Pennsylvania Online Gambling

Since the late 1950s, Pennsylvania has been on a crusade to provide its residents with as many legal gambling options as possible. It all began with horse racing back in the day, and the gambling culture in PA has grown over the decades to encompass 17 land casinos, 13 retail sports betting locations, and 6 horse racing tracks. Casino game machines are also available in airports and truck stops, not to mention the PA Skill machines you can find in any convenience store or gas station across the state.

But the Keystone State is also home to a robust online gambling apparatus, various PA-facing sports betting, and online casino apps that let bettors and gamblers win real money online. This will be the main focus of our discussions: legal online gambling options in Pennsylvania. We have a ton to cover because PA has been one of the most dynamic and forward-thinking states in legal sports betting practices and casino game availability within its borders. 

Best PA Online Gambling Apps 2024

These are the best online sportsbooks and casino apps in the Keystone State in 2023. Each platform offers an on-the-go betting experience for its members and comes with generous welcome bonuses to get newcomers off to a great start.

PA Gambling App	Key Details	Get Started
BetMGM Sports	Welcome Bonus: Up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets if your first bet loses Gambling Offered: Sports, casino games, and poker Banking Options: Debit/credit, PayPal, Play+, PayNearMe, ACH, etc. Compatible Devices: iOS and Android Sign-Up Time: 5-10 minutes	Sign Up Here!
Caesars Sportsbook	Welcome Bonus: Bet $50 and get $250 back in Bonus Bets Gambling Offered: Sports, casino games, and poker Banking Options: Debit/credit, PayPal, Play+, PayNearMe, ACH, etc. Compatible Devices: iOS and Android Sign-Up Time: 5-10 minutes	Sign Up Here!
Bally Casino	Welcome Bonus: $100 Money Back Guarantee on your first deposit Gambling Offered: Casino games, and poker Banking Options: Visa, Mastercard, and VIP Preferred e-Check Compatible Devices: iOS and Android Sign-Up Time: 5-10 minutes	Sign Up Here!
Borgata Casino	Welcome Bonus: Get a $20 bonus and your first deposit will be matched 100% up to $1,000 Gambling Offered: Sports, casino games, and poker Banking Options: Debit/credit, PayPal, Play+, PayNearMe, ACH, etc. Compatible Devices: iOS and Android Sign-Up Time: 5-10 minutes	Sign Up Here!
DraftKings	Welcome Bonus: Bet $5 and get $200 in Bonus Bets Gambling Offered: Sports, casino games, and daily fantasy sports Banking Options: Debit/credit, PayPal, Play+, PayNearMe, ACH, etc. Compatible Devices: iOS and Android Sign-Up Time: 5-10 minutes	Sign Up Here!
BetRivers	Welcome Bonus: Up to $500 Bonus Money on your first deposit (casino) +Up to $250 Bonus Bet (sports) Gambling Offered: Sports and casino games Banking Options: Debit/credit, PayPal, Play+, PayNearMe, ACH, etc. Compatible Devices: iOS and Android Sign-Up Time: 5-10 minutes	Sign Up Here!

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Contents of Page

A Closer Look at the Best PA Gambling Apps

Let’s deeply dive into our favorite PA apps for online gambling. PA has many good options for dedicated sports bettors and seasoned casino players.

BetMGM is an online sportsbook, and casino rolled into one and offers new PA members a hefty welcome bonus for betting on any of the site’s twenty sports markets. The newcomer promo graces new bettors with a whopping $1,500 in Bonus Bets, even if their first wager loses! BetMGM lets members withdraw payouts as high as $25,000 on the sportsbook side and is well-known for its dynamic live betting service and early cash-out scheme. 

On the casino side of BetMGM, members will find over 400 casino games. And we’re not just talking about the run-of-the-mill slots and table games. No, there are several live dealer options to enjoy as well! And there’s a great welcome bonus for casino game players, too: a 100% match up to $1,000 on their first deposit.

BetMGM Review

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Another combined sportsbook and online casino app, Caesars Sportsbook offers Pennsylvanian bettors the chance to get $250 in Bonus Bets for a bet as small as $50 on their first sports wager. They provide the typical live betting opportunities and early cash-out options, much like BetMGM. Caesars also offers various sports markets to bet on and provides their bettors with same game parlay options and odds boosts to keep things fun and exciting.

And because the sportsbook shares its name with a famous casino out in Vegas, Caesars also has a well-rounded casino side with a smorgasbord of exciting games like blackjack, roulette, slots, and live dealer. You can apply any casino game winnings to your Caesars Rewards to build credit toward trips, meals, and overnight stays at Caesar Palace locations across the US.

Caesars Review

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Bally Casino online focuses only on casino gameplay and passes up on the chance to offer its customers sports betting lines. That’s alright with us because Pennsylvanians could use an app solely focused on providing good online casino game options and not distracted with catering to sports bettors. 

Bally’s has an extensive range of live dealer games, including roulette, blackjack, baccarat, poker, and many others. Their most popular games are Atlantic City Blackjack, Tiki Island, and Cleopatra. Progressive jackpots are also a favorite mainstay of the app’s regular members.

