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Gamblers in the US have three levels of laws to contend with. First, there's Federal law, such as UIGEA, which limit how Americans can do business with gambling websites. Then there's state law, maybe the most contentious legal arena for gamblers, a set of fifty unique rules and regulations based only on what set of borders you're gambling inside. Further down the totem pole, there are county and municipal laws, not as big a problem for bettors as Federal or state, but still a relevant issue in some parts of the country.
Florida is known for its large tourism industry, so it is quite amazing that there are no casinos in this state. Well, actually, there are some casinos – tribal casinos, for technical purposes – but there are no commercial or resort casinos to be found. This led to several US states imposing a blanket ban on gambling. However, things changed for the better when Nevada legalized gambling in 1931. A number of other US states followed Nevada and legalized different forms of gambling. Today, traditional forms of gambling are legal in all US states except Utah and Hawaii, which have banned gambling.
The list of states below represents the ten most oppressive sets of gaming laws in the US. Unlike some of our other lists, this one is in a particular order. It starts with the worst offender, the deeply-conservative and religious state of Utah. The list ends with the seemingly progressive but increasingly anti-gambling state of Wisconsin, moving from the absolute worst set of laws to a set that are almost-tolerable.
1. Utah
Casinos: 0
Social Gambling: Not Legal
DFS Bets: Not Legal
Online Gambling: Not Legal
You can't gamble legally anywhere in Utah - not in the privacy of your home, not at any sort of casino, not even in a game of bingo or a raffle. One of few states with a specific law against Internet betting, Utah has also taken the unique step of opting out of any future federal legalization of gambling. State lawmakers are so paranoid about the prospect of gaming that they've make a pre-emptive strike against some mythical future decision of the federal government. If you live in Utah and want to gamble, you pretty much have to drive 90 minutes to Nevada.
2. Hawaii
Casinos: 0
Social Gambling: Not Legal
DFS Bets: Not Legal
Online Gambling: Not Specified
You don't often hear Utah and Hawaii mentioned in the same breath – one is largely white, Republican, and hyper-religious, and the other is Hawaii. But when it comes to laws against gambling, you can't beat the one-two punch of Utah and the Aloha State. Hawaii hasn't acted yet to outlaw online gambling, but it's only a matter of time. Both voters and lawmakers in the state consistently say in polls (and in votes) that casino gambling would be a blight on the state's natural beauty. Proponents of gambling in the islands say that each casino would bring about $20 million in new revenue each year. Anti-gambling forces point out that Hawaii's tourism industry brings in about $1 billion a year already, so an extra $20 million isn't worth the additional crime, pollution, traffic, and other downsides of the gaming industry. The fight continues – but for now, you just can't gamble in Hawaii without breaking the law.
3. Indiana
Casinos: 1
Social Gambling: Not Legal
DFS Bets: Legal
Online Gambling: Not Legal
There's a casino in French Lick where you can play slots and table games. But if you want to play those games elsewhere in the state, you'll have to head to a riverboat, pay an entry fee, and play (let's face it) inferior games in an inferior setting. Aside from the land-based games in French Lick, Indiana's overly-broad definition of gambling and overly-harsh penalties for the act of illegal gambling (which is a felony on a first offense in most cases) make it a very un-friendly state for people who bet. The state has explicitly outlawed social and private gambling, even if your own home, and while daily fantasy sports betting is protected by state law (when you study US gaming law you get used to hypocrisy), you are technically committing a crime if you play online poker, blackjack, slots, or any other gambling game.
4. Tennessee
Casinos: 0
Social Gambling: Not Legal
DFS Bets: Not Legal
Online Gambling: Not Specified
Which States Do Not Have Casinos
Tennessee makes the list because it's never really renovated the harsh gaming laws that every US state put in practice in the 19th and early 20th centuries. While other states that were once dead-set against casino gambling have gone on to host massively-profitable gambling industries (we're looking at you, New Jersey and Pennsylvania), Tennessee lawmakers never moved to regulate or allow any form of gambling. The only bit of leniency implied by state law is its failure to address online gambling in general, though Tennessee's AG did wake up long enough to band daily fantasy sports bets. Most Tennessee citizens do their gambling in Mississippi. Wouldn't it be nice to keep that money in the state coffers in Nashville?
