Sports Betting In Pa
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Pennsylvania officially became a sports betting state when the Commonwealth’s first retail sportsbook launched in 2018. Now you’ll find more than ten retail sportsbooks spread across the state.
Online sports betting debuted in 2019, ushering in a new era of mobile sports betting in the KeystoneState. The overwhelming majority of sports wagers in PA are now placed at the state’s more than ten legal online sportsbooks.
TSG Interactive US Services Limited is the internet gaming and sports wagering operator of Mount Airy Casino Resort, 312 Woodland Road, Mt. Pocono, PA 18344, authorized and regulated by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. IGaming license number: IG-109344-1.
Below, you will find the essential details regarding online sports betting sites in Pennsylvania.
PA Online Sports Betting Apps
PA online sports betting expansion
Among the top PA sports betting apps are some of the biggest names in the game. FanDuel, in partnership with Valley Forge Casino, established itself as an early market leader.
DraftKings joined the market before the end of 2019, launching under Penn National’s Meadows Racetrack & Casino license.
Other heavy hitters with an online sportsbook in PA, along with their land-based partners include:
- BetRivers Sportsbook (Rivers Pittsburgh)
- Unibet Sportsbook (Mohegan Sun Pocono)
- Fox Bet Sportsbook (Mount Airy Casino Resort)
- Caesars Sportsbook (Harrah’s Philadelphia)
- Barstool Sportsbook (Hollywood Casino)
- BetMGM Sportsbook (Hollywood Casino Morgantown)
Online sports betting sites in Pennsylvania
PA sports betting sites offer mobile wagering via apps and online wagering through their respective websites.
Here is the full list of PA online sportsbooks and when they launched or are planning to:
- SugarHouse Sportsbook (Launched May 31, 2019)
- BetRivers Sportsbook (Launched June 27, 2019)
- Parx Sportsbook (Launched June 27, 2019)
- FanDuel Sportsbook PA (Valley Forge) (Launched July 22, 2019)
- Harrah’s Sportsbook (summer 2019)
- Fox Bet Sportsbook (August-September 2019)
- William Hill Sportsbook (fall 2019)
- DraftKings Sportsbook (2019)
- BetAmerica Sportsbook (2019)
- Unibet Sportsbook (2019)
- BetMGM Sportsbook (2020)
- Live! Philadelphia Hotel & Casino (2021)
PA sportsbook locations, partners, licensees
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) oversees all sports betting in the state, both retail and online.
Only PA casinos (and racinos) can get a license to do this. However, none have done it alone. Many choose to partner with software and sports betting services suppliers from around the world to launch retail and online sports betting operations in Pennsylvania.
Here’s a look at which operators have partnered with which on the launch of sports betting in Pennsylvania:
Casino | Partner | Online Sportsbook | Retail Sportsbook |
---|---|---|---|
SugarHouse Casino | Kambi | Live as of May 31, 2019 | Launched Dec. 15, 2018 |
Valley Forge Casino Resort | FanDuel/IGT/GAN | Live as of July 22, 2019 | Launched March 13, 2019 |
Rivers Casino Pittsburgh | Kambi | Live as of June 27, 2019 | Launched Dec. 15, 2018 |
Parx Casino | Kambi | Live as of June 27, 2019 | Launched Jan. 10, 2019 |
Harrah's Philadelphia | Scientific Games | Summer 2019 | Launched Jan. 24, 2019 |
The Meadows | DraftKings | 2019 | Coming Soon |
Hollywood Casino at Penn National | William Hill | Fall 2019 | Launched Nov. 17, 2018 |
Presque Isle Downs | BetAmerica | Fall 2019 | Launched July 26, 2019 |
Mohegan Sun Pocono | Unibet | 2019 | Coming Soon |
Mount Airy Casino Resort | FoxBet | Aug./Sept. 2019 | Coming Soon |
Live! Philadelphia Hotel & Casino | N/A | Est. 2021 | Coming Soon |
Here is a look at where each of the sportsbooks is located:
Benefits of legal online sports betting
Once you accept that Americans are already betting billions of dollars on sports every year, and that most of it is through illegal bookies and offshore online sportsbooks, it’s easy to see that there are several benefits to legalized sports betting.
For those who bet sports, legal sports betting offers a safer environment with increased consumer protections. Legal sports betting in Pennsylvania also means a boost to the local economy, new jobs, and a significant tax revenue stream for the state.
