Best Online Casinos for Utah (UT) Players in 2024?

Introduction

According to archaeologists, people have lived in the land now called Utah for over 12,000 years. Nowadays, it is considered the happiest state in the US, as it takes top spots for work, community, and environment.

The state offers a variety of natural attractions that will leave tourists speechless, including Utah's Mighty Five national parks, towering red rocks, arid deserts with dunes, and thriving pine forests in mountain valleys. It is also known for having the best snow in the world!

Utah is nicknamed the Beehive State because the pioneers believed that they were just as hardworking as bees.

Ever since the state's admission to the union in 1896, Utah has had a rich and unique history and a strong conservative culture, so it comes as no surprise that gambling has been and will be illegal in Utah for quite some time.

Along with Hawaii, Utah has the most restrictive gambling laws of all US states!

Furthermore, the state has taken the most comprehensive stance against all forms of gambling. So, although Utah offers numerous excellent reasons to visit, if you are a casino enthusiast, you might want to avoid it.

Thanks to the 2018 overturning of the PASPA - Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act - the majority of US states have started debating on or legalizing sports gambling. However, Utah stands firm against that practice.

Although the act allows every state to propose its own laws and regulations for sports betting, Utah's constitution is written to adamantly oppose gambling!

Not only is Utah one of only two states without any form of legalized gambling, but it is also one of only six without a state lottery.

While the Beehive State does not stand alone in prohibition gambling, numerous states that also find gambling illegal at least allow native reservations to operate gaming ventures.

Besides, even though many countries are adamant about making sports betting and online gambling illegal, they allow state lotteries and raffles to operate!

To look on the bright side, Utah is conveniently located between Colorado and Las Vegas, meaning a short road trip separates gamblers from legal sports betting!

Utah Recommended Online Casinos View All

Depositing and Withdrawing when in UT

Please see below for a table of the withdrawal/deposit and banking term rankings. Click on the casino name for a detailed look at the withdrawal and deposit score of each casino and how we determined each. More information about deposit and withdrawal terms for US players can be found here.

US-UT Online Casinos Deposit & Withdrawal Grades View All

History of Gambling in Utah and What’s Allowed Now

The prohibition of all forms of gaming in Utah is not new and surprising. Utah has been opposed to gambling from the very beginning, or better said, its inception in the 1890s.

What are the reasons behind Utah's strict laws against gambling?

If we take the state's long history of conservative and even more religious values, it appears that these prohibitions come from a place of morality.

Besides, there is an intense fear of potential damage caused by gambling addiction. Luckily, Utah recently ranked as the 50th most gambling-addicted state, meaning it prides itself on being the least addicted US state!

Utah seems to remain firm on its stance, and gambling will remain something people do elsewhere, not within the state boundaries, despite the potential tax revenue windfall.

When we say strict bans, we mean that there is no proclivity for gambling whatsoever, meaning no gambling venues – not even tribal casinos, state lotteries, raffles, and not to mention online casinos!

While there have been several attempts to allow any legal gambling, they only led to even more strict restrictions.

For example, in 1925, Utah briefly passed laws legalizing parimutuel horse racing, only to repeal them two years later.

Regarding online gambling, Utah tightened regulations in 2012, making any form of gambling highly illegal. What’s more, laws state that those found guilty of even playing social casino games could face misdemeanor charges!

In 2019, there was an attempt to legalize betting on horse races, but it failed shortly. Although horse racing does exist in Utah, wagering on these races is not allowed.

Daily Fantasy Sports contests for real money are also available for Utah residents and visitors, though they operate in a grey zone because they are classified as a game of skill.

Utah Recommended Online Sports Books

Utah Recommended Online Poker Rooms

Will Utah Legalize Online Casinos in the Future?

There are definitely both pros and cons to legalizing gambling in Utah. However, while the future is always uncertain, if we look at Utah's criminal code, we may conclude that the answer is never!

The criminal code even states the following:

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.

Besides, since two-thirds of Utah’s population is Mormon, it is hard to see any legislation passing in the future due to their theology.

Utah has remained true to its belief that no gambling-related activity is permitted, even though even the most socially conservative states have allowed tribal gaming or state lotteries.

The only place Utah residents can gamble is across the border - in Idaho, Colorado, Arizona, or Nevada - where gambling isn't prohibited. It is also possible for them to use offshore sportsbooks.

Lastly, Utah residents are still left to hope that State Representative Kera Birkeland’s amendment to legalize a state lottery will pass in 2026, although it already failed once at the beginning of 2024 when the Senate president called the lottery “regressive.”

I think those who participate in the lottery are some people who probably don’t have the capacity or shouldn’t be doing it, but they should be spending that money on taking care of their families and other essentials of life.

Utah Recommended Online Bingo Rooms

Conclusion 

While Utah remains one of the most restrictive states when it comes to gambling, there’s no need to feel left out if you’re eager to try your luck. Though local options are off the table, the online world opens up a whole new realm of possibilities.

We’ve got you covered with an up-to-date list of top-notch online casinos where you can get in on the action. Each casino on our list offers a variety of games, generous bonuses, and reliable payment options, all tailored to ensure a seamless experience for players.

Our reviews dive into every detail you need to make informed choices—whether it’s about the range of games, bonus offers, or how smoothly you can make deposits and withdrawals. By checking out our recommended casinos, you'll find trustworthy options that bring the thrill of gambling right to your screen without having to cross state lines.

So, while Utah's gambling scene is restrictive, you can still enjoy the excitement and rewards of online casinos with our expert-curated recommendations. Happy gaming!

Written by: Michael Shackleford