Pennsylvania Sports Betting – Bet On Sports Legally In PA Pennsylvania started accepting sports bets online and within state lines in May of 2019. Once sports betting legislation was approved things moved pretty fast. Legal sports betting in Pennsylvania can be found in casinos all across the state. 42, formally known as HB 271, is the piece of legislation that ultimately shaped the updated Pennsylvania gaming laws.
With legal Pennsylvania sports betting sites opening across the state, these days many people are trying to find the best venues with the best odds. Even though Hollywood Casino at Penn National Racecourse was the first sportsbook to open, many other establishments have since jumped onboard to get a share of the industry as well. Steelers fans in the Pittsburgh area can travel to the city to place their bets at Rivers Casino. On the other side of the state, Eagles fans the Philadelphia area will have casino options both in the city and around neighboring towns.
However, while these land-based sportsbooks might be convenient for some, they provide a barrier to the activity for many in the state’s more central or rural areas. It’s because of this reason that when state lawmakers approved this gaming expansion, they provided sports betting licensees with the option of creating their own online wagering platforms. Those licensees have yet to take advantage of that ability, but legal betting sites in PA still exist. Those websites are operated offshore and have been serving PA residents for decades. We’ll discuss how they are able to do so as well as break down the state’s gambling laws, horse racing laws, and lawmaker’s stance on daily fantasy sports.
Pennsylvania Sports Betting Laws
Even though many states are just now starting to introduce bills and potential legislation to legalize sports betting, PA was years ahead of the game. Back in 2017, Representative Jason Ortitay introduced PA H 271,a House bill that would legalize gambling on sports in the event that the federal law PASPA got overturned. The bill was signed into law in October of that same year. Then, in May of 2018, PASPA was repealed and sports betting became officially legal in the state.
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board was given the task to create regulations, approve applications, and will continue to oversee the industry moving forward. All licenses were granted after paying an initial $10 million-dollar fee and the number of sportsbooks in PA still continues to increase throughout the second half of 2019.
The law also allowed mobile betting to exist in the state. PA residents (and tourists looking to get in on the action) don’t need to register in person, as seen in some states. Keep in mind however that federal laws prevent the sportsbooks from accepting action outside of PA state lines. Therefore, with the geolocation technology, the book will only allow you to submit a wager when you are physically inside the state. This does not apply to online offshore sportsbooks since there is nothing in the state or federal laws that restrict offshore betting locations.
The Legality Of Sports Betting In Pennsylvania
When it comes to who you can wager on, PA sports betting laws give you a little bit of leeway. You can place wagers on any professional or collegiate team located in-state or out of state. The wagering types available at land-based casinos will be the same as what you will find on the mobile betting platform. This includes (but is not limited to) straight bets, futures, props, teasers, and live-betting. If you use an in-state platform, you will still be able to review the betting lines and your account information from out of state, but as mentioned above, no betting action will be accepted.
Where To Legally Bet On Sports In Pennsylvania
If you enjoy the physical sportsbook experience more than betting online, you will find several options in PA that will suit your needs. Each one of these sports betting venues comes with a different aesthetic and different location so you can find a gaming establishment that’s either convenient for you or as luxurious as your heart desires. Even though the number of casinos accepting sports bets in the state continues to grow, offshore sportsbooks are still the most common way for players to bet on sports and definitely provide the best odds. Most sports enthusiasts will use the local books to bet on the local teams heavily influencing the vigorish or even moving the line in general. Still, these are the options for legal sports betting in Pennsylvania.
Just outside of Hershey and about 15 minutes north of Harrisburg sits Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course. “It’s always game time here” is their slogan, which is fitting considering they are open until midnight or later every day. Located on the second floor near the Skybox Sports Bar, you will find the sports betting lounge featuring a 50’ wall space dedicated just to watching games. Additionally, the book has monitors displaying live odds and soon enough, you will be able to sit in the lounge itself. Until then, make a wager and head over to the Skybox to grab a cocktail or food item.
Rivers Sportsbook opens as early as 9 am on the weekends and will stay open past 2 am on select nights. This was the first sportsbook in the Pittsburgh region and has an elegant feel to it. Their lounge style seats face a plethora of TVs displaying the betting board and you can make as many bets at the ticket window as you’d like. Horse racing is not available at the book but you can find it easy to bet on sports such as football, baseball, and basketball at the ticketing window through a ticket writer or by a self-service kiosk. Located next to the 446 Club, Rivers Sportsbook makes betting on any sporting event a fun hobby.
