History of Online Gambling Laws in Utah
The history of gambling in Utah is inextricably linked to the Church of Latter-Day Saints (LDS). Early Mormon settlers to what would become Utah already opposed gambling thanks to the teachings of Joseph Smith and, latterly, Brigham Young. With a two-year pari-mutuel exception in the 1920s, gambling has been expressly outlawed in Utah since before statehood, and general opposition towards gambling remains to this day.
As Utah has an LDS majority, both within the population and the state legislature, and the Church is opposed to all forms of gambling, it seems unlikely that there will be any change to the situation.
Social casinos operate under sweepstakes laws and are therefore not considered to be online gambling in Utah. As such, they are a fun and legal way to play casino games without any financial risk.
Timeline for Online Casino Gambling in Utah
1851
An ordinance is passed to suppress gambling, prohibiting activities such as card-playing, horse racing, cockfighting, and other forms of gaming.
1895
All forms of gambling are declared illegal in preparation for the territory’s application for statehood.
1925
Legislation is passed allowing pari-mutuel betting. Lawmakers repealed this legislation two years later.
1992
A referendum proposed allowing individual counties to establish pari-mutuel betting within their borders. It is soundly defeated.
2012
Governor Gary Herbert signed HB 108 into law, banning both online and land-based gambling.
2024
Rep. Kera Birkeland introduces a bill to introduce a state lottery. It fails to gain traction within the state legislature.