Overview – Legal Sports Betting in Utah Today
Utah is one of the least betting-friendly states in the Union. It is strongly religious. Nonetheless, you can find plenty of offshore sportsbooks available in Utah. You can also check out the legal sports betting situation across the United States.
Despite the Supreme Courtβs 2018 decision in Murphy v. The National Collegiate Athletic Association, Utah has not seriously considered opening up its sports betting markets. They are unlikely to be licensing sportsbooks any time soon.
However, bettors in Utah can still sign up with online sportsbooks that are licensed offshore. The ones we recommend here are all available right now for Utah bettors.
State | Utah |
Sports Betting Law Passed | No β |
Launch date | N/A |
Minimum Gambling Age | 18 |
Online Sports Betting | Yes βοΈ |
Retail Sports Betting | No β |
Retail Casinos | No β |
Top 5 Utah Sportsbooks
While sports betting remains illegal in Utah, thousands of residents still place bets each week using trusted offshore sportsbooks. These platforms operate legally outside the U.S. and are accessible to Utah bettors, offering a safe, reliable alternative until local laws change.
Below, weβve ranked the top 5 sportsbooks available in Utah based on factors like bonus offers, betting markets, user experience, and payment options β including crypto. Whether you’re betting on the NFL, NBA, college games, or international events, these sites provide everything you need to get started.
Utah has some of the strictest anti-gambling laws in the U.S., and that extends to sports betting. While many residents turn to offshore sportsbooks to place bets, it’s important to note that these platforms operate outside U.S. jurisdiction. Despite the state’s firm stance, Utah bettors continue to explore options like BetOnline, Bovada, and BetUS for access to NFL, NBA, and college sports betting. These platforms often offer generous welcome bonuses and full crypto support, helping bettors make the most of their deposits.
Sportsbook | Bonus Value | Bonus Code | Mobile App | Live Streaming | Crypto Deposit | Sign Up |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
50% up to $250 | FREE250 | β | β | β | Bet Now | |
50% up to $250 | BV1000 | β | β | β | Bet Now | |
125% Sports Bonus - up to $2,000 | JOIN125 | β | β | β | Bet Now | |
50% up to $1,000 | MYB50 | β | β | β | Bet Now | |
![]() | 50% up to $200 | XBET50 | β | β | β | Bet Now |
BetOnline
With a signup bonus like this, you will be here to stay. If you use Bitcoin, youβll get a dollar-for-dollar match on your initial deposit. Plus, their reload bonuses will keep the fun rolling in. BetOnline also offers extensive betting markets, including NFL, NBA, UFC, and international sports. Their odds are sharp, and promotions include risk-free bets, parlay boosters, and crypto-specific perks.
Bovada
Bovada attracts the lionβs share of bettors across the United States, and Utah is very similar. Their name recognition and approval ratings are off the charts. If you want a trusted sportsbook, this is the one for you! New users can claim a 50% sports welcome bonus up to $250, with additional Bitcoin deposit boosts. Markets include prop bets, live betting, and full casino options.
BetUS
BetUS is a great option for crypto bettors. Your signup bonus becomes a huge 150% match on your initial deposit. It comes with 100% in the sportsbook and 50% in the casino. Bettors in Utah enjoy odds on everything from NBA and MLB to esports and horse racing. Their loyalty program rewards frequent players with cashback and exclusive offers.
MyBookie
MyBookie is known for their great customer service options. Here you can contact them via live chat, phone call, or email. Whichever route works best for you! New players can grab a 50% sports welcome bonus up to $1,000. Youβll find betting markets for all major U.S. sports, plus entertainment props, politics, and boosted odds specials.
XBet
XBet has a great mobile betting platform. You can place moneylines, bet live and place all the bets on this mobile betting platform that are typically available on desktop versions. Click the link below using your mobile phone and the site will automatically optimize to your device. They offer a 50% signup bonus up to $500, with fast payouts and full coverage of NFL, NBA, NCAA, and more.
Utah Quick Facts
Utah has some of the most restrictive gambling laws in the U.S., with a complete ban on sports betting, casinos, and most forms of wagering.
