Utah Bill Would Make Prop Bets Illegal

A new bill has been introduced in the Utah state legislature. Its stated goal is to clarify the definition of gambling.

Wait, you say. Aren’t all forms of gambling currently illegal in Utah?

You are correct. Gambling is illegal across the state, including sports betting.

So why is this bill necessary?

Well, there’s a new player in town, operating in a grey area between trading and gambling. That would be prediction markets, and those operations have their sights set on Utah. 

That’s why State Representative Joseph Elison has introduced House Bill 243. Elison introduced his bill to the state legislature on January 14.

The bill reads that “this bill clarifies the definition of gambling.” The objectives of the bill are to define a term, clarify that a proposition bet falls within the definition of gambling, and make technical and conforming changes. The bill would amend the state criminal code to make all prop bets involving athletic contests illegal.

Elison is concerned about changes in the sports betting world

A Republican who represents Washington County, Elison is putting forth his bill because he’s concerned by the way the sports betting landscape is changing. He sees those changes offering the potential to create loopholes through which some betting sites could offer their services to people in Utah, thereby skirting the state’s anti-gambling laws.

“Sports are morphing,” Elison told News 4 Utah. “I think sports betting has been a major factor for a long, long time in sports.”

It’s these new sports prediction markets that are of most concern to Utah lawmakers.

“One of the radio stations… mentioned that some of these companies were kind of skirting our laws and allowing betting to go on in the state of Utah,” Elison said.

“Kalshi is what they call a prediction markets platform. The company is regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, a federal agency, making it legal to use in Utah.”

Elison believes, like many opponents of prediction markets, that these sites are nothing more than sportsbooks in disguise. And much of what they are offering is basically the same as a sports betting prop wager.

“Do I think that a lot of what they do looks, acts, and appears to be sports betting? Yeah, it does,” Elison said, “There’s really nothing we can do on a state level to curb what they are doing.”

By changing the Utah law to clarify what constitutes a prop bet and confirming that those types of bets are definitely against the law in the state, Elison is hopeful that it may give the prediction market sites pause before they make a decision to enter the Utah market.

If it doesn’t stop them, he’s hoping the clarification in the state’s gambling law would give the Utah Attorney-General’s office the required ammunition to fight against the prediction market sites.

“If they don’t stop, then the AG’s office can send them a letter of cease and desist,” Elison said.

If passed into law, HB 243 would go into effect on May 6, 2026.

Award

BetMGM Promo

Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win

Get bonus now

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (Available in the US) Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) Call 1-800-327-5050 (MA) 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). Rewards are non-withdrawable bonus bets that expire in 7 days. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. See BetMGM.com for Terms. US promotional offers not available in DC, Mississippi, New York, Nevada, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.

Award

Fanatics Promo

Bet $50, Get $300 in FanCash

Get bonus now

Must be 21+. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-522-4700, Home (MD), (800)-327-5050 or MA Gambling Helpline (MA), Call (877)8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), or Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), (888) 789-7777 or CONNECTICUT COUNCIL – ON PROBLEM GAMBLING (CT), or 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), If gambling is more than a game, free help is available . . . – NCDHHS Problem Gambling (NC). New customers in AZ, CO, CT, DC, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MO, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, VT, WV, or WY. Must opt-in and wager $10+ cash on any market with odds of -500 or longer to receive $100 in FanCash each day for your first 3 days (issued when qualifying wager settles). Your 3 days begin the day you establish your account. FanCash rewards expire at 11:59 p.m. ET 7 days from issuance. Terms, including FanCash terms, apply – see Fanatics Sportsbook app.

Award

Bet365 Promo

Bet $5 & Get $150 in Bonus Bets Win or Lose

Get bonus now

Whatever the moment. It’s Never Ordinary at bet365. That’s why if you sign up now you will receive $150 in Bonus Bets Win or Lose when you bet $5! Minimum $10 deposit required. Minimum odds -500 or greater. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. New customers only. T&CS, time limits and exclusions apply.GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL OR TEXT 1-800-GAMBLER (AZ/CO/IL/IN/KS/KY/LA/MD/NC/NJ/OH/PA/TN/VA) or 1-800-BETS OFF (IA). 21+ (18+ KY). Must be present in AZ/CO/IA/IL/IN/KS/KY/LA (select parishes)/MD/NC/NJ/OH/PA/TN/VA.

Award

FanDuel Promo

Bet & Get up to $1,000 in Bonus Bets!

Get bonus now

Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit RG-help.com. Call 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT). Hope is here. Visit www.helpmygamblingproblem.org (MA). Play it Safe. Call 1-800-547-6133 or visit mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). Call 1-855-860-2942 or visit gamblinghelplineonline.org (WV). 21+ (18+ DC, KY, MD and restricted states for KS). An affiliation with Kansas Star Casino. First online real money wager only. $5 free deposit credited. Bonus credited upon wager of $5 or more within 72 days after receipt. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com.