When it comes to online gambling, Utah residents are out of luck.
Utah presents an interesting juxtaposition, given the state's high percentage of actively anti-gambling residents and its proximity to the wagering heaven of Las Vegas. The law is very strict on gambling in Utah, and those in the state certainly don't have as much freedom as bettors in other parts of the United States.
Utah joins Hawaii as American states that for all intents and purposes ban every type of gambling, making it one of the worst locations to live if you're looking to freely wager. Utah doesn't even permit the parimutuel horse racing and dog track betting that some strict states do, nor the tribal gambling laws that allow Native American communities to develop casino resorts on their lands.
The list of technically illegal gambling activities includes casinos, poker, horse and dog betting, lotteries and bingo, charitable gambling and social betting. The stance of the Utah authorities is evident via the fact they don't even permit charitable and social gambling—two forms of betting that are often embraced even by states that lean tough on betting laws.
In essence, the real issue for gamblers in Utah is the lack of availability—but at least the border states of Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico and Wyoming offer potential for gambling adventures.
As you'd expect from a state that has had a strong anti-gambling stance for a very long time, the timeline of gambling legislation in Utah has always been something of a losing battle for bettors.
Social Casino Offers Only Available
If you're a gambler in Utah, you'll soon get tired of hearing that another form of gambling is illegal—and that's the case with online casino gaming (which is another class B violation). Online gambling in Utah is also theoretically illegal, outlawing sports betting, online casinos for real money and poker gaming, with a gray zone hovering over Daily Fantasy Sports betting. But while trusted DFS operators function in the Beehive State, there are no legal casino gaming sites. Therefore, players from the states won't see promotions similar to online casino bonuses in NJ.
Social casinos are completely legal, though, and available on the internet or as an app and feature all the popular casino games, including slots, blackjack, video poker and roulette. It is free to play. While you cannot win money playing games at social casinos, the sites like WinStar, LuckyLand and Chumba casino typically offer sweepstakes (games of chance) with prizes that can include real money jackpots.
Not Legal
Both online and offline poker gambling are technically illegal in Utah. There are no viable options for for-money poker players and little indication that will change anytime soon. Online poker players will have to travel over to Nevada to play a hand.
Utah gamblers are increasingly wagering in online casinos and sportsbooks.
Online gambling is banned in Utah and structured to avoid potential changes tied to federal law.
Parimutuel betting is legalized, but is then banned within a matter of only two years.
All kinds of gambling are officially made illegal.
Ordinance to Suppress Gaming\" anti-gambling legislation is implemented.