Legal Sports Betting For Utah Residents
Sports gambling in Utah is one of the more debated forms of gambling in the state. While land-based sports gambling only takes place in a select few states, the Internet has opened up a near limitless number of possibilities for legal sports betting. Those who wish to participate will find that there is nothing that can get in the way of enjoying the lines, and the options have not been specifically banned in the state. If you decide to gamble on sports on the Internet, there are a few legalities that you should first be aware of. While sports enthusiasts use offshore online sportsbooks every day, understanding Utah sports betting laws and the current sports gambling market is also important.
Utah lawmakers don’t seem to be in a hurry to bring land-based sportsbooks, but they are also not in a hurry to penalize citizens for using online offshore sports wagering websites. We will walk you through the options for legal sports betting for Utah residents. These options will provide a safe way for you to bet on the Utah Jazz or even colligate sports teams in the state. They will also save you a trip to Nevada, which has traditionally been the way Utah sports fans have been able to physically cash in on all the biggest matchups throughout the year.
Can We Now Legally Bet On Sports In Utah?
Even with PASPA being overturned, Utah is still not a sports betting-friendly state. The legislature is unlikely to legalize sports betting, even though there are no longer federal prohibitions. Online sports betting is risky in Utah, but the same online sportsbooks that have been in the market for decades are still accepting USA sports bettors. With the federal ban on sports betting lifted, Utah does have the option to one day license their own sportsbooks and legal Utah sports betting sites. Until then, those who wager online can keep visiting BetOnline, Bovada, and other trustworthy sports betting sites for Utah residents.
According to the law, online sports betting is not legal in Utah. UT H.B. 108 states that all forms of internet gambling are illegal in the state, for those placing and receiving wagers. We wanted to provide the statute with full transparency, leaving the choice to use offshore online sportsbooks up to residents. There are still plenty of online sportsbooks that accept American wagers, though, in some parts of Utah, tribal gaming and other land-based casino play are just a short drive away. The convenience and lack of overhead expense associated with online casino and sports gambling make these sites a popular choice to Utahans who don’t want to take a road trip just to play slot machines or bet on the Super Bowl.
Sports Betting Laws in Utah
Simply put, there are no laws addressing legal sports betting in the state of Utah. Federal law supersedes state law, but the federal government isn’t interested in arresting the individual sports gambler, they are mainly focused on the hosts of illegal sports betting websites. That being said, the state has outlawed gambling, with UT ST 76-10-1101 offering a detailed definition of the activity.
In the Life Elevated State, not one single arrest has ever been made for online casino gambling. It doesn’t hurt that the Utah penal code makes no mention of Internet casino gambling or sports betting whatsoever. Utah is not one of the eight states in America where online gambling is explicitly illegal, and the Department of Justice recently clarified the 1961 Federal Wire Act to say that federal forces are interested in prosecuting online casino website operators, not individual gamblers.
Bovada is one of the primary sportsbooks accepting residents of the United States. Bovada has long proven to be one of the most generous betting sites around, as they offer a solid bonus, some of the most favorable odds, and easy deposits. When you join Bovada you will first be able to collect a 100% to $250 match bonus. This will start you off with some extra money to take to the lines. Deposits are easy enough with Bitcoin, VISA and wire transfers. Bovada provides their users with some of the most impressive betting odds, including those straight, exotic and prop bets on all major sports and many minor events. Bovada's betting lines are some of the most favorable, paying winners very well even on the favored lines.
BetOnline gives players a number of options for betting, placing a heavy focus on sports rather than entertainment or political bets. If you choose BetOnline as your sportsbook, you will be entitled to participate in some of the finer lines on the market. BetOnline boasts some of the more favorable odds on all of their sports, be it the MLB, the NHL, and especially the NFL. All of the options through BetOnline provide players with a way to win easy money, and this makes them one of the more enjoyable options around. No other betting site is as generous as BetOnline, and it starts with a 50% match to $1,000. BetOnline's options for depositing include VISA, Bitcoin, prepaid cards, bank wires and similar options. Withdrawals come easy, deposits are instant, and all of the transactions through BetOnline are totally secure through a cashier that provides players with one of the safest possible legal sports betting sites for Utah players.
The Utah Jazz is the hometown team here in Utah and for the most part, they are a team that put up big numbers that can win players a lot of money. The best online sportsbook for players to sign up for to bet on the Utah Jazz is MyBookie. Here is where players will find no on their hometown Utah Jazz games but other games as well. Also, there is plenty of bonuses that are on here as well. Keep in mind that 18-year-olds and older are allowed to sign up for an account here so hurry while you can!
There are so many games here on Sportsbetting for Utah players to bet on that there is no reason for them to not win some amount of money! The Utah team games are here and so are the many banking method options as well. Sportsbetting makes sure to make it very easy for a player to want to sign up and bring other players to sign up for an account as well. The thing that comes with this sportsbook is the bonuses as well which shows appreciation to the players that sign up. The only thing that is required is that players are 18 and older when they want to sign up for an account. Only taking a few minutes to sign up, having a Sportbetting account is a decision that will pay off for a long time!
There are two laws that specifically mention sports betting in the United States and they are both important to understand when betting on sports in Utah. The Wire Act was passed in 1961 (before the internet) and does not apply to those who gamble on sports online. The law only targets those in the gambling business that attempt to operate unregulated sites from the U.S. The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 (UIGEA) is another federal law that does not actually ban sports betting in the U.S. Instead, it serves as a banking provision for U.S. financial institutions. Neither of these laws addresses the overall legality of sports betting in Utah. Only the state government can address legal matters.
Even though Utah has very restrictive gambling laws in their state, they still have a legal gambling age set at 21 years old. The sites we have provided on this page all only require their players to be 18 but even with that being the case, Utah players should stick with the state laws. Just avoid any potential trouble so you can fully enjoy your legal Utah sports betting experience.
Mobile betting is the future of the sports gambling industry as it provides the next level of convenience that is unmatched elsewhere. The top legal Utah sportsbooks all offer either an app or a mobile version of their site. They are compatible with just about all smartphones and tablets, including all iOS and Android products.
How can I Find a Utah-Friendly Online Book?
Any sportsbook that accepts wagers from American players is happy to do business with people who live in Utah. Some of the top Utah-friendly sportsbooks are BetOnline, Bovada, and 5Dimes.
Why Should a Citizen of Utah Choose Online Sports Betting?
Residents should turn to online sportsbooks because there are no land-based options for legal sports betting in Utah. Of course, residents can visit neighboring Nevada sportsbooks but this is not at all convenient. Furthermore, the wagering menu at an online sportsbook is more expansive than what you would find in Vegas. Offshore sports betting sites provide odds on popular markets as well as smaller markets like rugby, entertainment, and politics. There are numerous reasons why Utah residents should choose online sports betting.
What Teams Can I Bet On In Utah?
Utah is home to just one professional team in the Utah Jazz of the NBA but they have a couple of successful collegiate teams to bet on as well. The Utah Utes, the Utah State Aggies, and the BYU Cougars are available to bet on at all of the top legal Utah sports betting sites.
Is There Live Betting At Legal Utah Betting Sites?
Live betting is offered at all of the top sportsbooks that we reviewed. Live betting allows players to bet on sporting events after they have already begun.
What Is The Vig?
Vig stands for vigorish and is the cut that the sportsbook gets when you place your bets. Each site has their own percentage that they take when you are wagering. Vig is also called the “juice”.