Pa Online Sports Betting

Pennsylvania (PA) Sports Betting Laws and Background Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Is online sports betting legal in Pennsylvania? Sports betting became legal in Pennsylvania in 2018 when the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) was ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court of the United States. BetRivers is a relative newcomer on the PA gambling scene but is already proving to be a popular online sportsbook for Pennsylvanian sports bettors. BetRivers Sportsbook is currently offering new customers a solid welcome bonus of up to $250 Deposit Match. All you have to do is enter the BetRivers PA Affiliate Code. Parx Online Casino & Sportsbook PA Online Gaming & Betting Parx Online Casino & Sportsbook is the #1 online casino in Pennsylvania with sports betting, slots, table games, blackjack, poker, roulette, live dealer.

The legalization of Sports Gambling has opened up doors for online sports betting sites that have long been innovating and creating user experiences online and in mobile applications. The result is that sports betting has become open for business and that will open the world up to many opportunities for everyone involved.

Account Options

The best way to get involved in sports betting is to pick from the best online betting sites. Sports betting online is already a business for a litany of companies, but there are a few that have differentiated themselves as the top user experiences in this growing business.The top sites include the following:

• Bovada
• BetOnline
• MyBookie

Making the choice

The best site depends upon the wants and needs of the individual customer. Sites are known to customize their experience to mobile instances and apps are already developed that will help you bet on a sport virtually anywhere.

Making Deposits

Sites can also now be trusted with deposits because of the legality of sports gambling. Sports betting online is now as simple as transferring money from your bank account to start and requesting a payout whenever you feel necessary. The old model where your money was held at an offshore account is no longer necessary. This will bring legitimacy and foster trust between the Company and customer that should make online sports betting sites even more popular.

Differentiating Websites

The very best online betting sites will no doubt continue to innovate. In a lot of ways, websites have only started to come up with new ways to attract customers. Making live bets is a process has not been tested very thoroughly and the best sports betting sites will go online with live sports bets in a way that makes it very easy to make a bet and win or lose within minutes or even seconds. This is just one example of a way that the best sports betting sites will differentiate themselves.

Picking Sides

The best thing about making a bet is that the options are endless. There are thousands of wagers available to consumers and it is very easy to find a niche. From making wagers on the coin flip of a game all the way to making over/under bets on season-long wins, there are options for everyone who wants to get a little action on a game.

Reality Moving Forward

The reality of wagering is that it can be a very risky proposition if a person takes it too seriously or tries to make a living with their bets. The best way to approach this new legal business to treat it as a hobby and use discretionary income only to make wagers. If treated as a hobby and done in moderation, there is absolutely nothing that is better for a fan of sports. The key to optimizing the experience is to find the right dance partner. The decision between Bovada, BetOnline or Mybookie depends on the preferences of each individual.

The Future is Bright

There is no telling how much this industry will grow going forward. The future will be defined by increased regulation and transparency which should help to further legitimize the business in the eyes of skeptics. There will no doubt be additional entrants into the industry as the business case is further solidified. All of this will be great for customers looking to get the best gambling deals and user experience. Increased competition will make the experience infinitely better. So buckle up and enjoy the ride!

Pennsylvania sports bettors have plenty of options to make that wager on the next Steelers or Eagles game.

Our guide to online sports betting in Pennsylvania shares everything you need to start. From sports to available bets, from creating an account to your first deposit.

At PA sportsbooks, you’ll find plenty of generous promotions, new player bonuses, risk-free bets, and other incentives to get in the game.

Best online sportsbooks in Pennsylvania

Overview of sports betting apps, bonuses, and promotions in PA

When it comes to sports betting in Pennsylvania, there are numerous options. The market is highly competitive, and that benefits players. That goes for new players looking to make some free bets or earn some extra cash with new sign-up bonus offers.

These bets are suitable for players who are testing multiple platforms. Here’s a look at some of the properties online, their live or online partners, and what bettors can expect when signing up:

FanDuel Sporstsbook app

Along with being one of the most popular DFS sites, this operator has also become a popular online sportsbook. In PA, FanDuel is partnered with Valley Forge (and Live! Philadelphia) for sports betting.

