Best PA Online Casinos 2023: Pennsylvania Gambling Sites

Online casino gaming is legal in Pennsylvania. In fact, the Keystone State has some of the most liberal online gambling laws of any state in the US and also includes legal sports betting and online poker, as well as DFS and the lottery. 

To put it mildly, people in Pennsylvania have embraced online gambling in a big way since 2018. On this page, we’re covering everything you need to know about online casino gaming in PA. We’ve got site recommendations, info on bonuses, the latest news on new online casinos, gaming guides, and plenty more.

Best PA Online Casinos in September 2023

A Closer Look at the Best Online Casinos in PA

FanDuel Casino

WSN Review Rating: ⭐ 9/10

Welcome Bonus: $1,000 Play it Again

Best for: Mobile Gaming

FanDuel is one of the leading online casinos in Pennsylvania. New users get a Play it Again offer, whereby any losses you incur in your first 24 hours on the site can be reclaimed - up to a value of $1,000. It’s a very good offer and one which will appeal to more risk-averse players. Better yet, FanDuel has a site-wide policy of just 1x wagering requirements on all site credits or bonus cash. That means that whatever money you reclaim from your welcome bonus you just have to gamble with once before you can withdraw your winnings. There’s also a Refer a Friend program, Daily Jackpots, and even a chance to win free chicken dinners!

The other area where FanDuel really stands out is its mobile gaming options. FanDuel’s app is the highest rated in the state, at 4.8 on the Apple Store and 4.7 on Google Play Store. The mobile platform is extremely well-designed, very easy to use, and beginner friendly.

Use our exclusive link to sign up for FanDuel Casino today and get up to $1,000.

BetMGM Casino

WSN Review Rating: ⭐ 9/10

Welcome Bonus: $1,000 Deposit Bonus + $25 No Deposit Bonus

Best for: Real-Life Casino Benefits

Sometimes, online casino games can feel more like a section of a sportsbook than an independent platform. This is absolutely not the case with BetMGM, which has cracked the code with its wide-ranging, interesting platform which gives equal weight to casino games, sports betting, and poker.

Last time we checked, BetMGM had the best no-deposit bonus available in PA. They’ll give you $25 in bonus cash right off the bat just for signing up - but that’s only one part of the welcome package. Your first deposit will also qualify for a 100% match bonus, worth up to $1,000. It’s a really impressive welcome package, and the offers don’t stop there. 

BetMGM also has a refer-a-friend and regular slots promos, plus crossover promotions like free spins if you bet on a specific sports betting market. Then there’s the MGM Rewards program, one of the most detailed loyalty programs in the state. In addition to standard benefits like free spins you can earn a whole host of discounts for activities at real-life MGM Resorts, including hotel stays, restaurant vouchers, concert tickets, and more. 

Any time you gamble real money with BetMGM you earn points, which you can use for something like a meal out in a local casino or save them towards your next trip to Vegas. If you spend any time in person at MGM Resorts, BetMGM is the clear choice.

Sign up at BetMGM casino and get a $1,000 deposit bonus + $25 free.

DraftKings Casino

WSN Review Rating: ⭐ 9/10

Welcome Bonus: Up to $2,000 Deposit Bonus

Best for: Personalizing Your Experience

DraftKings is the most popular sportsbook in the US and its casino platform isn’t far behind. You can see why, with some impressive attention to detail across the site - starting with the welcome bonus. In fact, new users can choose between three possible offers.

One is effectively a 100% bonus worth up to $2,000, with 15x wagering requirements attached. The second is effectively a 100% match bonus worth up to $100, with just 1x wagering requirements attached. 

Obviously, if you’re planning to make a relatively small deposit upfront, the second option is your best bet. If you’re going to be depositing closer to $2,000, the first offer makes more sense. 

The third welcome bonus is aimed at high rollers. You can opt into the DraftKings VIP Programme right off the bat, and you’ll be contacted with a custom offer if you want to deposit more than $2,000. 

Outside of bonuses, DraftKings has a couple of other touches that help the experience feel unique. For one, there is a whole suite of DraftKings-exclusive games, including some bespoke live dealer games and in-house progressive jackpots. In an industry where the same games re-appear across multiple sites, it’s refreshing to get some more quirky options. 

Sign up at DraftKings Casino today and get up to $2,000!

Borgata Casino

WSN Review Rating: ⭐  8/10

Welcome Bonus: $1,000 Welcome Bonus + $20 No Deposit Bonus

Best for: Jackpots

The Borgata online casino is owned and operated by MGM Resorts, which means it shares various features with BetMGM. You get access to the exact same MGM Rewards Program and other interesting in-person benefits, like free parking at Borgata Resorts on certain days. 

