Introduction to Utah Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 2020

History of Gambling in Utah. The history of gambling in Utah is fairly straight forward. For a long time now, gambling has been illegal in the state.There have been very few moves to try and allow any legal bets, but instead a steady move to more and more strict restriction of gambling. A Salt Lake City, Utah Gaming/Gambling License can only be obtained through an authorized government agency. Depending on the type of business, where you're doing business and other specific regulations that may apply, there may be multiple government agencies that you must contact in order to get a Salt Lake City, Utah Gaming/Gambling License. (Related: Closest casino to Salt Lake City) All in all, Wendover, Nevada is a place to go gamble, eat, get a massage and take in a show. Beyond on that, there’s little else to do (tourism bureau propaganda notwithstanding).

Utah state law mentions gambling, but does not define gambling as including sports betting. Regardless, there are no sportsbooks in the state, and it is not legal to own or operate an online of offline sports betting business within Utah state lines.

Utah slot machine casino gambling does not exist for religious reasons. The “beehive state” is one of only two states where gambling is strictly illegal, the other being Hawaii.

This post continues my weekly State-By-State Slot Machine Casino Gambling Series, an online resource dedicated to guiding slot machine casino gambler to success. Now in its third year, each weekly post reviews slots gambling in a single U.S. state, territory, or federal district.

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Relevant Legal Statutes on Gambling in Utah*

The minimum legal gambling age in Utah does not depend upon the gambling activity:

• Land-Based Casinos: Not available
• Poker Rooms: Not available
• Bingo: Not available
• Lottery: Not available
• Pari-Mutuel Wagering: Not available

For all forms of gambling, a minimum gambling age has not been legally set.

*The purpose of this section is to inform the public of state gambling laws and how the laws might apply to various forms of gaming. It is not legal advice.

Slot Machine Private Ownership in Utah

It is illegal to own a slot machine privately in the state of Utah.

Gaming Control Board in Utah

Is There Casinos In Salt Lake City

There are no gaming control boards in Utah to provide gaming regulations as gambling is illegal.

Casinos in Utah

There are no commercial or tribal casinos in Utah. Several free bingo halls exist.

Commercial Casinos in Utah

Utah has several bingo halls in Salt Lake City, Huntsville, Kearns, Ogden, and Riverdale. Some bingo facilities have electronic gaming machines offering video bingo. These sites are dining establishments where bingo cards are free with no obligation to pay for a meal.

Tribal Casinos in Utah

Utah has seven federally-recognized American Indian tribes. However, since the state bans all gaming, Utah’s tribes cannot use the federal IGRA to offer tribal casinos.

Other Gambling Establishments

As an alternative to enjoying Utah slot machine casino gambling, consider exploring casino options in a nearby state. Bordering Utah is:

• North: Idaho Slots and Wyoming Slots
• East: Colorado Slots
• South: Arizona Slots
• Southwest: New Mexico Slots
• West: Nevada Slots

Each of the links above will take you to my blog for that neighboring U.S. state to Utah.

Illegal gaming machines exist at some convenience stores and gasoline stations. Further, there are rumors of illegal poker rooms available within the state of Utah, even high limit poker game rooms.

Finally, West Wendover on the Utah-Nevada border directly west from Salt Lake City is a popular gambling destination for Utah residents.

Our Utah Slots Facebook Group

Are you interested in sharing and learning with other slots enthusiasts in Utah? If so, join our Utah slots community on Facebook. All you’ll need is a Facebook profile to join this closed Facebook Group freely.

There, you’ll be able to privately share your slots experiences as well as chat with players about slots gambling in Utah. Join us!

Payout Returns in Utah

No theoretical payout limits or return statistics are available from Utah.

Summary of Utah Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 2020

Utah slot machine casino gambling does not exist. Bingo is legal in Utah, but only if offered free of charge. Some bingo halls have electronic gaming machines offering video bingo.

Annual Progress in Utah Slot Machine Casino Gambling

Over the last year, there has been no change in the lack of a gaming industry in the state of Utah.

Related Articles from Professor Slots

Other State-By-State Articles from Professor Slots

• Previous: U.S. Virgin Islands Slot Machine Casino Gambling
• Next: Vermont Slot Machine Casino Gambling

Have fun, be safe, and make good choices!
By Jon H. Friedl, Jr. Ph.D., President
Jon Friedl, LLC

Utah is a Western state, known for its skiing and mountainous terrain, and is also home to 2 major professional sports franchises. The NBA’s Utah Jazz and the MLS’ Real Salt Lake both play out of Salt Lake City. If you’re looking for another way of getting engaged with your favorite teams, or any other teams outside of the state, you can place bets online. Utah sports fans can bet on their local teams through one of the sportsbooks that we’ve recommended in this guide. There are several laws that govern sports betting and this guide informs you on those and how you can safely and legally place bets at licensed and regulated online sportsbooks that accept Utah residents.

