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Pennsylvania Online Sports Betting
PA sports betting is live, and this is good news. Pennsylvania signed its sports betting law in November 2018 and later transitioned to online in May 2019, turning the Keystone State into a hotbed for all things sports betting.
Thanks to the oversight of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB), the state has been able to build a thriving ecosystem of sports betting apps, online sportsbooks, and retail venues, adding up to a fantastic overall climate for experienced and new sports bettors.
With numerous options available, the Pennsylvania online sports betting industry is one of the most successful industries in the USA to have become legal, teaming up with leading established sportsbooks and technology providers.
Is Sports Betting Legal in Pennsylvania?
Yes, Pennsylvania legalized sports betting in 2018, paving the way for the online and mobile industry on May 31, 2019, when the state’s online sports betting apps launched as part of the legal sports betting framework sanctioned by the PGCB.
Ever since that date, the Pennsylvania sports betting market has been thriving and running varied and engaging mainstream and niche sports, promotions geared towards local sports fans, and more. The quick legalization of sports betting in the market allowed for the introduction of numerous bet types, markets, and more.
Latest Gambling News in Pennsylvania
Sports Betting Sites in Pennsylvania at a Glance
Pennsylvania has followed in the footsteps of other states, such as New Jersey, and as one of the pioneers of the legal online sports betting market in the country, it established a distinct connection between brick-and-mortar casinos and racetracks and online sportsbooks.
In other words, PA sportsbooks are necessarily tied up to a brick-and-mortar partner. For your convenience and comfort, we have put down the names of all partnerships currently operating in Pennsylvania:
| PA Sports Betting Sites | Casino Partner | Mobile Launch Date |
| Barstool Sportsbook | Hollywood Casino Resort | Sep. 18, 2020 |
| BetMGM | Hollywood Casino Morgantown | Dec. 18, 2020 |
| Bet Rivers Sportsbook | Rivers Pittsburgh | June 27, 2019 |
| BetAmerica Sportsbook | Presque Isle | Dec. 17, 2020 |
| Caesars | Harrah’s | March 19, 2020 |
| DraftKings Sportsbook PA | Meadows Casino | Nov. 4, 2019 |
| FanDuel Sportsbook PA | Valley Forge Casino | July 25, 2019 |
| FOX Bet PA | Mount Airy Casino Resort | Sep. 4, 2019 |
| Parx Sportsbook | Parx Casino | June 27, 2019 |
| SugarHouse Sportsbook | Rivers Casino Philadelphia | May 28, 2019 |
| Unibet PA | Mohegan Sun Pocono | Nov. 12, 2019 |
Opening up online sportsbooks came in quick succession all throughout 2019 with Caesars Sportsbook, BetAmerica Sportsbook, and Barstool Sportsbook all arriving in 2020, after a short delay. The 11th entry into the state was by BetMGM Sportsbook, which teamed up with the Hollywood Casino Morgantown. The brick-and-mortar venue will open in 2021.
BetMGM immediately debuted its dedicated mobile betting app, making its product accessible to sports bettors in the Keystone State 24/7.
How to Find the Best PA Sports Betting Sites
To find the best online sports betting sites in Pennsylvania, all you need to do is stick with those brands that have obtained a license to operate an online sportsbook. Betting in Pennsylvania is legal and as such, there is no need for you to explore offshore opportunities. Now, the main issue is that some sports fans are still confused as to what passes for a legal sportsbook.
Put this way, a sportsbook must have a license by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board to be able to operate in the sports betting market in the state. We have shortlisted several criteria that will help you find the best sportsbooks in the Keystone State and arguably the best sports betting apps.
#1 Licensed and Regulated
A license from the PGCB goes a long way to determine the credibility of any sportsbook. All PA online sports betting websites must have a license and if they don’t, you should avoid them. Offshore betting sites are still advertised to Pennsylvanians, and sometimes end up confusing the sports fandom. Yet, the best online sportsbooks always hold a license from the regulatory body in the state.
#2 Bonuses and Promotions
Great promotions and bonuses will always come hand-in-hand with online sportsbooks in Pennsylvania. You will get delightful bonuses offering you $250, $500 in risk-free bet options along with numerous other promotions geared towards the local sports franchises, such as the Philadelphia Eagles and the Philadelphia 76ers.
#3 Market and Sports Variety
Market and sports variety will play a crucial role in determining which betting site to pick. The good news is that all online sportsbooks have made sure to feature a top-notch selection of major league sporting events, such as NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, along with NCAAB and NCAAF. There is a number of other sports markets and bet types you will be able to look into, and which we will mention in detail further down.
