The law makes any form of online gambling illegal within Utah’s borders. And the penalty is fairly stiff. Lawmakers agreed to make “playing poker or gambling in the state via the Internet a Class B misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail and a maximum fine of $1,000.”.
Utah residents might be wondering whether there are any legal gambling options out there. The laws that surround online gambling are somewhat murky. This has caused many non-professionals to misread the language, and spread rumors about the legality of online wagering. Don’t believe the conjecture, which is mostly incorrect.
Utah online gambling is illegal in all forms. It is one of the few states that codified this into law. This includes poker, casino games, and sports betting. It is a misdemeanor to play at any unlicensed gambling site. The first thing anyone should do when analyzing Utah gambling laws is to see how the actual act of gambling is defined. In chapter section 2 of state legislation, gambling in Utah is defined as “risking anything of value upon the outcome of a contest, game, gaming scheme, or gaming device.”. Utah resident are not permitted to operate illegal gambling websites or they will be convicted of a crime. Utah residents do not have casinos, poker rooms, bingo halls, pari-mutuel betting, or even a state lottery for gambling entertainment. What Utah residents do have for gambling entertainment is offshore online gambling websites.
Stay here on LegalUtahGambling.com and the facts embedded within the complicated legalese will be presented to readers in plain English. Read all the way down this guide for a quick review of one of the best online gambling sites in the world, and learn how Utah players can get in on the action. There is a wide world of gambling fun out there, and there has never been a better time to join in!
The federal laws surrounding sports betting are a little more complicated that the poker and casino regulations. Instead of leaving it up to individual states to decide whether to allow sports betting, the federal government has put a nationwide ban on it. The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) of 1992 found sports betting to be a “national problem”. This effectively banned sports betting venues from operating in every state except for Delaware, Montana, Nevada, and Oregon. If you are in any other state in the nations, including Utah, you will not find a legal sports betting establishment. This has spurned the proliferation of illegal bookies in many US cities. We suggest staying away from these underground sports betting rackets, they are busted frequently, and your money will not be safe.
Utah, as well as almost every other state, does not have any laws regarding sports betting. This is because the PASPA banned it almost everywhere. There is no need for legal sections regarding something that is already outlawed. You will not find a legal sports betting establishment in Utah, but one state over, in Nevada, lie some of the only legal sportsbooks in the nation. If you feel like driving out of state, you can get in on some great sports betting in one of the only places that allow it.
The Internet is where the sportsbook revolution is taking place. These overseas sites offer the fastest lines on all your favorite sports, and more wagering options than the land based counterparts. Millions of Americans sports fans frequent these sites every day, and they offer cutting edge sports books.
Go To: Legal Sports Betting Sites For Utah Bettors
Is It Legal To Play Casino Games For Money In Utah?
The federal laws that regulate casino gambling are quite straightforward. The federal government mainly leaves it up to the individual states to decide whether to allow casinos. As of now, most states in the union do not allow land-based casinos. There are many online casinos located overseas that foster large communities of American gambling fans, and these are the best options for most people. The federal law that directly influences casino gambling is the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) of 2006, which outlaws the operation of online casinos in the US. This is why the legal sites all operate outside of America.
Utah has some of the harshest gambling laws in the nation. As of now, the “Legislature shall not authorize any game of chance, lottery or gift enterprise under any pretense or for any purpose.” Utah considers gambling a sin, so you will not find any casino gaming options in the state. There are no land-based casinos, gambling halls, or otherwise in the state. Nevada is only one state away, so if you feel like making a drive, world-class casinos are not very far.
The online gambling world is a whole other beast. The gaming laws in Utah do not regulate online casinos, but that doesn't mean you will go to jail for playing online slots, blackjack, or whatever your favorite game might be. In fact, there has never been a conviction for playing online casino games in the state of Utah, and that's why it is safe to say that Utah residents will not encounter any issues, legal or otherwise, when using reputable online casinos like those found on this website.
Go To: Legal Online Casinos For Utah Residents
The federal policy for poker is similar to the policy for casinos. The federal legislature leaves it up to the state to decide whether to offer regular poker. In the early 2000’s online poker rooms were all the rage, but the UIGEA effectively shut them all down. There are no online poker sites in America, but there are many overseas sites that offer world-class poker action. The federal laws do not have any effect on the many overseas sites.