“Philly loves a winner” and you can become on at Sugarhouse Casino. Join the book during a Phillies baseball game and find drink specials and hot dog deals within the lounge. The sportsbook also has a full menu, which includes pizza, burgers, chicken wings, French dips, and a variety of cocktails. Of course, you can also get a Geno’s cheesesteak or breakfast, which can be ordered through your phone or from the server. Away from the food, Sugarhouse was Philadelphia’s first sportsbook and is in the process of creating a permanent sports betting lounge. Until then, bettors are able to request a seat at the sportsbook in any of the plush seats that face over two dozen TVs.
Luxury is the only word that comes to mind when discussing Parx Casino sportsbook. The hundreds of comfortable stadium seats as well as private television monitors, a tv wall extending one entire wall of the venue, and ticket windows, self-service kiosks, and mobile betting make spots betting extremely easy. This is only planning in the works at the current moment, but betting is available in the meantime at the Bensalem location. Betting types range from spreads, moneylines, over/unders, props, parlays, and teasers across a variety of professional and collegiate sports such as basketball, golf, soccer, MMA, and much more.
The South Philadelphia Race & Sportsbook is located directly next to the Phillies home field, the Eagles home field, and the Flyers/76ers home ice/gym. Betting comes in a variety of choices, as straight bets, props, parlays, and more rule the book, which is open until 11 pm or later every day. Of course, you can also find great food items throughout the casino, but the Turf Club offers stadium food, pizzas, and even baby back ribs. Be sure to grab a bite and a seat to watch the hometown teams with all of the local fans.
The Book at Harrah’s Philadelphia has everything and more you need to bet on sporting events and enjoy the games simultaneously. The casino boasts its better-than-stadium lounge seats as well as provides high-top tables and custom bar seating for those looking to get in on the action. With 45 TVs throughout The Book, whatever you are looking for will be showing somewhere. Be sure to grab a drink behind the brick bar or grab a seat near the table games. The sportsbook is open starting at 11 am (10 am on the weekends) and closes whenever the games are over.
The FanDuel Sportsbook at Valley Forge Casino Resort is open but has plans to expand the area. With seven betting windows, over two-dozen TVs and tickers posting the latest odds, you will surely enjoy what FanDuel has to offer. From betting on pro baseball to boxing and even motorsports, FanDuel does not limit the types of wagers nor sporting events you can bet on. The book is open until 1 am during the week, 2 am on Friday and Saturday, but closes before midnight on Sunday; however, these hours are subject to change depending on the flow of betting and game schedules.
Located just north of Valley Forge National Historic Park, this sportsbook isn’t as fancy as the bigtime casinos, but it certainly gets the job done. Whether you decide to sit at the bar or at one of the few dozen four-tops, you will have a great view of both the odds board and the TV screens. This is the place to go if you want betting action on horses and sports, as the venue serves as an off-track betting parlor as well. Renamed in March 2019 from Valley Forge Turf Club, the Oaks Race & Sportsbook offers action on college sports and plenty more professional sports
Owned by Churchill Downs, the Presque Isle Casino offers a BetAmerica branded sportsbook. With 50 self-service sports betting kiosks located throughout the casino, betting on sports at Presque Isle is extremely simple to navigate. The sportsbook itself opened on July 24 for the required two-day trial period and fully launched operations on July 26, 2019. Comprising of over 1,200 square feet, the sportsbook at Presque Isle is located next to the poker room and the simulcast horse racing area. If locating the area is becoming difficult, look for the 50 HD TVs surrounding the lounge.
Legal Age To Bet On Sports In Pennsylvania
According to state law, the legal age to bet on sports in Pennsylvania is 21, which is also the state’s casino gambling age. For mobile betting within the state, an age of 21 is still required. The online offshore sportsbooks that many residents use now only accept players that are 18 or older. However, even though it might be tempting to get a three-year head start using this option, it is always recommended that you stick with the gambling ages assigned by the state.
PA Sports Betting FAQ's
Are Online Sportsbooks Safe To Use If You Live Pennsylvania?
Absolutely. The Pennsylvania law allows residents to use online sportsbooks no matter where they are located in the state. There are also no penalties set for people that prefer to use online offshore sportsbooks instead of ones regulated by the state. The state also has no jurisdiction over the operations of these sites because they are housed in other countries.
What Should I Do If My Bank Didn't Process My Credit Or Debit Card Deposit?
