Pennsylvania Sports Betting
Pennsylvania sports betting is legal and regulated, with over a dozen online betting apps currently operational. An even greater number of retail sportsbooks at casinos and race tracks have also opened throughout the Keystone State.
Despite a contentious tax rate and a hard cap on the number of sports betting apps allowed, Pennsylvania has grown into one of the most prosperous online sports betting markets in the U.S., rivaling neighboring New Jersey.
Pennsylvania sports betting law permits customers 21 or older to bet online from anywhere within state lines via licensed online sportsbooks and mobile betting apps.
Bettors may also visit retail sportsbooks at licensed casinos, race tracks, and off-track betting facilities (OTBs) to place wagers in person.
Legal Pennsylvania Betting Sites
21+ and present in PA. T&Cs Apply. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Pennsylvania Online Sports Betting Apps
The first Pennsylvania sports betting apps launched in May 2019, and more have opened since.
Early on, there was speculation that the $10 million licensing fee and 36% tax rate would dissuade operators from entering the Pennsylvania sports betting market.
However, most casinos have applied for licenses, and bettors now have access to a variety of online sports betting sites in Pennsylvania.
Below is a list of all sports betting apps available in Pennsylvania:
- BetMGM Sportsbook
- FanDuel Sportsbook
- Caesars Sportsbook
- Bet365 Sportsbook
- BetRivers Sportsbook
- DraftKings Sportsbook
- ESPN Bet
- BetParx
- Wind Creek Sportsbook by BetFred
Bettors can also verify the licensing status of all Pennsylvania online sportsbooks at the .
Pennsylvania Sports Betting Bonuses
Pennsylvania sports betting bonuses offer incentives for new customers to sign up for accounts and make deposits.
Some welcome promotions allow customers to place their first bet and receive a refund if it loses. Others issue wagering credits to customers who make their first deposit. Yet another type offers new customers a bonus bet or “second chance bet” match equal to the size of their first wager.
In short, the PA online sports betting market is rife with high-value bonuses, promotions, and special offers.
In all cases, the general idea is to give new customers a good reason to sign up and bet online for real money.
Pennsylvania Sportsbook Promo Codes
The following chart outlines the best PA sports betting bonuses and welcome offers.
If any bonus requires a promo code, readers will see it listed below. Otherwise, bettors in Pennsylvania can simply follow the links below to sign up, download the mobile app, and claim their bonuses.
Online Sportsbook | Promo Code | Welcome Bonus |
---|---|---|
Bet365 Pennsylvania Bonus Code | BETUSA | Bet $5, Get $200 + 50 Spins |
BetMGM Pennsylvania Bonus Code | BUSABONUS | $1500 In Bonus Bets |
Caesars Sportsbook Pennsylvania Promo Code | BUSA1000 | $1000 Bonus Bet |
FanDuel Pennsylvania Promo Code | Not Needed | Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets If You Win |
Fanatics Sportsbook Pennsylvania Promo Code | Not Needed | Bet and Get up to $1,000 in Bonus Bets |
BetRivers Pennsylvania Bonus Code | Not Needed | Second Chance Bet up to $500 |
DraftKings Pennsylvania Promo Code | Not Needed | Bet $5, Get $250 in Bonus Bets |
ESPN Bet Pennsylvania Promo Code | Not Needed | $1,000 First Bet Reset |
Pennsylvania Regulations On Bonuses and Promotions
58 PA Code § 1409.1 requires operators to comply with that govern online casinos regarding bonuses, promotions, and advertisements.
Among other requirements, licensed PA betting apps must maintain records of all promotions so the Gaming Control Board can audit them for “compliance with the terms and conditions of current and previous offers.”
As a result, Pennsylvania sports betting bonuses tend to be simple and easy to understand. The rules do not guarantee every promotion is a great deal, but does ensure fairness.
One of the nice things about legal online sports betting PA residents should remember is that operators that launch misleading promotions risk losing their licenses.
PA regulations also require the terms and conditions associated with promotions to clearly describe what the promotion offers, who is eligible to participate, what actions customers must complete to participate, and any restrictions on the withdrawal of funds.
How To Bet Online In Pennsylvania
Sports betting is relatively new to Pennsylvania, so operators have gone out of their way to ease new bettors into the process of registering and funding an account, finding the right wager, and placing a bet.
Here’s how the signup process works:
Depositing At Pennsylvania Sportsbooks
PA online sportsbooks excel in the cashiering department, offering bettors a wide choice of betting deposit options:
- Credit/Debit cards: MasterCard and Visa are typically allowed, but some issuing banks may decline gaming transactions – in that case, bettors should try a different deposit method
- ACH (eCheck): Bettors supply their checking account info and route the payment directly to the sportsbook
- Online banking transfers: Log in directly to a banking portal and transfer funds from a connected checking account
- Branded prepaid cards: Most casinos use Play+ for prepaid cards transactions. Bettors don’t need a physical card to conduct gaming transactions, but will still receive one in the mail. The card can be used at ATMs to withdraw cash and make purchases wherever Discover is accepted.
