Utah Sports Betting 2025: UT Sports Betting
NOT LEGAL
Utah sports betting is banned across the board, and with no signs of movement in the legislature, that’s not expected to change anytime soon. Find other markets here.
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Last Updated: 9 July, 2025
No. Sports betting is not legal in Utah.
Utah bans all forms of gambling, including sports betting, casinos, and lotteries.
No legislation has come close to passing in recent years.
Lawmakers and state leaders remain firmly against any gambling expansion.
Key facts of Utah betting
How do I gamble in Utah?
Utah has some of the strictest anti-gambling laws in the country.
Sports betting, casinos, and even the state lottery are banned.
But residents still have a few legal ways to play.
Daily fantasy sports in Utah
DFS is legal in Utah and offered by top platforms like DraftKings, FanDuel, Sleeper, and OwnersBox.
These apps let users enter real-money contests based on player stats and draft formats.
They operate in a legal gray area but are widely available and used in the state.
Other legal gambling options
Social sportsbooks like Fliff and Sportzino offer legal sports-style contests using virtual currency.
These platforms let players make picks and redeem winnings through sweepstakes models.
Utah has no casinos, lotteries, or horse race betting, charitable gaming is also banned.
So, outside of DFS and social play, there are no legal gambling alternatives.
Most DFS and social sportsbook platforms in Utah accept users who are 18 or older.
There’s no official state-regulated betting age, since gambling is banned.
If Utah ever legalizes sports betting, lawmakers would likely set the age at 21.
Can I bet on sports in another state?
Yes, but only if you’re physically located in a state where sports betting is legal.
Sportsbook apps use geolocation tech to block bets from inside Utah.
Crossing into a legal state is the only way to place a legal wager.
Colorado, Arizona, and Nevada all offer legal betting options to Utah residents who travel.
Colorado and Arizona both have full mobile sportsbooks you can access once you cross the border.
Nevada offers legal sports betting at casinos and retail sports betting sites, especially in Las Vegas.
Betting sites to avoid
Some Utah residents turn to offshore betting sites since there are no legal sportsbooks in the state.
These sites may look legitimate but operate without US oversight or consumer protections.
They can shut down, withhold payouts, or misuse personal data and there’s no legal recourse.
⚠️ Stay away from these offshore sportsbooks; they are not safe or legal for Utah players. ⚠️
Pros and cons of sports betting in Utah
Pros
- ✅ No temptation for at-risk gamblers in-state
- ✅ DFS and social apps give legal gaming options
Cons
- ❌ No legal online or retail sports betting allowed
- ❌ Lawmakers show no interest in changing policy
Latest Utah sports betting updates
The future of sports betting in Utah
Utah is one of only two U.S. states with a full ban on all gambling.
There are no casinos, no lottery, and no sports betting, and that isn’t likely to change soon.
The state’s lawmakers remain firmly opposed to any form of gambling.
Even limited bills, like one for horse race betting, have failed quickly.
Utah’s culture and politics both align against legalization.
While public interest in sports betting is growing nationwide, there’s no organized push within Utah to follow suit.
Until voters or lawmakers show a major shift, legal sports betting in Utah remains highly unlikely.
Our expert view: don’t expect movement this decade.
Other types of legal betting in Utah
While sports betting isn’t legal in Utah, a few other types of gambling are allowed or at least available under current law.
Horse racing
Utah allows horse racing events, but not betting on them.
There are no licensed race tracks or off-track betting facilities in the state.
Online horse betting platforms like TwinSpires and TVG do not operate here.
Past efforts to legalize pari-mutuel wagering have failed in the legislature.
Daily fantasy sports
DFS is available in Utah through platforms like DraftKings, FanDuel, OwnersBox, and Sleeper.
These sites offer skill-based contests for real money, including pick’em and draft formats.
They operate in a legal gray area but have not been challenged by state officials.
DFS remains the most popular legal alternative to sports betting.
Pari-mutuel wagering
Pari-mutuel betting is not legal in Utah.
There are no legal betting pools for horse racing or other events.
The most recent attempt to introduce this type of betting failed in 2020.
Charitable bingo and raffles
Charitable gambling is banned in Utah.
The state does not allow nonprofit bingo, raffles, or other fundraising games.
Utah’s laws are among the strictest in the US when it comes to gambling.
Even well-regulated charity games are considered illegal under current statutes.
Yes, social sportsbooks are legal and active in Utah.
These platforms use virtual coins or sweepstakes entries instead of real money.
Players can make picks, climb leaderboards, and win redeemable rewards.
Fliff and Sportzino are two of the most popular options in the state.
Because no cash is required, these sites operate within state law and are fully accessible.
How to start betting in Utah
Some guides may suggest you can bet on sports within Utah, but that’s false, we only show you real, legal ways to gamble, which may not involve sports at all.
Daily fantasy sports
DFS platforms like DraftKings, FanDuel, Sleeper, and OwnersBox are fully accessible in Utah.
These apps let users enter pick’em games, snake drafts, and daily or season-long contests.
Winnings are based on player performance and contest scoring, not chance.
Most platforms accept users 18 or older and offer frequent promotions for new players.
Online horse race betting
Utah does not allow any form of horse race betting, online or in person.
Apps like TwinSpires, AmWager, and TVG do not serve Utah residents.
Even simulcast or pari-mutuel options are banned under state law.
Residents would need to leave the state to place legal bets on horse races.