State | Utah |
Sports Betting Law Passed | No β |
Launch Date | N/A |
Minimum Gambling Age | N/A (All gambling prohibited) |
Online Sports Betting | No β |
Mobile Sports Betting | No β |
Retail Sportsbooks | No β |
Tribal Casinos | No β |
Daily Fantasy Sports | No β |
Online Casinos | No β |
Horse Racing | No β |
Dog Racing | No β |
Esports Betting | No β |
How we review and choose these Utah betting sites
These are the four most important things we look at when we recommend Utah online betting sites.
How We Review and Choose the Best Utah Betting Sites
When it comes to recommending online betting sites for Utah players, we focus on four key factors to ensure you’re getting a safe, valuable, and enjoyable experience:
Availability in Utah
Every site we recommend is legally available to players in Utah. These platforms are licensed offshore, allowing them to operate freely while bypassing local restrictions and taxes. That often means better deals, fewer limitations, and more freedom for you as a bettor.
Welcome Bonus
Welcome bonuses are often the biggest promos youβll get, so theyβre a major factor in our reviews. We look for sites offering at least a 50% match on your first deposit β though some go as high as 150% or more, giving you a strong start to your betting journey.
Website Design and Usability
A clean, well-designed website makes a huge difference, especially for mobile users. We test each siteβs speed, layout, and ease of use to make sure you wonβt be stuck with a clunky or frustrating experience. The smoother the interface, the better the betting.
Betting Odds
Odds are the core of any sports betting site. We look for platforms offering competitive, fair odds across a wide range of sports and bet types. At the same time, we watch out for odds that seem suspiciously high β if something looks too good to be true, it probably is.
Is Sports Betting Legal in Utah?
No, sports betting is not legal in Utah, and the state has some of the most prohibitive gambling laws in the United States. There are no legal sportsbooks, whether online or in-person, and the state’s constitution and criminal code make it clear that gambling is strictly forbidden. Unlike most other states, Utah has no gambling infrastructure at all and does not participate in the state lottery system.
Despite these strict laws, some Utah residents still choose to place bets through offshore sportsbooks, which operate outside U.S. jurisdiction. These platforms legally accept users from Utah, offer a wide selection of sports and casino games, and are accessible online. However, residents should be cautious and use only reputable sites like the ones recommended on this page.
What Forms of Gambling Are Legal in Utah?
Utah is one of only two U.S. states (alongside Hawaii) with a complete ban on all forms of gambling. There are no exceptions for casinos, sports betting, horse racing, or even charitable games. The stateβs laws apply to both operators and individuals who participate in any form of gambling.
Hereβs a breakdown of what’s allowed and what’s banned in Utah:
Legal in Utah:
-
Private games with no stakes or prizes (i.e., games played strictly for fun)
Illegal in Utah:
- Sports betting (retail and online)
- Online gambling (including poker, slots, and table games)
- Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS)
- Horse racing and pari-mutuel betting
- Dog racing
- State lottery
- Commercial and tribal casinos
- Charitable gambling (bingo, raffles, etc.)
Daily Fantasy Sports in Utah
Daily fantasy sports are not legal in Utah. The state considers DFS to be a form of gambling, and as a result, most major platforms like DraftKings and FanDuel do not operate in Utah. There are no regulatory protections for DFS users in the state, and attempts to legalize fantasy sports have not made it through the legislature.
Some residents interested in fantasy-style competitions turn to offshore sportsbooks, which may offer fantasy betting contests, better promotions, and expanded betting markets.
Is Horse Racing Legal in Utah?
No, horse racing and pari-mutuel betting are banned in Utah. There are no racetracks, and no legal avenues for placing bets on horse racing in the state. That said, offshore sportsbooks that include horse racing markets are accessible to Utah residents and offer a way to wager legally under foreign regulation.
Is Dog Racing Legal in Utah?
Dog racing is also completely prohibited in Utah. There are no tracks in operation and no legal way to bet on greyhound races within the state. Still, offshore betting sites often provide dog racing odds, and many Utah players use these platforms to place wagers despite the state ban.