#4 Great Customer Support
Sports bettors are kings in Pennsylvania sports betting sites, and you get a royal treatment whether you visit Valley Forge Casino in Person or open a live chat with BetMGM, FanDuel, DraftKings Sportsbook, or any of the other household names in the Keystone State’s betting market. You may get in touch via live chat, email, on the phone, or visit the property in person.
Recommended PA Sports Betting Sites
PA online sports betting is what it is owing to the outstanding sports betting providers that have entered the market since the industry was legalized in 2018, and then expanded online and mobile in 2019. Each online sportsbook in the state is a benchmark for quality and a great sports betting experience. Whether you bet on match, future or in-play markets, PA sports betting has a lot to offer.
Barstool Sportsbook x Hollywood Casino Resort
- Launch date: Sep. 18, 2020
Barstool Sportsbook and its app, both owned by Penn National Gaming, partnered with the Hollywood Casino Resort at the Penn National Race Course to launch its sports betting efforts. The arrival of Barstool arguably helped the state drive even stronger sports betting results in September 2020, boosting the total handle to a record $462.8 million.
The online sportsbook is available 24/7 to sports fans that are of the legal betting age, which is 21 in the Keystone State. With that launch, Penn National Gaming effectively picked Pennsylvania as the first state in which Barstool rolled out, but more states are now either available or in the pipeline.
Penn announced the original partnership in January 2020, and ever since, Barstool has opened for business in Indiana, Michigan, and Colorado. The wait has been naturally worth it with the app and online sportsbook contributing to the market variety in the Keystone State.
BetAmerica Sportsbook x Presque Isle
- Launch date: Dec. 17, 2020
BetAmerica arrived fairly late to what is PA sports betting, setting up shop in December 2020, and rolling out as Churchill Down’s flagship betting solution. The sportsbook focuses on an array of global and domestic betting events, providing sports fans with in-game betting, odds boosters, and cashouts to time in-play bets better.
Die-hard sports fans are welcome to download a dedicated mobile app available for both Android and iOS operating systems. The offer is well-versed and generous, and BetAmerica does extend both an online casino and sports betting skin in Pennsylvania.
In addition, the sportsbook has already launched in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Indiana, and Mississippi, with more markets queued up.
BetMGM Sportsbook x Hollywood Casino Morgantown
- Launch date: Dec. 18, 2020
BetMGM is the sweetheart of MGM Resorts and Entain, formerly known as GVC Holdings, which has been one of the “belated entries” on the US market but has nevertheless secured big markets, and a sizeable share across the country. BetMGM took its time in Pennsylvania and only arrived on December 18, 2020.
The company started its offer with a $500 match bonus for all new arrivals, and it has been constantly applying changes to its bonus offer to make it more exciting for new bettors. There are a lot of betting options to embrace, including wagers on Pittsburgh Penguins, Philadelphia Flyers, and Philadelphia 76ers, among others.
BetRivers Sportsbook x Rivers Pittsburgh
- Launch date: June 27, 2019
BetRivers is a massive, massive name in the online sports betting climate, transcending Pennsylvania and operational in numerous states including Illinois, Indiana, Colorado, Michigan, and naturally New Jersey. Since June 27, 2019, BetRivers has been a permanent member of the PA online sports betting ecosystem, bringing a lot to the table.
The sportsbook provides a clean-cut layout, allowing players to quickly find their way to the top and engage in various markets. The slip is intuitive and works well on all mobile devices, including Android and iOS, and the sportsbook runs numerous deposit match, reload, and risk-free bonuses to name a few.
Sports fans will have no trouble navigating the website and placing a wager using either the dedicated sportsbook app or sticking with the desktop website. As an added plus, you may visit the Rivers Pittsburgh Casino and make a wager in person.
Caesars Sportsbook x Harrah’s Philadelphia
- Launch date: March 19, 2020
Caesars is the perfect spot for legal sports betting in Pennsylvania, fit for mobile and online bettors. Yet, a trip down to Harrah’s Philadelphia also comes with its perks, as the sportsbook offers an ample betting quarter where you can share in the excitement of your fellow bettors.
The company’s sports app is definitely on par with every other betting solution in the state, and you are bound to have quick, easy, and intuitive access to the betting facilities. In terms of bet types and available markets, Caesars Sportsbook definitely makes the cut.
