Governor makes it official – no online gambling in Utah

The Sandstrom bill, introduced to the state legislature earlier this year by Rep. Stephen Sandstrom and aimed at preventing any acceptance of legalised online gambling in the state, has been signed into law this week by Governor Gary Herbert.

Sandstrom’s move effectively preempts any attempt at legalising online gambling in the state, compelling legislators to opt out of even federal legalisation, should this take place.

More to the point from an online player perspective are the provisions in the bill which make online gambling a criminal offence by the player, a tough approach which previously only the state of Washington has put on the books.

Whilst not going as far as the Washington Class C felony categorisation of this “crime”, the Utah measure makes online gambling a Class B offence equivalent to drunk driving, shoplifting or carrying a concealed weapon, and imposes punitive consequences of up to six months in jail or $1,000 fines.

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