- PayPal: The popular third-party wallet has effectively replaced Skrill and Neteller as the go-to eWallet for online betting in Pennsylvania
- PayNearMe: Load accounts with cash, payable at local retail shops like 7-Eleven, Walgreens, CVS, and more
- Cash at the casino/racetrack cage: Bettors can load their PA mobile sports betting accounts at land-based facilities, but only if they’re affiliated with the sportsbook
Other less popular deposit methods approved by the PGCB include personal checks, money orders, wire transfers, and cashier’s checks.
Eligible withdrawal methods include Play+, PayPal, ACH, online transfers, paper checks, and cash at the cage. Typically, bettors must use a cashiering method for a deposit before using the same method for a withdrawal.
When bettors request their first withdrawal, the sportsbook may ask for additional documentation, such as a scanned copy of a bank statement and/or a government issued ID, such as a passport or driver’s license.
This should be a one-time deal.
Pennsylvania Sports Betting Locations
Pennsylvania law permits casinos and race tracks to operate retail sportsbooks. Licensed race tracks may also construct sportsbooks at licensed off-track betting locations (OTBs).
Philadelphia Sportsbooks
Pittsburgh Sportsbooks
Other Retail Sportsbooks in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Sports Betting Law
Pennsylvania began legalizing sports betting in 2017 with the passage of a large gaming expansion bill titled .
The bill, signed into law as , greatly expanded Pennsylvania’s legal gambling options. Act 42 authorizes retail sportsbooks, mobile sports betting, daily fantasy sports, online gambling, online lottery games, and expands other in-person gambling options.
Sports betting provisions included in the bill were written to become effective contingent upon a change in federal law permitting states to regulate sports betting.
After the Supreme Court struck down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) as unconstitutional in May 2018, the portion of Pennsylvania’s new gambling law related to sports betting took effect.
The first Pennsylvania sportsbooks opened near the end of 2018, and the first mobile betting apps launched in mid-2019.
Key things to know about Pennsylvania online sports betting laws:
- Minimum age of 21 to participate.
- Persons excluded from gaming in Pennsylvania cannot participate.
- Key sports league personnel cannot wager on their own leagues.
- Licensed casinos, race tracks, and off-track betting locations (OTBs) may operate retail sportsbooks on-premises
- Licensed casinos and race tracks may each operate one online and mobile sports betting platform
- PA sportsbooks may accept wagers on professional and college sports
- Esports betting and wagers on non-sports events are not allowed
- The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board () regulates sports betting
Pennsylvania Daily Fantasy Sports
The 2017 gambling expansion law that legalized sports betting in Pennsylvania also granted the Gaming Control Board regulatory powers over daily fantasy sports.
Under the updated law, Pennsylvania daily fantasy sports sites must register with the state and comply with regulations designed to protect consumers and ensure fair games.
Fantasy sports players can learn about DFS in Pennsylvania and find a list of BettingUSA’s recommended operators:
Pennsylvania Horse Racing Betting
Pennsylvania boasts a healthy horse racing industry that provides numerous options to watch and bet on races.
Six major racetrack casinos and off-track betting facilities (OTBs) provide ample opportunity to bet on horse races in person, while licensed advance deposit wagering providers (ADWs) allow customers to bet online from anywhere in the commonwealth.
The State Horse Racing Commission oversees all horse racing and parimutuel betting in Pennsylvania, and it does commendable work in ensuring the integrity of the sport.
BettingUSA maintains a detailed guide to Pennsylvania horse racing betting, with a complete list of race tracks and online racebooks and an introduction to parimutuel wagering law:
Pennsylvania Online Gambling
Legal online gambling options in Pennsylvania include online casinos, poker sites, and online lottery games.
Pennsylvania online casinos and poker sites accept players 21 or older and are regulated by the PA Gaming Control Board (PGCB).
State law directs the PGCB to regulate online gambling in Pennsylvania, issue licenses to qualifying operators, and adopt additional regulations as needed to execute the law.
The Pennsylvania online lottery (PA iLottery) functions a bit differently because it operates under the Department of Revenue rather than the PGCB and accepts customers 18 or older.
Pennsylvania Online Casinos
The first PA online casinos launched in July 2019, and more than a dozen have opened since.
Most Pennsylvania casinos partner with third-party operators like BetMGM Casino to offer online casino games, poker, or both. However, the best Pennsylvania casino sites offer a little bit of everything, and those are generally BettingUSA’s top recommendations for players.
Readers can follow the next link for more information and a complete list of legal online casinos in Pennsylvania:
Pennsylvania Online Poker
Legal online poker came to Pennsylvania in 2019 with the launch of PokerStars PA in partnership with Mount Airy Casino Resort. Several additional online poker sites launched in 2021, bringing some competition to the PA online poker market.
