PA sports betting regulation
Is it legal to bet on sports in Pennsylvania?
Yes, sports betting is legal and live in the Keystone State. In October 2017, lawmakers in the state introduced a gambling expansion package which legalized online gambling including online slot games, online poker, online table games, sports betting, and daily fantasy sports. However, sports betting would only become legal if the federal law prohibiting it was repealed.
After the repeal of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), the state of Pennsylvania moved to allow regulated and legal sports betting. The first Pennsylvania sportsbook launched at the Hollywood Casino at Penn National on 17 November 2018. On 31 May 2019, online and mobile sports betting arrived in Pennsylvania with the launch of SugarHouse’s online betting platform.
While most Pennsylvania gambling venues announced plans to launch sports betting operations, not every casino has applied for a sports betting license. This is likely due to the tax rates and fees that have been set by the state of Pennsylvania: a casino must pay a $10m application fee to apply for a sports betting license. If successful in its application, the establishment will then have to pay 34% tax on gross gaming revenue.
Sports betting is available at the following Pennsylvania venues:
- Hollywood Casino
- SugarHouse Casino
- Rivers Casino
- Parx Casino
- Sith Philadelphia Turf Club
- Harrah’s Philadelphia
- Valley Forge
- Valley Forge Race and Sportsbook
- Mohegan Sun Pocono
- Mount Airy Casino
- Presque Isle Downs
What sports can I bet on?
Punters in Pennsylvania can bet on a variety of professional and collegiate sporting events including:
- Baseball
- Football
- Hockey
- Basketball
- Soccer
- Boxing
- Golf
- Tennis
- Motorsports
- MMA
- Australian rules
- Cycling
- Athletics
Can I bet online in Pennsylvania?
Yes. Pennsylvania punters can place sports bets online via desktop computers and mobile betting apps from anywhere in the Keystone State. As per state regulations, bettors must be located within state lines in order to use an online sportsbook to place a bet. There are currently seven online sports betting options available in the Keystone State, all of which are fully licensed and regulated by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.
On 31 May 2019, Rush Street Interactive’s SugarHouse Casino became the first operator to launch an online and mobile sportsbook in Pennsylvania. SugarHouse, one of the biggest casino names in Pennsylvania, also operates an online sportsbook and casino in New Jersey.
Shortly after the launch of the SugarHouse sportsbook, both Rivers Casino and Parx Casino launched their online and mobile sports betting product on 27 June 2019. It’s clear to see that Rivers and SugarHouse are both owned by the same company, Rush Street Interactive, as the sports betting offerings are nearly identical.
On 22 July, New Jersey’s sports betting market leader, FanDuel, officially entered the Pennsylvania sports betting market with the launch of FanDuel Sportsbook. In September 2019, Fox Bet, which is powered by The Stars Group, launched in Pennsylvania. DraftKings, the fantasy sports provider turned sports betting giant launched its online sportsbook in Pennsylvania in November. The same month, Unibet, a newcomer to the US betting space also launched its online betting platform in the Keystone State.
More online sportsbooks are expected to launch in the coming months, but for the time being, here are the online sports betting brands you will see in Keystone State:
| Operator |
Android app |
iOS app |
| SugarHouse |
Yes |
Yes |
| BetRivers |
Yes |
Yes |
| Parx Sportsbook |
Yes |
Yes |
| FanDuel Sportsbook |
Yes |
Yes |
| DraftKings Sportsbook |
Yes |
Yes |
| Unibet |
Yes |
Yes |
| Fox Bet |
Yes |
Yes |
PA sports betting revenue
Pennsylvania sports betting revenue
Pennsylvania launched sports wagering in November 2018 at land-based casino sportsbooks. Then in May 2019, the state began launching mobile and online sportsbook products.
In Pennsylvania, sports betting is subject to a 36% tax rate, one of the highest in the country.
Complete state reports can be accessed on the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board’s portal.
