We’re going to be dead honest: out of all the states in the United States, the path to legal sports betting is probably the least likely in the state of Utah. It’s a shame too cause the state has an underrated sports culture that includes an NBA team, NHL team, and world-class winter sports.
But does this mean there’s absolutely no way to bet on sports in Utah? No, not at all. Offshore betting sites exist to serve Utah-based bettors of all kinds. This guide to Utah betting will explain it all in a straightforward manner so stick with us.
Quick Utah Facts
State | Utah |
---|---|
?? Sports Betting Laws | ?Not Available |
? Population | 4 Million |
? Minimum Gambling Age | N/A |
?? Retail Sports Betting | ?Not Available |
? Online Sports Betting | ?Not Available |
? Mobile Sports Betting | ?Not Available |
? Online Horse Betting | ?Not Available |
? DFS | ? Available |
Is Sports Betting Legal In Utah?
No. Not a fat chance in hell. And more importantly, we don’t think betting, sports or any other kind, will ever be legal in the state of Utah.
Unlike other states, there’s been zero attempt to legalize sports betting with a new piece of legislation. None! In fact, there’s messaging in the law that strictly calls out the illegal nature of online betting. Here’s the exact passage in the state’s criminal code: “if any federal law authorizes Internet gambling in the states and that federal law provides that individual states may opt out of Internet gambling, this state shall opt out of Internet gambling in the manner provided by federal law and within the time frame provided by that law.”
As you can see, there’s zero appetite for sports betting by lawmakers and residents alike. That’s likely due to Utah’s heavy population of Latter-Day Saints (often called Mormons). The religion is extremely conservative and against things like gambling, alcohol, smoking, and so forth. The religion carries a lot of weight and will oppose betting for a long, long time.
There’s only one option for Utah bettors: offshore sportsbooks. As the name hints, these sites are located offshore, as in away from the United States where betting is fully legal. Due to that, they don’t have to abide by the rules set in Utah or elsewhere. We’ve tried out many of these offshore sportsbooks and they’ve worked like a charm. Allow us to detail which ones work best for Utah bettors.
Latest Utah Legal Betting Updates
Nov 21, 2024 13:23 PM
Given the fact Utah doesn't even allow a state Lottery Commission, the likelihood of legalisation of mobile sports gambling remains a dream for many sports fans. For now, offshore sportsbooks remain the number one pick for players in the state!
Utah Sports Betting Timeline
It's funny, we include a sports betting timeline for every state. However, there's not much to add in Utah. Why? Because there's been little attempt to legalize betting. Seriously, we can't drill this enough, the state absolutely doesn't want betting of any kind. Allow us to "update" you on how little has gone on in Utah over the years:
Exciting, huh?
Best Sportsbooks In Each Category in Utah
Best overall | |
---|---|
Best bonuses | |
Most unique bonuses | BetNow |
Top VIP program | MyBookie |
Best reputation | Bovada |
Best sportsbook | BetOnline |
Best casino | Everygame |
Best mobile app | XBet |
Best for live betting | Everygame |
Best for new players | Bovada |
Best up-and-coming sportsbook | XBet |
Top 7 Utah Sports Betting Sites
If you’re a Utah bettor and stuck on where to actually bet at — there’s a lot of options, we know — then start here. After personally trying out hundreds of different betting sites, we’ve settled on these sites as our top-7:
- BetUS - Extensive range of betting options across multiple sports.
- Bovada - User-friendly interface and reliable mobile betting experience.
- BetOnline - Competitive odds and early line releases.
- XBet - Quick payouts and responsive customer support.
- BetNow - Generous welcome bonuses and ongoing promotions for regular players.
- MyBookie - Innovative prop bets and creative wagering opportunities.
- Everygame - Long-standing reputation and multi-language support for international bettors.
#1 BetUS
#2 Bovada
#3 BetOnline
#4 XBet
#5 BetNow
#6 MyBookie
#7 Everygame
Where Are Sportsbooks Like Fanduel, DraftKings, Ceasars?