Regulated sports betting also slows the proliferation of illegal sports betting operators. Since it’s all above board and public, legal sports betting also means the integrity of sports across the country is better protected than ever before.
Top sports betting events, sports teams in PA
Pennsylvania doesn’t differ much from the rest of the country when it comes to major sports betting events.
The most-bet-on event in the country and in PA is the annual NCAA men’s basketball tournament. March Madness may get even more attention in PA because a local-Philadelphia team, the VillanovaWildcats, have become perennial contenders, winning the tourney in 2016 and 2018.
The SuperBowl is the second-biggest betting event in the US and PA. Of course, the Super Bowl’s popularity in Pennsylvania was at an all-time high in 2018 when the PhiladelphiaEagles won it. However, the NFL is also wildly popular in Pittsburgh where locals bleed the black and gold colors of the PittsburghSteelers.
Other local teams that draw a lot of betting interest in PA include:
- Penn State Nittany Lions (NCAA football)
- PittsburghPanthers (NCAA football)
- Philadelphia Phillies (MLB)
- PittsburghPirates (MLB)
- PhiladelphiaFlyers (NHL)
- PittsburghPenguins (NHL)
- Philadelphia76ers (NBA)
Other significant sporting events that draw a ton of betting action in PA include:
- World Series (MLB)
- NBA Finals
- Stanley Cup Playoffs (NHL)
- The Masters (PGA)
- Wimbledon
- College football playoffs
- Kentucky Derby/Triple Crown
Unfortunately, PA sportsbooks cannot accept wagers on non-sporting events like the NFL Draft or the AcademyAwards. For a PA sportsbook to take action on something, it must be directly tied to a sporting event.
PA sports betting FAQ
Are legal sports betting options live in Pennsylvania?
Yes, they are. Pennsylvania law allows for regulated sports betting at licensed PA casinos or on licensed sports betting apps run by PA casinos. Betting with offshore online sportsbooks and illegal bookies is still against the law, but there are now several legal sports betting options in Pennsylvania.
Who is eligible for a sports betting license?
The PGCB only grants licenses to run retail sportsbooks to existing PA casino license holders. That includes racetracks with casinos, otherwise known as racinos.
Is there legal online sports betting in Pennsylvania?
Yes, there is. Online sports betting launched in Pennsylvania when the first sports betting site went live on May 31, 2019. The state is now home to more than online sportsbooks.
What about mobile sports betting apps?
Pennsylvania online sportsbooks are available on desktop browsers (for use with a Geolocation plug-in) but most are also available in app form. The first step is downloading your favorite PA sports betting app for either iOS or Android.
What sports can I legally bet on?
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You can bet on almost all US college and pro sports in PA. That means the big four US pro sports leagues: NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL. Plus, most major NCAA-sanctioned college sports. There are even betting markets in PA for overseas sports action like European football, cricket, and rugby.
What colleges are excluded?
You can bet on all US college teams in PA. New Jersey restricts college sports betting to schools and games outside the state only. PA does not have such restrictions.
Are there other PA sports betting restrictions?
If it’s a sport, you can pretty much bet on it in PA. The only restriction is that the betting market must revolve around a sporting event. That means you cannot bet on non-sporting events like the Academy Awards or the NFL Draft. It also excludes Super Bowl props like the color of gatorade that will be dumped on the winning coach.
Who is eligible to place a sports bet in Pennsylvania?
As long as you are 21 or older and physically inside the state of Pennsylvania, you can place a sports bet online or live at a retail sportsbook. The lone exception is if you are in any way, shape, or form involved with the team or the league you wish to bet on.
How does an online sportsbook know that I’m actually inside PA when I place a wager?
Online sportsbooks in Pennsylvania employ geolocation software to make sure anyone placing a bet is inside PA at the time. There’s no getting around this law.
What types of sports betting does Pennsylvania support?
PA law allows for single-game wagering at licensed retail and online sportsbooks. That means all kinds of traditional bets are available on a variety of sporting events, including:
- Futures
- Moneylines
- Point spreads
- Totals (over/unders)
- Parlays
- Round robins
- Teasers
- Player, team, and game props
- Live, in-game betting
How much revenue does sports betting generate for Pennsylvania?
PA has established itself as the third-largest sports betting market, trailing only New Jersey and Nevada. PA sportsbooks surpassed $4 billion in total wagers (handle) before it turned two years old.
