Online Gambling In Pa Legal
- Legal Online Gambling In Pennsylvania
- Is Online Sports Gambling Legal In Pa
- Online Gambling Pa Law
- Online Gambling Pennsylvania Law
- Legal Online Casinos In Pa
PA online casino sites were legalized in 2017, and in July 2019, the first commercial casinos in the state launched online platforms. PA residents can now play real money casino games legally online. We have created a guide to Pennsylvania online casinos, covering everything from games and bonuses to laws and regulations. Pennsylvania passed a gaming act in 2013 that allows tavern games, defined by state law to include tavern raffles (available to liquor licensees) for a charitable or public purpose, and other chance-based games at qualifying establishments.
PA online casinos are up and running, and growing fast.
If you are 21 years or older and inside Pennsylvania state lines, you can now enjoy online slots, table games, and video poker from your desktop computer or mobile devices.
- There are now 8 online casino apps in PA. These are legal, regulated online casinos from popular brand names such as DraftKings, Unibet, and BetRivers. In this post we help you decide which is best. Our top recommended PA online casino is Unibet PA (get $10 free right here).
- Online gambling in the state of Pennsylvania is not legalized, yet there is nothing in the state gambling laws that says it is a crime. Another thing we feel we need to emphasize to Pennsylvania residents is that we are not now and never have claimed to be lawyers.
This page contains all the information you need to start playing at online casinos in PA.
Below is a guide to the games you can play for free and for realmoney at PA online casinos. After that, you’ll find information on apps, bonuses, safety, and geolocationtechnology.
Regulated casinos also include protection for problem gamblers, which we cover at the end of this page.
Best online casinos in Pennsylvania 2020
Legal Online Gambling In Pennsylvania
Real money and free online casino games in Pennsylvania
You can play most games at PA casinos online for fun. Playing games in demomode, or with play-money chips, allows you to find the titles you like before you gamble.
The only category of games that are notavailable for free play is live dealer table games. You can watch them, though you will not be able to wager on them – at least yet.
The current offerings on real money online casinos in PA are growing, and fast. Casino sites regularly add new games as they are approved by the PA Gaming Control Board (PGCB).
We offer an overview of how diverse these casino game categories are. Keep in mind that the most prominent New Jersey online casinos offer more than 600 titles.
Play PA online casino games for real money
The number of Pennsylvania online casinos is now in double-digits. All of the PA casino apps are available 24/7 and offer online slots, video poker, and table games such as roulette, blackjack, and baccarat. Use this table to compare the real money casinos in PA.
Rank | PA Casinos | Bonus Offer | Progressive | Slots | Play Now! |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | BetMGM Casino | $25 Free + 100% up to $1,000 | Divine Fortune + Mercy of the Gods | 80+ | Play Now! |
2. | FanDuel Casino | $200 Risk-Free | N/A | 25+ | Play Now! |
3. | Unibet Casino | $10 Free + 100% up to $500 | Jackpot Shores + Divine Fortune | 75+ | Play Now! |
4. | Fox Bet Casino | 100% up to $1500 | N/A | 12+ | Play Now! |
5. | DraftKings Casino | $35 Free + 20% up to $500 + $100 in blackjack credits | N/A | 25+ | Play now! |
6. | BetRivers Casino | 100% up to $250 | Divine Fortune | 50+ | Play Now! |
7. | Sugarhouse Casino | 100% up to $250 | Divine Fortune | 70+ | Play Now! |
8. | Hollywood Casino | $10 Free + 100% up to $502 | Divine Fortune | 80+ | Play Now! |
9. | PokerStars Casino | 100% up to $1500 | N/A | 25+ | Play Now! |
PA online slots
Slots are the biggest category of games for any online casino. You can expect to see over 200 games listed on some sites and you’ll need some way to sort the list of slot titles.
Firstly, casinos will feature their most popular games. You can use filters to search by, e.g., the number of reels, game developer, progressive jackpots, and so on.
If you enjoy live casino slots, then you will be able to play a lot of these online. You can search by name, or browse the listings for IGT, Bally, or another live slot studio.
Many online casinos feature classic games, e.g., Wheel of Fortune, Cleopatra, and WolfRun. You can also find traditional three-reel slots. Online slot studios like IGT created these.
When you browse the tiled graphics for slots to enjoy, you’ll see progressivejackpots listed underneath many of them. These pools can get massive, up to $1 million or more.
Table games at PA online casinos
Tablegames are a broad category, although it mostly covers all the casino games played on the greenfelt.
While most are card-based, dice and roulette wheels also fall under table games. Live dealer games are in this category; however, we will cover them separately.
This list is for the software-based versions:
- Blackjack: There are a lot of variations of basic blackjack rules. These include games with side bets, multi-hand games and entertaining variants like Blackjack Switch, Free Bet Blackjack, and Spanish 21.