Operators like these are not allowed in Utah. Names like DraftKings and FanDuel have eaten up market share in other states where betting is legal, but can’t operate in Utah — or risk their licenses elsewhere from being banned. Try using their sites or apps while within Utah state borders and you’ll quickly realize you’re blocked from betting. Not even the finest VPN can bypass that geoblocking.
We said it once, and we’ll say it again: Utah bettors only have offshore betting sites to fall back on. That’s it! Even though offshore sites might not have the best reputation, we can assure you, that the seven we recommended above are trustworthy AND worthwhile!
Latest Utah Betting News
Sep 29, 2023 07:26 AM
Could the New Jazz Owner Be the Key to the Legalization of Utah Sports Betting?
Betting On Politics, Esports, Entertainment In Utah
Here’s another special thing about offshore betting sites: they have the most betting markets. See, even if betting was completely legal in Utah, it would be heavily regulated. So much so that certain things would be off-limits to bet on. Things like the U.S. presidential election (or another country’s election), award show outcomes, esports, WWE, and so on.
At offshore betting sites, all those markets are freely available. So is more props on random events like the Super Bowl coin toss. Many regulators are against these things since they are non-sport outlines. But again, offshore sites get to play by their own rules, which just ends up being a better playing experience for bettors.
Betting Apps In Utah
It’s no longer a trend. Mobile betting IS the thing, and it’s not going away. That’s why picking a sportsbook with a killer app is mission-critical. No one wants to be on the go and miss out on a wager because an app crashed or just flat-out sucks.
For this reason, we have a guide to betting apps in Utah. It’s as in-depth as this page, but solely focused on the best mobile apps the state has to offer. We recommend reading up on it BEFORE you start betting in-state — it’s that important.
Start Betting In Utah Today — Our Guides
We want to walk you through how to get set up for success in betting too. The keyword in the last sentence is success. Any dope can throw money at games, but it takes a pro to know what they’re doing and make some money at this. That’s why we recommend reading up on these five guides:
- Top Betting Tips — want to make money wagering? Read this!
- Best Sports Betting Strategies — the above article is a college 101 class to this one, which take your betting to the next level!
- How Do Odds Work — self-explanatory here, learn everything there is to know about understanding betting odds.
- Types of Sports Bets — a complete primer to the various types of sports betting forms.
- Betting Odds Calculator — calculate how much money a bet or parlay pays out.
Payment Methods Available For Utah Sportsbooks
You can’t bet without money, obviously. But thankfully, offshore betting sites support a swath of payment methods. Here’s another advantage offshore platforms have over regulated ones: the ability to transact with crypto. We have guides to using crypto and other payment options below:
- VISA — the co-most popular card accepted on betting sites.
- Mastercard — the other co-most popular card across the betting landscape.
- Bitcoin — the payment method that'll earn you the most free play.
- Bank wire — the tried-and-true payment method
Utah Casinos And Resorts
There are exactly zero casinos in Utah. Zero, folks. However, Utah does have nearby options in adjacent states like Nevada and Idaho.
In Nevada, the most nearby casino is in Wendover — a city that straddles the border of Utah and Nevada. This casino town is around 120 miles west of Salt Lake City and is a popular weekend spot for Utah residents looking to liven up.
There's also Idaho's Fort Hall casino, that's north of Utah. This one is a slightly further drive than West Wendover, but not all that far either.
History Of Utah Legalization Efforts
As we mentioned before, there's almost no progress on this end. No failed bills. No failed vote. Nothing. But if you must, here's some more "history" on Utah's anti-betting stance:
Before the 2018 PASPA Decision
Even before the breakdown of Nevada's monopoly on sports betting, Utah was taking extra steps to prevent the legalization of gambling in the state.