There is no need to panic in this scenario. If you are using online offshore sports betting sites this may occur because of a federal law known as the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act. The law sounds scarier than it actually is and doesn’t truly affect PA sports bettors. The best course of action to take in this scenario is to call the sportsbook cashier and explain your dilemma. They’ll usually be able to processes your deposit in a second try and if not can accept deposits through alternate means.
What Is The Best Way To Fund Your PA Sports Betting Account?
The best way depends mainly on how you plan to bet. When it comes to online sportsbooks, each method comes with its own minimum and maximum deposit amounts. Each deposit method also varies in the amount of time it takes to reach your account. The good news is that you’ll have plenty of options which include using a Card, mailing a check, or even using cryptocurrencies. As for land-based sports betting casinos in PA, you may be more restricted as to how you can make bets. For example, Rivers Casino will only accept cash deposits and require a five dollar minimum.
Do Pennsylvania Sports Betting Sites Have Odds On Football?
Yes, of course. All of the PA sports betting sites available now have odds on both NFL and college football teams in the state. You even have the option to parlay your bets across both levels of football. This means that if you believe the Nittany Lions and the Eagles are going to win in the same weekend you can bet on it.
Do Legal PA Online Sportsbooks Have Live Betting?
Yes, all of the top legal PA online sportsbooks a live betting feature. This allows users the ability to place wagers on key stats as the game unfolds in real time. Meaning that you could be watching a 76rs game and bet on whether or not a player will score a certain number of threes before they even shoot the ball. These odds change as the game progresses so you will have to be quick and vigilant when using this method. The same goes for all of the land-based sportsbooks in Pennsylvania. Each of them offers in-game wagering, but for some of them you will have to physically place that wager at one of their betting windows. This may slow you down and cause you to miss the best possible odds.
Can I Have More Than One Online Sportsbook Account In Pennsylvania?
Not only can you have more than one sports account in PA, it’s actually encouraged. Each online sportsbook comes with their own betting lines and can vary from site to site. Being a member to multiple sites will allow you to shop lines and find odds that you’re most comfortable betting on. When comparing these lines to ones being offered at land-based PA sportsbooks you will usually find that the vig is lower for home teams, giving you a chance to win more when betting on the Eagles, Penguins, Phillies and other PA teams.
Betting On Horse Racing In PA
Betting on horse racing in Pennsylvania has been legal ever since the Race Horse Industry Reform Act was signed into law in 1959. Title 3 Subchapter B offers a comprehensive guide as to the legality of pari-mutuel wagering and the rules of the activity in the state. All the racetracks must adhere to the State Horse Racing Commission and must obtain a license from them in order to offer bets on their races. PA racetracks do have the freedom to offer interstate simulcasts so that you can bet on races that are happening outside of Pennsylvania. You also don’t necessarily have to be at the race course either because off-track pari-mutuel wagering is legal.
However, horse racing in Pennsylvania is something that you may want to see in person. The state is home to top-notch racinos such as the Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course, Presque Isle Downs and Casino, and the Meadows Racetrack and Casino. There you will be able to watch live races but also have access to luxury simulcast areas, fine dining, and bar options as well. If you’re not able to make it to one of these racinos, the same offshore betting sites that will accept your sports bets will also have the same quality racebooks available as well. This makes horse race betting in Pennsylvania available anywhere you have an internet connection.
The Status Of Daily Fantasy Sports In Pennsylvania
Daily fantasy sports in Pennsylvania became officially regulated in May of 2018. The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) oversees the DFS industry in the state and charges operators a license fee of $50,000 for every five years and a 15% tax of all gross revenue generated by the activity. Businesses such as FanDuel and DraftKings were more than willing to pay this cost and have been legally serving PA residents ever since. However, one of the major operators in the country, Yahoo DFS, did not in apply for a license when granted the initial opportunity. When they did join the mix of legal options the very next month they ended up reporting a loss and demanded a refund from the PGCB. Even though daily fantasy sports got off to a rocky start in PA, the industry is now thriving and is a fun way to bet on sports with friends, co-workers, or family.
Pennsylvania expanded its gaming laws in 2017 to authorize online gambling in the state, including online sports betting. Provisions for the latter became active when the US Supreme Court overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in May 2018.
The first legal sports bet in PA was placed on Nov. 16, 2018 inside the sportsbook at Hollywood Casino. The windows officially opened to the public the next day after the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) gave its approval.