- Roulette: You can bet your favorite numbers or try complex betting systems with online roulette. Where available, choose the European roulette wheel because the single zero reduces the house edge.
- Casino poker games: A lot of card-based table games use poker-hand rankings. Online casinos have Caribbean Stud, three-card poker, Ultimate Texas Hold ’em, Let It Ride, Pai Gow Poker, and Casino Hold ’em.
- Baccarat: Two of the three bets you can place in baccarat have a very low house edge. As long as you avoid the “tie” bet, this favorite among high rollers can be entertaining.
- Craps: With two betting phases and the chance to go on a hot streak as long as no 7s are rolled, craps is a lively live casino game. This appears at some online casinos, which gives you a chance to learn the complex bets.
Live dealer casinos in Pennsylvania
In other states, live dealer table games have become the go-to for many players and soon, they’ll be available in PA. With these, you’ll bet online although the action will be dealt in real-time from studios in PA live casinos. Bets will settle automatically.
Games available include blackjack (where you play on a seven-handed table), roulette, three-card poker, Casino Hold ’em, and baccarat.
Keep in mind, you need to act before the timer runs down in these games. Otherwise, your hand will be folded (or you’ll stand), depending on the game.
You can chat via text with the dealers and other players while you play. The added social element, plus the ability to watch the cards being dealt, make these increasingly popular games.
Video poker and novelty games
PA casinos allow you to play video poker games online. These include bonus poker and multi-hand variations, as well as traditional titles.
Pennsylvania online casino apps
There are pros and cons to online casino apps compared to mobile-friendly websites.
With apps, you often find only a limited number of game titles, along with account and cashier functionality. Compared to the hundreds of games you can play on your browser, this is a significant drawback.
On the positive side, having the graphics stored on your phone helps the games initialize faster. If you have ever had to wait for a bonus game to load on your mobile device after you hit it on a slot, you know how frustrating this can be.
Are the online casinos in Pennsylvania safe?
All online casinos in PA are licensed and under the jurisdiction of the PennsylvaniaGaming Control Board (PGCB).
Players are protected by know your customer (KYC) guidelines and responsible gaming laws. The games are tested for integrity and fairness. A complaint and dispute process is available if necessary.
When it comes to Pennsylvania online casinos, you really can’t get any safer.
The PGCB stated early in the licensing process that they have a deliberate, slow approach. This includes testing periods for new apps and websites. With the licenses for online casinos in Pennsylvania held by local live casinos and racetrack casinos, you’ll have trusted brand names behind each of the apps.
A major concern for players new to casino games is the fairness of the spins or deals. At regulated casinos, games are regularly audited and the expected return-to-player (RTP) percentages are published. While each game has a small edge in favor of the house, you can be sure that you are getting a fair shot at winning and it’s in line with the published figures.
Casino bonus offers in Pennsylvania
With a lot of real money online casinos opening in PA in quick succession, you can be sure they will be competing to attract new players.
This means 2020 is a perfect time to take advantage of their marketing budgets. Casino bonuses take four primary forms, and not every casino will offer them all. If not, the bonuses they do offer will need to be generous.
Here are the main types of casino bonuses:
- No-deposit welcome bonus: A popular way to attract new players is to offer free play for registering. This bonus is usually a small amount (between $10 and $25). You’ll need to wager it a number of times before you can withdraw it. These offers can start your casino bankroll, if you get lucky. If not, then you’ll have a chance to check out the real-money slot titles without any personal risk.
- Matched deposit bonuses: This is the most common form of a casino welcome bonus in PA. Your first deposit will be matched 100%, usually up to around $300, though sometimes much higher. You then get 30 to 60 days to meet the specified playthrough (wagering) requirements.
- Loyalty/comp point schemes: Some casinos will tie their online comp point schemes together with their live casino. Others have separate schemes, with complex tier systems unlocking progressively bigger bonuses. For high rollers, these loyalty schemes often have a VIP level, too.
- One-off promotions: How active a casino is with promos can make a big difference to your bankroll over time. These vary widely, and include double points deals, reload bonuses, promos linked to new games and free chips for sharing on social media.
While nothing is stopping you from taking up several casino bonuses, keep in mind that these are restricted to one per household for each casino. Many players have been tempted to sign up their entire family for a free-play offer only to find their accounts to be closed down quickly.
Licensed and legal PA casinos vs. offshore casinos
For many years, the only way to play online casino games in Pennsylvania was to risk your money at offshore casinos. While there were some limited legal options with sweepstakescasinos, the new legal PA internet casinos effectively remove the need to take this risk.