Last updated on 11th January 2022
| Month |
Handle |
Revenue |
Tax |
| November 2018 |
$1,414,587 |
$508,997 |
$183,239 |
| December 2018 |
$16,173,090 |
$2,007,592 |
$722,733 |
| January 2019 |
$32,011,839 |
$2,607,215 |
$938,597 |
| February 2019 |
$31,500,742 |
$1,946,817 |
$700,854 |
| March 2019 |
$44,527,575 |
$5,519,340 |
$1,986,962 |
| April 2019 |
$36,769,145 |
$4,221,482 |
$1,519,734 |
| May 2019 |
$35,934,215 |
$2,861,852 |
$1,030,267 |
| June 2019 |
$46,334,244 |
$3,126,380 |
$740,455 |
| July 2019 |
$59,331,959 |
$5,079,633 |
$1,026,769 |
| August 2019 |
$109,038,051 |
$9,887,738 |
$2,201,406 |
| September 2019 |
$194,504,622 |
$19,334,816 |
$5,359,994 |
| October 2019 |
$241,186,066 |
$19,116,777 |
$5,381,370 |
| November 2019 |
$316,468,264 |
$20,570,772 |
$5,299,447 |
| December 2019 |
$342,560,389 |
$17,459,091 |
$4,094,813 |
| January 2020 |
$348,381,708 |
$31,580,803 |
$8,222,829 |
| February 2020 |
$329,765,782 |
$11,432,097 |
$1,700,0911 |
| March 2020 |
$131,330,059 |
$8,606,120 |
$2,480,132 |
| April 2020 |
$46,015,988 |
$3,202,680 |
$1,038,050 |
| May 2020 |
$77,510,033 |
$5,918,697 |
$1,738,436 |
| June 2020 |
$89,002,562 |
$7,959,790 |
$2,397,657 |
| July 2020 |
$164,782,229 |
$13,651,865 |
$2,933,093 |
| August2020 |
$364,985,422 |
$27,593,677 |
$6,578,668 |
| September 2020 |
$462,787,392 |
$18,277,566 |
$2,257,158 |
| October 2020 |
$525,802,524 |
$47,834,647 |
$13,239,694 |
| November 2020 |
$491,910,713 |
$48,500,443 |
$11,226,836 |
| December 2020 |
$548,590,065 |
$45,344,348 |
$12,261,434 |
| January 2021 |
$615,294,827 |
$49,305,268 |
$12,229,343 |
| February 2021 |
$509,547,820 |
$33,171,120 |
$5,896,731 |
| March 2021 |
$560,259,181 |
$41,029,269 |
$9,353,345 |
| April 2021 |
$479,411,021 |
$36,033,727 |
$9,466,734 |
| May 2021 |
$447,465,027 |
$37,419,313 |
$9,988,735 |
| June 2021 |
$420,193,377 |
$42,495,332 |
$12,321,187 |
| July 2021 |
$304,415,503 |
$27,482,519 |
$7,148,225 |
| August 2021 |
$348,520,369 |
$25,315,958 |
$6,482,608 |
| September 2021 |
$578,760,746 |
$48,113,670 |
$10,171,365 |
| October 2021 |
$776,277,954 |
$42,282,405 |
$8,471,813 |
| November 2021 |
$761,574,597 |
$84,921,693 |
$22,922,758 |
| Total |
$10,890,339,687 |
$851,721,509 |
$211,713,481 |
Other PA gambling options
What else can I bet on in Pennsylvania?
Gambling in Pennsylvania may have only been legalized in 2004, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t something for everyone here. There are currently 12 casinos in operation across the state, though a thirteenth is under construction in Philadelphia.
The casinos in the state offer a variety of gambling options including slots, poker and a variety of table games. The table games on offer vary between casinos but you can be sure to find games like:
- Blackjack
- Craps
- Roulette
- Poker
- High card flush
- Heads-up hold’em
- Let it ride
- Spanish 21
- Mini-baccarat
- Cajun stud
- Big 6 wheel
You can also bet on horse racing at a number of different horse racing venues in the state.
The state of Pennsylvania also runs a state-wide lottery, and players can buy tickets from retailers across the state. However, this is not limited to physical retail stores: as part of a gambling package that was introduced in 2017, the state lottery expanded its presence with an online lottery platform.
Online gambling was also legalized as part of the 2017 gambling package. In July 2019, Pennsylvania’s first real-money online casinos went live. Among the first wave of online casinos in the Keystone State were Hollywood Online Casino, Parx Online Casino and SugarHouse Online Casino. As a result, residents and visitors can now play a variety of games at these online sites, such as:
- Online slot games
- Online poker
- Online table games
There are currently 10 online casino platforms available to players in the Keystone State:
- BetAmerica Casino
- BetRivers Casino
- Caesars Casino
- DraftKings Casino
- FanDuel Casino
- Hollywood Casino
- Parx Casino
- PlaySugarHouse Casino
- PokerStars Casino
- Unibet Casino
Looking for online casinos in Pennsylvania? Here’s a comprehensive guide to Pennsylvania’s online casino market.