There is a fully-fledged mobile offer as well as dedicated support to help you troubleshoot any sort of issue. Players are invited to benefit from Caesars Awards, which will make your online sports betting experience all the more memorable. Go to My Rewards to see what perks await once you start stacking up your loyalty points.
DraftKings Sportsbook x Meadowland Race and Casino
- Launch date: Nov. 4, 2019
DraftKings took its sweet time and finally launched in November 2019 in partnership with Meadowland Race and Casino. As one of the most recognized names in the online sports betting space, it’s safe to say that DraftKings holds a sizable chunk of the betting handle in Pennsylvania, and beyond.
Yet, to be a household name doesn’t come easy, and DraftKings has extended to sports fans and bettors all the bells and whistles they can expect from a top-tier online sportsbook in PA. This includes a quick and beautiful design tailored to the needs of Pennsylvanians.
Navigation feels effortless and any online and mobile bettor will have an easy time accessing the full array of features. The sportsbook app is naturally available for both Android and iOS, allowing for a diverse experience and different approach to the sports betting experience.
Not least, DraftKings is generous on the bonuses and promotions front as well, offering a neat mix of odds boosters, event promotions, and regulator match bonuses.
FanDuel Sportsbook x Valley Forge Casino
- Launch date: July 25, 2019
FanDuel and DraftKings are always vying for dominance in the PA online sports betting market, and FanDuel Sportsbook has definitely made an impression on the local sports betting crowd.
FanDuel takes kindly to sports bettors in Pennsylvania, extending a massive $1,000 risk-free bet for new sports fans and keeping everyone else happy with well-timed seasonal and special event promotions.
Odds boosters and intuitive cashout feature are naturally part of the offer. According to the latest handle numbers, FanDuel is still the dominant sportsbook in the state with some 40% of the total handle, followed by DraftKings with 25%.
Both are now looking at BetMGM with anticipation, as the book is making a dash for the top through the use of clever bonuses. FanDuel though is well on-point if you do decide to drop in at the Valley Forge Casino and use the retail facilities.
Fox Bet Sportsbook x Mount Airy Casino
- Launch date: Sep. 4, 2019
FOX Bet clearly has come with a lot of anticipation following the big industry move by Flutter Entertainment in 2019. With a lot of eyeballs looking, Mount Airy Casino was chosen as a retail partner and Fox Bet made an entry in September 2019.
The resulting sportsbook is a state-of-the-art betting site with all the necessary features to make for a worthwhile experience.
There is a huge diversity of promotions and bonus offers along with multiple markets and specific sports wagering opportunities. You will find opportunities to bet on the regular season as well as playoffs and final games all through FOX Bet’s betting app.
Available in Colorado, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, FOX Bet is heading to the very top of the sports betting ecosystem in the United States.
Parx Sportsbook x Parx Casino
- Launch date: June 27, 2019
One of the early entries, Parx Sportsbook made its debut with the help of Parx Casino, setting up a fantastic betting app as well as a desktop version. The Parx Sportsbook is powered up by Kambi and it is available for both iOS and Android users.
There is a shared wallet between the Parx Casino’s iGaming and sports betting experiences, which is just another quality of life attribute Parx has leaned on to create a more worthwhile experience. The sports betting user interface is slick and worthwhile, offering quick navigation and intuitive betting.
Parx always lists how many live events it has running so if you prefer in-play sports wagering, this is your chance to always be caught up to what’s going up. College football and basketball are heavily featured here and you have over 20,000 thousand markets at the height of all sports seasons to pick from a day.
SugarHouse Sportsbook x Rivers Philadelphia Casino
- Launch date: May 28, 2019
SugarHouse is another torch-bearer in the PA online sports betting landscape. The company set up its sports betting shop for mobile and online die-hard sports fans in May 2019 and has been successfully operated by Rush Street Interactive.
The sportsbook covers a variety of sports, including but hardly limited to NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, motorsports, martial arts, tennis, and all college competitions.
The SugarHouse user interface is focused on achieving outstanding sports betting experience, providing bettors with quick navigation and an intuitive selection of sports.
A $250 match deposit bonus welcomes new bettors and members have the opportunity to pick from numerous selections and promotions, covering dedicated events, regular season games, and more.
Unibet Sportsbook x Mohegan Sun Pocono
- Launch date: Nov. 12, 2019
Unibet is a European betting brand with plenty of clout in the PA sports betting market. Since its tie up with Mohegan Sun Pocono and subsequent launch of the Unibet Sportsbook, the brand has been a worthwhile addition to the betting market.
