Pennsylvania sports betting – At a glance
- Online and retail sports betting are legal
- The age limit is 21+ for all forms of sports wagering
- There are 12 active online sportsbooks in PA in 2024
- Check out the top welcome promos below
History and updates of sports betting in Pennsylvania
The gambling expansion bill in PA was signed by the Governor in 2017, a year before the PASPA was lifted following a Supreme Court ruling. Alongside NJ, this made it one of the first states to legalize mobile sports wagering.
Here is the timeline of the story so far:
- 22 January 2024
– Fanatics launches its online sportsbook in Pennsylvania.
- 14 November 2023
– ESPN Bet online sportsbook goes live in PA.
- 28 March 2023
– House Bill 733 is introduced, which would legalize esports betting in the Keystone State.
- 09 January 2023
– Bet365 secures PA market access, but is still waiting for its Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) license approval as of December 2024.
- 07 October 2022
– PGCB bans the NFT-entry DFS contests, DraftKings Reignmakers.
- 10 November 2021
– Betway announces a partnership with the Philadelphia Flyers.
- May 2019
– SugarHouse is the first online sportsbook to launch in Pennsylvania.
- November 2018
– The first legal in-person sports bet is taken at the Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course.
- May 2018
– The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) is lifted following a Supreme Court ruling, effectively paving the way for state governments to determine their own laws on single-game sports wagering.
- 30 October 2017
– Governor Tom Wolf signs the H 271 Bill into law, legalizing Pennsylvania sports betting.
Is sports betting legal in Pennsylvania?
Yes, sports betting is legal in Pennsylvania. As we discovered above, PA was the first state to pass a legal sports wagering bill in 2017, after which the first legal sports bet was accepted in 2018. This was followed by the launch of mobile and online betting in Mat 2019.
Want to get things off to the best possible start? All 12 sportsbooks in PA offer a welcome bonus, and I’ve tested them all.
Four
Pennsylvania sportsbook promos
stand out before the rest – here they are:
- BetMGM – Bet $5 Get $150:
At Pennsylvania’s top-rated sportsbook, you can get $150 paid as 6 x $25 bonus bets. You just need to deposit at least $10 and bet $5+ on any sports to unlock this offer.
- DraftKings – Up to $1,000 deposit bonus:
With a qualifying deposit of $5 or more, you can get a deposit bonus worth up to $5 in DK Dollars. The bonus is equal to 20% of your deposit, so a $100 deposit would get you a $20 bonus.
- FanDuel – Bet $5 Get $150:
As a new sportsbook customer at FanDuel PA, you can get $150 in bonus bets with a $5 qualifying wager. It doesn’t matter if your qualifying bet wins or losses, you will get your bonus bets within 72 hours.
- Caesars Sportsbook
– Get Your First Bet Back up to $1,000: If you first wager as Caesars Sportsbook loses, you can get your stake back as a bonus bet up to $1,000. What I like about this promotion is that there is no playthrough requirement on the bonus bet.
Top Pennsylvania betting sites
You have 12
legal sports betting sites
to choose from here in the Keystone State, which I feel is the perfect amount of choice – not too much and not too little. As an expert, I have used all of them, and here are what I believe to be the best four Pennsylvania sportsbooks:
BetMGM Sportsbook PA
- 6 x $5 bonus bets welcome offer
- Official 76ers betting partner
- Competitive odds
- First-class iOS app
- Android app could improve
BetMGM has quickly risen to become probably the best sportsbook in the US as a whole, not just here in Pennsylvania. This is thanks to its slick betting app, market selection, and competitive odds. Good news for us basketball fans, as BetMGM is the official betting partner of the 76ers.
- Welcome offer:
bet $5 get $150
- App Store Rating:
4.8
- Google Play Rating:
4.1
- Withdrawal time:
Up to 5 business days
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
DraftKings Sportsbook PA
- Large welcome promo
- User-friendly interface
- Good VIP and rewards
- Official NBA betting partner
- Poor odds on niche markets
Alongside FanDuel, DraftKings is the official betting partner of the NBA, making it another great option for all of us basketball fans here in PA. On top of that, you have an amazing web and app interface with features that make betting easy regardless of your experience level.
