run a lottery. The law is the same for online lottery games, with the sale of tickets deemed illegal. Numerous foreign sites allow members to play online games for real money, including those in Utah. Still, those caught can face hefty misdemeanour charges.

Social Gambling and Online Crypto Casinos

Social casinos that offer games using only play chips are permitted in Utah, as are sweepstakes. However, real money home-based games of poker are illegal in the state. There has yet to be a definitive decision made on more modern forms of gambling, such as loot boxes and skins.

Utah recently amended its laws to encourage businesses to set up shop in the state and recognised that coins such as Bitcoin have value. These are not classed as legal tender in the state though. Even if they were, crypto gambling still wouldn't be an option due to the strict prohibition of gambling activities. Residents wishing to play games with virtual coins may access crypto casinos online, although could be charged if caught.

What's the Position on Sports Betting in Utah?

Sports and parimutuel betting is illegal and the law applies to offline and online activities. None of the big sportsbooks, such as TwinSpires, are allowed to take bets from residents. While there are several horse racing tracks in Utah, none of them are legally allowed to offer betting opportunities.

DFS occupies a bit of a grey area regarding Utah's gambling laws, with the authorities yet to address the activity. Residents can access sites like DraftKings and FanDuel though the situation is likely to change in the future.

Gambling Age Restrictions

The legal minimum gambling age in Utah is 18.

Utah Gambling Tax Regulations

These don't exist due to the state's almost complete ban on all forms of gambling. If you gamble out of state, you may be subject to other states' regulations and the federal level of 24% will still apply.

History of Gambling Laws in Utah

The Mormon influence in Utah means real money gambling has always been illegal. There was just one exception in 1925 when parimutuel betting on horse racing was legalised. However, the move caused such public outrage that the law was repealed in 1927.

In 1988 the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act was passed by the federal government, which opened the door to the operation of casinos by Utah's 8 Native American tribes. However, the state government refused to sign compacts.

Key Facts

• In-person and online casino gambling is illegal in Utah.

• Poker gambling is illegal in both online and offline forms.

• Land-based bingo is tolerated but under strict control.

• Online bingo is illegal.

• Both offline and online lottery gambling is illegal.

• Sports betting is illegal both online and offline.

• Parimutuel betting on horse and dog racing is illegal online and offline.

• Daily fantasy sports betting is tolerated for the time being.