Bingo Halls in Utah

Utah is one of only two states in the United States — along with Hawaii — that prohibits all forms of gambling, including bingo. Article VI, Section 27 of the Utah State Constitution expressly forbids lotteries and any form of gambling. There are no bingo halls, no state lottery, no casinos, no tribal gaming, and no charitable gaming exemptions in Utah. This blanket prohibition reflects the cultural influence of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which has a significant presence in the state and opposes gambling in all forms. Despite the legal prohibition, some Utah community organizations host bingo-style events where prizes are nominal or non-monetary. These events are structured as social activities rather than gaming and are generally tolerated as long as they do not involve significant monetary prizes. Senior centers, community recreation programs, and family events occasionally feature bingo as entertainment with token prizes. Salt Lake City and other Utah population centers like Provo, Ogden, and St. George do not have any form of regulated bingo operations. Utah residents who wish to play bingo in a traditional hall setting typically travel to neighboring states, particularly Nevada, where Las Vegas and Mesquite are accessible from southern Utah. Utah's anti-gambling stance is among the most comprehensive in the nation and shows no signs of changing in the near future. Legislative efforts to introduce any form of gaming have consistently failed in the Utah State Legislature. The neighboring state of Nevada has benefited from Utah's prohibition, as the short drive from St. George to Mesquite or from Salt Lake City to Wendover brings Utah residents to casinos and bingo halls just across the state line. For potential visitors and residents, it is important to understand that no form of bingo for monetary prizes is legal in Utah. The state's unique position as a gambling-free zone is a reflection of its cultural values and constitutional framework, making it an outlier in the American bingo landscape.