Utah residents might be wondering whether there are any legal gambling options out there. The laws that surround online gambling are somewhat murky. This has caused many non-professionals to misread the language, and spread rumors about the legality of online wagering. Don’t believe the conjecture, which is mostly incorrect.
Stay here on LegalUtahGambling.com and the facts embedded within the complicated legalese will be presented to readers in plain English. Read all the way down this guide for a quick review of one of the best online gambling sites in the world, and learn how Utah players can get in on the action. There is a wide world of gambling fun out there, and there has never been a better time to join in!
The federal laws surrounding sports betting are a little more complicated that the poker and casino regulations. Instead of leaving it up to individual states to decide whether to allow sports betting, the federal government has put a nationwide ban on it. The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) of 1992 found sports betting to be a “national problem”. This effectively banned sports betting venues from operating in every state except for Delaware, Montana, Nevada, and Oregon. If you are in any other state in the nations, including Utah, you will not find a legal sports betting establishment. This has spurned the proliferation of illegal bookies in many US cities. We suggest staying away from these underground sports betting rackets, they are busted frequently, and your money will not be safe.
Utah, as well as almost every other state, does not have any laws regarding sports betting. This is because the PASPA banned it almost everywhere. There is no need for legal sections regarding something that is already outlawed. You will not find a legal sports betting establishment in Utah, but one state over, in Nevada, lie some of the only legal sportsbooks in the nation. If you feel like driving out of state, you can get in on some great sports betting in one of the only places that allow it.
The Internet is where the sportsbook revolution is taking place. These overseas sites offer the fastest lines on all your favorite sports, and more wagering options than the land based counterparts. Millions of Americans sports fans frequent these sites every day, and they offer cutting edge sports books.
The federal laws that regulate casino gambling are quite straightforward. The federal government mainly leaves it up to the individual states to decide whether to allow casinos. As of now, most states in the union do not allow land-based casinos. There are many online casinos located overseas that foster large communities of American gambling fans, and these are the best options for most people. The federal law that directly influences casino gambling is the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) of 2006, which outlaws the operation of online casinos in the US. This is why the legal sites all operate outside of America.
Utah has some of the harshest gambling laws in the nation. As of now, the “Legislature shall not authorize any game of chance, lottery or gift enterprise under any pretense or for any purpose.” Utah considers gambling a sin, so you will not find any casino gaming options in the state. There are no land-based casinos, gambling halls, or otherwise in the state. Nevada is only one state away, so if you feel like making a drive, world-class casinos are not very far.
The online gambling world is a whole other beast. The gaming laws in Utah do not regulate online casinos, but that doesn't mean you will go to jail for playing online slots, blackjack, or whatever your favorite game might be. In fact, there has never been a conviction for playing online casino games in the state of Utah, and that's why it is safe to say that Utah residents will not encounter any issues, legal or otherwise, when using reputable online casinos like those found on this website.
The federal policy for poker is similar to the policy for casinos. The federal legislature leaves it up to the state to decide whether to offer regular poker. In the early 2000’s online poker rooms were all the rage, but the UIGEA effectively shut them all down. There are no online poker sites in America, but there are many overseas sites that offer world-class poker action. The federal laws do not have any effect on the many overseas sites.
The State of Utah does not allow permit any land-based gambling activities, so it's safe to say that there are not going to be any legal poker venues. Beyond playing with friends at home, it is best to stay away from land-based poker rackets. Many unlawful elements are involved with the underground poker rooms that seem to pop up in every city in the nation. These rooms get busted frequently, and your money will not be safe. It is best to look elsewhere when searching for real money poker action.
Many online poker rooms located overseas cater to poker fans located in Utah. These sites operate out of places like Canada and the Republic of Panama, where running an online poker site is legal. Millions of US residents use these sites every day, and Utah players should not have a problem on any of these sites. You can play for any amount, from $0.05 games, to no-limit tables and tournaments. These sites offer more options than any land-based counterparts, and are always teeming with poker fans just like you.
When looking for an online gambling site you want to keep a few things in mind. Check the numerous online gambling forums to see what members have to say about the various sites. Usually the ones that garner unanimous praise are the best. We have done much of this work for you, and uncovered the best gambling sites in the business right now.
Bovada.lv is by far the best gambling website in the world. This site has been serving up innovative gambling options for over two decades. Operating out of Quebec, Canada, Bovada is the place the pros play when they are not throwing dice in the land-based casinos. Offering a gigantic sportsbook, over 150 authentic virtual casino games, and every popular variant of poker, this site has it all. They operate on state-of-the-art gaming technology, and use the most up to date security protocols to ensure your money and information is safe. Bovada is unanimous considered the best online gambling site in operation, and has garnered acclaim from US media giants like USA Today and CBS Sports.
One of the best reasons to sign up at Bovada is to be able to claim their unique bonuses which are only offered on the web. Land-based casinos will not offer Welcome Bonuses in the ballpark of 100% your initial deposit. You won’t need to spend money on overpriced drinks to enjoy yourself at Bovada, and they will literally pay you to play some games. One of the bonuses for online poker earns points for players every time they play a hand, which then converts into bonus cash. The virtual casino will pay you extra for consecutive winning rolls, and the sportsbook offers unprecedented amounts of bonus opportunities.