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.
4.8
/ 5
betting.net™ Rating
BetMGM Review
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
20+ sports available for wagering
Pre-match and in-play betting
Unique features like live streaming and boosted odds
Promo Code:
BETBONUSMGM
Bet Now
Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET (Available in the US) 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. See BetMGM.com for Terms. First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. Promotional offers not available in Mississippi, New York, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.
4.8
/ 5
betting.net™ Rating
Top Features
- 20+ sports available for wagering
- Pre-match and in-play betting
- Unique features like live streaming and boosted odds
Cashout
yes
Live Streams
yes
Mobile Statistics
yes
Bet Now
Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET (Available in the US) 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. See BetMGM.com for Terms. First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. Promotional offers not available in Mississippi, New York, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.
4.7
/ 5
betting.net™ Rating
Over 20 sports
Extensive betting markets
Live betting feature
Bet Now
Find out more on bet365's website
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 1-800-MY-RESET. 21+ (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.
4.7
/ 5
betting.net™ Rating
Top Features
- Over 20 sports
- Extensive betting markets
- Live betting feature
Cashout
yes
Partial Cashout
yes
Live Streams
yes
Bet 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 1-800-MY-RESET. 21+ (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.
4.7
/ 5
betting.net™ Rating
FanDuel Review
New Users – Bet $5 Get $200 in Bet Reset Tokens for 5 Days
Deep market coverage across major U.S. sports and leagues
Same Game Parlay builder is fast and easy to use
Live betting interface updates quickly with real-time odds
Bet Now
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET. Call 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT). Hope is here. GamblingHelplineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). Call 1-877-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 21+ (18+ DC, IA, KY, WV) only. New users only or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Casino, First online real money wager only. $5 first deposit required. Min $5 wager required for 5 consecutive days. Bonus issued as non-withdrawable Bet Reset tokens. Refund from token issued as nonwithdrawable bonus bet that expire 7 days after receipt. Max refund $200 per day. Restrictions apply, including token expiration. See full terms at fanduel.com/sportsbook. Call 1-877-770-7867 (LA).
4.7
/ 5
betting.net™ Rating
Top Features
- Deep market coverage across major U.S. sports and leagues
- Same Game Parlay builder is fast and easy to use
- Live betting interface updates quickly with real-time odds
Cashout
yes
Live Streams
yes
Mobile Statistics
yes
Bet Now
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET. Call 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT). Hope is here. GamblingHelplineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). Call 1-877-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 21+ (18+ DC, IA, KY, WV) only. New users only or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Casino, First online real money wager only. $5 first deposit required. Min $5 wager required for 5 consecutive days. Bonus issued as non-withdrawable Bet Reset tokens. Refund from token issued as nonwithdrawable bonus bet that expire 7 days after receipt. Max refund $200 per day. Restrictions apply, including token expiration. See full terms at fanduel.com/sportsbook. Call 1-877-770-7867 (LA).
Related Articles on betting.net™
+9