Offshore casinos are usually based in the Caribbean or Central America and their legal status is uncertain. While their host nation licenses them, they are not recognized or licensed by any US authority and our banks are legally obliged to block payments to them.
A greater concern is the lack of oversight and controls. Many offshore casinos have disappeared over the years, and many players have faced significant issues getting their winnings paid. If you have a dispute with an offshore casino, there is no industry body or organization to help you.
With PA casinos under the watchfuleye of the PGCB, they are licensed to accept conventional payment methods and thoroughly tested. There is no longer any reason to risk playing at an offshore site.
Geolocation and PA casinos
You will be able to access the PA online casinos fromanywhere. However, playing games for real money and making deposits can only be made within PA state lines.
Pennsylvania casinos will not allow real-money play if there is any doubt about your location. In New Jersey, this led to a lot of “falsenegatives.” Players who were on mobile devices near state borders were sometimes flagged as being outside of the state.
Fortunately, those initial problems were ironed out and geolocation technology is more reliable.
If you are using a VPN or proxyserver, you might still experience issues. Mobile users on 4G and close to the state border who experience problems can download additionalgeolocationsoftware in some cases.
Wi-Fi data is difficult to fake, and if you are not using a VPN, desktop players are unlikely to experience geolocation issues.
Full list of casinos allowed to offer online gambling in Pennsylvania
PA Online Casino | Launch Date |
---|---|
Sugarhouse Online Casino PA | July 17, 2019 |
Hollywood Casino | July 15, 2019 |
Parx Casino PA | July 15, 2019 |
PokerStars Casino | Nov. 4, 2019 |
Unibet via Mohegan Sun Pocono | Nov. 12, 2019 |
FanDuel Casino via Valley Forge | Jan. 24, 2020 |
BetAmerica (Presque Isle Downs) | Jan. 28, 2020 |
BetRivers (Rivers Philadelphia) | Jan. 30, 2020 |
Caesars Online Casino (Harrah's Philadelphia) | April 23, 2020 |
DraftKings Casino (Hollywood) | May 1, 2020 |
Wind Creek Casino | July 24, 2020 |
PlayLive! (Live! Casino & Hotel) | Aug. 14, 2020 |
BetMGM (Hollywood) | Dec. 1, 2020 |
Golden Nugget NJ | TBD |
In the first month of 2020, FanDuel Casino, BetAmerica, and BetRivers Casino launched just before the Super Bowl. The long-awaited Caesars Online Casino in partnership with Harrah’s Philadelphia followed in April.
Rivers Philadelphia (Formerly SugarHouse Casino) was the first brick-and-mortar casino to offer two different online casino skins under its casino license: PlaySugarHouse and BetRivers. The latter is integrated with the Rivers Pittsburgh online sportsbook that carries the same BetRivers name. Rivers Casino Pittsburgh did not obtain an online casino license.
On May 1, 2020, DraftKings Online Casino went live, becoming the second interactive gaming site under the Hollywood Casino license. Meadows, DraftKings’ land-based partner for online sports betting, does not hold an online casino license. But both Meadows and Hollywood are owned by Penn National Gaming, which has a market-access deal with DraftKings.
FanDuel and DraftKings originally launched online casinos that were integrated with their sportsbooks. Now, both have stand-alone online casino apps live in PA.
In late July 2020, Wind Creek Bethlehem dove into the online betting scene, launching the Wind Creek online casino through a partnership with Pala Interactive.
List of live Pennsylvania casinos
There are currently 12 licensed gambling properties in the state of Pennsylvania, with another casino in the works in Philadelphia’s Stadium Park.
According to PGCB, this includes 10 stand-alone and racetrack casinos and two smaller resort casinos. The former two are Category 1 and 2 casinos, while the latter falls into Category 3. These gaming establishments employ approximately 18,000 people and generate close to $1.4 billion in tax revenue annually.
In total, there are 12 casinos licensed to offer PA online blackjack, slots and roulette.
- Harrah’s Philadelphia
- Hollywood Casino
- Meadows Casino
- Mohegan Sun Pocono
- Mount Airy Casino Resort
- Nemacolin Woodlands Resort
- Parx Casino
- Presque Isle Downs
- Rivers Casino Pittsburgh
- Rivers Casino Philadelphia (formerly SugarHouse Casino)
- Wind Creek Casino Resort (formerly Sands Bethlehem)
- Valley Forge Resort Casino
Mini-casinos: The next phase of Pennsylvania casino development
As part of its gambling expansion law passed in October 2017, the state had the ability to issue up to tenCategory 4 licenses. These licenses allow for mini-casinos with 300-750 slots. A supplemental license costing $2.5 million allows these satellite casino properties to offer up to 30 table games as well.
