Utah

Best New Casinos in Utah

Although gambling in Utah is severely restricted, players from Utah can still find online casinos to pick up the slack. The best online casinos in Utah, like the ones below, are Bitcoin casinos that accept USD, BTC, and often altcoins. Players can typically make a fast USD deposit to a casino player account using a credit card. In contrast, USD withdrawals at online casinos are easy to make, typically via a wire/bank transfer.

Players that enjoy online casino games such as online slot machines, video poker, blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and more will find variants from leading providers like Realtime Gaming and Rival Games. You can play most games in demo mode as well as at gambling sites for real money.

New players can collect a welcome bonus when making their first US dollar or Bitcoin deposit for bonus money and free spins. Some casinos even offer a signup bonus before making the first deposit. Of course, regular players can find promotions, tournaments, loyalty points programs, VIP rewards, etc. Read our accompanying casino reviews to learn more.

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Best Bonuses in Utah Casinos

Bonuses are one of the most exciting aspects of an online casino, so we’ve listed some of the best bonuses in Utah casinos below. These offer competitive match deposit bonuses with higher limits compared to many other casino bonuses. Find out more on each, including information on bonus T&Cs and playthrough wagering requirements.

Utah Gambling Laws Overview

The Constitution of Utah prohibits any and all forms of gambling, making the state one of the most restrictive in the US. Gambling resistance can undoubtedly be substantially explained by the Mormon population (approximately half of Utah residents).

Gambling is a class B misdemeanor in Utah, punishable by an up to $1,000 fine or 6 months in prison. The state is not, realistically, going to go from that position to making online casinos legal.

Utah has bucked the trend towards relaxation of gambling laws seen in other parts of the country. This means the state has authorized neither a state-run lottery nor charitable gaming (like raffles or bingo). Traditionally, other states have used these, and legal online gambling, as vehicles to fund education, the environment, and other critical social services.

Licensed horse & greyhound racing and pari-mutuel wagering are also prohibited. Land-based commercial or tribal casinos are unauthorized, as are all forms of interactive gaming, including online sports betting, casinos, and poker.

In the near term, anyway, this reality seems set to continue with regard to legal gambling sites where customers can play online card and table games.

Although fantasy contests are not authorized or licensed for Utah residents, they have been tolerated meaning players can find operators offering Utah Daily Fantasy Sports like DraftKings.

Utah Gambling History

Utah opposed gambling even before statehood. A prohibition on horse race gambling was firmly established until 1925, when pari-mutuel wagering was briefly permitted for 2 years until 1927 when the legislature stepped in. For a brief moment, Utah residents could socially gather at locations like Lagoon Amusement Park.

A statewide ballot defeated the first attempt (Initiative A) to re-establish pari-mutuel wagering in Utah on November 4, 1958. Voters turned down a second statewide ballot to approve pari-mutuel wagering on horse racing and create the Utah Horse Racing Commission on November 3, 1992.

Despite the prohibition, the state has seen its fair share of controversy over illegal gambling. For example, a catholic nuns-run bingo was broken up by police in the 1970s. Not exactly Las Vegas, but an example was made.

In West Valley City, Utah, in 1994, police raided makeshift casinos offering card games, dice games, and sporting events. Police arrested 20 persons that were part of a sophisticated state-wide network.

Betting and casino games in Utah this century

For a time, bingo and poker clubs could be found in the mid-2000s, exploiting perceived Utah loopholes in the law. Most of these closed or were shut down.

Police have also had to bust up illegal slot machine operations on occasion. In 2017, the attorney general’s office confiscated 400 gambling machines. Fringe gambling continued to appear, which was why state lawmakers approved Senate Bill 214 in 2020 to crack down, moving away from online gambling and casino games as most of the country moved in the opposite direction.

Is there a chance Utah will legalize online casinos?