The mobile interface makes for an easy remote betting experience, and that includes the live betting options. All features are there to add up for great navigation and a good mix of bonuses, starting with a generous $30 bonus funds for free and up to $250 risk-free bet for a warm welcome.
The sportsbook also has a very front-and-center approach with its sport betting events, listing live events right away and allowing you a chance to quickly get in on the action. The sports betting app is also pretty cool, and Mohegan Sun Pocono has definitely made a great call teaming up with Unibet and tapping into its overseas sports betting experience.
Top PA Sports Betting Apps
Having gone the full distance with legal sports betting, Pennsylvania is a unique position to extend all sorts of treats to bettors. As a result, PA online sportsbooks have not hesitated to bring online exceptional sports betting app solutions that make betting a breeze and navigating through the thousands of available picks a little easier.
PA sports betting apps are some of the finest, running on Android and iOS and making for an easy way to navigate all you would be interested in when navigating the betting markets. Logging on mobile is just as simple as playing from desktop, and all PA online sportsbooks are available on desktop, Android, and iOS.
While desktop solutions are an option, the majority of sports betting in PA happens on handheld devices, as this allows freedom and convenience. You may still want to visit the Presque Isle Downs Casino or Valley Forge Casino, but 88.1% of all bets have been placed from mobile in the majority of months so far.
Pennsylvania is slightly behind New Jersey in total sports betting handle, but the Keystone State is quickly shaping up as a top pick. Since every brand has a dedicated sportsbook app, it’s not difficult to understand why this is the case.
How to Download a Mobile Sports Betting App in PA?
Downloading a sportsbook app is a simple enough and powerful addition to your betting session. Whether you bet live or pre-match, having access to an app is the best way to manage your stakes. Downloading the best apps is a no brainer.
Thanks to the fact that betting in Pennsylvania is completely legal, you can expect to get full and easy access to the leading apps out there. They are available at both Google Play and Apple Store and failing that, you can always download the Android version directly from the websites of leading websites, such as DraftKings Sportsbook and FanDuel Sportsbook.
Online and mobile consumers will be thrilled to have the added benefit of using an app. Even though many still prefer to head out for Harrah’s Philadelphia or Casino at Penn National, and place their bets in person, the opportunities to bet remotely are quite substantial and worthwhile.
We definitely advise sports bettors in Pennsylvania to stop by the available app solutions and see if they won’t find these a little more helpful in the long-term.
What Sports Can You Bet on in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania hosts an array of sporting competitions to wager on. The sports calendar is packed with awesome events you may bet on all throughout the year, including regular season games, college bowls, the Super Bowl, and March Madness to name just a few.
All major leagues are covered, including the NFL, MLB, NBA, and MLS, NHL as well as college basketball and football. The state has a good variety of international competitions as well and has quite a few options open for horse racing with the Triple Crown and Kentucky Derby on the calendar.
Bettors will be able to bet on golf and tennis, featuring the biggest events on the competitive circuits, such as The Masters and Wimbledon. Pennsylvania has numerous sports franchises you may root for as well, and you can bet on the Philadelphia Flyers (NHL), Pittsburgh Pirates or Philadelphia Phillies (MLB), Philadelphia 76ers, Pittsburgh Steelers (NFL).
In terms of more exotic picks, you can bet on sports such as boxing, F1, rugby, MMA, motorsports, Olympics, darts snooker, and table tennis. Table tennis picked up a good deal in 2020 when the Covid-19 pandemic suspended most other sports.
In-play and Live Betting in PA
Live betting or in-play betting as some bettors refer to it, is a cherished market that boosts fan engagement and makes it possible to enjoy wagers in real-time. While you may think of live betting as an inherently different market – and it is – it basically boils down to predicting the outcomes of games successfully.
The only difference here is that the odds change all the time, and this directly impacts your payout. Some bettors like to approach live betting. In other words, they just make a selection and stick with it, no matter what the fluctuations in pricing are.
Pennsylvania’s online sportsbooks are well-equipped to welcome live bettors and offer them competitive and highly-dynamic markets.
What Payment Methods You Can Use
There are plenty of excellent options you can use to settle payments in Pennsylvania when you bet on sports. Whether you are claiming a big payday or some minor live betting winnings, there is a lot you can be doing. Bettors are very welcome to use any of the payment methods listed below.
- PayNearMe
- ACH
- Prepaid cards
- Bank cards
- PayPal
- Neteller
Every payment method is slightly different and will have slightly different clout with bettors. Some players may prefer a slightly “safer” method, such as prepaid cards or even cash at the cage, by vesting Presque Isle Downs Casino or Hollywood Casino at Penn in person.