The State of Utah does not allow permit any land-based gambling activities, so it's safe to say that there are not going to be any legal poker venues. Beyond playing with friends at home, it is best to stay away from land-based poker rackets. Many unlawful elements are involved with the underground poker rooms that seem to pop up in every city in the nation. These rooms get busted frequently, and your money will not be safe. It is best to look elsewhere when searching for real money poker action.
Many online poker rooms located overseas cater to poker fans located in Utah. Grand casino hinckley buffet menu. These sites operate out of places like Canada and the Republic of Panama, where running an online poker site is legal. Millions of US residents use these sites every day, and Utah players should not have a problem on any of these sites. You can play for any amount, from $0.05 games, to no-limit tables and tournaments. These sites offer more options than any land-based counterparts, and are always teeming with poker fans just like you.
Go To: Legal Poker Sites For Utah Players
Online Gambling Sites That Are Legal For Utah Residents
When looking for an online gambling site you want to keep a few things in mind. Check the numerous online gambling forums to see what members have to say about the various sites. Usually the ones that garner unanimous praise are the best. We have done much of this work for you, and uncovered the best gambling sites in the business right now.
Accepts Utah Residents At Least 18 Years Old
Bovada.lv is by far the best gambling website in the world. This site has been serving up innovative gambling options for over two decades. Operating out of Quebec, Canada, Bovada is the place the pros play when they are not throwing dice in the land-based casinos. Offering a gigantic sportsbook, over 150 authentic virtual casino games, and every popular variant of poker, this site has it all. They operate on state-of-the-art gaming technology, and use the most up to date security protocols to ensure your money and information is safe. Bovada is unanimous considered the best online gambling site in operation, and has garnered acclaim from US media giants like USA Today and CBS Sports.
One of the best reasons to sign up at Bovada is to be able to claim their unique bonuses which are only offered on the web. Land-based casinos will not offer Welcome Bonuses in the ballpark of 100% your initial deposit. You won’t need to spend money on overpriced drinks to enjoy yourself at Bovada, and they will literally pay you to play some games. One of the bonuses for online poker earns points for players every time they play a hand, which then converts into bonus cash. The virtual casino will pay you extra for consecutive winning rolls, and the sportsbook offers unprecedented amounts of bonus opportunities.
Is Gambling Online Legal in the State of Utah?
Officially, Utah has no legal forms of gambling – though that does not stop the population of this State employing a lot of creative solutions to enjoy poker, bingo and even casino games. While the majority Mormon population sees gambling as a transgression of their church’s values – there are still many residents who enjoy a flutter. This page takes you through the details of the Utah gambling laws.
First of all below you will find a quick-fire overview of the history of gambling in Utah, including some of the creative solutions to the general ban. After that a game-by-game run-down of what games can be played in this State. Next the detailed part of this page looks as excerpts from the statute books and a legal timeline. Finally, you will find a summary and look at the future at the end of this page.
Utah Gambling Laws – A Brief History
With the exception of a 2 year trial of pari-mutuel betting in the 1920’s – gambling has been illegal in Utah from the creation of the state. What many people do not realize is that there are opportunities to gamble for Utah residents, and that casual betting (for example office pools on major sporting events or a few dollars on a round of golf) is actually very common there.
Casino craps odds and payouts chart. Offering a payout of 1/2, this bet has the lowest odds on the craps table. The chance of you winning is 66.7%, so the house edge is 2.44%. Yes, you have the best chance of winning, but the payout means that the casino still holds the advantage. Beginner craps players, if you can remember only one bet, make it the pass line bet. This is the starting bet for all craps games and has one of the lowest house edges at 1.41% and highest odds of landing (251 to 244 to be exact). This is one of the best bets craps players can make, with payout odds of 1 to 1.
Casino games are a definite ‘no’ in Utah territory, though there are plenty of people willing to drive west on interstate 80 to the border town of Wendover, Nevada. This was once a truck-stop, and has now become home to 5 casinos, hosting up to 700,000 gamblers from Utah every year. Organized excursions to the tables there are common for those not wishing to make the 2 hour drive from Salt Lake City themselves.