Is Online Sports Gambling Legal In Pa
The process for the issuance of mini-casino licensing involves a series of auctions. The preliminary auctions began in January 2018 and were limited only to the licensed Category 1 and 2 casinos. The first license went to Penn National, who spent $50.1 million to secure a location 50 miles south of its existing Hollywood Casino. During the first round of auctions, PGCB awarded five licenses.
The PGCB ran a second round of auctions on Sept. 3, 2019 but there were no bidders this time around. As a result, the five remaining licenses will go unclaimed. In all, $114 million in license fees were raised.
Pennsylvania problem gambling support
A system for self-exclusion for problemgamblers is available at live casinos in Pennsylvania.
This program involves filling out some forms, providing a photo ID, and voluntarily requesting one-year, five-year or lifetime exclusion.
A list of excluded people is distributed to all live casinos. Then it is the casinos’ responsibility is to prevent those people from entering gaming areas.
Removal from this list (for the shorter periods) does not happen automatically. After the period expires, individuals must request their removal personally.
Online gambling prevents new challenges when it comes to the management of problem gambling. For the majority to enjoy safe gambling online, support systems need to be in place for players who experience issues.
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Commission manages this support program.
Here is what legal Pennsylvania online casinos must provide:
- A prominentlink to their responsible gambling information page.
- Tools for time-out, self-exclusion and betting limits.
- A list of questions to assess whether you or someone you know has a gambling problem.
- Links to support organizations and therapists.
Support programs in the state include:
Overview of Pennsylvania’s casino industry
The Pennsylvania casino industry is relatively young. Casinos only became legal in 2004. Yet, in the dozen or so years in existence, the industry quickly became a powerhouse. Now it is the second-largest commercial casino industry in the country judging by gross revenue, trailing only Nevada.
Thanks to steep tax rates, Pennsylvania casinos actually generate more tax revenue for the state than Nevada does. That number has gotten even bigger thanks to the gambling expansion law passed in the fall of 2017.
Here is a look at the history of the Pennsylvania casino industry, starting with the latest news and moving back towards the casino industry’s more humble beginnings:
The year began on a high, but that soon changed as the spread of COVID-19 led to the shuttering of all retail casinos and racetracks in PA by mid-March. That meant furloughs for casino employees and falling casino stock prices.
Online sportsbooks were also hit hard, with most sports sidelined for a lengthy period of time.
On a positive note, three more online casinos joined the market before the Super Bowl. The FanDuel online casino made quite a splash, surging to highest handle and revenue earner after its first full month in February.
The long-awaited Caesars sportsbook went live on March 10 in partnership with Harrah’s Philadelphia, bringing the state’s online sports betting apps to a total of nine. The Caesars online casino followed on April 23, making it nine internet casinos too. An online poker room under the WSOP.com name is expected to follow.
On May 1, DraftKings added an online casino product to its established online sportbook. Its online casino product is under the Hollywood Casino license, while the DraftKings sportsbook partners with Penn’s other PA property, The Meadows. Both FanDuel and DraftKings later debuted standalone online casino apps in June and July, respectively.
Wind Creek launched its first online product with an online casino in late July, and Live! Casino brought PlayLive! online casino to PA in mid-August. Live! was the only casino to launch iGaming ahead of retail openings, which are to follow in 2021.
Online wagering sparked and sportsbooks blossomed.
With sportsbooks, there were just three operations at the beginning of the year, and all were retail. By the end of the year, the Keystone State had 12 retail sportsbooks.
But eight online sportsbooks were also running by year’s end, with around 84% of all sports wagering done online. Taken together, sports betting took in more than a billion bucks in 2019.
Five online casino sites went live, the first ones launching in July, though a new Wire Act opinion likely slowed that market segment at the start.
And at long last, an online poker site finally launched. On Nov. 4, FOX Bet was joined by PokerStars Casino and PokerStars PA, making poker a reality in the Keystone State.
In October 2019, SugarHouse changed its name to Rivers Casino Philadelphia, but not before launching the first PA online sportsbook in May. PlaySugarHouse sportsbook and online casino still retain the SugarHouse name.
After a summer of bickering, the state legislature drafted a new version of the gambling expansion package, which both the House and Senate passed. Gov. Tom Wolf signed it into law on Monday, Oct. 30, 2018. The new law allows for a wide range of new gambling ventures, including:
- Online casinos
- Video gambling terminals (VGTs)
- Daily fantasy sports (DFS)
- Satellite casinos
- Sports betting
It also offered a new class of license eliminating the amenity fee in place at Valley Forge and Lady Luck Nemacolin. Valley Forge paid the fee immediately after the bill became law.
New licensing fees brought in more than $311 million for the state.
The PA Lottery launched several new games and created the online platform iLottery.
A US Supreme Court ruling allowed sports wagering to begin and nine of 12 properties immediately applied for licenses.