Casinos in Pennsylvania are expected to launch satellite casinos soon. These are smaller casinos run by the major casino operators in the state. This will allow establishments with satellite casino licenses to offer up to 750 slot games and 30 table games. The following casinos have been granted satellite casino licenses:
- Hollywood casino (Acquired 2 licenses)
- Philly Live! Casino
- Mount Airy Casino
- Parx Casino
| Casinos in Pennsylvania |
Address |
Contact |
Email |
Opening hours |
| Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course
|
777 Hollywood Blvd, Grantville, PA 17028, USA |
+1 717-469-2211
|
Online form |
24 hours |
| Parx Casino
|
2999 Street Rd, Bensalem, PA 19020, USA
|
+1 215-639-9000 |
[email protected] |
24 hours |
| Harrah’s Philadelphia Casino and Racetrack |
777 Harrah’s Blvd, Chester, PA 19013, USA |
+1 484-490-1800 |
Not available |
24 hours |
| SugarHouse Casino |
1001 N Delaware Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19125, USA |
+1 877-477-3715 |
Online form |
24 hours |
| Rivers Casino Pittsburgh |
777 Casino Dr, Pittsburgh, PA 15212, USA |
+1 412-231-7777 |
Online form |
24 hours |
| Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem |
77 Sands Blvd, Bethlehem, PA 18015, USA |
+1 484-777-7777 |
[email protected] |
24 hours |
| The Meadows Racetrack and Casino |
210 Racetrack Rd, Washington, PA 15301, USA |
+1 877-824-5050 |
Online form |
24 hours |
| Mohegan Sun Pocono |
1280 PA-315, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702, USA |
+1 570-831-2100 |
[email protected] |
24 hour |
| Mount Airy Casino Resort |
312 Woodland Rd, Mt Pocono, PA 18344, USA |
+1 877-682-4791 |
Online form |
24 hours |
| Presque Isle Downs & Casino |
8199 Perry Hwy, Erie, PA 16509, USA |
+1 866-374-3386 |
[email protected] |
24 hours |
| Valley Forge Casino Resort |
1160 1st Ave, King of Prussia, PA 19406, USA |
+1 610-354-8118 |
Online form |
24 hours |
| Lady Luck Casino Nemacolin |
4067 National Pike, Farmington, PA 15437, USA |
+1 724-329-7500 |
Not available |
24 hours |
Is it safe to bet on sports in Pennsylvania?
All of the sportsbooks in Pennsylvania are fully licensed and regulated and therefore guarantee fair results and a safe betting experience. However, to make sure gambling remains fun, it’s important to gamble responsibly and never bet more than you can afford to lose.
If you have any concerns that you, or a loved one, may be suffering from problem gambling involving yourself, or a loved one, both the Council on Compulsive Gambling of Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, have a variety of resources to help.
You can contact the Council on Compulsive Gambling of Pennsylvania via:
Phone number for state service – 800-848-1880 in PA
Phone number for regional service – 800-GAMBLER
MAILING ADDRESS – Council on Compulsive Gambling of Pennsylvania, Inc. 12 East Butler Avenue, Suite 220, Ambler, PA 19002
Are offshore gambling sites legal in Pennsylvania?
Offshore gambling sites are not legal in Pennsylvania. These sites don’t have a license to operate in the state and are not subject to its regulatory standards. This means they may not be secure or may not have player protection measures in place to protect vulnerable players. You also have no way of finding out who is handling the money you deposit into an online account.
Before placing a bet online, check to make sure it is licensed and regulated. Most authorized online sportsbooks display the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board’s seal on their site.
Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) Seal
You can spot offshore gambling sites by looking at the website’s domain name: if it ends in .EU or .AG it does not hold a license to operate in Pennsylvania and therefore should be avoided at all costs.
Who regulates sports gambling in Pennsylvania?
All gambling activities in the state of Pennsylvania are overseen and regulated by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB).
How old must I be to gamble in Pennsylvania?
The legal gambling age in Pennsylvania is different depending on what you want to bet on. You’ll need to be 18 to make pari-mutuel wagers, bet on horse racing and play daily fantasy sports. If you want to play casino games and play on online gambling sites, you need to be 21 years of age.
PA sports betting history
The journey to legal and regulated sports betting in Pennsylvania
1992 – Congress passed the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) prohibiting sports betting across US states. Four states were made exempt from the law: Nevada, Delaware, Oregon and Montana. These states had legal sports betting regulations in place.