Newcomers to Bally’s can deposit as little as $10 and gain back $100 in cash if their first week of casino gameplay goes south and they lose their deposit. And any winnings that PA players gain at Bally’s can be applied to Bally Rewards. One Bally Buck is earned for every $0.01 of bonus money and can be used toward meals and overnight stays at select Bally locations.

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Borgata Casino might sound like another online-casino-only option for Pennsylvanian gamblers and bettors. Still, the app also has several sports betting markets and offers online poker and bingo in addition to its regular casino game fare. When new members submit their first deposit, Borgata will match it 100% up to $1,000. And newcomers will get an additional $20 bonus on top of the deposit match. Borgata is a decent casino app for building up a solid bankroll initially.

On the sportsbook side of the app, Borgata live streams sporting events and matches so bettors can place live in-play bets as the action unfolds. Borgata is well-known, too, for issuing boosted odds for its sports events, using lines that are increased 10% beyond the standard -110.

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DraftKings offers its members opportunities to bet on fantasy sports, regular sports betting lines, and a small online casino. As a welcome, sports bettors can earn $200 in Bonus Bets for an initial sports wager of $5. Casino game players can have their initial deposit matched 100% up to $200. Not only does DraftKings offer some of the best lines and odds in the market, but Pennsylvania residents can get a fully funded bankroll as new members on their first deposits.

Regarding fantasy sports betting, new contests are added daily, and bettors don’t have to finish first to win. The lines are always super competitive, allowing bettors to place better wagers and win more money over time. On top of great betting opportunities and accurate lines, DraftKings looks tremendous and functions quickly despite its high volume of users.

DraftKings Review

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Although there’s an online casino offered at BetRivers, the app functions primarily as a top-notch sportsbook for dedicated bettors and punters. New members can enjoy a $250 shot in Bonus Bets if their first sports wager loses; this is called the Second Chance Bet. BetRivers gives its new customers several other advantages in the form of low rollover requirements on promotions and lower juice on all betting lines (-105 instead of -110). 

We highly recommend BetRivers to PA bettors and gamblers because they offer their members many breaks for successfully maneuvering around the sportsbook. Second Chance Bets lets new members pad out their bankroll, reduced juice allows them to save money on bets throughout the season, and low rollover means they can get their payouts much quicker. 

BetRivers Review

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Is Online Gambling Legal in PA?

Not only is online gambling legal in Pennsylvania, but there is a wide variety of land-based betting and gambling options, including casinos, racetracks, truck stop gaming terminals, and retail sportsbooks in land casinos. The Keystone State is one of the few places in the US where you can enjoy most legal gambling forms.

*Because PASPA wasn’t taken off the law books until mid-2018, PA online sports betting and land-based sports betting didn’t go live until 2019, although they were legal by PA law in 2017. 

Legal Gambling Options

Being one of the more progressive states regarding legalized gambling, Pennsylvania has it all. You can read more about all legal forms in greater detail in the list below. 

• Land-Based Casinos: There are 17 brick-and-mortar casinos in PA with various real money games, including slots, poker, blackjack, and many others. 
• Online Casinos: These are PA-facing online casinos and offshore casinos that take PA customers that residents can legally use on their computer or mobile device. 
• Online Sportsbooks: These are PA-facing online sportsbooks and offshore sportsbooks that take PA customers that residents can legally use on their computer or mobile device.
• Horse Racing/Off-Track Betting: There are several horse racing tracks (some that are combined with land casinos) and off-track betting locations where punters can wager on horse races.  
• Land-Based Betting: These are retail sportsbooks inside PA land casinos where sports bettors can make wagers in person. 
• Daily Fantasy Sports: PA bettors can use online DFS betting sites to place wagers on fantasy leagues and win real money. 
• Online Poker: These are PA-facing online poker sites and offshore poker sites that take PA customers that residents can legally use on their computer or mobile device.
• Charitable Gambling: Bingo events are legalized charitable gaming in Pennsylvania and follow Pennsylvania gambling laws. 
• Lottery: The PA State Lottery has existed since the early 70s and includes games like Powerball, Mega Millions, Cash4Life, and Match 6 Lotto.

PA Gambling Laws

If you’re new to the gambling scene in Pennsylvania, be you someone from out of state or a Pennsylvanian who just turned 18 and has an itch to place bets or wagers, it’s helpful to be knowledgeable of the Pennsylvania gambling laws. Here’s a brief rundown of the significant pieces of legislation that paved the way for the legalized forms of gambling and betting in the Keystone State. 

It’s also worth noting that anyone who wants to bet on sports or play casino games in PA, whether online or at a land-based location, must be 18 years or older to do so legally.

History of Online Gambling in PA

Pennsylvania has a long history of legalizing a wide array of gambling and betting options for its citizens. And the journey didn’t come without its ups and downs. It all began in the 1950s when horse race betting was made available and has culminated in nearly all forms of gambling being legalized within the borders of the Keystone State in 2023. 

PA is one of the most forward-thinking states regarding brick-and-mortar gambling establishments and online markets like sports betting, daily fantasy, and real money casino games. The PA gambling timeline below will explain how everything fell into place! 