What are the tax rates on PA sports betting?
Online and retail sports betting in PA are taxed at 34% plus a 2% local share assessment. That means 36% of all sports betting revenue is going to the Commonwealth.
What about esports betting?
Because esports don’t fit the definition of a traditional sporting event, bettors can’t currently bet on esports in PA. That said, PA lawmakers have discussed the possibility and could legalize esports betting sometime in the future.
What about daily fantasy sports?
PA began regulating daily fantasy sports (DFS) in May 2018. That means it’s legal to play DFS at licensed PA fantasy sports operators.
History of PA sports betting
Pennsylvania was one of several states that legalized sports betting pending a change in federal law prior to the US Supreme Court declaring the federal ban on sports betting unconstitutional in May 2018.
That was the only change in federal law PA needed to move ahead, and the PGCB was immediately tasked with producing regulations to govern sports betting in the Commonwealth.
The PGCB came up was the following plan:
- Allowing PA casinos to apply for a sports betting license giving them the right to operate online and retail wagering on sporting events approved by the board.
- Charging sports betting licensees a one-time fee of $10 million.
- Allowing each licensee a single online sports betting skin prominently featuring the name of the associated casino.
- Allowing licensees to launch supplemental retail sportsbooks at off-track betting and local satellite casino locations.
It took some time for the first to be submitted, but sports betting license applications began pouring in by August 2018.
The state’s first retail sportsbook
Hollywood Casino at Penn National was the first to apply and launched the state’s first retail sportsbook on Nov. 15, 2018.
As other locations prepared to launch, on Dec. 7, Presque Isle Downs submitted a license application. Sportsbooks began opening at casinos across the state, and by the end of March 2019, Mount Airy and Mohegan Sun applied for licenses as well.
That left Lady Luck Casino Nemacolin and Sands Bethlehem. The tiny Lady Luck operation looked to be leaving sports betting to sister site Presque Isle Downs.
As for SandsBethlehem, it was going through a sale. That sale closed at the beginning of June 2019 with the property becoming Wind Creek Bethlehem. The new owners claimed they were moving ahead with the process of bringing sports betting to the casino.
Around the same time, the era of online PA sports betting was ushered in when SugarHouse began online app testing on May 28, 2019. By July 29, four online betting apps were up and running with more getting ready to launch.
That brings us to August 2019 with nine PA retail sportsbooks operational and four more to launch this year, and each to either run a PA sports betting app already or have plans to launch one soon.
PA sports betting law, regulations
Pennsylvania legalized sports betting, pending a change in federal law, as part of a comprehensive gambling expansion packageapproved in October 2017. That change in federal law came on May 14,2018, when the US Supreme Court struck down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) and upheld a 2014 New Jersey law aimed at allowing sports betting in casinos and racetracks in the Garden State by a vote of 6-3. PASPA is the law that made sports betting illegal everywhere except Nevada, and limited sports gambling in Delaware, Montana, and Oregon.
PASPA declared unconstitutional
In the written Supreme Court decision, JusticeSamuel Alito said PASPA infringed upon state sovereignty guaranteed in the US Constitution. He also said states should be able to make their own choices when it comes to sports gambling, opening the door to legalized and regulated sports betting across the country.
Of course, Pennsylvania is ahead of the curve on the issue, as one of just a handful of states that legalized sports betting pending a change in federal law prior to the release of the Supreme Court decision. That paved the way for the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) to set up the regulatory framework for legalized sports betting inside the state.
Gambling expansion in Pennsylvania has been a popular subject over the past few years, with the sports betting industry seeing massive expansion for Pennsylvania residents in recent years. Pennsylvania was one of the first states to legalize state-sponsored sports betting. The state-approved laws before PASPA was repealed when legislators agreed upon 2017’s HB 271. Now, the state brings in millions of dollars in betting revenue, in addition to receiving a tourism boost from nearby sports bettors.
Act 42 opened the door to legal sports betting in Pennsylvania, with most of the casinos in the state being approved to offer sports wagering at their retail locations. The state continues to make a lot of tax revenue from legal sports betting, as they have the highest licensing fee for casinos ($10 million) and one of the highest tax rates (36%) of any legal betting state. Clearly, the state expected this booming sports betting industry and understood venues would pay a hefty price to get a piece of the market.
