Your Daily Guide

Utah just won its first fight with Kalshi, a prediction market app where you can trade on just about anything — sports, “Love Island,” the weather. Ads for the app have been all over my TikTok feed for weeks, and the court ruling gets at something bigger than this app: Utah’s long-held disdain for gambling.

• What happened? A federal judge ruled Tuesday that Utah can enforce its anti-gambling laws against Kalshi, rejecting the company’s argument that it’s federally regulated and therefore untouchable by state law. [FOX 13]
• Why is Utah so anti-gambling? It’s in the state constitution, which bars lawmakers from authorizing any game of chance. You can also point to the influence the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints had over the state constitution when it was written. The church opposes gambling because the act is “motivated by the desire to get something for nothing.” [Utah State Legislature, KUER, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]
• "Gambling" apps by the numbers: Kalshi and rival Polymarket, two of the biggest prediction market apps, saw their combined trading volume go from $5 billion in September 2025 to about $24 billion in April of this year. The biggest demographic on these apps is young men, who make up 71% of the user base. [Pew Research Center, BBC]
• Gov. Spencer Cox has been a vocal critic. He posted online, “prediction markets are causing tremendous harm to families” and called it “gambling, full stop.” [X]
• What’s next? A Kalshi spokesperson said the company plans to appeal the ruling. It’s still unclear when or how Utah could start enforcement. [FOX 13]

SLC Neighbors Helping Each Other

We’ve had record-breaking temps lately, and while walking this week, I noticed one of my neighbors had a big idea: a cooler filled with water bottles to help others stay hydrated. I really loved this, and it inspired me to start doing it. Maybe it’ll inspire you, too? [City Cast Salt Lake]

Utah Immigrants Struggle To Find Work

From DACA recipients to asylum-seekers, delays in immigration services are causing people to lose their jobs while their immigration status remains in limbo. Renewals for DACA work permits used to take a week or two but can now take months. [KUER]

Residents Demand Arch Project Be Stopped

A massive sculpted arch is causing neighborhood drama after Utah leaders decided to place it in a park northwest of the Capitol without input. The Capitol Hill Neighborhood Council is asking the Capitol Preservation Board to halt the project so residents and the public can weigh in. The board's next meeting is in September. [Salt Lake Tribune]

Watch a Movie in a Salt Lake Alley

Woodbine Food Hall is partnering up with the Utah Film Center to screen “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” in Woodbine’s alley this Friday at 8 p.m. Seating for the family-friendly event is first come, first served. [Utah Film Center]

Utah Suggests a Nuclear Tradeoff

Utah was picked to host a federal nuclear hub. Now, the state is suggesting it could be a tradeoff for help saving the Great Salt Lake. [City Cast Salt Lake 🎧]

Have a rec you think everyone should know about? When you become a City Cast Salt Lake neighbor you get to share what you’ve been loving! Here are some from our members:

📣 Emily P. wants to shout out “SLC Pride for being a fabulous, locally driven, free, non profit pride event — this year's was epic — can’t wait for next!!”

📣 Sage D. is shouting out “Wasatch Roller Derby and all the LGBTQ+ baddies shredding skates. They are sadly losing their facility of 18 years and are looking for a new home!”

📣 Ashley L. wants to highlight WasteLess Solutions, “a local non-profit helping to reduce food waste in the Salt Lake area that has tickets available for it's annual 2nd Chance Dance on Aug. 17 at the Murray Armory.”

Many of our favorite discoveries come from members. Join the community and help spread the love.