Online Gambling Timeline

The Future of Gambling Online in PA

One of the most significant factors in understanding Pennsylvania gambling law is that online gambling operators must partner with land-based casinos. Through these partnerships, online operators share a license with a brick-and-mortar casino. This is why you see a lot of retail sportsbooks inside land casinos bearing the name of well-known PA sports betting apps.  

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board is the body that oversees online and land-based gambling in the state. Their primary mandate is to ensure all entities adhere to PA’s regulatory framework. As of 2023, it’s been quiet on the regulation front regarding PA online gambling. No significant changes have been announced, and everything is business as usual. 

The future of PA online gambling is regulation, so we’ll keep you informed if anything changes. 

How to Get Started Gambling Online in PA

For the most part, the sign-up process for our favorite PA gambling apps takes five to ten minutes to complete. You can visit the website and begin registration there, or you can download the app from Google Play or the App Store and then complete the sign-up process on your mobile device. Whichever method you choose, the sign-up steps are relatively the same.

At some point, new bettors and gamblers must deposit funds into their accounts so they can start having some fun on the app. Choose a deposit and withdrawal method. It’s also essential to check out the promotion section to find welcome bonuses or codes for new users. These apps often offer bonuses for new account holders, so take advantage of these one-time deals.

Best Bonuses Available at PA Gambling Sites

PA online gambling apps and websites offer generous welcome bonuses to their new customers. Most of the time, these are the heftiest offers because online casinos and sportsbooks want to give new users a nice boost to their bankroll. The more funds a new bettor or gambler has, the more likely they’ll use the platform long-term, being fully funded and viable. 

Let’s take a look at some of the best welcome bonuses for newcomers to our favorite PA gambling apps:

Are There Land-Based Casinos or Sportsbooks in PA?

Many land-based gaming and sports betting locations are scattered throughout Pennsylvania. Most residents are within an hour’s drive of reaching a land-based casino, racetrack, or sportsbook, in addition to the convenient online gambling options. In some cases, these locations carry it all: casino games, retail sports betting, and betting on horse races.

Land Casinos

Retail Sportsbooks 

Racetracks

Legal PA Online Gambling vs. Offshore Sites

Online sportsbooks like DraftKings and FanDuel or online casinos like Bally’s or Borgata are known as Pennsylvania-facing gambling apps. This means they’re US-based and only serve a handful of states, including PA. They are entirely legal in the Keystone State and a few other places but become unavailable if you travel to other areas of the country where they cannot legally operate. 

But there are also offshore sports betting sites and online casinos that Pennsylvania residents can legally use from the privacy of their mobile devices. These offshore options are owned and operated in other countries but can honestly take customers from Pennsylvania and other states. Most of the time, offshore gambling sites will serve all US customers and don’t discriminate based on state. The significant upside to using these sites is that you can leave PA and still access these platforms even if you’re in a state that still needs to legalize their US-facing sportsbooks or casinos.  

A few examples of these offshore betting and gambling options include the following: 

• MyBookie
• BetNow
• BetUS
• Las Atlantis 
• Super Slots
• Wild Casino

PA residents can legally sign up as new members and use these platforms without breaking any Pennsylvania gambling laws or going against the Pennsylvania Gambling Commission. Currently, there are no laws on the books about offshore sports betting or casino gambling from the privacy of your home computer or smartphone, so this is a perfectly legal option for Keystone Staters. 

Banking Options for PA Online Gambling

While each PA gambling app has its own unique set of banking options for depositing funds or collecting real money wins, several banking methods are constant between our favorite online gambling platforms: 

Gambling Responsibly in PA

Suppose you have a gambling problem or are developing an unhealthy addiction to gambling that’s turning your life upside down. In that case, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board has many resources for its residents at responsibleplay.pa.gov.

The site provides a page that helps uncertain gamblers know if they have a gambling problem or not:

Signs of Problem Gambling

• You’re preoccupied with gambling
• You feel restless or irritable when you’re not gambling
• You increase excitement by increasing bets
• You lie about gambling habits
• You get defensive when people ask about your gambling habits
• You use gambling as a way to escape your problems
• You risk your relationships or freedom to gamble 

The Responsible Play PA site also has a bunch of contact information for various places where you can seek help for your problem or addition:

• Gamblers Anonymous of PA: 1-800-GAMBLER 
• The Council on Compulsive Gambling of PA: pacouncil.com 
• The National Council on Problem Gambling: ncpgambling.org 
• The PA Department of Drug and Alcohol: Gambling Addiction Participating Providers List 
• GAM-ANON: a 12-step support program 
• The Board’s Office of Compulsive and Problem Gambling: [email protected] call 717-346-8300
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK or suicidepreventionlifeline.org

Self-Exclusion List

Responsible Play PA provides PA residents access to the state’s self-exclusion list. Anyone who completes one of these forms is voluntarily banned from accessing online sports betting sites or online casinos. They are barred entrance to land-based betting centers like commercial casinos, retail sports betting locations, off-track betting, and race courses. 

Online Gambling PA FAQ

To get some answers to the most basic questions on PA online gambling, check out the following FAQ section to learn more about the state of gambling in Pennsylvania.