Legal Pennsylvania March Madness Betting
In Pennsylvania, betting on sports is completely legal in 2021. PA is one of the few states that bettors can enjoy physical sportsbooks, sponsored online books, and international sportsbooks. With March Madness set to return this year, bettors in Pennsylvania will be laying down some major cash on the tournament. The college basketball games are going to be hyped and PA bettors will be ready to make money on these games all month long. Bettors in PA can find odds for the NCAA Tournament at any of the state-sponsored sportsbooks, but it is the international books that offer the most freedom of choice. Sites like Bovada, BetOnline, SportsBetting, and MyBookie have the most options for CBB bettors, in addition to things like betting with Bitcoin and other features. Be sure to explore all of your legal betting options when gearing up for March Madness in Pennsylvania.
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Legal Sports Betting Sites Accepting Pennsylvania Residents
Pennsylvania has opened the doors to sports betting by allowing state-sponsored venues to join the international sites in offering top-tier legal sports betting. Currently in PA, there are eight online sportsbooks that operate through physical casinos. All of these outlets have downloadable apps that can be accessed within state lines of PA. These books will allow users to bet on nearly every major sports in the world, but sometimes have limitations on betting in-state teams or leagues.
Online sports betting sites will have better odds on the hometown teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles. The local sportsbooks have to respond to local demand, and homer bettors who will drive the lines up on local favorites. This means that the offshore sportsbooks, which don’t respond to that demand, will have better lines on these local teams. The best online Pennsylvania sportsbooks are Bovada, SportsBetting, BetOnline, MyBookie, BetDSI, and BookMaker. These brands are the cream of the crop in the entire industry and have both the experience and trustworthiness necessary to guarantee fair lines and prompt payouts to all their PA members. Each of these top-quality sportsbooks offers a mobile-optimized platform for on-the-go wagering, and all of them also have a slew of valuable new member and initial deposit bonuses to choose from.
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When it comes to online sportsbooks in general, the first thing that Pennsylvania players need to check is if their book of choice actually accepts residents from their state. At Bovada, PA players are more than welcome to sign up for a free account and put money on the sports they love to watch and the teams they love to cheer for.
So what are some of the benefits and advantages of betting with Bovada? For starters, this sportsbook has a great selection of sports odds to wager on, with options including straight bets, spreads, over/unders, parlays, props, specials, futures, and more. This large selection allows those with an account to bet on a number of different clubs and players, including the 76ers, Penguins, Steelers, Eagles, Nittany Lions, and other popular teams. Even better, Bovada has a huge amount of international wagering available, so PA residents can put money on global soccer, rugby, tennis, golf, cricket, boxing matches, and more. If you can bet on it, Bovada’s sure to have a line.
In addition, funding your Bovada account is made easy with American-friendly deposit methods that Pennsylvania sports bettors can use, like Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and even cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash. Combine that with rapid, guaranteed payouts, and Bovada is certainly at the top of its game in terms of what it can offer to anyone living in the Keystone State. New PA members who sign up today can even get a $250 Sports Welcome Bonus worth up to $250, all with the lowest rollover (5X) in the industry!
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Sports wagering for bettors in Pennsylvania is available at BetOnline and has been for over two decades now. Never miss an opportunity to bet on your favorite matchups at BetOnline, and never miss an opportunity to maximize those wagers with BetOnline’s industry-leading deposit, withdrawal, and wagering limits.
In fact, BetOnline has among the industry’s most user-friendly payment options in general, with deposit support for credit cards, debit cards, cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum, Litecoin, and DASH), bank wires, money orders, cashier’s checks, and various other person-to-person solutions.
Best of all, new PA members who sign up today can choose from a selection of great bonuses, including a 50% Welcome Bonus worth up to $1000, a 50% crypto bonus worth up to $500, and 25% bonuses on all future deposits (up to $1000 per qualifying reload).
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Deposit options are critical for an online sportsbook. Luckily, those living in Pennsylvania will have many options available to them when they sign up at SportsBetting, one of the world’s most popular sportsbooks. Deposit options range from Visa, Mastercard, and American Express charges to a full complement of Bitcoin and altcoin options. There are even old-school methods like bank wires, money orders, and personal checks, so that just about anyone can put a few dollars into their SportsBetting account with ease.
