We've rated and reviewed the best Pennsylvania betting sites to help you find the perfect online sportsbook for you, including big bonuses, great odds & multiple markets.
"Bet on a huge range of sports with Bet Rivers - there are over 15 to choose from including all the major leagues, European sport and NCAA tournaments"
New Customer Offer Must be 21+ and physically present in U.S. Payout on Free Bet wagers includes profits only(stake not returned). T&Cs apply. 21+. Full T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly.
"The premier fantasy sports operator has the best mobile sportsbook app out there, offering a smooth and seamless experience no matter where you're located "
New Customer Offer A customer's first deposit (min. $5) qualifies the user to receive up to $1,000 in bonus funds in the form of site credits that can only be used on DraftKings. Bonus amount is equal to 20% of that deposit amount, not to exceed $1,000 (the customer must deposit $5,000 to be eligible to receive the maximum possible bonus amount of $1,000). Bonus funds will be awarded to the user according to the following play-through requirement: for every $25 played on DraftKings in DFS/Sportsbook/Casino, the user will receive $1 in bonus funds released into their customer account 21+. Full T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly.
"Bet with Fan Duel for some of the best promos available online - you can place same game parlays, and take part in weekly competitions like NFL Gridiron Pick'em"
New Customer Offer 21+ and present in AZ, CO, CT, IA, IL, IN, KS, LA (permitted parishes only), MA, MD, MI, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, or WY. FanDuel is offering online sports wagering in Kansas under an agreement with Kansas Star Casino, LLC. First online real money wager only. $10 first deposit required. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable bonus bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MI, NJ, OH, PA, IL, TN, VA), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-522-4700 (WY), or visit www.1800gambler.net (WV). 21+. Full T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly.
"Sign up with Fox Bet to join the Stars Rewards loyalty program and receive a variety of rewards, from free bets to game tickets. Every week Fox Bet offers a “Thursday’s Can’t Lose” bet where bettors can receive up to $25 back in free bets if the promoted bet loses."
New Customer Offer New Player Sign up Bonus – Opt-in & place your first bet and if it loses, we'll refund it as a free bet up to $50. Minimum odds of -200 apply. Register and verify your account for real money. Click on the View Challenge button above and hit the Opt-in button before placing your first bet within the first 7-days of creating your account. After Opting-in, place your first real money bet within 7-days and if it loses, we'll refund it as a free bet up to $50. (Minimum odds of -200 apply) Refunds on your losing bet will be credited as a free bet after the qualifying bet settles. Free bet will expire 7-days after issuance. This offer applies to sports wagering only. FOX Bet customers only. Customers who have registered through PokerStars or PokerStars Casino are not eligible. 21+. Full T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly.
"With a variety of banking options, promotional offers and an extensive selection of markets, BetMGM is one of the nation’s stand out sportsbook operators. "
New Customer Offer Deposit a minimum of $10 in to your account and place, as your first real money bet after opening your account, any sports wager. Only the first $500 of the first wager are eligible for this promotion. If your Qualifying Bet loses, you'll receive free bets back in denominations of 10% of the total number of free bet earnings you're eligible for. 21+. Full T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly.
New Customer Offer Make your first cash bet on any event. If your first settled cash bet loses, you will receive a refund to your account equal to the amount of your losing wager (up to $100). Your first cash bet ($10 or over) will qualify. You will receive the refund within 72 hours. 21+. Full T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly.
"Sign up to Caesars and get Caesars Rewards for wagering on sports through the mobile app - you can even cash them in at one of the brick and mortar casinos."
New Customer Offer NY only. 21+. New users and first $10+ wager only. Must register with eligible promo code. Bet amount of qualifying wager returned only if wager is settled as a loss. Maximum bonus bet $1,250; must be used within 14 days of receipt. Tier Credits and Reward Credits will be added to account within 7 days after qualifying wager settles. Void where prohibited. Gambling problem? Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369). See Caesars.com/promos for full terms. Read More 21+. Full T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly.
"Barstool's sportsbook combines its flair for entertainment and comedy to create a one of a kind betting experience. Take advantage of unique offers and promotions and bet on great range of markets."
New Customer Offer Make your first ever cash deposit. Then, place any single wager on your betslip (ex. one parlay bet or one straight bet). If that bet wins, you will not receive any bonus cash. If that bet loses, you will receive a refund in bonus cash equal to the amount wagered (up to $1,000). 21+. Full T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly.