Also like BetMGM, the variety of games at Borgata is great. There are almost a thousand different online slots from various different software providers and many with progressive jackpots. There are lots of table games, virtual sports, bingo, and live dealer games. You’ll even get access to Borgata’s online poker platform when you sign up. 

There is also the on-running Borgata Bucks promotion. A special selection of games is chosen to be part of the promo with three special jackpots attached, which have to pay out within a certain timeframe or before they reach a certain threshold. Unlike - for example - big multisite progressive jackpots like Mega Moolah, Borgata Bucks is much easier to win and generally more friendly for lower-stakes players. 

The smallest jackpot is just $300 and gets paid out very regularly. 

Sign up at Borgata Casino here, and get up to $1,000!

Unibet Casino

WSN Review Rating: ⭐ 9/10

Welcome Bonus: $500 Match Bonus + $10 No Deposit Bonus

Best for: Sports fans

Unibet is not the biggest online casino in PA, with a couple of hundred games on the menu. This is one of those platforms where the casino feels a little like an add-on for the sportsbook - which is one of the best in the state. 

If you’re looking for a site that really shares the experience of sports betting and casino games, Unibet is perfect.

Thanks to sponsorship deals with some of the major leagues you can even play special branded games, like the official Philadelphia Eagles blackjack table and slot game. There are crossover promos between the sportsbook and the casino so that you might receive casino credits when you wager on certain sports betting markets. In fact, the promos in general are great: a deposit match bonus and a no deposit bonus for new members, a reload bonus on Thursdays, happy hour spins, and more. 

Sign up at Unibet Casino today and get a $500 deposit match!

BetRivers Casino

WSN Review Rating: ⭐ 8.5/10

Welcome Bonus: $250 Match Bonus

Best for: Tournament fans

BetRivers, named for the Rivers Casino in Philadelphia, is strong across the board. New players can claim a deposit match bonus worth up to $250 (not the highest on our list to be fair) or $500 in bonus bets in the sportsbook. The iRush Rewards program, with 10 different levels you can climb through, is one of the most detailed in the US. 

You start off earning special invitations and simple promos like free spins and can ultimately wind up claiming a free iPhone. 

The site hosts games from a really diverse and interesting selection of software providers, from IGT and NetEnt to Red Tiger and even smaller design studios. It’s refreshing to feel like you have a truly diverse menu of options, and that’s exactly what BetRivers does. Slot tournaments - and the associated jackpots - are another specialty of BetRivers, with multiple money-added tournaments happening every single day. 

Sign up at BetRivers Casino through our exclusive link and get up to $250 bonus money on your first deposit! Use bonus code PACASINO250.

How We Rated the Top PA Online Casino Sites

Our team here at WSN has been gambling online, in the US and further afield, for decades now. We’ve played on hundreds of sites, from sportsbooks to online casinos and poker rooms, and we know exactly what makes a site work - and where it can fall short. Those years of experience are plain to see in every single site we review.

Below you can see some of the things we look for in an online casino.

• Bonuses - anyone who gambles online knows that bonuses and promos are a big part of the deal when you choose a site. We go deep on a site’s special offers, checking out things like wagering requirements and other pieces of small print that the average player might overlook.
• Games - obviously, the selection of games is a major factor in reviewing a casino. We like to see plenty of variety in both the games themselves and the software providers.
• Software - the design of both the website and mobile app makes a huge impact on the overall experience when playing online. Small software differences between platforms go a surprisingly long way. 
• Banking - we always make a thorough analysis of the deposit and withdrawal process. Ease of use and speed is the key here, and we like to see lots of different payment methods supported.
• Security - we never recommend a site we aren’t 100% confident in from a legal and player safety point of view.
• Customer Support - we check out all the different ways to get information and get in touch with the casino should anything go wrong. We like fast, easy-to-access support channels. 

Why You Should Trust Us

As we touched on, the whole team here at WSN has a lot of history in the world of online gambling. If we were to use a single phrase to summarize our experience it would be “hands-on”. 

We don’t just review or observe sites, we actually sign up and play. In fact, it’s what we’d be doing anyway, even if it wasn’t part of the job! Online gambling - from casino games to sports betting - is our passion, and we love sharing it with other people. Our reviews are full of honest opinions based on first-person experience. 

Is Online Gambling Legal in Pennsylvania?

Yes, online gambling is legal in PA. In fact, the state has some of the most liberal gambling laws - and by extension, one of the largest online gambling industries - in the country. 