The first PA online sports betting app, SugarHouse Sportsbook, rolled out on May 28, 2019.
These sports betting apps are live for bettors in Pennsylvania:
The majority of PA casinos are licensed to offer sports betting, with a rolling launch underway since late 2018. Licensees that own satellite casinos or OTBs may also offer on-site sports betting at those properties.
Property | Operator | Brand | Online? | Retail? |
---|---|---|---|---|
Harrah's Philadelphia | Scientific Games | Caesars | Yes | Yes |
Hollywood | Kambi | Barstool | No | Yes |
Lady Luck | N/A | N/A | No | No |
Live! Philadelphia | TBD | TBD | No | No |
Meadows | DraftKings | DraftKings | Yes | Yes |
Mohegan Sun Pocono | Unibet | Unibet | Yes | Yes |
Mount Airy | The Stars Group | Fox Bet | Yes | Yes |
Parx | Kambi | Parx | Yes | Yes |
Presque Isle Downs | SBTech | BetAmerica | Yes | Yes |
Rivers Philadelphia | Rush Street | SugarHouse | Yes | Yes |
Rivers Pittsburgh | Rush Street | BetRivers | Yes | Yes |
Valley Forge | FanDuel | FanDuel | Yes | Yes |
Wind Creek | BetFred | BetFred | No | No |
The artist formerly known as SugarHouse is now Rivers Philadelphia, serving as the sister property to Rivers in Pittsburgh. Sports betting began on property in December 2018, and the SugarHouse Sportsbook app was the first to launch in the PA market in May 2019.
Parent company Rush Street Gaming created the software on its own via an in-house team of developers. While the platform comes from Rush Street Interactive, the group uses Kambi to manage its sports betting risk.
SugarHouse Sportsbook is available for Android and desktop devices for now, but an iOS version will be released soon.
Betfred is a late arrival to Pennsylvania. It partnered with Wind Creek, formerly known as Sands Bethlehem before its sale to Wind Creek Hospitality, a tribal gaming company based in Alabama.
At this time, Betfred has only a retail sportsbook open, but should bring its mobile app to the state soon. A British company with a long history in the betting shop business, Betfred has little brand recognition in the US but a wealth of experience, allowing it to offer a broad array of bet types not found at other sportsbooks.
Rivers was among the first casinos to open a PA sportsbook in December 2018.
The property is owned by Rush Street Gaming and occupies a site along the Ohio River in Pittsburgh. Sister property SugarHouse is also licensed for PA online gambling, but Rush Street is preparing to ditch that digital brand in favor of Rivers statewide.
The BetRivers online sportsbook rolled out in June 2019.
Parx launched sports betting on Jan. 10 and is already recording revenues up among the leaders.
Like Harrah’s, Parx draws heavily on the Philadelphia market for its customers. It uses Kambi to operate its current combination of self-service kiosks and teller windows at a temporary facility inside the casino.
Parx began the testing period for its online sportsbook on June 24, 2019.
Harrah’s Philadelphia is one of many properties owned by Caesars Entertainment. It opened its PA sportsbook on Jan. 24.
Caesars has a multi-state deal with Scientific Games to operate its PA sportsbook. Caesars is also partnered with 888 for its online casino and poker games, which are expected to launch around July 15. Online sports betting should come first, though, likely this summer.
Caesars has also recently partnered with DraftKings Sportsbook, but the deal does not apply to PA.
Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course opened its sportsbook to the public on Nov. 17, 2018. The first legal sportsbook in Pennsylvania is powered by William Hill, which has extensive experience in other markets.
Hollywood’s online/mobile sports betting app is unlikely to hit the market first, but it should be up and running this summer.
Mohegan Sun Pocono is tribally owned but fully regulated by the PGCB. It initially looked like the Mohegan may ignore PA sports betting entirely, but they finally submitted an application on May 3.
Mohegan Sun is partnered with the Kindred Group, owner of the Unibet brand. Kindred may be a new name to the US market, but it has a close relationship with its former subsidiary, Kambi.
The property began offering retail sports betting in October 2019, and the Unibet PA app rolled out the following month.
Mount Airy kept its powder dry for a long time before applying for a PA sports betting license. Its application went to the PGCB at the beginning of May, so its launch is unlikely until at least late summer.
Mount Airy uses PokerStars as its online gaming partner, and it has adopted Fox Bet as its PA sports betting brand.