5. Alaska
Casinos: 0
Social Gambling: Not Legal
DFS Bets: Not Specified
Online Gambling: Not Specified
Literally the only way for an Alaskan to play a traditional casino game, slot machine, or video poker machine is to drive into Canada or get on a plane and land in some other US state. You could argue that the state's lack of desire to outlaw DFS or online gambling is a de facto legalization of those activities, but in a state where a second gambling offense is a felony, do you really want to test the court with that defense?
6. New Hampshire
Casinos: 0
Social Gambling: Not Legal
DFS Bets: Not Specified
Online Gambling: Not Legal
The New Hampshire House and Senate have been at war for about a decade over the issue of casino legalization. The House has presented two legitimate bills to the Senate for their approval – one would have allowed the construction of two casinos in the state, the other proposed just one commercial gaming property. The Senate couldn't stomach either bill. The state has already outlawed online gambling, and is moving to make DFS bets illegal as well. Don't place wagers on a private poker game or March Madness pool in the state – you're breaking the law and eligible for a surprisingly-tough misdemeanor charge. The only saving grace for gamblers in New Hampshire is that they're close to regulated gambling options in Massachusetts and New York.
7. Georgia
Casinos: 1 (casino cruise ship)
Social Gambling: Not Legal
DFS Bets: Not Legal
Online Gambling: Not Specified
Georgia's gaming law is the epitome of the Deep South's attitude towards most vice – they don't like it, they don't want you to like it, and they don't plan on doing much about it. The state's one legitimate gambling option is a small 'casino cruise' with a few table games, gaming machines, and a tiny sportsbook and bar. Georgia lawmakers appear poised to outlaw all forms of online gambling, as they've recently moved to make daily fantasy sports wagers illegal under the state's broad definition of gambling.
8. Texas
Casinos: 1 (tribal)
Social Gambling: Legal
DFS Bets: Not Legal
Online Gambling: Not Legal
The fact that the massive and densely-populated state of Texas has just one rinky-dink tribal casino to its credit is a crime. Sure, citizens can play most games in the privacy of their home, and the existence of 'game rooms' featuring slots and electronic versions of table games is well-documented, but now that lawmakers have been forced to declare DFS betting illegal, it seems likely that the state also consider all forms of Web-based betting unlawful. One of the reasons Texas makes the list is the sheer unlikeliness of big changes to the state's draconian position on gambling in the near-future.
9. Florida
Casinos: 8
Social Gambling: Not Legal
DFS Bets: Not Legal
Online Gambling: Not Specified
Don't get busted placing a wager on a DFS game or playing a private poker game – a first offense is a tough misdemeanor, and a second offense is a felony. We think it's just a matter of time before Florida law is altered to include a provision against Web-based gambling, to protect the state's limited tribal gaming industry.
10. Wisconsin
Casinos: 24 (tribal)
Social Gambling: Not Legal
DFS Bets: Not Specified
Online Gambling: Not Specified
How does a state with two-dozen casinos earn a spot on this list? State lawmakers are constantly acting to outlaw new forms of gambling – that means in recent years Wisconsin citizens have lost the right to gamble in their private homes or businesses, and lawmakers have even specifically outlawed online gambling. Now they're working overtime to ban daily fantasy sports betting. Yes, tribal gaming options in the state are adequate, but lawmakers are consistently moving in the direction of prohibition. Soon, the only way to place any sort of bet in the state will be in a venue where the state can earn their tax share.
- Utah has no forms of regulated gambling
- $0
- $0
- Gambling is illegal for all ages
- Utah’s indoor smoking ban covers everything except hotel rooms.
- All forms are specifically illegal under state law
Utah gambling is nonresistant, as it is one of only two states in the country without any forms of gambling. There is no state lottery. Charities cannot even hold bingo games or raffles. Indian tribes in Utah are not able to offer any forms of gambling because none are legal at the state level and no governor has agreed to create a gaming compact.