Charitable gambling
Unlike many other states, Utah prohibits nonprofit bingo, raffles, and other charitable games.
There’s no legal framework for registered organizations to run gambling events.
Churches and civic groups are not exempt under current law.
Utah treats all gambling, regardless of purpose, the same under its criminal code.
Social sportsbooks
Apps like Fliff and Sportzino offer legal sports-style games using virtual currency.
No cash deposits are required, and winnings may be redeemed in sweepstakes format.
Players use coins or tokens to make picks on real sporting events.
These platforms are legal because they fall outside traditional gambling definitions in Utah.
Crossing state lines to bet legally
Utah residents can travel to nearby states like Nevada, Colorado, or Arizona to bet legally.
Colorado and Arizona both offer full mobile sports betting once you cross the border.
Nevada has retail sportsbooks in casinos, especially around Las Vegas.
Always place your bets from within a legal state; betting from Utah, even via app, is still illegal.
Daily fantasy sports in Utah
Daily fantasy sports (DFS) are legal in Utah, giving residents a way to legally compete for real-money prizes based on player stats, not chance.
1. DraftKings DFS
DraftKings is one of the biggest DFS platforms in the U.S., offering everything from pick’em contests to full-season leagues.
Utah users can join daily contests across major sports, with flexible entry fees and strong prize pools.
The interface is mobile-friendly and regularly updated with new games and promotions.
DraftKings also offers private leagues for friends and groups.
Top features
Daily contests across dozens of sports
Beginner-only contests for new users
Private leagues for custom play
Mobile and desktop access
Fast and secure payouts
Pros and cons
Pros
- ✅ Huge prize pools and variety
- ✅ Trusted national brand
Cons
- ❌ Some contests fill quickly
- ❌ Complex for total beginners
2. FanDuel DFS
FanDuel is known for its smooth design and easy onboarding for new players.
In Utah, it offers real-money contests in football, basketball, baseball, and more.
Users can start with beginner-only contests or jump into paid games right away.
FanDuel also hosts frequent promotions and free plays.
Top features
Easy-to-use mobile app
Free-to-play contests for cash
Daily and season-long options
Beginner contests and tutorials
Strong NFL and NBA coverage
Pros and cons
Pros
- ✅ Friendly for new DFS players
- ✅ Strong mobile interface
Cons
- ❌ Smaller pools than DraftKings
- ❌ Limited customization in some formats
Types of bets in Utah
While traditional sportsbooks aren’t legal in Utah, DFS and social apps offer similar bet types using contests or virtual currency.
Moneyline: Pick who will win the game outright. Odds vary based on the favorite or underdog, just like a standard sportsbook.
Point spread: Bet on the margin of victory. The favorite must win by a set number; the underdog can lose within the spread or win outright.
Over/under: Also called totals, you bet whether the combined score of both teams will go over or under a specific number.
Futures: Make long-term predictions—like who will win the NBA Championship or a division title—before or during a season.
Parlays: Combine multiple picks into one entry for a bigger payout. You must win every pick for the bet to succeed.
Prop bets: Bet on specific player stats or events within a game. DFS pick’em apps often focus on these, like “over 25.5 points” for a player.
Live betting: Place bets during a game in progress. Some social sportsbooks offer this with odds that shift in real-time.
Frequently asked questions
How to bet responsibly in Utah
Even though Utah bans all traditional gambling, people can still face problems through DFS platforms or offshore betting sites.
It's important to watch for warning signs and know where to get help.
If you or someone you know is hiding gambling behavior, chasing losses, or spending money they can’t afford, it may be time to seek support.
Utah offers limited local resources, but national help is always available.
Utah-specific resources:
Utah Department of Health – Offers education and support: hss.utah.gov
Utah Gambling Helpline – Call 1-800-522-4700 for confidential help
Local health departments – Some offer behavioral counseling referrals
National help organizations:
National Council on Problem Gambling – ncpgambling.org
Gamblers Anonymous – gamblersanonymous.org
GamTalk – Online support community: gamtalk.org
Most DFS and social platforms also offer self-exclusion tools, deposit limits, and timeout options.
Use them early; getting help sooner can make a big difference.
Read our expert guide to responsible betting here.
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We adhere to strict ethical standards, maintaining editorial independence and avoiding conflicts of interest, while regularly updating our content to reflect the latest trends and developments.
Our mission is to empower bettors with trustworthy information, backed by rigorous research and a commitment to responsible gambling.
You can trust us to provide clear, concise, and honest advice, helping you make informed betting decisions.
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This process helps ensure that all of our content is as relevant, accurate, and valuable to readers as possible.
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References
Contributors
Bradley Gibbs
Author
With over 12 years of experience, Bradley Gibbs is a seasoned sports betting writer and analyst specializing in uncovering value bets across football, horse racing, tennis, and golf.
His extensive coverage of these sports has been featured on numerous websites and in The Racing & Football Outlook, a renowned UK betting publication.
Bradley's expertise lies in identifying betting edges and delivering insightful, data-driven content for informed wagering.
Josh Miller
Reviewed By
Josh Miller, Sporting Post’s Sports & Casino Editor, brings over five years of experience in feature writing, blogging, and SEO.
With a strong background in football coverage and sports betting, his work has been featured in VAVEL.
Josh also writes extensively about online casinos, providing expert insights into games, bonuses, and gambling trends.
His engaging and informative content makes him a reliable resource for Sporting Post readers.