In addition to having one of the industry’s most varied and robust sportsbooks, SportsBetting also has a large online casino with hundreds of table games and slots to choose from, and the site also has an easy-to-use pari-mutuel racebook including futures odds on all the biggest races of the year.
Pennsylvania residents who sign up with SportsBetting right now can pick any number of sportsbook, casino, and racebook bonuses to help them get their wagering off on the right foot, and – with constantly-updated odds and the most sophisticated live betting platform in the business – SportsBetting customers have more chances than anyone to win big.
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Sports Betting Apps In Pennsylvania
- BetRivers Sportsbook
- FanDuel Sportsbook
- Fox Bet Sportsbook
- SugarHouse Sportsbook
- DraftKings Sportsbook
- UniBet Sportsbook
- Parx Sportsbook
- BetAmerica
Is Sports Betting Legal In Pennsylvania?
Yes, sports betting is 100% legal in Pennsylvania and you will find land-based sportsbooks spread across the state. Most of them are located in the Philadelphia area because of the financially restrictive scheme put in place by the PA legislature. However, other casinos outside the city are beginning to launch their sportsbook operations in the near future, including Mount Airy, the Mohegan Sun Pocono, and Sportsbooks in Erie. Mobile sports betting in PA is also legal and is available to anyone of age that is located within the borders of the state.
That said, there are alternatives to using land-based or mobile sportsbooks in Pennsylvania: legal offshore sportsbooks. These Internet-based sports wagering websites have been serving PA customers for decades, and all the top names in the online gambling business have an established presence in the state. PA residents can wager on sports right now, legally and securely, by using any (or all!) of the sportsbooks such as Bovada, SportsBetting, BetOnline, or MyBookie. Basically, if you want to beton on the NFL in Pennsylvania like placing wagers on the Eagles or the Steelers, you’re going to want to figure out where you want to place that wager first.
Best Deposit Methods For Online Pennsylvania Sportsbooks
This will largely depend on the type of online betting site you choose to use in PA. If you’re trying to use a state-authorized sportsbook then your only options at this time are Visa, Mastercard, Discover, cash, or casino chips. Popular options in New Jersey include PayPal, ACH, Skrill, PayNearMe, and Neteller, but given the fact that Pennsylvania wants to compete with them, mobile PA sportsbooks will likely carry these deposit methods in the future.
Most offshore betting shops available in PA offer several ways to fund your account. However, the best deposit methods for online Pennsylvania sportsbooks will come down to your personal needs. Most bettors, of course, wish to get their money loaded up ASAP so they can wager right away, which means that they’ve got to use a credit card, debit card, or some form of cryptocurrency (like Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Litecoin, Ethereum, DASH, etc.). All these methods allow for near-instant transfers, but crypto options have much higher deposit limits than credit/debit solutions.
PA sports bettors can also opt to go the cashier’s check, wire transfer, or money order routes. Although, while these have high limits, their processing and transfer times are much longer. It usually takes up to two weeks to show up in your sportsbook balance.
Best Payout Options At Online Pennsylvania Sportsbooks
These options will again depend on the type of site that you use. If you plan on using one such as PlaySugarHouse, for example (the state-authorized mobile sportsbook associated with SugarHouse Casino), then you can either pick up your winnings at the casino itself or have a check delivered to you. Once methods like PayPal are introduced these will likely be the best withdrawal options for those sports wagering sites.
When it comes to offshore sports betting sites, the best payout options for online Pennsylvania sportsbooks will depend largely on how big of a withdrawal you’re trying to make and how quickly you need those funds. In most cases, PA residents opt to be paid out via courier check, money order, or wire transfer, and even though these have very high limits, they also come with attached fees and long wait times (10-14 days).
Crypto payouts, on the other hand, are getting more and more popular. This is because Bitcoin and similar altcoins carry no added fees and typically have limits just as high as the more traditional methods. What’s even better is that crypto withdrawals offer same-day transfers, so you don’t have to wait to put your winnings in your pocket.
Live Sports Betting For Pennsylvania Residents
Live sports betting for Pennsylvania residents has been an absolute game-changer for the area’s online and retail sportsbook industry. Unlike its traditional counterpart, live betting – also called in-game wagering – is a phenomenon made possible by the ubiquity of the Internet itself and by the powerful software held in casino sportsbooks.