Is Casino Gambling Legal in Utah?
Casino gambling is fully illegal in Utah. The state has no tribal or commercial casinos, and there are strict laws against any form of card games, slot machines, or casino-style gaming. Utahβs anti-gambling stance is so firm that it is one of the only states that has opted out of all federal gambling exceptions.
However, residents seeking a casino experience often turn to offshore online casinos, where they can play slots, poker, roulette, blackjack, and more. While these sites are not licensed in the U.S., they legally accept players from Utah and offer a similar range of games found in traditional casinos.
Utah Sports Betting β Recent Updates
- 2024: Utah legislator Kera Birkeland proposes the introduction of a lottery in the state, with the generated profits intended to contribute towards property taxes for seniors.
- 2022: Since the overturning of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in 2018, there have been no efforts to legalize sports betting in Utah.
- 2019: In 2019, there were no endeavors to legalize sports betting; however, there was a singular attempt to legalize betting on horse races in Utah.
Casinos in Utah
Utah is a deeply religious and conservative state. This is the main explanation as ot why there are no retail casinos in Utah. None. You can sign up with online casinos in Utah because many of them are not regulated by Utah at all!
Utah Sports Betting Timeline
Hereβs a brief timeline of the long anti-gambling history in the Beehive State.
2023
Utah Remains Sports Betting-Free Since PASPA Repeal
Since the repeal of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in 2018, Utah has seen no initiatives to legalize sports betting as of 2023.
2019
Horse Race Betting Considered Amidst No Movement on Sports Betting
In 2019, there were no efforts to legalize sports betting in Utah. However, a solitary attempt focused on legalizing betting on horse races during that year.
2012
The State Strengthens Anti-Gambling Laws
Anti-gambling laws in the state are strengthened even more. The state reiterated its decision to excuse itself from gambling, even if the federal government permitted it, as it would in 2018.
1925-1927
Gambling Briefly Opens Up
Pari-mutuel gambling was briefly allowed in the state. This type of horse betting is the only form of betting to even be legalized in the state.Β
1851
Utah Debuts as an Anti-Gambling State
Utah became a state in 1851, and even before this step, it outlawed gambling on its land. At the moment of its founding, it added an anti-gambling provision to its Constitution.
When Will Sports Betting Be Legal in Utah?
Utah remains one of the strictest states in the U.S. when it comes to gambling laws, and that includes sports betting. As of now, there are no active bills in the state legislature aiming to legalize online or in-person sports betting. In fact, Utah has enshrined its opposition to gambling in its state constitution, making it one of the few states with a formal anti-gambling stance.
While thereβs been occasional discussion around the economic benefits of legalized sports betting, there are currently no signs that Utah will change its position in the near future. So, if you’re asking, βWhen will sports betting be legal in Utah?β β the honest answer is: not anytime soon.
Sports Betting in Utah
Utahβs laws go beyond banning traditional casinos β the state explicitly prohibits all forms of gambling, including sports betting, daily fantasy sports, and even state-run lotteries. This hardline stance is deeply rooted in cultural and political values, making it highly unlikely that Utah will follow the trend seen in neighboring states like Arizona or Colorado.
As a result, sports betting remains completely illegal in Utah, and residents have to look outside the state β typically to offshore sportsbooks β if they wish to place bets.
Potential Legal Sports Betting Sites
While Utah has no licensing framework for sportsbooks and is unlikely to adopt one soon, many residents turn to offshore sportsbooks to place bets. These platforms, such as BetOnline or Bovada, operate outside of U.S. jurisdiction and are accessible in Utah despite the stateβs laws.
If sports betting were ever to be legalized in Utah, major U.S. sportsbooks like BetMGM, FanDuel, and DraftKings would likely be among the first to apply for licenses. Until then, itβs best to stick with trusted offshore options that offer solid odds, wide betting markets, and secure transactions.
Responsible Gaming in Utah
For individuals concerned about gambling addiction, Pathways Real Life Recovery offers support and treatment options. If you or a loved one is struggling, you can fill out their contact form or call 801-895-3006 to get help immediately.