- Welcome offer:
Up to $1,000 deposit bonus
- App Store Rating:
4.7
- Google Play Rating:
4.6
- Withdrawal time:
1- 5 business days
Bet $5, Get $150 If Your Bet Wins
FanDuel Sportsbook PA
- $150 in welcome bonus bets
- Trusted DFS and sportsbook brand
- Great for all experience levels
- Best same-game parlay bet builder
- Small max bet limits on odds boosted lines
This is the second of two Pennsylvania sportsbooks with an official partnership with the NBA. If you have a bit of experience with sports betting already, I highly recommend making use of the same-game parlay features, particularly for basketball matches.
- Welcome offer:
Bet $5 get $150
- App Store Rating:
4.8
- Google Play Rating:
4.7
- Withdrawal time:
8 hours – 5 business days
Bet $5 Get $300 in Bonus Bets if you win
Caesars Sportsbook PA
- No sweat first bet up to $1,000
- Official betting partner of the Philadelphia Eagles
- Top-tier customer service
- Rewards linked to Caesars Casino resorts
- Not the best selection of props and same-game parlays
Are you an NFL fan as well as a basketball fan? If so, this is one of the best Pennsylvania sportsbooks for football specials, thanks to its partnership with the Eagles. On top of that, Caesars offers the best customer service that I’ve experienced when betting online.
- Welcome offer:
Up to $1,000 no sweat bet
- App Store Rating:
4.6
- Google Play Rating:
4.2
- Withdrawal time:
Usually within 72 hours
Bet $5 Get $150 or $1000 First Bet Safety Net
Whatever the sport. Whatever the moment. It’s Never Ordinary at bet365. That’s why if you sign up now you’ll get the choice of two great New Customer Offers, the First Bet Safety Net up to $1000 or Bet $5 and Get $200 in Bonus Bets. Deposit required. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply.Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler 21+
What sites are legal for online betting in Pennsylvania?
Now that we’ve looked at my top-rated Pennsylvania sportsbooks, here is the complete list of all 12 live PGCB-approved operators:
- BetMGM
– Best overall Pennsylvania sportsbook
- DraftKings
– Official NBA betting partner
- FanDuel – great for same-game parlays
- Caesars Sportsbook
– Top customer service
- BetRivers Sportsbook
– The best for beginner bettors
- SugarHouse
– The first online sportsbook in PA
- Betway
– Highly secure PA betting site
- Unibet
– Most competitive odds overall
- ESPN Bet
– Huge market selection for US pro sports
- Betfred
– Good for international sports betting markets
- betPARX
– Fast payouts
- Fanatics Sportsbook
– NFL live streaming
Legal Pennsylvania sportsbooks
You can place sports bets online and in person in the Keystone State. Curious to know more about all of your options?
You can find the essential info about all online and retail sportsbooks right here:
Pennsylvania online sports betting sites:
| Online sportsbook | Online casino | Retail partner |
| Betfred | ✅ | Wind Creek Bethlem |
| BetMGM | ✅ | Hollywood Casino |
| betPARX | ✅ | Parx Casino |
| BetRivers | ✅ | Rivers Casino |
| Betway | ✅ | Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia |
| Caesars Sportsbook | ✅ | Harrah’s Philadelphia |
| DraftKings | ✅ | The Meadows |
| ESPN Bet | ❌ | N/A |
| Fanatics Sportsbook | ✅ | N/A |
| FanDuel | ✅ | Valley Forge Casino |
| SugarHouse | ✅ | Rivers Casino |
| Unibet | ✅ | Mohegan Sun Pocono |
Retail Pennsylvania sportsbooks:
| Sportsbook | Venue | Address |
| The Sportsbook | Hollywood Casino | 777 Hollywood Blvd, Grantville, PA 17028 |
| Wind Creek Bethlehem’s Sportsbook | Wind Creek Casino | 77 Wind Creek Blvd, Bethlehem, PA 18015 |
| BetRivers Sportsbook | Rivers Casino Philadelphia | 1001 N. Delaware Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19125 |
| BetRivers Sportsbook | Rivers Casino Pittsburgh | 777 Casino Dr, Pittsburgh, PA 15212 |
| The Sportsbook at The Meadows | The Meadows Racetrack & Casino | 210 Racetrack Rd, Washington, PA 15301 |
| FanDuel Sportsbook | Valley Forge Casino | 1160 1st Ave, King of Prussia, PA 19406 |
| Mount Airy Sports Book | Mount Airy Casino | 312 Woodland Rd, Mt Pocono, PA 18344 |
| Parx Race & Sportsbook | Chickie’s & Pete’s Malvern | 10 Liberty Boulevard Suite 190 Malvern, PA 19355 |