Those accustomed to FanDuel’s DFS or New Jersey online experience will be pleased with its PA sports betting app, as it is the same thing. That includes some additional odds boosts and other promotions. Those new to the book earn one free $500 risk-free bet. It’s a can’t-lose proposition.

DRAFTKINGS Sportsbook app

The Meadows quickly gained approval, opened its retail casino at the beginning of October 2019, and launched its DraftKings Sportsbook app on Nov. 4 2019, making it the sixth PA mobile sportsbook.

DraftKings offers new users a 20% deposit bonus up to $1,000 (subject to some play-through requirements). You can also get a free $25 just for signing up. The site will give you five free $5 bets.

Unibet sportsbook app

A trusted brand in Europe and New Jersey is now live in Pennsylvania thanks to Mohegan Sun Pocono. Unibet Sportsbook brings PA players similar offerings to those found in the UK, with even more promotions.

At Unibet get $20 free just for signing up. When you deposit, you can get a risk-free bet of up to $250.

betmgm sportsbook app

One of the biggest brands in US gambling, BetMGM has made its way to Pennsylvania with both an online casino and online sportsbook now available. The BetMGM Sportsbook app, available for iOS and Android, has a healthy menu of betting markets as well as an Easy Parlay Builder.

BetMGM launched sports betting under the Hollywood Casino Morgantown license, which was approved by the PGCB days before the app debuted in PA. Penn National’s Morgantown mini-casino plans to open in 2021. BetMGM also has a partnership with the Pittsburgh Steelers, making cross-promotions between the two common.

New BetMGM PA users can get a 100% deposit match bonus up to $500 using our bonus code PLAYBONUS. The sportsbook as well as the BetMGM online casino are linked to the world-class M Life Rewards program.

BetRivers sportsbook app

BetRivers is another well-known casino brand and bettors will also enjoy the online sports betting platform. Like SugarHouse, BetRivers Casino is owned by Rush Street Gaming and powered by Kambi, so bettors will find a similar experience with this casino and sportsbook. The BetRivers app operates under the Rivers Pittsburgh sports betting license.

New players will enjoy the $250 welcome bonus. Use the code MATCH250 and earn up to a 100% deposit bonus.

CAESARS ONLINE SPORTSBOOK

Caesars just launched in March 2020, and their platform is now integrated with its online casino. Partnered with Harrah’s Philadelphia, players can earn Caesars Rewards tier credits through online play, and switch back and forth between your favorite online casino games and sports betting.

New users in PA can get a 100% deposit bonus up to $500 by signing up to the Caesars Casino & Sportsbook through our exclusive links.

Parx sportsbook app

Another popular PA casino, this online book offers new bettors plenty of options and is powered by Kambi. Check out the trending matchups and make a wager.

New bettors can earn up to $250 as part of the 100% first deposit match bonus.

BetAmerica sportsbook app

BetAmerica launched in Pennsylvania in December 2019 through Presque Isle Downs, which is operated by Churchill Downs. The app is a little low-tech compared to the other options in Pennsylvania. Churchill Downs is expanding the brand into other states though, so there is potential for improvements as it grows.

New users can get a free $25 bet as well as a 100% deposit match up to $100.

PlaySugarHouse Sportsbook App

SugarHouse, now Rivers Philadelphia, is a well-known casino in PA and offers a proven brand. Bettors can download the PlaySugarHouse Casino app for Android and easily navigate to the online sportsbook while iPhone users can use a third-party app, GeoGuard, to access the browser version of the sportsbook on their devices. The online book is powered by Kambi.

Take advantage of a 100% deposit-match bonus of up to $250. Use the promo code 250MATCH.

History of online sports betting in Pennsylvania

Pa Online Sports Betting

The first legal sportsbook opened in November 2018 at Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course in Grantville, PA.

That was just the start, as PA bettors can now enjoy numerous live sports betting at multiple locations around the state. Five months after Hollywood’s launch, the virtual betting windows also opened. SugarHouse Sportsbook subsequently went live online, making it the first sports betting app on the market.

By the start of football season, there were five different online betting sites up and running. Then, DraftKings joined the fray in November 2019 and the operator launches continued coming through 2020.

