Utah Sports Betting Guide 2024
When will you be able to bet on sports online in Utah? Due to its strong Mormon heritage, Utah is one of the states in the US with a strict ban on gambling and sports betting.
But does it mean all doors to legal sports wagering opportunities are shut in the Beehive State? Find out in this comprehensive Utah sports betting guide.
On this page, you will learn about the legal landscape of sports betting in Utah and the best alternative options for having a sports wagering experience in the jurisdiction. Let’s go!
🔑 Key Takeaways
- Discover if sports betting is legal in Utah.
- Find out legal alternative sports betting platforms in the Beehive State.
Is Online Sports Betting Legal in Utah?
No, sports betting, whether online or at retail locations, is not legal in Utah. With the state’s strong anti-gambling stance institutionalized in its criminal code, the land of the Mormons may never see legalized sports betting.
Chapter 10, Part 11 of Utah’s criminal code, the section that addresses Offenses Against Public Health, Safety, Welfare, and Morals related to gambling, highlights that Utah will opt out of internet gambling even if federal law allows states to do so.
Following the Supreme Court’s repeal of the PASPA Act in 2018, which led to the emergence of US states with legalized sports betting, the Governor of Utah at the time, Gary Herbert, reaffirmed his state’s commitment to prohibiting sports betting. Late Utah Senator Orrin Hatch also drafted national legislation to resist the spread of sports betting over sports integrity concerns.
Our Alternative to Online Sportsbooks in Utah: Sweepstakes Bookmakers
There are two legal options you can consider if you desire to have a sports wagering experience in Utah:
- The first requires you to travel to neighboring legal sports betting states like Nevada or Colorado.
- Access the second option from the comfort of your home, with sweepstakes bookmakers.
Sweepstakes sportsbooks allow you to engage in sports betting-style games and contests with the chance to win real cash prizes. Here are the two best social sportsbooks available to Utah residents.
Fliff
Fliff combines the appeal of sports betting with exclusive sweepstakes options like leaderboards, badges, prizes, and other social features. You will be able to participate in a range of sports games and make picks on events in various leagues including the NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB.
The platform uses two virtual currencies: Fliff Coins (FC) and Fliff Cash (FC$). While you can use FC to only enter contests, FC$ can be redeemed for cash at the rate of 1 FC$ to $1.
Fliff’s app is fluid and responsive on mobile devices, and every time you log in and play on the site, you will receive daily login and loyalty rewards.
Rebet
Rebet was launched in February 2024 by students at Dartmouth College. The free-to-play sweepstakes bookmaker boasts unique features, including a large social sportsbook, peer-to-peer contests, and interactive user social feeds.
Users can access official and live data for over 60 professional and college sports. The app’s signature feature, Rebet allows you to duplicate and repost any member’s pick on the platform. Additionally, Rebet comes with a first-of-its-kind peer-to-peer contest feature for members to compete directly against each other, fostering a fun and competitive community.
Rebet also uses two sweeps coins, Rebet Coins and Rebet Cash. Of the two, Rebet cash is the only one you can redeem or withdraw as real money at a rate of 1RC$ to 1 USD.
How to Bet on Sports in Utah?
While traditional sports betting is not legal in Utah, you can partly engage in the activity through alternative methods like social sportsbooks. Below is a step-by-step guide on how you can register and start playing on sweepstakes sportsbooks in Utah.
- Choose a reputable sweepstakes sportsbook: Select between Fliff or Rebet, or you can choose to sign up for the two. Visit their sites to download their apps, then create an account.
- Claim your Free Bonus: The sweepstakes will offer you a no-deposit reward in the form of sweeps coins for registering on their platforms. After claiming the coins, you can purchase a coin package on the platform to benefit from additional welcome bonuses.
- Explore Available Contests: Browse through your chosen platform’s contest offerings. Once you find one that suits you, use your coins to enter the contest and start predicting game outcomes.
- Redeem your Cash Prizes: Once you have won cash prizes like Fliff Cash or Rebet Cash and reached the minimum withdrawal threshold, you can redeem your cash using supported withdrawal options, such as PayPal, e-wallets, and online banking.
