2023 Utah Code
Title 76 - Utah Criminal Code
Chapter 10 - Offenses Against Public Health, Safety, Welfare, and Morals
Part 11 - Gambling
Section 1101 - Definitions.

Universal Citation:
UT Code § 76-10-1101 (2023)
Learn more This media-neutral citation is based on the American Association of Law Libraries Universal Citation Guide and is not necessarily the official citation.
Effective 3/28/2020
76-10-1101. Definitions.
As used in this part:
  • (1)
    • (a) "Amusement device" means a game that:
      • (i) is activated by a coin, token, or other object of consideration or value; and
      • (ii) does not provide the opportunity to:
        • (A) enter into a sweepstakes, lottery, or other gambling event; or
        • (B) receive any form of consideration or value, except an appropriate reward.
    • (b) "Amusement device" includes:
      • (i) a video game;
      • (ii) a driving simulator;
      • (iii) an electronic game;
      • (iv) a claw machine;
      • (v) a bowling game;
      • (vi) a shuffleboard game;
      • (vii) a skee-ball game;
      • (viii) a pool table;
      • (ix) a pinball machine;
      • (x) a target machine; and
      • (xi) a baseball machine.
  • (2) "Amusement facility" means a facility that:
    • (a) is operated primarily for the purpose of providing amusement or entertainment to customers;
    • (b) is located on property that is open to customers for the purpose of providing customers with an opportunity to use an amusement device;
    • (c) receives a substantial amount of the facility's revenue from the operation of amusement devices; and
    • (d) does not provide an opportunity for, or a machine or device that enables, gambling or fringe gambling.
  • (3)
    • (a) "Appropriate reward" means a reward that:
      • (i) an individual receives as a result of the individual's participation in or use of an amusement device; and
      • (ii) provides:
        • (A) full and adequate return for money, a token, or other consideration or value invested into the amusement device;
        • (B) an immediate and unrecorded ability to replay a game featured on an amusement device that is not exchangeable for value;
        • (C) a toy, novelty, or other non-monetary prize with a value of less than $100 as a reward for playing; or
        • (D) tickets or credits that are redeemable for a toy, novelty, or non-monetary prize at an amusement facility, or at any franchise or chain of the amusement facility, where the amusement device is located.
    • (b) "Appropriate reward" does not include money, a gift certificate, a gift card, credit to be used in a retail store, or other form of monetary compensation or reward.
  • (4) "Consumer" means the same as that term is defined in Section 76-10-1230.
  • (5) "Enter or entry" means an act or process by which an individual becomes eligible to receive a prize offered for participation in any form of sweepstakes, game, or contest.
  • (6)
    • (a) "Fringe gambling" means any de facto form of gambling, lottery, fringe gaming device, or video gaming device that is given, conducted, or offered for use or sale by a business in exchange for anything of value or incident to the purchase of another good or service.
    • (b) "Fringe gambling" does not include:
      • (i) a promotional activity that is clearly ancillary to the primary activity of a business; or
      • (ii) use of an amusement device or vending machine.
  • (7)
    • (a) "Fringe gaming device" means a mechanically, electrically, or electronically operated machine or device that:
      • (i) is not an amusement device or a vending machine;
      • (ii) is capable of displaying or otherwise presenting information on a screen or through any other mechanism; and
      • (iii) provides the user with a card, token, credit, gift certificate, product, or opportunity to participate in a contest, game, gaming scheme, or sweepstakes with a potential return of money or other prize.
    • (b) "Fringe gaming device" includes a machine or device similar to a machine or device described in Subsection (7)(a) that seeks to avoid application or circumvent this part or Article VI, Section 27, of the Utah Constitution.
  • (8)
    • (a) "Gambling" means risking anything of value for a return or risking anything of value upon the outcome of a contest, game, gaming scheme, or gaming device when the return or outcome:
      • (i) is based on an element of chance, regardless of:
        • (A) the existence of a preview or pre-reveal feature in the device, contest, or game; or
        • (B) whether the preview or pre-reveal feature described in Subsection (8)(a)(i)(A) allows users to see individual or successive outcomes; and
      • (ii) is in accord with an agreement or understanding that someone will receive anything of value in the event of a certain outcome.
    • (b) "Gambling" includes a lottery.
    • (c) "Gambling" does not include:
      • (i) a lawful business transaction; or
      • (ii) use of an amusement device.
  • (9) "Gambling bet" means money, checks, credit, or any other representation of value.
  • (10) "Gambling device or record" means anything specifically designed for use in gambling or fringe gambling or used primarily for gambling or fringe gambling.
