For so long, the idea of Utah sports betting has been an absolute non-starter. The state won’t talk about it, debate it, introduce legal gambling initiatives or anything of the sort. The future sports betting in Utah isn’t considered murky; it’s painted as an impossibility.
This has been the state’s stance ever since the United States Supreme Court overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act back in 2018. Even today, just a few months out from the start of 2024, the sentiment throughout the region hasn’t really shifted.
This has, in turn, left many wondering what’ll take for Utah to consider the legalization of sports betting. The answer isn’t quite clear. But a couple of years ago, something happened that has people thinking there may be hope for an overhaul of the state’s gaming laws. That something? Ryan Smith, a billionaire who co-founded Qualtrics, purchasing a majority stake in the NBA’s Utah Jazz franchise.
Though Smith has not come right out and called for the legalization of Utah sports betting, his actions since taking over the franchise are decidedly contemporary—liberal, even. And given how much influence professional sports franchises have over state policies, Smith may actually be the key to bringing sports gambling into The Beehive State.
Ryan Smith is Pushing for Utah to Add Another Professional Sports Franchise
Tying an NBA owner to the future of sports betting is hardly novel. While NFL betting and college football betting reign supreme in the United States, betting on the NBA is still among the country’s biggest revenue drivers. The league’s focus on promoting stars just as much as teams, specifically, has helped the basketball prop betting market explode in recent years.
Meanwhile, many organizations throughout the league have struck up partnership agreements with online sportsbooks in the United States. Even the NBA commissioner, Adam Silver, has openly admitted that the future of the Association will to some extent be intertwined with sports betting operations.
Still, this means only so much in certain markets. And that includes Utah. The Jazz and Real Salt Lake of Major League Soccer—which is also co-owned by Ryan Smith—are the only pro sports organizations in the state. Utah is home to a couple of premiere college football and college basketball programs, but those alone often aren’t enough to incite meaningful sports gambling discussions among policymakers. Growing the Utah pro sports market is a different story. If the state ever added another team (or two), the conversation surrounding legal sports gambling would be forced to change.
As it just so happens, now that Ryan Smith is entrenched as the controlling owner of the Jazz, he may be shifting his focus towards bringing an NHL team to The Beehive State. Here’s what he had to say during an appearance on 32 Thoughts: The Podcast (via SportsPro Media’ Josh Sim):
“I’ve got a pretty good read on where fans are with social media, obviously, because I get blown up all the time, like ‘Bring hockey, bring hockey,’ like ‘We want it, we want it, I’m buying season tickets’,” said Smith. He also cited his desire to cultivate a younger fanbase for the sport in Utah, mentioning the possibility of developing a similar program to Junior Jazz, a local youth basketball operation run by the NBA’s Jazz. Asked on whether he’d prefer to establish an expansion team or move another existing franchise to Utah, Smith said: “Look, with the existing team and relocation, I think my message has been consistent to [NHL commissioner Gary Bettman] and [deputy commissioner Bill Daly] is like, ‘Look, we’re a partner, we’re a willing partner, we’re here. We’re ready. Like, we’re here to help however we can be helpful’.”
We should not take these statements lightly. The NHL has only explored expansion since adding the Seattle Kraken on a cursory basis. But market ambassadors such as Smith are seldom so definitive with their commitment. It sounds like he’s just waiting for an opportunity to bid. If and when that comes, it could change everything for Utah. A third pro sports franchise would go a long way toward reinventing the way legal sports betting in Utah is currently discussed.
Even After Adding an NHL Team, Utah Sports Betting Would Remain an Uphill Battle
It’s important that none of us get too far ahead of ourselves. Utah isn’t in line to add an NHL team for at least another couple of years. That means the wait for sports betting will persist through the next two general elections, in 2024 and 2026. Realistically, the earliest we might see Utah consider sports betting is 2028—or later.
If you’re turned off by the timeline, you’ll want to avert your eyes from what we have to say next: The addition of an NHL franchise does not guarantee Utah sports betting gets the green light.
There is a reason The Beehive State has avoided the industry altogether. Utah is a predominantly Mormon State, which means the vast majority of the population skews toward ultra-conservative politics and moral interpretations. Sports betting, as many already now, is considered a moral gray area at best among plenty of religious groups. Utah is so against the idea of gambling, period, that they are one of five states currently without a lottery. Officials would need to start talking about changing that before even getting to the sports betting industry.
To be sure, the matter isn’t hopeless. “Never say never” is both a cliche and entirely accurate. We have seen historically conservative groups begin changing their views on sports betting—such as born-again Christians in the Texas market.
Might we see the same happen in Utah? It’s not our place to say. But if Ryan Smith is able to pair his NBA and MLS teams with an NHL organization, the outlook of Utah sports betting would certainly improve.
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