Does Utah Have a Lottery?
Utah is one of only 5 US states without a state lottery. Here's what you need to know about playing lottery games and paying taxes on winnings as a Utah resident.
Utah does not have a state lottery.
Lottery tickets are not sold anywhere in Utah. You must travel to a neighboring state to purchase Powerball, Mega Millions, or any other lottery tickets.
Why Doesn't Utah Have a Lottery?
Utah has perhaps the strongest anti-lottery stance of any US state, rooted directly in the influence of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), which is headquartered in Salt Lake City and counts roughly 60% of Utah's population as members. The LDS Church explicitly opposes gambling in all forms, viewing it as contrary to principles of self-reliance and responsible stewardship. Utah's state constitution reflects this culture: Article VI, Section 27 prohibits lotteries. Changing this would require a constitutional amendment, which would need approval from two-thirds of the legislature plus a majority in a statewide referendum — an extremely high bar in Utah's political environment. No serious legislative effort to legalize a lottery has gained meaningful traction.
Can You Play Powerball or Mega Millions in Utah?
Utah does not sell Powerball or Mega Millions tickets, and no lottery retailers operate in the state. Utah residents who travel to neighboring states — Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, Nevada, and Arizona all sell Powerball and Mega Millions — can purchase tickets in person. Anecdotally, convenience stores near the Utah border in Idaho and Colorado report noticeably higher lottery sales driven by Utah residents making the trip.
Lottery Tax in Utah
Utah has a flat state income tax rate of 4.85% that applies to all income, including out-of-state lottery winnings. Utah residents who win a lottery prize from a ticket purchased in a neighboring state must report and pay Utah income tax on those winnings. Utah does not have specific lottery tax withholding, but the income must be included on your Utah state tax return.
Federal taxes of 24% are withheld on prizes over $5,000 regardless of which state sold the ticket.
Nearest States Where You Can Buy Lottery Tickets
Utah residents must purchase lottery tickets in person in a neighboring state. Here are the closest options:
Tax Calculator
Estimate your take-home on lottery winnings as a Utah resident
Powerball Results
Latest Powerball winning numbers and jackpot history
Mega Millions Results
Latest Mega Millions winning numbers and jackpot history
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Utah have a lottery?
No, Utah does not have a state lottery. Utah's state constitution explicitly prohibits lotteries, and the LDS Church's strong opposition to gambling makes a constitutional amendment politically unlikely. Utah is one of only five US states without any lottery.
Can I play Powerball in Utah?
Utah does not sell Powerball or Mega Millions tickets. Residents must travel to a neighboring state — Idaho, Colorado, or Arizona are the closest options — to purchase tickets in person.
Do I pay taxes on lottery winnings in Utah?
Yes. Utah residents who win lottery prizes from tickets purchased in other states must report those winnings as income on their Utah state tax return. Utah has a flat 4.85% state income tax rate, and federal taxes of up to 37% also apply.