The first big step for legalization came in October 2017 when HB 217 was passed by the PA Senate by a margin of 31-19. The bill represented a huge expansion of gambling in the state, aimed in part at tackling a $2.3 billion budget deficit. It paved the way for legal sports betting, online casino games, and online poker - all overseen by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board - pending the removal of online gambling bans at Federal level. 

That moment arrived the following year in 2018, when the Supreme Court ruled to strike down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, allowing each state to determine its own gambling laws. Retail sports betting launched in Pennsylvania the same year, and by 2019 the online gambling industry was up and running.

By 2023 there were around 18 Pennsylvania casino apps and sites accepting players in the state. 

How to Get Started Playing Online Casino in Pennsylvania

Getting set up with an online casino account in PA is very straightforward, although it will be new ground for absolute beginners. We’re going to explain exactly the steps required to start playing.

First up, you’ll need to create an account with a PA online casino. You can sign up for an account from anywhere and you don’t even need to be a PA resident. However, you do need to be physically located in the state when you actually play - which the platform detects using geolocation software. 

All PA online casinos are required to gather the same basic information from their players. Here’s what you’ll need to provide in the registration process:

• Name
• Date of birth
• Email address
• Phone number
• Address
• SSN
• Promo code (optional)

You’ll also have to verify your identity, which can be a separate process. You’ll have to send the casino some personal ID that matches the info you used to sign up. Again, this is a legal requirement on their end and only needs to be completed once. 

Signing up is also often an opportunity to claim a welcome bonus, via a bonus code or promo code. Check out our reviews for more details on codes for individual casinos.

Once your account is set up, the next step is to deposit some money. The best online casinos in Pennsylvania let you choose between a range of payment methods. Bank cards and bank transfers are popular, as are e-wallet payments like PayPal. There are also options like Paysafecard, Play+, and even sometimes cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin.

Choose your method of payment and follow the instructions. Your deposit will be processed instantly, and then you’re good to go to start playing!

PA Online Casino Bonuses

Online casinos in Pennsylvania have a great selection of bonuses. Have a look at the full list of the best PA casino bonuses and promo codes here. When choosing a sportsbook and a bonus to claim, it’s very important to look beyond the attention-grabbing headline. The small print is just as important, and things like wagering requirements have a huge impact on the true value of a casino bonus. 

On a similar note, it’s important to not get too hung up on the welcome bonus alone. While obviously a major factor, the best casinos don’t just stop at the welcome package. We love to see regular promotions for returning players, including weekly offers and a loyalty program. 

Let’s take a closer look at some of the different bonuses you find in PA below:

• Deposit Bonus/ Match Bonus - this is probably the most common welcome bonus out there. The casino will match some or all of your first deposit with some bonus cash, which you can’t withdraw right away but can use to play real money online casino games. The more you choose to deposit, the more bonus cash you receive - up to a limit of course!
• No Deposit Bonus - in this case, the casino gives you a small amount of bonus cash or some free spins totally for free, with no need to deposit any money upfront yourself. It normally comes with some fairly strict wagering requirements, since casinos don’t like to give away money for free too easily!
• Free Spins - free spins are handed out all the time, often in combination with a deposit bonus. Each free spin represents one free game on a slot machine. If you win, the money is subject to wagering requirements. 
• Reload Bonus - this is exactly the same as a deposit bonus, only applied to future deposits. Some casinos offer one reload bonus per week or per month. They might not be as lucrative as welcome bonuses either, so they might only match 20% or 50% rather than 100% of your deposit. 
• VIP Programs - many casinos have loyalty programs where you can earn points the more you gamble, which can be cashed in for all kinds of prizes and benefits. You can get free spins, deposit bonuses, invitations to special events, and even things like restaurant vouchers or cell phones. 

For the best online casino bonuses in other states, have a look at: 

What Casino Apps Are Available in PA?

All of the major online casinos in PA let you play on your phone, and the majority have mobile apps for both iOS and Android devices. Sports betting is predominantly done on mobile, and online casino gaming is slowly going in the same direction. For this reason, we always pay special attention to the mobile user experience for every site we review. 

How smooth does the mobile interface feel? Are there any mobile-exclusive features? Or features that are excluded from mobile? These are just some of the things we think about.

In terms of specific Pennsylvania casino apps, it’s very hard to look past FanDuel. As is the case with many apps, FanDuel combines its sportsbook and casino games into a single mobile platform. It’s very convenient to get access to both on the same app, but it’s also pretty easy to only focus on one or the other if that’s what you prefer. 