Caesars Online Sportsbook went live on March 10, 2020 and Penn National’s Barstool Sportsbook app was the tenth online sportsbook operator to launch, doing so in Sept. 2020. Wind Creek opened a new retail Betfred Sportsbook in November.

In Dec. 2020, Penn National added another partner with BetMGM Sportsbook launching under their Hollywood Casino Morgantown (mini-casino) license.

More online sportsbooks plan to launch

The popular PA sports betting market is still not done growing.

Live! Philadelphia plans to open in 2021 with a retail FanDuel Sportsbook. Wind Creek also plans to follow their retail opening with a Betfred online sportsbook.

Here is where each sportsbook’s progress stands:

Mobile apps and online betting

Using a laptop or mobile device makes betting convenient.

You can wager anytime, anywhere. After some struggles in gaining access to the Apple App Store, bettors have found more luck since those issues were resolved in PA.

Most operators now offer an app to make the experience even smoother.

For apps that have the approval to be in the Apple App Store, downloading is easy. Downloading on an Android device is also simple.

Advantages and disadvantages of mobile sports betting

Hitting the retail sportsbook makes for a fun way to enjoy an NBA or NHL playoff game. Or maybe you and some friends head to the book for a day of NFL games.

The mobile and online experience can add excitement to a game from the comfort of your home. Numerous advantages to wagering online make it so popular, including:

• • Plenty of conveniences: Bettors don’t have to venture out to a brick and mortar sportsbook and wait in line to place a bet. Those in the sportsbook may even find it easier to use a mobile app to bet while watching their bets play out on TV.
  • Safe and secure: Betting in a legalized US sports betting market offers the comfort and security that a player’s account is safe. That may not be the case with an illegal offshore site or the “guy in the neighborhood” bookie.
  • 24/7 betting: Bettors can wager on an app at any time of day. Mobile wagering is perfect for placing those Sunday NFL bets throughout the week. The opportunity to make a wager is always available.
  • Ease of use: Using an online platform is quite simple. Bettors can quickly scroll through all matchups and lines for almost any given sport or league. Contrast that with trying to find a matchup up at a live sportsbook, searching for the game you’re looking for in small font above the betting windows. In other words, betting on a mobile app is clear, simple, and as easy as tapping a team and an amount to wager.
  • No barriers to entry: Making a bet in a sportsbook can be intimidating for someone learning the system and maybe not familiar with the jargon. However, using an app or online site makes learning more about betting much easier. Using smaller bet increments also allows players to learn more before moving to higher stakes.

Signing up and depositing funds

Those ready to place an NFL parlay or Super Bowl futures bet only have to sign up and get started. You can use the links below to visit one of the online sportsbooks.

You must provide your name, address, email, and other details to get started. Also, you need to provide a username and password. Yes, it’s that easy to create your account.

Then you can make that first deposit to start earning the first-deposit bonus, welcome bonus or a risk-free bet. Most sportsbooks offer many ways to deposit.

Some of the more common options include:

• Bank (wire) transfers
• Credit or debit cards
• E-checks (ACH transfers)
• E-wallets
• Neteller
• PayNearMe (cash payments at numerous retail outlets, including 7-Eleven and CVS)
• PayPal
• Prepaid cards

Beyond those options, you can also deposit cash at the partner casino’s cashier cage.

One thing to remember: Bettors don’t have to physically be in Pennsylvania to create an account or make a deposit.

Those in a border state may way to create an account for a short drive over to do some sports betting. Maybe you’re headed to Philadelphia or Pittsburgh for business or a big NFL game. Plan ahead; create that account so you can bet on the game.

It’s an easy process and only takes a few minutes. Also, withdrawals are accessible with several options, even including cash withdrawal at a casino.

What bets can I make online?

Sports bettors can find just about any wager online one might find in a sportsbook in Las Vegas. Online betting platforms offer wagering on all major leagues and matchups, with no closing times.