| Parx Sportsbook | Parx Casino | 2999 Street Road, Bensalem, PA 19020 |
| South Philadelphia Race & Sportsbook | South Philly Turf Club | 700 Packer Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19148 |
| TwinSpires Sportsbook | Presque Isle Downs & Casino | 8199 Perry Hwy, Erie, PA 16509 |
| Unibet Sportsbook | Mohegan Sun Pocono | 1280 PA-315, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702 |
| Unibet Sportsbook | Lehigh Valley Race & Sportsbook | 1780 Airport Rd., Allentown, PA 18109 |
| Caesars Sportsbook | Harrah’s Casino | 777 Harrah’s Blvd., Chester, PA, 19013 |
Who is Pennsylvania sports betting legal for?
To be able to legally place a sports wager in the Keystone State, either mobile or in-person, you need to be 21+ and physically located within PA borders.
Before you sign up and bet, here are a few essential things I think you should know first:
- Legal age
– Like in most legal US betting states, the minimum age is 21 for all sports betting forms.
- Mobile betting
– You can legally wager online at any of the 12 PGCB-licenses sportsbook apps and websites.
- Remote registration
– You can sign up to an online betting site 100% remotely, you don’t have to visit a retail unit and register in person.
- State borders
– To bet online in PA, you don’t have to be a resident, you just have to be located within state borders. All Pennsylvania sports betting sites use state-of-the-art geolocation technology to track your location.
- Retail sportsbooks
– The 15 retail sportsbooks in Pennsylvania are located inside land-based casinos or racetracks.
- Taxable winnings
– Any winnings that you make from Pennsylvania sports betting are included in your taxable income, on which you have to pay 3.07% state tax and 24% federal tax. However, you can deduct losses from your winnings to reduce this and the federal tax only applies to net winnings greater than $600.
The pros and cons of betting in Pennsylvania
Want a summary of everything covered in my PA
betting guide
thus far, here are the main pros and cons:
Advantages
- One of the first US states to legalize single-game sports wagering
- 12 live online sportsbooks
- 15 in-person retail sportsbooks
- Straightforward remote registration
- Great selection of promos for new and existing customers
How to start online betting in Pennsylvania
Keen to get started with Pennsylvania sports betting online after hearing everything I’ve told you so far? Just follow my step-by-step guide below and I’ll walk you through the whole process from start to finish:
Select one of my top recommended Pennsylvania sportsbooks from earlier in the article.
You can register online using the mobile app or the desktop website. You just need your ID and some personal info, such as your SSN, to verify your account.
At this stage, you might need to activate your welcome offer. For more information, you can check out what I believe to be the
best sportsbook promotions
in the Keystone State here.
You can now fund your account with your online banking, credit/debit card, e-wallet, or another payment alternative, depending on what’s available with your sportsbook of choice.
That’s it; you’re now ready to place your first mobile sports wager in PA. Browse the available sporting events and markets to find a wager that suits you.
If some of your bets win and you manage to build up some bankroll, you can withdraw your winnings. Usually, it’s best to receive the payout to the same account that you used for your last deposit.
Pennsylvania sports betting odds explained
Pennsylvania sportsbooks mostly use American (moneyline) odds by default, as in the rest of the US. These might look confusing to you at first, but trust me, they are actually quite easy to read.
Here’s how they work:
- Minus odds
represent the underdog and show you how much you would need to stake to get a $100 expected profit.
- Plus odds
are mostly offered on the underdog and show you how much expected profit you would win with a $100 stake.
Example:
| Philadelphia 76ers | -200 |
| Miami Heat | +165 |
Here you can see that the 76ers are -200 favorites, so you would need to bet $200 to get a $100 profit if you were to win. In other words, you stand to win $0.50 for every $1.00 you bet.