🏆 Best Overall Score:
93%
🎁 Largest Free Bet:
$1250
🤝 Highest Deposit Match:
100%
💵 Minimum Deposit:
$5
If you’re looking for the best online sportsbook in Pennsylvania, then we would recommend BetRivers. With a score of 86%, this sports betting site has a lot going for it. Here’s why we rank it so highly.
"Bet on a huge range of sports with Bet Rivers - there are over 15 to choose from including all the major leagues, European sport and NCAA tournaments"
Must be 21+ and physically present in U.S. Payout on Free Bet wagers includes profits only(stake not returned). T&Cs apply.
Why we recommend Bet Rivers for betting in Pennsylvania
10 sportsbook promotions:
BetRivers offer 10 different sportsbook promotions in total — each of which can be used on your favorite domestic and international sports. From 20% profit boosters for live sports to member-only instant prizes on promotions such as Gone’ Fishing with King Cash, there's a lot on offer at BetRivers.
Two rewarding loyalty programs:
Every wager you place at BetRivers earns you both Loyalty Level Points and Bonus Store Points. You can then cash these points in for perks such as personalized VIP birthday gifts, expedited withdrawals, BetRivers t-shirts and even Apple or Android playing devices. Rewards programs such as iRush Rewards give you access to bigger and better prizes as you climb the loyalty ladder.
Pre-game and live sports betting:
With both pre-game and live sports betting, there’s a broad selection of markets for you to wager on. The presence of live betting markets is particularly good if you missed the chance to place a bet pre-match or if you’ve seen a sudden improvement in the odds after a game has started. From PGA golf to NHL hockey, and MLB baseball to Australian rugby league, wagering on a wide range of sports is easy with BetRivers.
Our alternative picks
Of course, BetRivers might not be for everyone. If that’s the case, DraftKings has a betting pool feature that allows you to compete against other members of your pool for top prizes. You can also give FanDuel a go which offers a $500 risk-free bet when you sign up to the sportsbook.
Pennsylvania, also known as the Keystone State, offers residents and visitors a strong lineup of gambling options including real-money online casino games, a state lottery and legal online sports betting. The Keystone State is home to some of the best legal and regulated online sports betting options in the country. Here’s our rundown of the Pennsylvania sports betting market.
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
Bet On
What Sports Can I Bet On?
If you’re looking for the popular sports markets on Pennsylvania sports betting sites, look no further than the big four US sports leagues, the NBA, the NFL, the NHL, and the MLB. Here is a breakdown of those markets, and the teams representing the Coal State.
Basketball
Basketball is arguably the most individual-centered sport in the US, meaning this is a great market for prop bettors. Whether it’s who will score the most threes, or how many steals, assists, or points a player will win, there are numerous prop markets on offer.
Moneyline and point spread bets maintain popularity with sports bettors, especially during the NBA playoffs, the league’s main competition at the end of the regular season that sees one team crowned champions after several grueling seven-game series.
Of the four major sports, basketball is the only one that has only a single Pennsylvania representative in the major league – the Philadelphia 76ers. The Sixers is one of the oldest teams in basketball, having been founded way back in 1946, and has three championships under its belt. Despite not winning a championship since 1983 and not being back to the finals since Allen Iversen led them there in 2001, the Sixers are a competitive team every season thanks to regular MVP candidates, Joel Embiid and James Harden.
American Football
American football is an intriguing sport for prop bettors, as there are both offensive and defensive teams to bet on. It is the offensive end that tends to draw the most interest, with yards gained, passes completed, and touchdowns scored being among the most popular bets to make.
The NFL has two teams representing the Keystone State, the Philadelphia Eagles, and the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Eagles have 14 divisional championships behind them, plus A7 playoff appearances, having made three finals. However, it wasn’t until 2017, when the team was 84 years old, that the Eagles eventually won a Super Bowl, with the celebrations in the streets of Philadelphia swiftly becoming the stuff of legend.
As for the Steelers, the post-merger version of the team enjoyed a legitimate dynasty in the 70s and has six Super Bowl wins, tied with the New England Patriots for the most of all-time.
Hockey
Hockey is a team sport to its core, and to that end, moneyline and point spread bets tend to be favored by sports bettors. Players like to wager on who will win a game or a half, as well as over/under bets on how many points will be scored between the teams.
Hockey is another sport with two Pennsylvania representatives. The Philadelphia Flyers have eight conference championships and two Stanley Cup wins under their belts – both of which came during the team’s dominance in the mid-70s. However, most PA sports betting fans are most aware of the team for one thing, Gritty the Mascot.
The Pittsburgh Penguins are one of the most successful teams of the century, with a Stanley Cup win in 2009, followed by back-to-back wins in 2016 and 2017. A previous back-to-back win in 1991 and 1992, make the Penguins one of the few teams to repeat the achievement twice.