Here are some of the types of bets you will find:

• Straight
• Totals (over/under total points)
• Futures
• Moneyline
• Parlays and teasers
• Prop
• Live, in-game

Most popular sports to bet on in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania sports fans have plenty of home teams in all the major sports as well as college teams. Online sportsbooks make for betting on the local team an easy proposition. The state’s professional and college teams include:

• NFL: Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles
• MLB: Philadelphia Phillies
• NHL: Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers
• NBA: Philadelphia 76ers
• MLS: Philadelphia Union
• College sports: Penn State, University of Pittsburgh, Villanova, University of Pennsylvania (Ivy League), La Salle, Bucknell, Temple, Lehigh, and others.

Which PA team gets the most betting action?

The NFL season is the most popular season for sports betting.

That goes for most of the sports landscape, and the Steelers and Eagles should bring plenty of action. Plenty of bettors started making NFL Week 1 and futures wagers as soon as live and online sportsbook opened for business.

As America’s most popular league, the NFL remains top dog when it comes to betting revenue and handle. The league schedule allows for a week of study and analysis for bettors, then peaking with plenty of action on Sunday.

Along with NFL action, college football should also make for some popular teams for some of the state’s bettors. The Penn State Nittany Lions are regularly among the top teams in the Big Ten conference.

Basketball and baseball are also popular betting seasons, and the state has plenty of teams to follow. March Madness is also popular, and PA has several teams that are regularly a part of the action, including 2018 champion Villanova.

The future of sports betting in PA

The outlook for sports wagering in the Keystone State looks excellent.

As of March 2021, there are many sportsbook options, including online and mobile platforms. With nice revenue numbers during the first few months, football season showed significant market gains in the state.

Pa Online Sports Betting Sites

Retail sportsbooks

Those looking for a day at the sportsbook for some games and betting action are in luck in Pennsylvania. That’s because there are currently a dozen legal sportsbooks in the state. Those are:

• Hollywood Casino
• Rivers Casino Pittsburgh
• Rivers Casino Philadelphia (formerly SugarHouse Casino)
• Parx Casino
• South Philadelphia Turf Club
• Harrah’s Philadelphia
• FanDuel Sportsbook at Valley Forge Casino
• BetAmerica Sportsbook at Presque Isle Downs
• The Meadows
• Mount Airy
• Mohegan Sun Pocono (Unibet Sportsbook)
• The Downs at Lehigh Valley (Unibet Sportsbook)

Where can you bet on sports?

What’s legal and illegal to bet on in PA

Sports betting has taken center stage in Pennsylvania since it was legalized in October 2017 and went live in 2018. However, there were a couple of forms of sports betting that were already legal.

Daily fantasy sports

Sports fans have been able to legally take part in daily fantasy sports (DFS) within the state of Pennsylvania since 2018. DFS remains a popular form of entertainment, especially during football season. The minimum age to take part is 18 years.

Overview of DFS options

PA legislators officially legalized and regulated DFS in May 2018. The state’s licensed operators are:

• Boom Fantasy
• DRAFT
• DraftKings
• FanDuel
• FantasyDraft
• Fantasy Football Players Championship
• FastPick
• Sports Hub
• Scout Fantasy Sports
• Yahoo Fantasy

Horse racing

Horse racing is the oldest legalized form of gambling in the state. First legalized in 1959, several tracks remain open to bettors. Those include:

• Harrah’s Philadelphia: Harness
• Penn National Race Course: Thoroughbred
• The Meadows Racetrack: Harness
• Mohegan Sun Pocono: Harness
• Parx Casino and Racing: Thoroughbred
• Presque Isle Downs: Thoroughbred

Off-track betting options

There are also several off-track betting (OTB) or off-track wagering (OTW) facilities within the state for making wagers away from the tracks. Bettors must be at least 21 years or older to bet on horses. OTB options include:

• The Downs at East Stroudsburg
• The Downs at Lehigh Valley
• South Philadelphia Race & Sportsbook
• The Meadows Racetrack Harmar
• Oaks Race & Sportsbook – PERMANENTLY CLOSED
• Penn National OTW Lancaster – PERMANENTLY CLOSED
• Penn National OTW York – PERMANENTLY CLOSED

PABets (TVG) and FanDuel Racing offer legal mobile and online horse betting. Both sites subsequently provide excellent first-deposit bonuses for those looking to make some bets on the Triple Crown or other races. That includes:

• PABets: Earn a 50% deposit match of up to $250 with our exclusive code LSRTVG.
• FanDuel Racing: Using the same code above, new FanDuel Racing users in PA can get a $10 bonus just for signing up, and a risk-free bet up to $200.

