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Utah is the least gambling-friendly state in the nation
The state has no horse racing tracks though betting on the Kentucky Derby and other races has always been possible via websites based in other countries
Prediction market platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket have opted to take a pass on horse racing for the time being
Utah is the Least Friendly Gambling State in the U.S.
Utah is one of only five U.S. states without a lottery. Alabama and Nevada are two states that do not offer a lottery but do have casinos (Nevada has them in abundance). Alaska is another of the states but does allow for some limited gambling like bingo and raffles. Even home poker games aren't entirely frowned upon.
Then we get to Hawaii and Utah. Hawaii does not have casinos or horse racing, but they do permit small private games. Utah will have none of it.
This might explain why Utah is also the least gambling addicted state, according to a recent WalletHub study.
Friday night poker games, quick trips to casinos in Mesquite or Wendover and Idaho for lottery tickets, as well as online sports betting, aren't uncommon for Utahans to gamble on.
Why Kalshi and Polymarket Won't Be Offering Online Horse Betting This Kentucky Derby
Kalshi has argued that it offers trading on sporting events such as the NBA Playoffs. They say users are trading positions that can be bought/sold before the event ends — unlike a fixed sportsbook bet.
They've even filed a lawsuit against the state of Utah, Governor Spencer Cox and Attorney General Derek Brown in what is being referred to as a “preemptive” or “anticipatory” lawsuit.
Public statements by Utah officials signal that the state believes Kalshi is illegal gambling. Those statements create a real risk of prosecution or shutdown.
Horse racing by its very nature almost always involves some type of betting. It's hard to imagine watching a horse race without that wagering component.
Horse racing in the U.S. is regulated under the Interstate Horse Racing Act of 1978. That may be a line sites like Kalshi and Polymarket are less likely to cross despite the Kentucky Derby typically being the second most bet on one day event after the Super Bowl.
Kalshi operates under oversight from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and is not licensed to run pari-mutuel pools.
Both Kalshi and Polymarket are based in the U.S. as well, unlike offshore sportsbooks and casinos that have long been accessible within the state.
Offshore sportsbooks have long argued that they are allowed to take bets on horse racing because the activity is mostly legal in the U.S. as well as jurisdictions where their gambling site is licensed such as Antigua, Curacao and Kahnawake Mohawk Territory in Canada (licensing online gambling sites since 2000).
2026 Kentucky Derby Early Odds
These odds courtesy of BetPhoenix and subject to change.
| Rot | To Win The Kentucky Derby 2026 | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Renegate | +400 |
| 2 | Albus | +3000 |
| 3 | Intrepido | +4500 |
| 4 | Litmus Test | +3500 |
| 5 | Right to Party | +5000 |
| 6 | Commandment | +500 |
| 7 | Danon Bourbon | +2500 |
| 8 | So Happy | +1600 |
| 9 | The Puma | +1000 |
| 10 | Wonder Dean (JPN) | +3000 |
| 11 | Incredibolt | +2500 |
| 12 | Chief Wallabee | +700 |
| 13 | Silent Tactic | +2800 |
| 14 | Potente | +2200 |
| 15 | Emerging Market | +1600 |
| 16 | Pavlovian | +3500 |
| 17 | Six Speed | +5000 |
| 18 | Further Ado | +600 |
| 19 | Golden Tempo | +2800 |
| 20 | Fulleffort | +2800 |
| 21 | Great White | +7000 |
| 22 | Ocelli | +7000 |
| 23 | Robusta | +5000 |
| 24 | Corona De Oro | +6500 |
- Tyrone Black, Gambling911.com