2004 – Gambling was made legal in Pennsylvania, paving the way for slot parlors to install virtual lottery terminals.
2010 – The state built upon legislation and expanded on licenses to include poker games.
2015 – Representative Rick Kotik introduced a bill that would repeal the state prohibition on sports betting. Another representative, Rob Matzie authored a sports betting resolution aimed at Congress to repeal the federal sports betting ban.
2016 – In January, the House Gaming Oversight Committee passed Matzie’s resolution, putting Matzie at the front of the legal battle for sports betting.
2017 – Matzie continued the sports betting movement and in January introduced a follow-up bill to the one Kotik introduced the year prior. This new bill laid out regulations and procedures for sports betting in Pennsylvania including licensing cost and tax rates. The House Gaming Oversight Committee signed off on the bill in April.
At the time, there was a push from state lawmakers for an expansion of the gambling industry in the state. This was the state’s answer to a growing budget deficit. Soon after, representative Jason Ortitay introduced another bill that contained the groundwork for an expansive gambling package- the kind that lawmakers believed would help with the deficit.
In October, after a number of rewrites, the state introduced a gambling expansion package which legalized online gambling including online slot games, online poker, online table games, sports betting, and daily fantasy sports.
2018 – On 14 May, the Court reached a decision. In a 7 – 2 vote it was agreed that one of the clauses in PASPA did indeed violate the Tenth Amendment as it commandeered power from states to regulate their own gambling industries.
This made it legal for a state government to regulate their own gambling industries and therefore legalize sports betting if it wished.
Pennsylvania legalized sports betting and opened up applications for licenses.
On 3 October 2018, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board awarded its first sports betting licenses. One went to Greenwood Gaming for the Parx Casino and another went to Penn National Gaming for the Hollywood Casino.
In November, the Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course became the first venue to launch a sportsbook in the state of Pennsylvania. The following month, two more sportsbooks launched in Pennsylvania: one at the SugarHouse Casino in Philadelphia and one at the Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh.
2019 – On Tuesday 8 January, Parx Casino launched sports betting operations, becoming the fourth Pennsylvania sportsbook to accept bets on sports. Shortly after this, a sportsbook launched at the South Philadelphia Turf Club.
Towards the end of January, Harrah’s Philadelphia became the sixth venue in the state to launch sports betting operations.
On 31 May, SugarHouse became the first operator in the state to offer legal and regulated online and mobile sports betting.
On 27 June, Rivers and Parx launched their online sports betting sites and mobile apps.
FanDuel Sportsbook launched its online betting platform in the Keystone State on 22 July. This brought the number of legal online betting sites in Pennsylvania to four.
In September, the Fox Bet sports betting platform arrived in the state. The Keystone State also saw sports betting handle pass the $200m mark in September.
In November, both Unibet and DraftKings launched their online sports betting sites and apps in the Keystone State. This bought the total number of online betting platforms in Pennsylvania to seven.
Sportsbooks in the Keystone State also reported taking more than $316m in wagers for the month of November.
Pennsylvania’s sportsbooks processed more than $1.4bn in wagers in 2019.
2020 – In January, Pennsylvania sportsbooks opened the year of 2020 with $348.4m in wagers.
In March, land-based casinos and retail sportsbook facilities were forced to temporarily close their doors to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Casinos in the state closed for the first time on March 12.
By March 17, all 12 commercial casinos in the state of Pennsylvania closed their doors.
In June, casinos in the state began to reopen. On June 9, the first two casinos, Rivers Casino Pittsburgh and The Meadows reopened their doors to the public.
In July the final shuttered casino, Rivers Casino Philadelphia, reopened its doors on July 17.
In September 2020, Barstool Sportsbook soft-launched its sports betting product in the state of Pennsylvania. This month also saw Pennsylvania sports betting handle hit a record $462.8m.
In December, Pennsylvania’s betting handle hit a record $548.6m, sending the state’s total handle for the year past $3.5bn.
2021 – In January 2021, sportsbooks in Pennsylvania took $615.3m in wagers, continuing their record-breaking streak.
In March, the Australian operator PointsBet expanded its market access agreement with Penn National Gaming to cover the Pennsylvania and Mississippi markets.
In October, Pennsylvania’s sports betting market shattered previous handle records after sportsbooks took $776.3m in wagers for the month.
Stay updated on US sports betting legislation with Compare.bet.