Currently, the following operators hold Pennsylvania online poker licenses:
With a population of nearly 13 million, Pennsylvania is the largest state to legalize online poker to date.
As a result, Pennsylvania could have a large positive impact on the US online poker market as a whole by joining the Multi-State Internet Gaming Association (MSIGA) to share tables with other states.
Pennsylvania alone would double the potential player pool of the MSIGA to significantly increase liquidity across the network.
Pennsylvania officials have not committed to joining the MSIGA as lingering questions regarding the Wire Act are resolved, but state law includes provisions that permit officials to enter “interactive gaming reciprocal agreements” provided such agreements are compatible with state and federal law.
Pennsylvania Online Lottery
Pennsylvania’s 2017 gambling expansion bill also included reforms for the state lottery. Most notably, the law granted the Pennsylvania Lottery permission to offer most of its games online.
Some of the authorized Pennsylvania online lottery games include tickets to draw games, instant win scratch card games, and keno.
Not long after the PA legislature sent that bill to Governor Wolf, he announced that he would be authorizing the Pennsylvania Lottery to operate virtual sports betting terminals in authorized locations such as bars and taverns.
The state lottery predicted that the change would result in up to $75 million in additional revenue over the next five years.
The Pennsylvania Lottery launched PAiLottery in June 2018 with a small selection of games that has grown significantly since.
Lottery players 18 or older and located in Pennsylvania can visit PAiLottery.com to download the Pennsylvania lottery app, buy tickets online, and play dozens of instant win games that boast top prizes worth up to several million dollars.
Pennsylvania Online Gambling Laws
Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf legalized online gambling in Pennsylvania after signing HB 271 in 2017.
Under the law, land-based casinos and race tracks may launch up to two online gambling platforms, one each for casino-style games and poker.
All Pennsylvania casinos may apply for one or more of the following licenses to offer online gambling:
- Non-peer-to-peer games that simulate slot machines (online slots)
- Non-peer-to-peer games that simulate table games (online table games)
- Peer-to-peer interactive table games (online poker)
Operators may apply for Pennsylvania online gambling licenses at a cost of $4 million. Pennsylvania casinos also received the option to purchase all three licenses in a package deal for $10 million during the first 90-day period after the law was passed.
Additionally, other “qualified gaming entities” (QGEs) may apply for any licenses not already claimed by a local casino.
Online gambling tax rates are relatively high in Pennsylvania, with online slots taxed at 52% plus an additional 2% local tax. Table games and poker are taxed at 14% + 2% and sports betting at 34% + 2%.
Past Efforts To Legalize Online Gambling In Pennsylvania
Responsible Gambling In Pennsylvania
Gamblers with questions, concerns, or in immediate need of assistance have access to a variety of responsible gambling resources, tools, and helplines in Pennsylvania:
- 24/7 Pennsylvania Gambling Helpline: Call 1-800-GAMBLER; Text 1-800-522-4700; or
- : Nonprofit organization that provides information, helplines, and other resources for problem gamblers and their loved ones
- : Visit this website for a list gambling addiction treatment providers endorsed by the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and and Alcohol
- National Council on Problem Gambling: Additional problem gambling resources curated by the NCPG
- : Find Gamblers Anonymous meetings throughout Pennsylvania
- : Find support meetings for people affected by a loved one with a gambling problem
Pennsylvania Sports Betting And Gambling Self-Exclusion
The PGCB offers several self-exclusion programs for the following types of gambling:
- Online sports betting and gambling
- Daily fantasy sports sites
- Casinos and satellite casinos
- Video gaming terminals
Pennsylvania gamblers and sports bettors can register for any or all of the above programs online at the for a minimum of one year, five years, or a lifetime.
To begin, to sign up for an account with the Pennsylvania self-exclusion program. After registering, select the type of gambling from which you would like to self-exclude and follow the onscreen instructions to complete the enrollment process.
See for a step-by-step guide to self-excluding from any form of gambling or sports betting in Pennsylvania.
Anyone who has trouble enrolling in any Pennsylvania gambling exclusion program can contact the Office of Compulsive and Problem Gambling at 717-346-8300 or e-mail the office at [email protected] to schedule a call with an employee who can assist with submitting an enrollment request.
Important Pennsylvania self-exclusion points:
- Online sports betting, iGaming, video gaming terminals, and daily fantasy self-exclusion requests automatically expire at the end of the selected term
- Casino self-exclusion requests do not automatically expire; players remain excluded permanently but may apply for removal from the program upon completing the selected exclusion term
- Casino operators may elect to restrict anyone who self-excludes from all properties they own nationwide
- When you self-exclude from sports wagering, some operators may extend that restriction to all forms of gambling associated with their brand
- The Pennsylvania Lottery operates a separate self-exclusion program for its online lottery products; readers can