Total gambling revenue topped $3.4 billion.
Legislation which would legalize and regulate online gambling in Pennsylvania, and offer online gaming licenses to the state’s 12 casino properties first, was passed by the Senate. In June 2017 it was amended and passed by the House, sending it back to the Senate.
The law was approved at the end of October.
The law ushered in sportsbook wagering and video game terminals at truck stops, and a new category of “mini-casinos” was created. As part of the expansion, horse racing money from casino slot revenue was encumbered in a trust fund. The slot money was originally set aside as part of the deal which led to the 2004 approval of casinos.
Casinos set a revenue record of $3.227 billion.
Lady Luck Casino Nemacolin opened in July 2013.
Valley Forge Casino Resort opened its doors in March 2012 becoming the first Category 3 licensed casino in Pennsylvania.
After several ownership changes and failed financing plans with no construction to date, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board voted to revoke the Foxwoods Casino Philadelphia gaming license in December 2010.
SugarHouse Casino opened its first phase in Philadelphia in September 2010.
Pennsylvania passed a law in January 2010, authorizing table game operations at the state’s licensed racino, casino, and resort casino properties. The law also clarified the size and scope of gaming and other operations at the state’s three different categories of gaming licensees, including:
- Allowing up to 250 table games and 5,000 slot machines at Category 1 racino facilities
- Allowing 250 table games and 5,000 slot machines at Category 2 stand-alone casinos. These properties were also authorized to operate amenities including restaurants, spas, and entertainment options, but not hotels.
- Allowing up to 600 slot machines and 50 table games at Category 3 resort casinos. These gaming facilities can include attached hotels.
Parx Casino standalone gaming facility opened its doors in December .
Rivers Casino opened in Pittsburgh, PA’s Chateau neighborhood along the Ohio River in September.
Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem opened on the Bethlehem Works development site in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania in May 2009. Table games were added in July 2010. The property officially changed ownership to the Poarch Band of Creek Indians in June 2019. The casino is now known as Wind Creek Bethlehem.
Hollywood Casino opened at Penn National racetrack in February 2008.
Mount Airy Casino Resort officially opened in the Poconos in November 2007, becoming the first Pennsylvania casino with lodging.
The Meadows Casino began as a temporary casino adjacent to the racetrack in Washington County, PA in June 2007. The permanent casino opened in 2009.
Presque Isle Downs casino and horse racing track near Erie, Pennsylvania opened in February 2007.
A slots parlor began operation at Harrah’s Philadelphia racetrack on the Chester waterfront. Table games went live at the property in 2010.
Parx Casino opened as a temporary gaming facility at the former Philadelphia Park racetrack in December 2006.
Foxwoods Casino Philadelphia is granted one of five stand-alone casino licenses for a soon-to-be-built property located along the Delaware River in South Philadelphia. The project fell apart, resulting in PGCB revoking the license in 2010.
Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs became the state’s first slot parlor after opening its doors in November 2006 at a harness track near Wilkes-Barre.
State lawmakers made a number of amendments to horse track security bill authorizing both the use of 61,000 slot machines at racetracks and other new casino locations across Pennsylvania. Lawmakers rushed the bill through the House and Senate over the Fourth of July weekend, then quickly became law before any real opposition to casino gambling had a chance to oppose it.
The bill ultimately authorized the issue of three separate categories of slot machine licenses. These included:
- Category 1 for existing racetracks.
- Category 2 for designated tourist areas, including two in Philadelphia and one in Pittsburgh.
- Category 3 for resorts.
Former Philadelphia Mayor Ed Rendell runs for Pennsylvania Governor. He wins on a campaign that includes support for the idea of allowing slot machines at racetracks in an effort to lower property taxes.
Under Then-Governor Tom Ridge the State Legislature came close to legalizing riverboat casinos. The state’s anti-gambling movement began to grow and Gov. Ridge said he would veto any gambling bill not approved by referendum. Eventually the entire idea was scrapped.
A statewide survey found 48 percent of Pennsylvania residents supported legalized riverboat gambling and just 38 percent were opposed. However, Then-Governor Robert P. Casey claimed to be opposed to gambling and threatened to veto any gambling legislation passed in the state.
First developed under Philadelphia Mayor Wilson Goode, and championed by mayoral successor Ed Rendell, a proposal to allow riverboat gambling in Philadelphia made it to the state legislature. The claim was it would create $25 million in new revenue for the city and 11,500 new jobs. However, the House of Representatives voted against it in November by a margin of 118-81.
Resorts Casino Hotel opened in Atlantic City, New Jersey, becoming the first legal casino in Atlantic City. Resorts and the rest of the Atlantic City Boardwalk is within 60 miles of Philadelphia. It quickly become evident that Pennsylvania residents are some of the budding Atlantic City casino industry’s best customers.