As +165 underdogs, a $100 bet on Heat would get you $165 in profit, but the probability of them winning is lower.
What can you
not
bet on in PA?
So far, we’ve focussed on what you can bet on in Pennsylvania, but there are exceptions to every rule. Here are the main things that we are currently not able to wager on in the Keystone State:
- Politics
– As in most US states, you cannot bet on political events, such as presidential elections.
- Off-the-field events
– Betting on the NFL Draft and other off-the-field events is not legal in PA, but is fair game in most neighboring states.
- Esports betting
– Although a house bill has been introduced regarding esports betting, it currently isn’t legal and is likely a year or two away from happening at the very least.
What about collegiate sports?
As well as professional sports, you can also place wagers legally on college sports in the Keystone State. This includes PA-based college teams, such as the Pitt Panthers, and Villanova Wildcats.
Pennsylvania sports betting handle
PA has one of the largest sports betting handles in the country, and it taxes the sportsbooks at 36%. As a result, over half a billion has been raised in taxes.
Interested to know more about the figures? For all of you financial tax fanatics out there, I have put together the year-on-year information about the PA sports betting handle for you below:
| Year | Total handle | Revenue | Hold | Tax |
| 2023 | $7.6 billion | $686.9 million | 9.2% | $165.1 million |
| 2022 | $7.25 billion | $597.3 million | 8.2% | $144.4 million |
| 2021 | $6.75 billion | $505.5 million | 7.8% | $122.5 million |
| 2020 | $3.5 billion | $269 million | 7.5% | $81 million |
| 2019 | $1.5 billion | $111 million | 7.5% | $30 million |
| 2018 | $17 million | $2.5 million | 14% | $905K |
Home team advantage: PA sports
The Keystone State isn’t short of professional sports teams, and aren’t we all big fans of the 76ers? Additionally, there are Philly and Pittsburgh-based franchises in the NHL, NFL, and MLB.
All of these franchises have embraced the legal betting landscape and each has an official partnership with one or more Pennsylvania sportsbooks. However, my advice when betting is to avoid teams that you are a fan of. Sports wagering should be logical and pragmatic, and passion can cloud your judgment.
Pennsylvania sports betting laws
We have covered all of the most important legal questions throughout this article so far. But to sum things app, I’ve created this list of all the key points for you:
- The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) is responsible for regulating the industry and licensing retail and online sportsbooks.
- You need to be aged 21 or older to gamble in PA.
- There are currently 12 licensed online Pennsylvania sportsbooks and 15 retail locations.
- Sportsbooks are charged 36% of their revenue plus a 0.25% also applies.
- Betting on politics, esports, the NFL Drafts, and under-18 amateur athletes is illegal.
- Collegiate sports betting is legal, including wagers on PA-based teams.
Other types of gambling in PA
So far, our focus has been entirely on Pennsylvania sports betting, but are you interested in other forms of gambling? PA is among the most liberal gambling states in the US, and here I’ve given you the lowdown on everything from casinos to poker and DFS:
- Casinos
– Both online and in-person retail casinos are legal for persons aged 21 and older in the Keystone State. 11 of the 12 sportsbook apps in PA also have an online casino.
- Poker
– PA is one of the very few US states with legal online poker, which you can play at BetMGM. Additionally, many retail casinos in Pennsylvania have real-money poker rooms and tournaments.
- Horse Racing
– Pennsylvania is home to six race tracks, all with in-person betting. Additionally, there are multiple OTB (off-track betting) locations as well as five online sites dedicated to horse racing wagers.
- Daily Fantasy Sports
– Most types of paid and free fantasy sports contests are legal in PA. The only notable contest to get banned in recent times was DraftKings Reignmakers, because of its NFT-entry system.