FAQ about PA sports betting

Eleven of Pennsylvania’s 12 casinos and racinos applied for sports betting operator licenses. All retail and most online sportsbooks planned for PA are now up and running, with loads of betting options including pre-game and in-game for all major sports and many lesser-known sports.

PGCB regulations dictate that online sports betting is only allowed from inside the state. Bettors’ locations are verified through IP address confirmation and geolocation before bets are accepted.

Is sports betting legal in Pennsylvania?

Yes, it is. Pennsylvania legalized sports betting in October 2017 when the federal law against sports betting changed.

That change came when the Supreme Court ruled the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) unconstitutional in May of 2018.

Do I have to live in PA to bet online?

No. Players need to be in the state when placing bets online, but they do not need to reside in PA in order to have an account on a betting app.

The apps can figure out whether or not you are in the state by using geolocation technology that will pinpoint your location before you are allowed to bet.

Who oversees sports gambling?

PGCB has regulatory jurisdiction over sports betting in PA. It is responsible for setting up regulations to govern sports gambling, issuing licenses to sports betting operators, and overseeing all sports betting operations and activity.

Who can apply for a Sports Wagering Certificate?

The new sports betting law in the state only allows slot machine license holders to apply for Sports Wagering Certificates. These Sports Wagering Certificate allow holders to open up a sportsbook and take bets.

There are currently 11 casinos that applied for a sports betting license. However, the application process is an open one, which means there is no deadline for casinos to apply for the license.

How much money will sports gambling generate?

It’s impossible to say how large the market will eventually be for legal sports betting in PA. There will certainly be significant competition from neighboring states.

Additionally, the 36% tax in PA could limit the size of the market. Competitors paying fewer taxes could offer more value to PA gamblers, drawing them outside the state and hurting the local market substantially.

In May 2018, the US Supreme Courtstruck down the law that made sports betting illegal pretty much everywhere outside of Nevada. It also upheld a 2014 New Jersey law aimed at allowing sports betting in casinos and racetracks by a vote of 6-3, opening the door to legal and regulated sports betting all across the country.

Pennsylvania lawmakers passed sports betting legislation as part of a comprehensive gambling expansion plan approved in October 2017.

Pa Online Sports Betting Launch

History of sports betting law in PA

In 2015. Rep. Rick Kotik introduced legislation aimed at legalizing sports betting at PA casinos. Kotik saw the popularity of illegal sports betting in PA and touted the need to regulate and tax it.

Rep. Rob Matzie co-sponsored the bill and put together a resolution in December 2015 asking Congress to repeal the federal ban on sports betting. A move that would ultimately allow states to make their own decisions on sports betting.

The PA House passed the resolution in January 2016, but the bill really went no further.

In January 2017 Matzie introduced new sports betting legislation to the House. It was a follow-up to Kotik‘s original 2015 bill, but it went even further.

This bill changed the constitutional language involved and directed the PGCB to create regulations including rules and procedures for sports betting in PA.

The bill asked for a $5 million licensing fee from PA casinos and racinos interested in building sportsbooks. It also called for an 18% tax on sports betting revenue.

The bill got approval from the House Gaming Oversight Committee in April but never went to vote in either branch of the PA legislature.

PA gambling expansion

Soon, PA began considering several different gambling expansion initiatives. This included PA online gambling, video gaming terminals, and PA online lotterysales.

Lawmakers started putting together comprehensive gambling expansion legislation for PA adding in all these measures.

It went back and forth between the House and Senate several times, with a reworking of Matzie’s sports betting legislation added to the sixth version of the bill.

Parx Pa Online Sports Betting

The legislature ultimately passed the seventh version and Gov. Tom Wolf signed it into law on Oct. 30, 2017. It still included sports betting legislation pending a change in federal law.

Pennsylvania Online Sports Betting Tax Rate

That meant sports betting was officially legal in Pennsylvania, pending a change in federal law that came on May 14, 2018, when the Supreme Court ruled PASPA unconstitutional.