Baseball
Baseball sees a huge burst of betting action when the World Series comes around each year, however, Pennsylvania betting sites offer big markets on baseball games all year round. With a regular season that sees every team play 162 games, for a total of over 2,400 every year, the potential for parlay bets is huge thanks to multiple games often happening on the same day.
Pennsylvania is represented in the MLB by two teams, the Philadelphia Phillies, created in 1883, and the Pittsburgh Pirates, founded in 1887. With such a rich history, it’s no surprise that baseball is a huge thing in Pennsylvania, and the PA online sports betting betting action proves this. The two teams have seven world series between them, with the Pirates winning five, most recently back in 1979, while the Phillies only have two, but most recently won the big one in 2008.
Other Sports
College sports are huge markets for Pennsylvania US bettors. Unlike many states, there are no restrictions on in-state college teams, meaning you can take a punt on the Villanova Wildcats having a good showing in March Madness, or the Pittsburgh Panthers dominating college football next season. You cannot make individual prop bets on college players, but you can bet on any team you like.
Other popular markets for PA sportsbooks include global leagues, like the English Premier League and Bundesliga in soccer, while events like the Olympics, the French Open tennis tournament, and Champion’s League soccer are also common markets.
Online Betting
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
Our Favourite PA Sportsbooks
While BetRivers offers an excellent PA sportsbook for desktop players, it’s the app that really stands out. While many operators were relatively slow to offer a sportsbook app to bettors, BetRivers came straight in with an excellent, easy-to-use app, with a smooth interface and a spectacular collection of sports and betting markets on offer.
While best known as a casino, BetRivers treats sports bettors well thanks to a 100% matched deposit bonus, something that’s rare with PA betting sites, where most offer free or risk-free bet promos.
Pros:
Fantastic sportsbook app
100% deposit match for new customers
Good choice of sports and betting markets
With the largest retail sports betting site in the US, the Caesars sportsbook is equally impressive. Customers are welcomed with a $500 free bet, which is a better offer than many of the risk-free bets that competitor sites offer, as you’ll receive your free bet whether your first bet wins or loses.
One of the first sportsbooks to enter the market post PASPA, Caesars sportsbook continues to stand out thanks to competitive odds, multiple potential betting markets, and regular promotions and offers for players.
Pros:
Free bet bonus with no wagering requirement
Multiple bonuses for ongoing customers
Good range of sports betting options
Cons:
Online betting site in PA uses an older version of the sportsbook app
Betting Markets
Betting Markets at PA Sportsbooks
There are several different wagers you can make at Pennsylvania sports betting sites. You can bet on teams or players, underdogs or favorites, a single result or multiple outcomes. The choice is yours. Here are the most popular bets at online PA sportsbooks:
Moneyline
A moneyline bet is the simplest bet at a sportsbook, with the aim being to bet on who you think will win. Do your research, pick the team you think is most likely to gain the victory, and make your wager. If they win, you’ll get a payout at the odds displayed when you make your bet.
Be sure to check the terms of betting, as most moneylines will not count overtime or extra innings wins, however, many sportsbooks will allow you to add that caveat to your bet if you think it’ll be close.
You can also bet on a draw, which will often pay out huge odds for popular sports such as basketball, where overtime is not common.
Prop Bets
Proposition or prop bets are made on events that will not necessarily have a direct impact on the outcome of a game. For example, you might think that Joel Embiid will have a 30-point, 10-rebound game for the Sixers, or that Jalen Hurts will throw for 150 yards for the Eagles. Prop bets mean you can bet on those occurrences.
Point Spread
The point spread is a way for sportsbooks to even the odds between two teams by putting a differential on the score. For example, if the Sixers are taking on the Houston Rockets, and the experts predict a dominant performance for Philly, they might set the point spread at 10. This means Philadelphia would have to win by more than 10 for a bet to payout, while the Rockets could lose by fewer than 10 points, and a bet on Houston would still win.
Parlays
Parlays involve connecting several bets on one ticket. Say you’re feeling good about four different Pennsylvania teams winning their games on a single day, so you want to bet on them all. You can do that individually, and each will pay out its moneyline odds if you win.
The other option is to make a parlay bet, where the odds will increase substantially if you win. However, if even one of your four – or however many – predictions are incorrect, the whole bet loses.