Earlier this year, a Supreme Court ruling made it possible for individual states to offer sports betting legally. Since May 2018, sportsbooks have started operating in Delaware, Mississippi, West Virginia, and New Jersey. As of May 2019, PA online sports betting is now legal!
Legal Online Sports Betting in PA
At the beginning of October 2018, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board awarded two sports betting licenses to casinos in the state. These licenses went to Greenwood Gaming and Entertainment, which operates Parx Casino, and Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course. With these licenses, the two facilities were able to accept real money wagers on college and professional sports.
2019 Legislation
As of May 2019, 8 PA sportsbooks are operating on the PA market. Thus, Pennsylvania is now the fourth state to allow mobile sports betting and is looking to become one of the big players in the online sports betting us market. Other casinos are applying for licenses to open sportsbooks at a cost of $10 million.
Unlike the high tax rate with online casinos, sportsbooks will pay a 34% tax. The two venues that have been licensed plan to start operating in November, so there will still be plenty of the NFL season ahead for bettors to enjoy.
This site is the very best place to find the best sportsbooks in PA. Besides keeping you up to date with all the latest news concerning online betting we will also review the best sportsbooks in PA, provide tips and news about horse racing and let you know how and where to bet on sports online.
These are exciting times and more and more people are discovering the world of online sports betting and we can let you know where to find the best deals and odds at the best sportsbooks in PA.
Legal PA Sportsbooks
The following locations have legal sports betting in-person or online.
- BetRivers
Other PA Casinos such as Mohegan Sun, Mount Airy, Sands, and Lady Luck are aiming to offer sports betting to their players soon.
Unibet and Rivers are the top two sportsbooks in PA offering online sports betting. That said, FanDuel is also a strong contender.
Best Online Sportsbooks in PA
Next to the top three sportsbooks above, our overall favorites can be found below:
BetRivers Sportsbook
The land-based Rivers Casino & Sportsbooks has launched its online BetRivers platform in PA. Right now, BetRivers is offering a $250 Deposit Match for New Players with the BetRivers Affiliate code.
BetRivers is the parent brand of SugarHouse, and has now eclipsed the brand.
FanDuel Sportsbook
A big name in the DFS world, FanDuel Sportsbook Pennsylvania sports bettors an exciting and engaging bets for both new and experienced players.
Unibet Sportsbook
One of the world’s most popular online gambling and sports betting brands, Unibet, is big on the Pennsylvania sports betting scene.
Unibet Sportsbook offers a wide array of betting markets and options to choose from. These options include live streaming and betting, a plethora of promotions, and a dedicated Unibet app plus a Unibet Bonus Code for new players.
FOX Bet
In May 2019, The Stars Group (TSG) signed an agreement with FOX Sports and announced the new FOX Bet in September 2019, offering PA games another option for trading. money. and free competition.
Grab your FOX Bet promo code before signing up.
DraftKings Sportsbook
PA has America’s favorite sportsbook! All PA sports bettors can now bet on football, get great odds on college basketball, and more. Plus, sign up today and receive a great DraftKings welcome offer.
BetAmerica
PA residents can bet on all of the top American sports with BetAmerica, like basketball, baseball, football, hockey, soccer, rugby and tennis.
Parx Sportsbook
A popular casino, Parx also offers PA bettors an online sports betting platform. As expected, Parx Sportsbook offers a wide variety of sports and leagues to bet on.
As you can see most of the best sportsbooks in PA have already teamed up with world-renowned experts when it comes to sports betting. These affiliations ensure that sports bettors in PA will be able to access the very best markets and odds.
Online Betting vs Retail in PA
Adding an online sport betting element to their operations will make them the most popular destinations off and online. It will be the driving force behind making sports betting as popular in the US as it is across the world.
These are the best sportsbooks in PA as they already have the expertise and knowledge of land-based casinos, poker apps, and other betting outlets. They can use their brand following and sports betting know-how to provide a great service for their new customers.
Whenever new online sportsbooks are announced or launched you will be the first to know. We will review them as soon as possible so you are always up to date with all the latest online sports betting news in Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania Mobile Betting
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board forced Bookmakers of Pennsylvania to have launched their retail sportsbook first before allowing them to provide their clients with online and mobile sports betting.
The following sportsbook apps are already widely popular in New Jersey. Thus, we can expect that these sports betting apps will be available for PA players very soon now that sports betting is legal in Pennsylvania.
Online Gambling Pa Law
What are the best sports betting apps in PA?
We have taken the time to review the best sports betting apps to provide you with all the information you need to get started wagering. We do not sponsor any of these PA betting apps but do recommend them if you are seeking real money betting action. The following app reviews are based on the New Jersey version.