With this feature, PA bettors can wager on various lines, spreads, and props as a game unfolds in real-time. The Internet allows for such dynamic odds to be posted quickly and frequently, so PA sports fans can wager on all aspects of their favorite matchups from start to finish when using a mobile sportsbook.
Just remember, when your trying to place these bets, you’ve got to be tuned into the game itself. Your wagers need to be placed ASAP, as odds can change in mere seconds. Because of this, live betting has been credited with increased viewership and higher ratings for all of the major US sports.
Mobile Sports Betting For Pennsylvania Residents
All of the top state based sports betting sites available to PA residents can be accessed via your mobile browser or through an app that you can download from an app store. Sports betting sites that are made available by the state can be found through either the Google Play Store and eventually through the Apple App Store.
When it comes to offshore sportsbooks, each one has a mobile-optimized version of its site so that once you log on from your phone you will be able to find betting lines and odds easily. As long as you have an internet connection you’ll be able to bet on the NFL in Pennsylvania. Whether that be betting on the Pittsburgh Steelers or betting on the Philadelphia Eagles wherever you are, whenever you want to do it.
Mobile Sports Betting In Pennsylvania
There are many options when it comes to placing your bets on your online sportsbook. As Pennsylvania has plenty of state-licensed sports betting operators that offer mobile sports betting in PA, online sportsbooks are still just as popular. You can have your Android or iPhone to place your bets on and it only takes a few minutes... and doesn't require any additional geolocation apps or issues.
As long as you have access to your internet browser you will be able to place your wagers and update them in case any news breaks out which is most important. The good thing also is that these online sportsbooks don’t need an app to be downloaded for them to work. All you have to do is click on your sportsbook in your browser and it will take you right to the mobile version of the sportsbook of your choice. That means you don’t need extra storage for your online sportsbook. So try it out when you are out handling a few things and it will be something that you will like.
Pennsylvania Sports Betting Laws
With numerous commercial casino locations, PA has several venues with in-person sportsbooks thanks to Act 42. There are also mobile sports betting apps available in PA and more that are hoping to launch in the near future thanks to Act 42.
With numerous commercial casino locations, PA has several venues with in-person sportsbooks as well as mobile betting platforms thanks to Act 42. In order for a land-based sports wagering facility to open for business in PA, the facility must be an existing or already-approved casino/racino location. Also, they must pay a $10 million one-time licensing fee to the state, and the facility must agree to a 36% state tax.
That’s a mighty tall order for most casino brands in the region, but that hasn't stopped most of the venues from launching. Pennsylvania’s sports betting laws can be found in their entirety here, and the state’s general gambling regulations are available via the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board website.
However, there are few restrictions, as bettors can legally wager on both professional and collegiate sporting events. One of the biggest drawbacks in only being able to wager on sporting events. Some bettors learned the hard way that attempting action on the 2019 NFL Draft wasn’t allowed because it is not considered an athletic event.
Legal Gambling Age For Pennsylvania Residents
Pennsylvania has a strict 21-year-old minimum age limit in place when it comes to gambling in local casinos. Likewise, when it comes to in-state land-based and online sports betting, PA bettors must be 21 or older to wager on their favorite teams and players.
That said, all of the legal online sportsbooks serving PA residents from overseas have age limits of only 18 because that is the legal age requirement in their home country. Even with that being the case, you will have to abide by the laws set by the state in order to avoid any trouble down the line. Do not gamble underage - it does not matter what the terms and conditions of the sportsbook say. If you want to bet on the NFL in Pennsylvania, the Kentucky Derby, or any other sport, make sure you’re over the age of 21.
Which Cities Will Have Land-Based Pennsylvania Sportsbooks?
There are several cities that currently have land-based Pennsylvania sportsbooks up and running, though there is a chance that not all of the casinos or racinos in the state will likely offer the pastime due to the government’s current licensing and taxation schemes.
The main cities in PA that have a large casino and gaming presences are Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Wilkes-Barre, Harrisburg, Bethlehem, and Erie, albeit some of these areas’ casinos and racinos are not technically within those city limits, instead, being just a few miles outside of town. The casinos/racinos that have PA sportsbooks right now or at least have been approved by the state to offer sports betting are the following:
- Philadelphia: Harrah’s Philadelphia, SugarHouse Casino, Parx Casino and Racing, South Philadelphia Turf Club, Valley Forge Turf Club
- Pittsburgh: Rivers Casino
- Wilkes-Barre: Mohegan Sun Pocono, Mount Airy Casino Resort
- Harrisburg: Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course
- Bethlehem: Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem
- Erie: Presque Isle Downs and Casino
- Mount Pocono: Mount Airy Casino Resort
FAQ About Online Sports Betting In Pennsylvania
1) If the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board does not actually authorize these gambling sites, where are they based?