Bonuses
Bonuses at PA Sportsbooks
Bonuses are a Pennsylvania sportsbook’s way of catching, and keeping, your attention. With competition being so high amongst Pennsylvania sports betting sites, a welcome bonus and existing customer promotions are common. Here are the bonus offers you’re most likely to see:
Free Bets
Online free bets are pretty much what they say on the tin. Instead of a promotional bonus payout, a sportsbook will instead give you a free bet – or bets – up to a certain value. You can use these free bets on any event you like within the parameters set out in the bonus terms and conditions.
BetMGM offers a $200 free bet bonus for customers making their first wager of $10 or more.
Matched Deposits
Matched deposits see online sports betting sites match a certain percentage of a player’s deposit. This may be as part of a welcome bonus or as an offer for existing sports bettors. For example, a site may offer a 50% bonus up to $200, meaning if you deposited $40, you’d get an extra $20 in bonus funds. Be sure to check the wagering requirements and other terms before accepting.
DraftKings is currently offering new players a 20% matched deposit bonus up to a $1,000 maximum.
Risk-Free Bets
Risk-free bets are a way that PA betting sites may offer to cover your losses on a specific bet. Whether it’s your first bet or part of an existing player offer, the deal is the same. Make a bet within the guidelines set in the promotion, and if it loses, you will get a free bet of the same value from the sports betting site or credit for the site, or sportsbook app, to use at a later date.
If you win the initial bet, you’ll be paid out as normal. Be mindful that terms and conditions may apply so check through before accepting any bonus offers.
At the time of writing, Betway sportsbook is offering a $1,000 risk-free bet to new customers.
Banking
Payment Methods
Deposits and withdrawals can be made easier at PA betting sites thanks to a plethora of available payment methods. Here are the banking options you’re most likely to find at the cashier of online PA sportsbooks.
Debit/Credit Cards
Debit and credit cards are the most popular method for sports bettors in Pennsylvania and throughout the US. This is partly due to all online sportsbooks offering Mastercard and VISA options, and also because all bonus off are available to players depositing with these methods. Simply input your details once, and the PA sports betting site will save them for future deposits and withdrawals.
The only downsides to debit and credit card payments are the processing times for withdrawals, which can take a few days, and the need to directly share your details with a sportsbook.
e-Wallets
e-Wallets like PayPal and Skrill are a common method for PA sports bettors who are uncomfortable inputting their banking details into a sportsbook site. With e-wallets, you fund your wallet and then make the deposit through PayPal or your chosen provider, no information is shared with the site. For withdrawals, e-wallets are consistently the fastest for processing times, taking no more than 24 hours and often clearing funds immediately.
Some welcome bonuses are not accessible to those making deposits via e-wallet, so be sure to check the T&Cs before choosing your payment method.
Prepaid Cards
For Pennsylvania sports bettors, prepaid cards, from the likes of Mastercard, are an effective way to deposit while keeping your personal banking information private. You simply charge the card with a certain amount and then input a code to deposit that same amount to your casino, or PA sportsbook account.
Prepaid cards can only be used to make deposits, so you will have to select an alternative option in order to withdraw any winnings.
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.
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:
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.
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 abill that would repeal the state prohibition on sports betting. Another representative, Rob Matzie authored a sports bettingresolution 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-upbill 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 anotherbill 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.
Pennsylvania players must be at least 21 years of age to place a bet at PA sportsbooks. You also need to be physically located within state lines in order to make deposits and real-money bets at PA sports betting sites.
Withdrawal times can change from site to site. Some sites may take a few days to process a withdrawal, while others may release your funds within 24 hours of a request. Once funds have left your sportsbook account, there can be a further delay depending on your withdrawal method. e-Wallets usually offer the shortest processing times once a sportsbook releases your money.
Pennsylvania legalized sports betting in 2018, making it one of the first US states to do so. This is because PA had actually voted to legalize sports betting before PASPA was overturned, having made the decision in 2017, meaning the state was ready to legalize the practice as soon as the federal ban was lifted.
Problem gambling is a serious issue. If you think you or someone you know is showing signs of a gambling problem, there is help and support available in Pennsylvania from organizations like Gamblers Anonymous and the National Council on Problem Gambling. Never be ashamed to ask for help.
The Cardinals have reached the NFL basement once again, so it’s no surprise to see some draft questions in the mailbag. Let’s get to it. “If the Cardinals were to hold the No. 1 pick in next spring’s NFL Draft. How do you think that plays out?” – Cody Marmon Kyle Odegard: Quarterback prospects Caleb…
Jake is a gambling content specialist for Compare.bet, with a focus on the regulated US market. He is responsible for producing news content for Compare.bet News, state guides for Compare.bet US and has interviewed several senior executives within the gambling industry. Jake previously wrote for Gambling Insider and LGBT+ news site PinkNews.
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