Presque Isle Downs finally opened its retail sportsbook in July 2019, lagging a bit behind eight other properties. The tech comes from IGT and SBTech, both of which have online gambling experience in Nevada and New Jersey.
Valley Forge holds a Category 3 license, which means that the casino is more of a resort amenity rather than a destination itself. Casino patrons must be residents of the resort, purchase a membership or spend more than $10 on amenities.
Valley Forge has captured one of the biggest brands to power its PA sports betting platform — FanDuel Sportsbook. FanDuel currently leads the NJ online sports betting market, and Valley Forge hopes it can replicate that success.
The Valley Forge sportsbook opened on March 12 with prominent FanDuel branding, and the FanDuel Sportsbook app opened to PA bettors in July.
Greenwood Gaming operates Oaks Race and Sportsbook along with Parx and Valley Forge Turf Club. All are powered by Kambi.
The Oaks sportsbook opened its sports betting doors on Jan. 17, exactly one week after Parx. The launch was planned to be simultaneous, but the PGCB imposed a short delay to make sure the primary services at Parx worked correctly.
Parx will probably lead Greenwood’s online branding, so don’t expect a PA sports betting app from the Turf Club.
The Valley Forge Turf Club opened for sports betting on March 12, one day before the Valley Forge Casino. The two establishments are entirely unrelated.
The Valley Forge Turf Club offers a sports betting area with six teller windows and 14 kiosks — all powered by Kambi.
As a Greenwood Gaming property, it is unlikely to offer online sports betting. Customers are likely to be steered toward the Parx app, which should launch in the next few weeks.
The most popular betting leagues and sports available in Pennsylvania are:
If you are a tennis fan or love golf or cricket, you will also find the opportunity to bet on major competitions in those sports.
The PA sports betting law does not contain any state-specific restrictions on collegiate betting.
PA sports betting includes all of the most-common markets for professional and collegiate sports. Operators may offer:
Operators provide all of the typical options for combining straight bets, such as parlays and round-robins. A full menu of in-play betting options is additionally available from most operators.
Pennsylvania has set its gambling taxes and fees at the absolute top end of the scale. Casinos have to pay $10 million for a sports betting license and pay back 36% of their revenue in taxes — 34% to the state and another 2% to their local jurisdiction.
These burdens will inevitably reduce the generosity of some of the marketing offers and may mean that the odds available in PA are less competitive than those in Nevada or New Jersey.
The young Pennsylvania market is already producing substantial revenue for operators, though it will be some time before it fully matures.
PlayPennsylvania offers a useful resource for tracking PA sports betting revenue.
Here are some common questions and answers about sports betting in Pennsylvania.
Yes. The enabling law passed in late 2017, and the first PA online sports betting apps went live in May 2019.
Yes. The PA sports betting law contains full provisions for online wagering.
All sports betting in Pennsylvania, both retail and online, must be conducted via one of the state’s land-based casino licensees.
Each casino can operate the sportsbook itself or in partnership with other third-party suppliers. PA licensees may only deploy a single online brand, making room for as many as 13 sportsbook apps.
Bettors must be at least 21 years old and located within the borders of Pennsylvania to place a legal wager. Residency is not a requirement.
Some other wagering prohibitions also apply, such as for key employees of the licensee, those with affiliations to the sport being wagered on, and those who are self-excluded or otherwise prohibited from entering the state’s casinos.
Sports betting is taxed at a rate of 36% in Pennsylvania:
All Pennsylvania sportsbooks are additionally subject to a federal excise tax amounting to 0.25% of the total amount wagered.
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) regulates most gambling in the state, including both in-person and online PA sports betting.
PO Box 69060
Harrisburg, PA 17106-9060
Phone: 717-346-8300
Email: [email protected]
After debating the issue for years, Pennsylvania legislators finally got their act together in 2017 and passed a major gambling expansion bill. The legal change came in Act 42 of 2017, an amendment to the Race Horse Development and Gaming Act.
Gov. Tom Wolfsigned the bill into law on Oct. 30, 2017.
The new law authorized PA online casinos (including online poker), established a licensing procedure for new mini-casinos, and legalized sports betting subject to a change in federal law. In May 2018, SCOTUS struck down PASPA to trigger the PA sports betting provisions.
The PGCB took its time to get the regulations and procedures in place, so the first legal sports bet wasn’t placed in PA until Nov. 17 — some five months after launch in New Jersey. The board has since streamlined its procedures, and the delay between license application and launch is now much shorter.