Is There Gambling In Salt Lake City Utah

Is It Legal To Bet On Sports in Utah?

Utah state law mentions gambling, but does not define gambling as including sports betting. Regardless, there are no sportsbooks in the state, and it is not legal to own or operate an online of offline sports betting business within Utah state lines. There are not any federal or state laws that make it illegal for Utah sports fans to enjoy online sports betting action at legally sanctioned offshore sportsbooks that are operating legitimately inside the industry. We go into more detail about specific US gambling laws below, including how they impact your options for legal sportsbook gambling.

Most Reputable Sportsbooks for Utah Residents

Our team of industry professionals have put together this list of sportsbooks after carefully investigating them on multiple levels. These destinations all have strong security protocols, Nevada-style betting lines and features like live betting, mobile apps, bonuses and more. Most importantly, these sportsbooks accept Utah residents. There are a lot of sportsbooks out there, however it’s important that you make sure you’re betting with legally licensed sportsbooks that are reputable. These sportsbooks fit that bill.

How US Gambling Laws Regulate Sports Betting in Utah

PASPA, or the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, was enacted to stop the growth of legalized sports betting nationwide. The law was enacted in 1992 and affects 46 states. This prohibits states from hosting any type of state-sponsored sports betting including any brick-and-mortar sportsbooks in general.

The Federal Wire Act deals with placing bets online. The law does not restrict people from placing bets with the offshore sportsbooks we’ve recommended, but only illegal US-based sportsbooks. In 2011, the DOJ clarified that the Federal Wire Act only applies to US-based sports betting and does not impact any other gambling entertainment venue such as casino gaming or poker.

The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) patrols banks and transactions stemming from online gambling. The UIGEA affects banks, not individual bettors, and was intended to monitor any transactions for fraudulent activity through strict regulations. Utah state law doesn’t specifically mention sports betting, but it would be illegal anyways under PASPA. These laws only affect US-based sports betting, not betting with the legal offshore sportsbooks we’ve suggested.

Teams To Bet On In Utah

Utah only has two major sports franchises—the Jazz and Real Salt Lake. Local support is strong for both teams. Both teams play in the Western Conference of their respective leagues. MLS is still in preseason and the Jazz currently sit in 4^th place, so they are in playoff contention.

NBA Teams In Utah

MLS Teams In Utah

FAQs Relevant To Betting On Sports

Can I Bet On Teams Outside My State At Online Sportsbooks?

Yes. If you’re a state like Utah and only have a couple of franchises, you’re likely to want to extend your betting options. These sportsbooks don’t restrict your betting to your region. Utah residents are free to bet on any team in any league that they choose from around the world.

How Do I Create An Online Sportsbook Account?

Once you’ve found the sportsbooks you like, all you need to do to create an account is enter some personal information like your name, address, e-mail, etc. You won’t be asked any financial information until you’re ready to make your first deposit. You’re able to look at the available betting lines before signing up for an account.

Are There Any Signup Fees For Utah Gamblers?

No. These sportsbooks don’t charge you to sign up for their services. There are also no monthly/annual dues. The only money being spent is the money you wager.

How Do I Make A Deposit At Online Sportsbooks For Utah Residents?

When you’re ready to make a deposit, all you have to do is hit the ‘deposit’ button in your account page on the site. You’ll be prompted to select your preferred deposit method from among the available options. Some of the more common funding methods include credit/debit card, Bitcoin and wire transfers through services such as Western Union or MoneyGram.

What Are Sportsbook Bonuses?

Bonuses are promotions given to bettors as they use the site. They’re usually in the form of ‘free money’ and are a percentage of your deposit. Your first bonus is usually given upon completion of your first successful deposit. There are other seasonal and promotional bonuses given throughout the year. Bonuses are automatically added to your bankroll on the site.

Do I Have To Pay Taxes On My Winnings?

Gambling winnings are considered taxable income, so yes you should be paying taxes on your winnings. If you fail to do so it could result in trouble with the IRS. Consult a Utah tax specialist if you have specific questions. Keep in mind that most states have a relevant minimum threshold that must be met before being required to report gambling winnings, so you have to win a decent amount in order to be required to report it.

How Are Online Sportsbooks For Utah Residents Different Than The Ones In Nevada?

While Nevada sportsbooks have similar betting lines, they don’t offer the same extras or the same range of wagering options. Our featured sportsbooks offer bonuses, mobile apps and live betting. The mobile apps allow you to bet on-the-go while the bonuses give you extra money to bet with.