The above online sportsbooks (Bovada, SportsBetting, BetOnline, etc.) are all fully licensed and regulated in their home countries. These particular sites operate out of Canada, Costa Rica, and the United Kingdom.
2) How do these gambling sites differ from the betting locations in Las Vegas?
Legal online sportsbooks have the same wager types and sports selections of all the best Las Vegas bookmakers with none of the hassle of actually traveling to Nevada. Additionally, online sportsbooks take more varieties of payment (including Bitcoin and other altcoins) and offer a number of perks and bonuses that you won’t find anywhere in Sin City.
3) Is Bovada legal in Pennsylvania?
Bovada is 100% legal to all Pennsylvania residents aged 21 or older, as are the rest of the top sportsbooks in the online betting industry. There are only a select few states in which Bovada does not accept players, but ever since its founding, the site has served PA bettors.
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4) Can Pennsylvania's Gaming Control Board actually license a live, in-state sportsbook?
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Prior to the overturning of PASPA, PA’s Gaming Control Board could not legally license or authorize an in-state Pennsylvania sportsbook. However, now that PASPA has been repealed, sportsbooks are nominally legal in the state which is why several casinos across Pennsylvania offer sports betting.
5) What restrictions are in place for cashing out my winnings?
There are actually very few restrictions on cashing out your winnings at any top online sportsbook. The quickest way to claim your payout is to use a cryptocurrency transfer. However, most users opt for courier checks, which take a week or two to show up. You may also have to provide proof of your identity before receiving your funds.
6) Can I deposit my payout check as normal?
Absolutely. However, it is recommended that you don’t immediately cash your payout check, as there can sometimes be snags with bounced checks due to the international nature of their origin. So simply deposit your check as usual and give your sportsbook ample time to have the funds officially cleared. When they do, you can withdraw that money as normal.
7) What do I do if my payout check bounces?
If your payout check bounces, simply inform your sportsbook’s cashier service. They will void the former transaction and issue you a new check. While uncommon, it’s good to know that all the top sportsbooks will always work with their customers to make sure they get their winnings.
8) What Is Bitcoin?
Bitcoin is a cryptocurrency and the progenitor of the hyper-secure blockchain concept. As a decentralized currency, Bitcoin (and other altcoins like Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum, Cardano, ADA, Litecoin, Stellar, DASH, etc.) are designed for online transactions, and they are traded in a manner similar to stocks. There is no question that crypto and – more specifically – blockchain technology is the future of commerce, and there’s no better time to jump in than right now. All major online sportsbooks accept Bitcoin and several other altcoins, though there is no telling whether or not physical, in-state Pennsylvania sportsbooks will also accept this type of payment.
9) Are there any fees for joining up with online Pennsylvania sportsbooks?
No, there are no fees for joining up with any of these reputable offshore sportsbooks serving the Pennsylvania area. The same goes for any sports betting site that is operated within PA. In fact, if any Internet-based sportsbook charges a membership fee, that service is not to be trusted, and you should look to place your wagers elsewhere.
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10) Do I have to pay taxes on my winnings?
You must pay taxes on all your winnings. In addition to claiming your winnings on your federal income taxes, you must also claim them on your PA state income taxes. Federal gambling taxation forms may be found here, while Pennsylvania forms are available here. This is true for either offshore betting sites or ones that operate inside the Keystone state.
11) Can I be arrested for using an online sportsbook in Pennsylvania?
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Using an online sportsbook in Pennsylvania is totally legal and was permissible even before Act 42. Nobody has ever been arrested for placing their wagers with any of the top Internet betting shops we previously recommended nor have they been arrested for using state-authorized mobile sports wagering apps.
12) Are online Pennsylvania sports betting sites safe to use?
Yes. You will never have to worry about being ripped off or otherwise stolen from if you decide to gamble through a reputable online sports betting site. All of the major operators in the industry use state-of-the-art data security and encryption, and no payout is ever made without your book receiving detailed proof of your identity. When it comes to online sports betting for Pennsylvania residents, you can always wager with confidence!