There are, however, plenty of establishments that will hold events called “casino parties”. These are establishments that provide all of the games found in a casino, but without any real money being wagered. Everything used is for fun and free, like playing poker or blackjack on social gaming sites. You can find some top Utah casino party establishments below.
Utah Casinos Map & Guide to Party Establishments
- None
- 0
- 0
- 0
Types of Utah Online Gambling
There are no forms of legalized online casino gambling in Utah. State law clearly forbids any of it. No sites operating in Utah have a license. This includes poker, casino, daily fantasy sports, and sports betting websites. Daily fantasy sports sites like DraftKings and FanDuel claim to be skill games and not covered by this law. Utah officials have yet to act on this position.
Types of Live Utah Gambling
There are no forms of live gambling, making it hard to find any Utah casinos. Residents must go to Wyoming for horse racing and lotteries. Nevada offers casino and sports betting action. Even though there are plenty of tribes that reside within the sate, there are no Indian casinos in Utah.
Utah Gambling Laws
Utah does not permit any forms of gambling under state law. The Utah Constitution states that the,
Are There Any States Without Casinos
“Legislature shall not authorize any game of chance, lottery or gift enterprise under any pretense or for any purpose.”
Gambling is defined as anything where a player puts up something of value with the understanding of an outcome that wins if the game is determined by an element of chance.
First offenders of gambling crimes are guilty of a misdemeanor. Repeat offenders may face felony charges.
Utah online gambling is illegal in all forms. It is one of the few states that codified this into law. This includes poker, casino games, and sports betting. It is a misdemeanor to play at any unlicensed gambling site.
Where to Gamble in Utah
There are no casinos in Utah and gambling is nonexistent and cannot be found anywhere, at least not legally. People looking for a casino in southern Utah can drive to Mesquite in Nevada near the state line. Las Vegas is about one hour further. Salt Lake City residents can drive east to Evanston, Wyoming for horse racing and lottery tickets. There are a few Indian casinos north of Salt Lake City in Wyoming. There are full-service casinos about two hours west of Salt Lake City in West Wendover, Nevada.
Utah Gambling History
Utah is a very conservative state that is home to the largest Mormon population in the country. A majority of residents are opposed to gambling. There have been no serious attempts to legalize gambling in the state at any level, including giving licenses for casinos in Utah.
In March 2012, the state went a step further than its ban on all gambling. It made playing online poker, casino games and sports betting a crime. It is a misdemeanor to play at any gambling site on the Internet. This caused a few offshore sites to leave the market.
List Of States Without Casinos
Utah did this in response to efforts in Congress to legalize online poker. One bill would have opted states in automatically instead of legislating the activity. This would have required states to specifically opt out of the games. Utah lawmakers wanted to make sure that their residents could never legally bet over the Internet.
Utah Casinos & Gambling FAQ
Is it legal to gamble in Utah?
No. There are no forms of gambling and casinos in Utah. It is one of just two states without any forms of gambling. Hawaii is the other.
The closest casinos to Salt Lake City are in West Wendover, Nevada. It is about two hours away.
Mesquite, Nevada is the city with the closest casinos to St. George. It is about one hour away.
Evanston, Wyoming is the home to Wyoming Downs, the closest track to most Utah residents.
Where is the closest state to buy Powerball and Mega Millions lottery tickets for Utah residents?
Residents in the north part of Utah can go to Wyoming or Idaho for lottery tickets. Southern Utahans can go to Colorado or Arizona. Nevada does not have a lottery.
States With No Casinos
Is it illegal to play online poker or casino games in Utah?
States Without Indian Casinos
Has anyone ever been convicted of online gambling in Utah?
States Without Casinos
No. There have been no charges filed for violating that law.
How Many States Don't Have Casinos
Daily fantasy sports sites are not specifically legal in Utah. The sites claim to be skill contests. The Utah attorney general and lawmakers have made no decision on the matter.
Are there any states where all gambling is illegal?
Yes. Utah and Hawaii have no forms of legalized gambling.