Utah enforces some of the strictest anti-gambling laws in the U.S., prohibiting nearly all forms of wagering including casinos, state lotteries, sports betting, horse or dog racing, and online gambling. These prohibitions extend to both residents and visitors, with violations potentially resulting in misdemeanor charges. Even charitable gambling activities like bingo and raffles face significant restrictions, with only limited exceptions allowed under state law.
Despite this comprehensive ban, a few limited gambling-related activities exist in legal gray areas, such as social sportsbook apps using virtual currency and daily fantasy sports contests, though their legality remains uncertain. Additionally, some prediction market platforms claim federal regulation as financial instruments rather than gambling, leading to ongoing legal debates. Due to Utah’s strict stance, many residents cross state lines to places like Arizona to legally participate in online sports betting. Overall, traditional gambling remains illegal in Utah unless legislative changes occur.