In the wider USA, there is a definite trend in favor of liberalized online gambling, with even Hawaii – the only other state with no gambling options – at least mooting ideas in Congress. Utah, however, moved in the aftermath of the Supreme Court ruling not to loosen its gambling regulations, but to tighten them. Even if the federal government were to issue a blanket legalization of betting, online gambling would remain out of reach of Utahns.

In other words, you could travel around the USA and bet online in each state, and by the time you arrived back in Provo, you likely still wouldn’t be able to bet in Utah online without the risk of running into trouble with local law enforcement.

Not only are all existing laws against online gambling, there is also no indication that any Salt Lake City lawmaker has a desire to change things. While it is never wise to attempt to predict the future, change on this issue isn’t on the horizon, nor somewhere distant over it.

What’s more, with Nevada cities like West Wendover on the doorstep, there isn’t a significant grassroots campaign backing online gambling in Utah. The combination of easy availability of a gambling site nearby, and the total opposition to legalization at the state level, means that even Utahns who are minded to give online gambling a try aren’t pushing for change.

The proximity of Las Vegas also means that politicians in the highly religious state capital need only mention “Sin City” to evoke images of what they believe could happen if Utah allowed online gambling. So if you’re waiting for a Utah online casino, you’ll be waiting for some time.

What about offshore sites?

While there is no prospect on the horizon of legalized casino style games in Utah, that doesn’t mean you can’t play at an online casino while in Utah. There is no existing law that prevents you from signing up to offshore sites to play a few hands of online poker or enjoy some bingo games. There is also no sign that anyone intends to change that law.

The exact text of the law dictates that an online casino cannot operate within Utah. It says nothing about businesses outside of Utah offering online poker fans the chance to play Texas Hold’em. So if you wish to play online, your gaming space is not going to be taken away by local regulations.

As long as you indulge in responsible gambling and don’t try to gamble at a Utah-based casino, you’re free to keep going.

Utah Gambling FAQ

What is the legal gambling age in Utah?

All gambling in Utah is prohibited by the State Constitution. There is no legal age, because legally, bobody can bet at gambling sites, online casino games or in any other way.

Can I purchase lottery tickets in Utah?

Utah is one of just a handful of states where lottery sales are prohibited.

Is daily fantasy sports (DFS) contests legal in Utah?

Although fantasy sports contests are not authorized or regulated, they have been tolerated so far. Some operators like DraftKings accept players from Utah. This is because they are not seen as a form of gambling, being arguable at least as games of skill. This may be seen by some as a gateway for online gambling, but recent legislative steps seem to suggest otherwise.

Where can I find land-based casinos in Utah?

Unfortunately, Utah does not have any commercial or tribal casinos as they are prohibited by the State Constitution. Players in the west of the state can find many commercial casinos and gaming establishments in neighboring Nevada, where they can also enjoy legalized sports betting. Many Utahns choose to go to West Wendover, which is just over the border and is home to five casinos.

Can I find legal sports betting in Utah?

No, the Utah Constitution prohibits all gambling, including sports betting. There are no retail sports betting locations, and in Utah online sports betting is illegal.

What is the punishment for a first-time gambling offense in Utah?

The punishment for a first-time gambling offense can be an up to $1,000 fine or 6 months in prison. Naturally, this makes people think twice before they gamble online.

Conclusion

If you happen to enjoy gambling, Utah is just about the worst state in America to satisfy your craving. That’s because you won’t find a single legal gambling activity. You may be able to indulge in different types of gambling out-of-state if you happen to live close to one of six border states.

This is especially advantageous if you’re fortunate enough to live close to the Nevada border and love Vegas-style casinos. However, imagine having to drive out of state whenever you wanted to spend a few minutes playing slots and table games. Clearly, this is not practical or desirable.

In summary

When it comes to online casinos, some players from Utah have solved the problem by playing at offshore sites. We gently remind you to view our best casino gambling and bonus recommendations if you’re ready to look to offshore sites too. That’s the only way of even beginning to enjoy online gambling if you are a Utah resident.