Pennsylvania Betting Law Explained
Is Sports Betting Legal in Pennsylvania?
Yes, it is. In November 2018, just six months after the Supreme Court’s repeal of PASPA — the federal ban on sports betting — the Keystone State followed in the footsteps of Nevada, New Jersey, and others to offer legal sports betting. The honor of booking the state’s first sports bet went to the Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course, with other retail sportsbooks such as those at Parx Casino and the Mount Airy Casino Resort soon following suit.
In-person sports wagering was followed by the launch of online and mobile betting platforms in May 2019. The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) demands that each online sportsbook or mobile app partner with one of the state’s brick-and-mortar casinos. This means the online betting market in Pennsylvania features collaborations such as the DraftKings Sportsbook and Meadows Racetrack and Casino, the FanDuel Sportsbook and Valley Forge Casino Resort, and the Unibet Sportsbook and Presque Isle Downs.
Whether you prefer in-person betting or the convenience of sports betting apps, the PA sports betting market is up and running, ready to take your bets on all your favorite sports teams and events.
Mobile Betting Apps Explained
Why Should You Download a Pennsylvania Betting App?
Both browser-based online sportsbooks and mobile betting apps put the latest sports betting action from the NBA, MLB, NHL, and more at your fingertips. That said, many sports bettors may find that downloadable apps have the edge.
Even though web-based sportsbooks have mobile-optimized pages, a betting app will be tailor-made for your device. The bespoke interface and speedy load times mean your experience may be a little smoother. You’ll also get push notifications that send the latest bonus offers direct to the home screen of your mobile device.
Top-rated apps include Fox Bet, BetRivers Sportsbook, and Sugarhouse Sportsbook, so why not download yours today? PA sportsbooks apps are available from the App Store for iOS devices and the Play Store for Android handsets. Then, whether you’re backing a local team like the Philadelphia Eagles or the Pittsburgh Penguins, deciding on contenders for the NFL Super Bowl, or eyeing up new players from the NCAA, you can bet with ease, wherever you are.
Mobile Apps v Optimized Sites
Native Apps Compared to Mobile-Optimized Sites
Here’s a quick overview of the pros and cons of mobile web sportsbooks versus Pennsylvania online betting apps.
Betting Apps
Pros
- Data is stored on your device, meaning load times and odds updates may be faster
- Push notifications mean you need never miss the chance to use bonuses for betting on the Pittsburgh Steelers or your other favorite teams and players
- Betting apps are tailored to your device, whether it’s an Android or iPhone, making for a more user-friendly experience
Cons
- As mobile betting apps need to be downloaded, they do take up some of your phone storage
Mobile Web
Pros
- As no software needs to be downloaded to your device, you won’t have to use any of your storage
- Mobile sites can be accessed via the browsers of all smartphones
Cons
- Lack of push notifications means you won’t be automatically alerted to the latest promos and updates
- Web-based sportsbooks aren’t designed for your device in the same way as native betting apps are, so functionality may not be as good as the best sports betting apps in Pennsylvania
Claim a Bonus to Boost Your Bankroll
Online sportsbooks and betting apps in Pennsylvania frequently reward customers with free bets and other promos. Here are just some of the bonus offers available at online sports betting sites and mobile apps in PA.
No Deposit Bonus
No deposit bonus offers are worth looking out for as they require zero financial outlay. These are often used as an incentive to attract new customers and will provide you with bonus funds just for signing up. Remember to check if there are wagering or playthrough requirements that need to be satisfied before you can take out any bonus winnings.
First Deposit Bonus
Bettors will need to stump up some of their own funds to receive this bonus. On the plus side, these deposit match bonuses are usually quite lucrative. An offer like ‘100% up to $300’ will see a first deposit of $300 turned into a $600 bankroll.
Cashback
Cashback bonus offers, commonly dubbed risk-free bets, are a popular feature at top-rated betting sites and apps like FanDuel. With this kind of bonus, the sportsbook will return some or all of your stake in the form of free bet credits if you don’t land a winner.