Yet, solutions such as PayPal and Neteller give you a lot of flexibility and make for a great overall experience. PayPal was prohibited in the pre-PASPA age, but the United States’ leading payment provider is back to service bettors and the best PA sports betting sites make good use of the e-wallet.
Available Bet Types in Pennsylvania
Betting in PA would not be quite the same without a spicy variety of worthwhile markets. A top-notch sportsbook app will provide you with comfort, but having access to numerous bet types is the best way to make your sports betting session entertaining and give yourself the biggest edge.
Just like you would shop for odds visiting top Pennsylvania sports betting websites, you want to pick the best and most sustainable bet types available. So, what types of bets are there in PA sports betting? Quite a few, as it turns out. Your main options include moneyline, totals, and spreads.
Yet, more experienced bettors will certainly look for the player and team props, teasers, and naturally parlays, which when stacked together have the potential to deliver a huge payday. Live betting markets are a tiny bit different, but they still cover very much the same bet types nevertheless.
Other viable options include innings, puck lines, round robin bets, and naturally futures. All your Pennsylvania sports betting bookies will have these queued up and ready to go for you.
Football and Basketball College Betting in PA
If you are keen to bet on college sports, you will be excited to know that such wagers are available. Retail and mobile sportsbooks both accept bets on college events, which have allowed the state to quickly pull ahead of other places, including New Jersey, where college betting faces some restrictions.
The Keystone State has decided to go the full distance with making sports betting legal, including college competitions so as to prevent offshore betting. You may bet on both Pennsylvania college teams, including Penn State, as well as other popular franchises from across the state line.
There are lots of viable picks here, including NCAAF and NCAAB futures, regular season games, prop betting, bowl games, playoffs, and of course, live betting on the majority of college sports. Overall, Pennsylvania makes it easy to bet on sports, be that major leagues or college competitions.
Why Bet on Sports in Pennsylvania ?
Betting on sports in Pennsylvania is a great benefit to all the sports-hungry fans who have had to turn to less-than-reputable options throughout the year. With its massive sports betting handle, the Keystone State has been generating a lot of offshore revenue. Thankfully, you no longer need to do this.
With the exception of a few markets that are not related to sports in the first place, Pennsylvania makes it easy to bet on sports and derive the biggest dividends from that. You should consider opting for a regulated sportsbook as it gives you some distinct advantages.
For starters, the overall safety of your funds, financial and personal information is guaranteed at places such as DraftKings and FanDuel Sportsbook, but not so much at an offshore website with a spotty record.
The main difficulty with offshore locations these days is not reputation, though. Rather, you will have to use specific payment methods that can slow down payments significantly, and are generally fiddly. When opting for a regulated sportsbook in PA, though, you no longer face these concerns.
Pennsylvania’s betting market is well-developed so you will hardly have to look long to find a market you are happy to bet on. The added benefit of a great customer support service is also there to assist you.
FAQ
Yes, you must be physically in Pennsylvania to place a bet yourself. Players do not necessarily have to reside in the Keystone State permanently to make a bet. A New Jersey resident may come to Pennsylvania to bet, but he or she must be physically present in the state. GeoComply ensures that borders aren’t crossed to carry out any type of sports betting in PA.
21. The legal PA sports betting age is 21 and this is non-negotiable. When the industry was first legalized in 2018, that used to vary between 18 and 21, but an amendment passed by lawmakers quickly fixed that and set the age at 21.
Yes, betting on college sports is perfectly normal in Pennsylvania. You may bet on both state and cross-state NCAAB and NCAAF teams. You may bet on futures, regular season games, March Madness, and college bowls, to name a few.
Yes, you may play remotely by downloading an online sportsbook or accessing the desktop version. The majority of sports fans in Pennsylvania, though, choose an app and bet using an Android or iOS device. This grants you full access to the available features on the website.
Sports betting in Pennsylvania is regulated by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board or PGCB. The regulator oversees license holders, issues new licenses and in case of gross offenses, may revoke existing permits.
Yes, you will find the option on all desktop and mobile versions of the sportsbooks in the state. You may cash out your money in mid-event or keep a part of your wager as a running bet.
Pennsylvania is a liberal sports betting market. The only restrictions apply to professional athletes, coaches, and team staff. Individuals who are directly involved in sports or the organization of sporting contests are prohibited from betting.