  • (11) "Gambling proceeds" means anything of value used in gambling or fringe gambling.
  • (12) "Internet gambling" or "online gambling" means gambling, fringe gambling, or gaming by use of:
    • (a) the Internet; or
    • (b) any mobile electronic device that allows access to data and information.
  • (13) "Internet service provider" means a person engaged in the business of providing Internet access service, with the intent of making a profit, to consumers in Utah.
  • (14) "Lottery" means any scheme for the disposal or distribution of property by chance among persons who have paid or promised to pay any valuable consideration for the chance of obtaining property, or portion of it, or for any share or any interest in property, upon any agreement, understanding, or expectation that it is to be distributed or disposed of by lot or chance, whether called a lottery, raffle, or gift enterprise, or by whatever name it is known.
  • (15) "Prize" means a gift, award, gratuity, good, service, credit, or anything else of value that may be or is transferred to an individual or placed on an account or other record with the intent to be transferred to an individual.
  • (16) "Promotional activity that is clearly ancillary to the primary activity of a business" means a promotional activity that:
    • (a) continues for a limited period of time;
    • (b) is related to a good or service ordinarily provided by a business or the marketing or advertisement of a good or service ordinarily provided by the business;
    • (c) does not require a person to purchase a good or service from the business in consideration for participation or an advantage in the promotional activity or any other contest, game, gaming scheme, sweepstakes, or promotional activity;
    • (d) promotes a good or service described in Subsection (16)(b) on terms that are commercially reasonable; and
    • (e) does not, through use of a machine or device:
      • (i) simulate a gambling environment;
      • (ii) require the purchase of something of value to participate in the promotional activity that is not regularly used, purchased, or redeemed by users of the machine or device;
      • (iii) provide a good or service described in Subsection (16)(b):
        • (A) in a manner in which the person acquiring the good or service is unable to immediately acquire, redeem, or otherwise use the good or service after the time of purchase; or
        • (B) at a value less than the full value of the good or service;
      • (iv) appear or operate in a manner similar to a machine or device that is normally found in a casino for the purpose of gambling;
      • (v) provide an entertaining display, designed to appeal to an individual's senses, that promotes actual or simulated game play that is similar in appearance or function to gambling, including:
        • (A) a video playing card game, including a video poker game;
        • (B) a video bingo game;
        • (C) a video craps game;
        • (D) a video keno game;
        • (E) a video lotto game;
        • (F) an 8-liner machine;
        • (G) a Pot O' Gold game;
        • (H) a video game involving a random or chance matching of pictures, words, numbers, or symbols; or
        • (I) a video game that reveals a prize as the game is played; or
      • (vi) otherwise create a pretextual transaction to facilitate a contest, game, gaming scheme, or sweepstakes in an attempt to circumvent the requirements of this part or Article VI, Section 27, of the Utah Constitution.
  • (17) "Skill-based game" means a game, played on a machine or device, the outcome of which is based, in whole or in part, on the skill of the player, regardless of whether a degree of chance is involved.
  • (18) "Sweepstakes" means a game, advertising scheme, marketing scheme, or other promotion:
    • (a) that an individual may enter with or without payment of any consideration;
    • (b) that qualifies the person to win a prize; and
    • (c) the result of which is based on chance.
  • (19) "Vending machine" means a device:
    • (a) that dispenses merchandise in exchange for money or any other item of value;
    • (b) that provides full and adequate return of the value deposited;
    • (c) through which the return of value is not conditioned on an element of chance or skill; and
    • (d)
      • (i) does not include a promotional activity; or
      • (ii) includes a promotional activity that is clearly ancillary to the primary activity of a business.
  • (20) "Video gaming device" means a device that includes all of the following:
    • (a) a video display and computer mechanism for playing a game;
    • (b) the length of play of any single game is not substantially affected by the skill, knowledge, or dexterity of the player;
    • (c) a meter, tracking, or recording mechanism that records or tracks any money, tokens, games, or credits accumulated or remaining;
    • (d) a play option that permits a player to spend or risk varying amounts of money, tokens, or credits during a single game, in which the spending or risking of a greater amount of money, tokens, or credits:
      • (i) does not significantly extend the length of play time of any single game; and
      • (ii) provides for a chance of greater return of credits, games, or money; and
    • (e) an operating mechanism that, in order to function, requires inserting money, tokens, or other valuable consideration other than entering the user's name, birthdate, or contact information.


Amended by Chapter 291, 2020 General Session
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