Poker is possible via bar leagues which do not charge for entry into their tournaments. They give out cash prizes, and even have bigger monthly events with larger sums up for grabs. Since there is no entry fee, the authorities tolerate these popular games. You can enjoy home-games too, which are tolerated as long as the players have a real social relationship and nobody is profiting from the games.
Bingo enjoys some creative solutions, with restaurants offering free cards with their meals which give away cash prizes. The meals are rather expensive, though in theory at least, people not buying food can still get the bingo tickets – making the games possible.
There are rumors of many trips to Las Vegas from Utah each year, and substantial sums being spent on lottery tickets from Idaho too.
Is Online Gambling Illegal In Utah Right Now
An interesting development came in 2012, when the existing anti-gambling laws were strengthened. An act was passed explicitly making gambling on the internet illegal. At the same time wording in this bill ensured that this would remain illegal in the event of any federal regulation.
What Forms Of Gambling Are Legal?
The short answer would be ‘none’ however, this masks some creative ways in which residents get around the laws!
Casino Games: No, the closest casino gambling is in the Nevada town of Wendover, which is on the border between the two States and exists for Utah residents making the 2 hour trip from the Salt-lake city area.
Online Casinos: No, these are now specifically outlawed.
Live Poker: No, there are no poker games as other States enjoy them. However there are bar leagues with no buy-in requirements which offer cash and goods as prizes, and home games are tolerated as long as nobody of profiting by raking the pots.
Online Poker: No, again this is specifically illegal.
Sports Betting: No, there is no sports-betting at all in this State.
Lottery Betting: No, there is no lottery in Utah.
Is Online Gambling Legal In Utah
Bingo Games: No, again there are creative ways around this (diners where you pay for a meal and get free bingo cards), though strictly speaking, it is not legal.
Utah Gambling Laws – Statutes And Legal Timeline
Despite the conservative outward reputation of Utah residents, their laws are not worded in the strongest possible ways. In fact their definition of gambling is 3-pronged, leading many to argue that if one prong is missing then the form of gambling is legal. This is what enables the free poker leagues and bingo-buffets to thrive. The wording can be found below, along with the key passage from the more recent HB108, which bans internet gambling and creates the opt-out of future federal legal gaming.
” “Gambling” means risking anything of value for a return or risking anything of value upon the outcome of a contest, game, gaming scheme, or gaming device when the return or outcome:
(i) is based upon an element of chance; and (ii) is in accord with an agreement or understanding that someone will receive something of value in the event of a certain outcome. ” (From 76-1-1101)
Here is the key wording from HB108:
[su_quote]“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.”[/su_quote]
The focus of this bill is not necessarily the players of internet poker or casino games – though explicitly they are criminalized under it – but rather the operators of the games.
1851: The first anti-gambling law was passed (under the precursor to Utah, the State of Deseret). This ‘Ordinance To Suppress Gaming’ was used in the first Utah constitution in the same year.
Is Online Gambling Illegal In Utah Real Estate
1875: All forms of gambling in this State are declared illegal, this law remained intact for a full 98 years, until the entire code was rewritten in 1973.
1925 to 1927: Pari-mutuel betting comes and then goes, this is the only legal gambling in the history of this state, and lasted only 2 years.
Is Online Gambling Illegal In Us
2012: Online gambling banned from within Utah, and wording created to ensure that Utah is not included in any future Federal legalization of online gambling.
Utah Gambling Laws – Summary And Look To The Future
Is Online Gambling Illegal In The Us
While things are not as dry for gamblers as they might first appear – this is certainly not a gambling friendly State by any stretch of the imagination. With the 2012 bill pre-empting any Federal legislation covering online gambling with an opt-out, we can consider Utah to be at the very bottom of the list of States who might one day regulate online poker.
Useful Resources:
History Of Gambling In Utah
- http://www.math.byu.edu/~jarvis/gambling/utah-gambling.html
Article On Wendover
Links To Statutes
Article Covering The 2012 Law
- http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/01/31/idUS224399+31-Jan-2012+MW20120131