Gambling is not allowed in Utah, according to the State's Constitution. Even in this case, in 2012, the state proactively updated its gambling laws to include new forms of gambling with the Internet. The criminal code was updated to include:
- (4) If any federal law is enacted that authorizes Internet gambling in the states and that federal law provides that individual states may opt out of Internet gambling, this state shall opt out of Internet gambling in the manner provided by federal law and within the time frame provided by that law.
- (5) Whether or not any federal law is enacted that authorizes Internet gambling in the states, this section acts as this state’s prohibition of any gambling, including Internet gambling, in this state.
2018-2024: Little Movement in this Anti-Gambling State
Between 2018 and 2024, there were no significant attempts to legalize sports betting in the state. A small attempt was made to open up horse racing in the state, as so many people in Utah travel to nearby states to enjoy this pastime. It did not go very far.
Betting on Utah Sports Teams
There are few sports teams in the state of Utah, but Utah residents back those teams and pack the stadiums.
The Utah Jazz is the resident NBA team — most known for losing to Michael Jordans Bulls in the NBA Finals twice. Still, the franchise has had steady success despite never winning the "big one." The Jazz' ownership group will soon be bringing in an NHL franchise that left Arizona. The working team name is Utah Hockey Club.
The BYU Cougars and Utah Utes are the biggest collegiate programs. BYU is a church controlled by the LDS church, while Utah is not, which creates a big rivalry between both schools.
Other Types Of Betting In Utah
When we tell you that Utah is completely against betting, we mean it. All forms of betting are illegal in the state — not just sports. In 2020, the state banned the closest thing to gambling it had: machines that sold gift cards that allowed the buyer to use that gift card to enter a sweepstakes. Really, even that’s not allowed.
The only form of “betting” allowed is daily fantasy sports. Like other states, Utah considers this more a game of skill than luck, hence why it’s allowed. Operators like Betr, DraftKings, FanDuel, PrizePicks, among others can host fantasy-based contests without issue. But that’s the only thing allowed. Tough crowd in Utah, eh?
Legal Sports Betting States
We have in-depth guides to other states beyond Utah. Here's a directory of everything we've written:
Responsible Gaming In Utah
Last but certainly not least, an important reminder: be aware of the risks of gambling. Not just the financial toll, but the emotional one. That one flies under the radar. Feelings of anxiety, guilt, and even depression can start to creep in as the stakes get higher and the losses pile up. If we’re being frank, most everyday bettors can’t handle those emotions and this is where problem gambling can lead to drinking or drug abuse, and create a real tailspin.
So remember this: the moment betting stops being fun and starts becoming a source of stress (repeatedly, one tough loss here and there comes with the territory), you NEED to take a step back and probably quit playing temporarily. Taking a pause allows you to regain perspective and ensure that betting remains enjoyable. At the very least, it slows down those negative emotions we just covered.
One more thing: help is available if gambling gets the best of you. For your convenience, we wanted to list the best resources out there:
Gamble Aware (https://www.gambleaware.org/)
A non-profit organization providing resources and support for individuals struggling with gambling addiction.
International Center for Responsible Gaming (https://www.icrg.org/)
The International Center for Responsible Gaming (CRG) is a research institution dedicated to promoting safe gambling practices and addressing gambling-related issues.
24/7 Gambling Support Line (https://www.ncpgambling.org/help-treatment/about-the-national-problem-gambling-helpline/)
A round-the-clock helpline offering immediate assistance and guidance for those experiencing gambling-related problems.
Utah-based resources:
Utah 2-1-1 Helpline (https://211utah.org)
A 24/7 helpline offering referrals to local treatment programs and support services for individuals and families dealing with problem gambling in Utah.
Utah Department of Human Services – Problem Gambling Resources (https://hs.utah.gov)
Provides access to resources and support for those struggling with gambling addiction in Utah, including counseling and treatment services.
The Recovery Ways Treatment Center – Gambling Addiction Program (https://recoveryways.com)
Offers specialized treatment programs for gambling addiction, providing both outpatient and inpatient services for individuals in Utah.