Odds Boosts
Odds boosts offers are one of the most common bonuses available at sportsbooks in Pennsylvania. These may be used to encourage new customers to place their first bet, though some top operators, including the BetMGM Sportsbook, offer existing customers daily odds boosts on selected events or markets.
Parlay Bonuses
By multiplying the odds of various bets together in one betslip, there’s a chance of a big return for a small stake with parlays. But it only takes one loss to dash your dreams. Acting as a kind of insurance policy, a parlay bonus will return some or all of your original stake as free bet credits if one of your parlay legs loses. Some parlay offers, however, may work by multiplying any winnings you’re lucky enough to land.
Which Sports can I Bet On?
There’s plenty to be said for enjoying a night out at casinos like Mohegan Sun Pocono, Rivers Casino, and Harrah’s Philadelphia, but Pennsylvania sports betting apps bring the betting action to you. When using mobile sports betting sites in PA, you’ll find a whole host of sports available to bet on, including:
- Auto racing
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Boxing
- Football
- Golf
- Hockey
- Mixed Martial Arts
- Rugby
- Soccer
- Softball
- Tennis
Bet Types
Mobile betting apps in Pennsylvania offer the same sports bets as web-based sportsbooks. Here are some of the most popular bets taken on PA sportsbook apps:
- Futures
- Moneylines
- Point spreads
- Propositions
- Totals (over/under)
Pennsylvania In-Play Betting
Betting on the Action In Play
There are plenty of ways to score a winning bet on Pennsylvania’s sports betting apps, including through wagers on events that are already underway. The best sportsbooks come with a wealth of live betting options, meaning you won’t need to decide ahead of time if the Philadelphia 76ers will send the Warriors packing. Instead, you can place your bets based on the momentum of events as they unfold.
Live bets often mirror pre-game sports wagering, so points betting, moneylines, and totals bets are usually on the menu. In-game milestone betting is also available, serving up the chance for you to bet on partial game results and whether a team or player will achieve a certain milestone by the end of play.
Withdraw Your Winnings Early by Cashing Out
The option to cash out — that is to say, withdraw your winnings from a bet before the outcome has actually been determined — adds a little extra flexibility to sports betting in the Keystone State. You will usually reduce your payout by accepting a cash-out offer, but it’s a great way to guard against any last-minute upsets.
Imagine you’ve backed the Philadelphia Flyers to beat the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Wells Fargo Center. The Phillies look strong, but the visitors are piling on the pressure. Could they be staging a comeback? By cashing out, you win a little less, but you guarantee a payout, no matter what the outcome of the game might be. Cashing out is also a solid option for cutting your losses from a losing bet.
You’ll commonly see cash out options when you have a parlay bet in play. After all, it’s disappointing to see the final leg of a parlay turn an otherwise lucrative bet slip into scrap paper. Choosing the cash-out option is a way to ensure a return on your original stake.
Yes. Sportsbook apps, such as BetAmerica, Caesars, and Fox Sports, have system requirements for both iOS and Android devices. Individual requirements are available to access via the App and Google Play Store, as well as on the sportsbook websites, but you’ll often find minimum requirements to be Android 5 and iOS 10.
Yes. To place bets on a PA sports betting app, you will need to pass ‘Know Your Customer’ checks. You can usually do this with your passport or driver’s license.
The best PA sports betting apps offer several deposit options. The BetMGM online casino and sportsbook app, for example, offers ACH/e-check, Mastercard and Visa debit and credit cards, American Express, PayNearMe, and e-wallets like PayPal and Skrill.
No, you’ll need to be inside state lines to place legal bets. You can, however, register a new account or manage an existing one anywhere in the US.
Yes. Gambling winnings form part of your taxable income, so be sure you’re aware of what the current tax rate is to be certain of how much you need to set aside.
