Utah Online Casinos — Top Sites of 2024

Real-money online casinos are not legal in Utah, and the state has some of the strictest gambling laws in the country. However, there are still a few ways to enjoy casino-style gaming legally. In our page, we’ll explain Utah’s gambling laws, highlight your best alternatives, and even cover important details like how to handle taxable winnings. Let’s dive in!

🔑 Key Takeaways

• Find out the only legal option Utahans have for online casino games.
• Retrace back Utah’s gambling history.
• Learn how to handle your winning taxes properly in Utah.

Our Top 5 Sweepstakes Online Casinos in Utah

Sweepstakes casinos are platforms that mimic online casinos. Since no real-money gambling occurs, they are fully legal in Utah. In fact, this is Utahans only legal option for gambling in the state. To explore your options, check out our guide to the best sweepstakes casinos in the United States.

For Utah players, here’s a list of the top five recommendations:

Gambling in Utah: What’s Legal and What’s Not

Utah’s gambling laws are among the strictest in the US, with nearly all forms of gambling prohibited. Below is an overview of the current legal situation for each type of gambling in the state:

Gambling Type	Legal Status	Current Situation	Legal Age
Online Casinos	No	Real-money online casinos are illegal under Utah’s Criminal Code (Title 76, Chapter 10, Section 1101).	—
Land-Based Casinos	No	Utah has no land-based casinos due to its complete ban on gambling.	—
Sweepstakes Casinos	Yes	Legal and fun alternative offering casino-style games without real-money gambling.	18
Lottery	No	Utah does not have a state lottery and prohibits participation in lotteries from other states.	—
Charitable Gaming	Limited	Only small-scale Bingo and raffles conducted by licensed charities are allowed.	18
Sports Betting	No	All forms of sports betting, including online and retail, are banned in Utah.	—

History of Gambling in Utah

Utah’s strict anti-gambling stance dates back to the 19th century, even before it became a state. Here’s a brief timeline:

• 1847: Mormon pioneers settle in Utah, establishing a strong cultural and religious opposition to gambling.
• 1875: Utah Territory enacts its first anti-gambling law.
• 1896: Utah becomes a state with a constitutional ban on gambling.
• 1950: Stricter laws are passed targeting horse racing and slot machines.
• 1992: Utah opts out of the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.
• 2012: Online gambling is explicitly banned with House Bill 108.

Note: Utah remains one of the few states with a complete prohibition on all forms of gambling, except for social and sweepstakes casinos.

Declaring Taxable Winnings in Utah

Utah doesn’t have provisions for taxing gambling winnings because real-money online casinos are illegal in the state. However, you must still report your winnings to the IRS on your federal tax return.

Here’s what to do:

• Use Form 1040 and include the amount in Schedule 1.
• If you receive a Form W-2G from a sweepstakes’ operator, include those details in your filing.

Fact: While Utah doesn’t directly tax gambling, you must report your federal adjusted gross income (AGI), including gambling winnings, on your state tax return (Form TC-40).

What’s Next for Online Casinos in Utah?

Utah’s deep cultural and religious roots make it unlikely that online casinos will become legal anytime soon. The 2012 House Bill 108 reinforced the state’s strong anti-gambling stance, requiring a statewide vote to approve any form of gambling, including lotteries or sports betting.

This law reflects Utah’s commitment to preserving its no-gambling tradition, leaving little room for changes in the near future. For now, Utah residents can enjoy legal sweepstakes casinos or consider traveling to neighboring states like Nevada, where gambling is permitted.

Seeking options nearby? Check out our guide on states gambling legislation for more details!

References

1. Form 1040, U.S. Individual Income Tax Return — Retrieved on December 02, 2024

Frequently Asked Questions