The above table contains the four best sports betting apps that will launch in Pennsylvania and these all provide great bonuses, wide market coverage, many bet types, customer support and more. With safe and secure betting options, any of the best online betting apps will meet all of your needs while providing a great way to wager and win.
Brand Is No Longer Active – SugarHouse Sportsbook Betting App
The SugarHouse sportsbook launched on August 23, 2018. Also, it was the third sportsbook to become available in Pennsylvania. The site offers one of the best sports betting apps for mobile users and also provides online betting. Without a doubt, the registration process to be quite simple. Within minutes, enjoy the site with secure transactions using trusted payment methods.
As one of the best betting apps in NJ, SugarHouse offers you a super $250 bonus when you make your initial deposit. Bets on this app start at just $0.10. Likewise, there are endless betting options. These include parlays, single-game bets, round-robin parlays, point spreads, totals, proposition bets, and so much more.
Note you cannot wager on any PA college games. Below are just a few of the highlights you will enjoy at SugarHouse Sportsbook.
- Betting app for Android and iOS
- Low 1x wagering requirement
- Great $250 welcome offer
888sport Betting App
With the 888sport app, get an easy-to-use layout with easy access to all markets and bet types. The app offers standard betting as well as live betting, so you can enjoy the action as it is happening. 888 delivers a secure experience and some great promotional offers.
When it comes to market coverage, 888 has all bases covered with major professional sports from around the world. They also offer betting on college events as long as they are not based in Pennsylvania. Get started with an impressive no deposit bonus followed by a 100% match when you create a new account.
The free mobile betting app for Android is easy to install from their website. And, you can download for the iOS app at 888 or through the App Store. Both apps deliver an amazing experience with one of the top-rated operating sportsbooks in the industry. Here are just a few things you will benefit from when you create an 888 Sportsbook account:
- Massive range of betting markets
- $10 free just for signing up
- In-game betting options
FOX Bet Betting App
Looking to enjoy one of the best sports betting apps in Pennsylvania? Take a look at what FOX Bet app has to offer. This highly respected brand entered the PA market in 2018 and offers a free download for Android and iOS apps. Note, you will have to use the app to place real money wagers.
When you sign up for a new FOX Bet account, you will immediately begin enjoying rewards. The site welcomes you with a $500 free bet offer. Get $50 in bets with every $150 wagered after the initial $50 bet. There are also a number of ongoing promotions that can be redeemed.
This PA sportsbook presents you with great coverage of sports markets and supports all types of bets. It has quickly become one of the best sports betting apps available. Plus, they continue to make improvements to present you with the most enjoyable and rewarding betting experience possible. With fast registration, seamless download, great bonuses, and excellent customer support, FOX Bet meets your betting needs. Enjoy the following perks of being a FOX Bet member:
- Free Android and iOS app
- Weekly free bets
- Impressive $500 free bet welcome offer
- Ongoing bonuses and promotions
What should you look for in a mobile sports betting app?
Not every sports betting app will be the best choice as they each offer different perks. If you are new to sports betting, you will want to choose a site that offers a simple layout so it is easy to navigate. Luckily, all of the best sports betting apps in PA offer tutorials and hints that can help you get started. There are also FAQ sections that can be useful if you are a new bettor. Here, you can learn about the different types of bets supported, as well as information on how to quickly place wagers.
Mobile Device Support
You will want to make sure that the selected betting app supports your device. Some will offer an app that can be downloaded while others have browser-based betting. If you are an Android or iOS user, you will benefit from the free downloads that are supported. However, if you are not willing to install software, you should find a betting app that is browser-based only. When making a choice on the best sports betting app, you will also want to take a look at the bonuses and promotions that are featured. These can add free cash and even free bets to your account, which can be very beneficial if you frequent the site.
Loyalty Program
You will also want to seek out a betting app that has a loyalty program so you can earn even more rewards as you place real money wagers. With the information provided here, you will quickly learn about the best sports betting apps available in Pennsylvania and will be able to make an educated decision on where to start betting.
Safety & Security
There is no concern in regards to safety and security as these apps are all fully licensed and regulated and adhere to all PA gambling laws. They also only make use of reputable and trusted payment methods, so you can easily and safely conduct transactions with no concerns.
Online Gambling Pennsylvania Law
The History of Gambling Legalization in Pennsylvania
For many years, online gambling and betting have been illegal in the United States and the landscape of iGaming chances in 2013, when the government allowed individual states to oversee and operate online casinos and gambling sites. In October of 2017, Pennsylvania became the fourth state to legalize online gambling.
The passing of the new laws allows for the offering of online poker, table games, and slots an there are 12 licenses that are available, one for each of the land-based casinos that are in the state.