Popular Sports and Teams in Utah Betting Scene
Utah has several professional and collegiate teams that are beloved by locals and followed closely by fans across the state. Here are some of the most popular sports teams in the Beehive State.
| Sports | Team | League | Team Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basketball | Utah Jazz | NBA | The Jazz are the flagship franchise of pro sports in Utah. The well-followed basketball team boasts legends like Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert. |
| Soccer | Real Salt Lake | MLS | RSL is Utah’s second-biggest pro team. Their games at Rio Tinto Stadium usually attract over 19,000 spectators. |
| Rugby | Utah League Warriors | MLR | Founded in 2017, the League Warriors have been a beacon of excitement and pride for rugby fans in the state. |
| Ice Hockey | Utah Grizzlies | ECHL | The Grizzlies are an ECHL affiliate of the Colorado Avalanche. They have some of the most dedicated fans in the state. |
| College Sports Football | University of Utah Utes | NCAA Division 1, Pac-12 Conference | Since Utah does not have an NFL team, The state’s residents have embraced the Utah Utes football program as their de facto pro team. |
| Football | Brigham Young University Cougars | NCAA 1, Big 12 Conference | Since its establishment in 1922, the BYU Cougars football team has won 23 conference championships and one national championship in 1984. |
| Football | Utah State Aggies | NCAA Division 1, Moutain West Conference | The Aggies have one of the best student athletic programs in the US. They are highly followed in northern Utah. |
| Women’s Gymnastics | Utah Red Rocks | NCAA Division 1 | 10x NCAA National Champions, 26x Conference Champions, the Red Rocks have been able to warm their way through the hearts of fans with their highly successful program. |
The Impact of Local Teams on Sports Betting
Call Utah a sports state, and you wouldn’t be wrong. The state houses popular sports teams in the NBA, MLS, and NCAA, which enjoy immense support from locals. However, with the absence of a sports betting market, one cannot fully assess the actual impact of these teams on sports betting in the state.
Utah residents who can visit neighboring states to bet will no doubt have the teams at the forefront of their wagering decisions. Factors like the team’s performance, injuries, and coaching changes will influence their betting choices.
Upcoming Events
Week in and week out, Utah hosts some of the most exciting sports events in the country. With many regular events, there’s always something to look forward to. Find an updated list of upcoming sports events in Utah below.
- The Utah Jazz’s NBA matchups at Vivint Arena
- The Real Salt Lake’s MLS clashes at Rio Tinto Stadium
- The BYU Cougars’ college games
Are There More Gambling Options in Utah?
Utah has no legal gambling option. It is one of the few states in the US with a comprehensive ban on all forms of gambling. These include casino games, poker, charitable gaming, horse racing betting, bingo, and even the lottery.
Maximizing Your Bets
If you are planning to visit any state to participate in legal sports betting, you need to work towards getting the best returns on your bankroll. You can achieve this by maximizing your bets.
Tips and Strategies for Utah Bettors
If you want to know how to get better at sports betting, these tips below will give you the knowledge you desire. They will also help minimize your losses and improve your sports betting experience.
Invest Time in Research
It’s not the quantity of the bets you place that matters, but the quality. Always ensure to invest time in researching the sports markets you are interested in before wagering. Consider factors like:
- Head-to-head matchups
- Player performance
- Odds and line movements
While research is essential, it doesn’t mean that you should spend all your time searching for “sure games.” They simply don’t exist. Instead, focus on relevant information that can affect your match’s outcome.
Have a Budget
Set a realistic and manageable budget for your sports betting activities. This will help you avoid overspending and financial stress. Moreover, stick to your budget even if you are on a winning or losing streak. Similarly, don’t chase your losses, as it can lead to reckless decisions and bigger losses.
You can read more about this topic in our dedicated guide to bankroll management.
Learn the Basics of Sports Betting
When you understand the fundamentals of sports betting, you can make more informed decisions and maximize your winning chances. Know how to read and interpret sports betting odds, how they indicate the probability of an outcome, and why they fluctuate.
Also, familiarize yourself with common betting types and the essential unique features of different sports and leagues.
Compare Lines across Sportsbooks
To get the best value for your bets, you need to understand how to get the best odds, and that calls for shopping around for the most favorable lines and odds across multiple sportsbooks. Remember, even small differences in odds can add up over time. By signing up with different bookmakers, you can also benefit from different sportsbook offers.
Understanding Taxes and Payouts
As a sports bettor, it’s crucial to understand your tax obligations even if you are a Utah resident wagering in another state. The IRS regards gambling winnings, including proceeds from sports betting, as taxable income. Like your regular paycheck, you should be paying taxes on sports betting earnings.
- If your winnings amount to $600 or are at least 300 times your original wager, you will receive Form W-2G from the online sportsbook.
- If you won $5,000 or more, the sportsbook may withhold 24% of your winnings as federal income taxes.
However, regardless of the amounts you win, it’s essential to maintain a record of your wins and losses.
So, Will You Bet from Utah Tonight?
Currently, there are no legal sports betting options or other forms of gambling available in Utah.
If you are looking to place a bet, you may need to cross state lines and use online sportsbooks in other jurisdictions like Nevada, Colorado, or Arizona.
You can also sign up in available sweepstakes sportsbooks like Fliff or Rebet, make sports picks, and participate in sports-style contests. When there is a change in Utah’s sports betting regulations, we will be the first to let you know.
Did you know that the Nevada sports betting market had existed even before the PASPA repeal in 2018? Find out more about sports betting in Nevada in our dedicated guide.