Pennsylvania sports betting: The quick facts
Here I have brought together all of the facts and figures covered in this article so far. You can use this as a quick reference point for all things regarding sports betting and gambling in the Keystone State.
| Launch date (retail): | November 2018 |
| Launch date (online): | May 2019 |
| Online sports betting: | ✅ |
| No. of live sportsbooks: | 12 |
| Remote registration: | ✅ |
| Retail sports betting: | ✅ |
| Collegiate sports betting: | ✅ |
| Esports betting: | |
| Online casinos: | ✅ |
| Retail casinos: | ✅ |
| Online poker: | ✅ |
| In-person poker: | ✅ |
| Population: | 12.9 million |
| Total handle (2023) | $7.6 billion |
| Tax rate (sportsbook revenue): | 36% |
| Tax rate (customer net winnings) | 3.07% |
| Regulator: | Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) |
Responsible gaming in PA
Although Pennsylvania sports betting only became legal relatively recently, by comparison, casino gambling, and poker have been around for a while. As a result, PA has some well-established responsible gaming initiatives in place that you can access if you or a loved one has a gambling-related problem.
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) has a separate website that is entirely dedicated to responsible gaming. On top of that, Pennsylvania is a member state of the National Council Of Problem Gambling, who you can call anytime.
What to avoid with Pennsylvania betting
If you want to be safe and on the right side of the law when betting online or in person in PA, make sure to use legal and licensed sportsbooks and casinos. Above all else, you must avoid overseas sportsbooks online. As well as being strictly illegal, your funds and data are highly unsafe here and potentially exposed to online hacking and/or theft.
To add to that, don’t try to pull a fast one and register with a border-state online sportsbook. The geolocation technology will sniff you out regardless of how good you think your VPN might be. If you are caught using an out-of-state sportsbook, you risk your account being locked and banned.
Online Sports Betting Pennsylvania – Conclusion
Sadly, folks, all good things must come to an end, and we’ve just about finished my guide to PA sports betting. The good news, however, is that the game for you is only just about to tip off.
Armed with your new-found understanding of the rules and regulations, you can now sign up to one of my top recommended sportsbooks and claim your bonus today. Then, all you need to do is deposit some funds, choose a betting market and you’re good to go.
Top sports betting sites in PA
1.
Bet $5 Get $150 or $1000 First Bet Safety Net
Players from Virginia accepted
Bet now
Whatever the sport. Whatever the moment. It’s Never Ordinary at bet365. That’s why if you sign up now you’ll get the choice of two great New Customer Offers, the First Bet Safety Net up to $1000 or Bet $5 and Get $200 in Bonus Bets. Deposit required. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply.Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler 21+
2.
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
Players from Virginia accepted
3.
Bet $5 Get $300 in Bonus Bets if you win
+ 3 Free Months of NBA League Pass
Players from Virginia accepted
4.
First bet back as a bonus bet up to $1000
Players from Virginia accepted
5.
Second chance bet: Get up to $500 in Bonus Bets
Players from Virginia accepted
Pennsylvania Sports Betting FAQ
⚖Is sports betting legal in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania passed a bill to legalize sports betting in 2018. However, they had to wait until the PASPA was overruled by the Supreme Court in 2018 to accept the first retail single-game sports bet. The first online sportsbook went live in May 2019 and there are currently 12 legal betting sites available in PA.
🖥Can you bet online in PA?
Yes, as well as in-person bets at 15 retail units, online sports wagers on pro and collegiate sports are also legal in the Keystone State. You can register remotely and bet online at any of the 12 mobile sportsbooks, provided you are aged 21+ and physically located within state borders.
🔐Is Bet365 legal in Pennsylvania?
Bet365 was approved for market access in Pennsylvania in January 2023. However, it doesn’t yet have its full PGCB license, as of December 2024. We have high hopes that it will launch soon though, and when it does we will be the first to let you know. Bookmark Dunkorthree.com and revisit this page for updates as and when they happen.
🏀What online sportsbooks are legal in PA?
Altogether, there are 12 legal online sportsbooks in Pennsylvania in 2024. The best ones in my opinion are BetMGM, FanDuel, DraftKings, and Caesars Sportsbook. Curious to find out why? Check out be PA sports betting guide here at Dunkorthree.com.
🏅How many sportsbooks are there in Pennsylvania?
Currently, there are 12 online sportsbooks and 15 retail sports betting units inside casinos and racetracks. Additionally, other operators will potentially be approved to access the PA market by the PGCB soon.