How PA Operators Get Licensed
First, an online casino must be associated with a land-based casino within PA, so there are just 12 licenses that are available. During the initial 90 days of the licensing period, the applicant was able to apply for a license to cover slots, table games, and poker for $10 million. After 90 days, individual segments were applied for at a cost of $4 million. After 120 days have passed, unclaimed licensed were able to be purchased by entities that are not PA-based casinos for $4 million per segment.
Tax Rate for Sportsbooks
All licensed online casinos will have a set tax rate of 14% of the gross gaming revenue on table games and poker and there will be an additional 2% that is used for local share assessments.
When it comes to slots, the tax rate is quite hefty, coming in at 52% with the added 2%. As things stand now, many of the casinos in PA have applied for online gaming licenses and quite a few have been approved. There are currently 5 online casinos that have been approved in the state and six others have applied for licenses.
Until now, Pennsylvania has received $108 million in fees for licensed and with remaining licenses available, the opportunity may be given to casinos outside of PA or even outside of the country if PA casinos do not step up and submit their applications. Even though licenses have been granted, the sites are not up and running yet. Gamblers in PA will most likely have to wait until later in the year to begin playing at these online casino sites.
Legal Online Casinos In Pa
PASPA Law Struck Down
In May of 2018, the legal landscape for sports betting changed when the US Supreme Court struck down the PASPA law that had placed a limit on sports betting. For the past 25 years, this law limited sports betting to being allowed in just one state, Nevada.
The law was recently declared to be unconstitutional and now, it is up to individual states on whether they will allow residents to engage in sports betting action. Visit US Bookies for a detailed overview of the sports betting landscape in the USA. The law was signed in back in 1993 by President George H.W. Bush to ensure that no state would be able to regulate or tax any form of sports betting.
Licensing Fees & Taxes
In addition to the licensing fees that have to be paid to apply for a sports betting license, operators will also have to bear the burden of high tax rates, such as the 34% on gross receipts in PA. In 2017, Pennsylvania legalized sports betting and with the striking down of PASPA, operators within the state of PA are now able to obtain a license and start offering real money sports wagering activities to anyone that is a resident of the state and is of legal age to gamble.
This has created a great opportunity for the state to generate revenues from the taxes paid on such wagering and combined with online casinos that will soon open, PA stands to benefit greatly from the money that will be coming in form bets placed at online sites and land-based sportsbooks once they start operating.
How to Bet on Sports Online in PA
With the launch of online sports betting in Pennsylvania, not only do potential customers want to know where to go for the best sportsbooks in PA – they also want an insight into where to find the best odds and markets and be kept up to date with all the latest promotions and bonuses.
Some of the new players may already be used to playing poker apps, but to be able to bet on sports online, they will need to sign up and register for a customer account at one of the sportsbooks in PA.
The good news is that it is very quick and easy to register for any sportsbook or online betting site. The process may differ very slightly from site to site but most of the sportsbooks in PA will have a familiar set up that won’t take long and gets you betting as soon as possible.
The really good news is that there is likely to be some kind of welcome offer to attract new customer account holders. This is usually in the form of deposit matches or free bets. Keep checking back to this site to find out where all the best online sportsbooks in PA are.
College Sports
College sports events are certainly one of the most interesting types of games that bettors like to place their wagers on. Those who decide to bet on sports in Pennsylvania will most likely be able to choose from a plethora of college sports games.
There might even be some special bonus offers available for the customers who bet on college sports.
Online bettors from PA will most likely see various sports categories when it comes to college sports betting like:
- Football
- Basketball
- Baseball
- Ice Hockey
- Volleyball, etc.
Sportsbook FAQs
Is sports betting legal in PA?
In 2017, state lawmakers signed a bill legalizing sports betting in Pennsylvania. That bill is pending a change in federal law. That means that PASPA has been overturned allowing casinos to open up land-based sportsbooks.
The wording of the bill allows for sports betting ‘by any system or method’, so online sports betting will also become a reality in Pennsylvania – the betting companies just need to finalize the details and launch their sites.
Where can I bet on sports online today?
As of this moment, there are a handful of online sports betting sites accepting wagers. Visit Unibet, BetRivers or FanDuel for great PA online sports betting. Looking to bet on the super bowl online? Visit this online super bowl betting guide.
Can I bet on sports online?
Once the sportsbooks are launched everyone over the age of 21 will be able to bet on sports online. They will not need to be residents of Pennsylvania but will need to be in the state at the time to take advantage of online sportsbooks in PA.
Once you have funds in your brand new customer account you can explore the range of betting markets open to you. The best sportsbooks in PA will have markets covering the world of sports – including all the big events in the US, such as the Super Bowl, the World Series, and the Kentucky Derby.
You may find that some sportsbooks in PA offer other gaming opportunities like poker. Check them out today to see which suits you best!