Utah governor signs anti-gambling legislation

First put forth late last year by Republican Stephen Sandstrom, a member of the Nevada House of Representatives, House Bill 108 was earlier overwhelmingly passed by both chambers of the Utah State Legislature and now prohibits residents of the Beehive State from gambling on the Internet using a computer or handheld device as well as providing an opt out of any potential federal legislation that authorises Internet gambling.

The legislation also blocks the possibility of aboriginal casinos opening in Utah and came as a direct response to federal measures currently being considered in Congress that would legalise online gambling in states that do not choose to proactively opt out.

“We want to keep Utah free from the negative impacts of legalised gambling,” said Sandstrom. “Without courageous leadership to block Internet gaming, Utah could see Indian casinos popping up statewide in just a few years.

“Utah is only one of two states that prohibit any form of gambling, Hawaii being the other. Unfortunately, this could change soon because Hawaii is currently considering legalising gaming leaving Utah to fight the principled fight against legalised gambling on its own.”
Utah’s Constitution has outlawed ‘games of chance’ since it became a state in 1896 and House Bill 108 sees it opt out of United States House Resolution 1174, which is currently under review by Congress.