FanDuel’s app is everything you want: fun and easy to use, packaging all the features into a single, mobile-sized space. It’s been reviewed more than one million times on the Apple Store, and is currently rated at 4.8/5. 

Popular Casino Games in PA

Pennsylvania is a thriving market for online casino gaming, which means there are lots of different ways you can play. In this section, we’re running through all of the most popular types of games you can find at online casinos in PA.

Slots

Slots are the backbone of an online casino. They make up the majority of the gaming menu and are consistently the most popular game at any casino. They also command a significantly higher tax rate in Pennsylvania, with the casino’s slot revenue taxed at 54%. 

There are a couple of reasons slots are so popular. For one, unlike many casino games, there’s not really any skill or strategy involved. Anyone can play and the focus is more on enjoying the design of the game and hoping for a big jackpot win. The sheer variety of slots means you can keep exploring the different themes and styles without losing interest or feeling like your experience is becoming competitive. 

You can find Progressive Jackpots on PA slots, which can stretch into the millions of dollars. We always like to see casinos that feature games from a variety of different software providers, many of which have their own signature slots. Think Starburst from NetEnt or the Rich Wilde series from Play’n’Go.

Table Games

Table Games are kind of like the second tier of popularity after slots. Blackjack and roulette often make up the majority of the table game section, with multiple different varieties of both. There’s also the likes of keno, craps, sic bo, baccarat, UTH, and more. 

The games in this section tend to be straight digital analogs of in-person casino games, which look and feel similar to the games as you would play them at a real casino. Just like slots, the outcome is determined by a Random Number Generator, which is independently monitored for fairness by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. 

Video Poker

Sometimes in a separate section to the table games, you’ll find various video poker games, like Jacks or Better or Joker Poker. Similar to slots, these games are just like the machines you’ll find at in-person casinos. 

Bingo / Scratch Games

Virtual bingo is fairly popular at PA casinos, as are scratch card games. In both cases, you enter the game and discover whether you randomly win a prize. 

Live Dealer Games

Live games have been steadily growing in both sophistication and popularity over the past decade or more. The concept is simple: you play a real game - featuring a real dealer, table and cards - via a video link up. Only the betting interface is virtual, everything else proceeds just as it would at a real casino.

Live games split the difference between online gambling and actually going to a casino. You can chat to the dealer and other players, bringing a social element generally lacking in the online experience. 

Pennsylvania Online Casino Facts

• The tax rates in the table above refer to the tax the operators pay on gross revenue. It’s one of the highest in the country. 
• Individuals are also liable for taxes on gambling winnings in PA. They are considered personal taxable income, which carries a rate of 3.07%.
• Single wins worth $1,200 or more (slots) or $5,000 (poker) are subject to 24% withholding by the casino. Players will be issued with a W2G form.
• Hollywood Penn National, which includes DraftKings and BetMGM, is the licensee with the highest revenue in Pennsylvania.
• Since legalization, online gambling has produced around $1,350,000,000 in tax revenue for the state. 
• The first legal online gambling platform to launch in the state was SugarHouse in  May 2019. 
• Every online casino in PA requires a license from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. 
• You must be at least 21 years old to gamble in PA. 

History of Online Gambling in PA

The story of gambling in Pennsylvania begins in 1959 when the Race Horse Industry Reform Act was passed. The 1960s saw the first horse race on which you could legally gamble, which took place at the Liberty Bell racetrack in Philadelphia. The state improved its horse racing infrastructure over the decades, with the construction of tracks like Pocono Downs and Penn National.

In 1971 the Pennsylvania Lottery Act was passed, with legal bingo arriving a decade later. In 2004 the Pennsylvania Race Horse Development and Gaming Act was passed, bringing slots and other games to the racetracks. In 2010 the law was further relaxed to include blackjack, roulette, poker, and other games. 

The big moment for online gambling arrived in 2017 when HB217 was passed, legalizing a variety of forms of online gambling, including sports betting, poker, and online casino games. The laws could not become active without changes at the federal level, which occurred in May 2018 when the Supreme Court overturned PASPA.

Pennsylvania ultimately became one of the first states to launch its online gambling industry, when the SugarHouse online platform launched in 2019. The industry has grown steadily since that time, with a very healthy selection of sportsbooks and online casinos available in the state today, along with a handful of online poker platforms. 

How Are Online Casinos Regulated in PA?

The online casino industry in PA is regulated by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. Every casino that operates in the state has been granted a license by the PGCB, and all of its games are monitored for fairness. It means you get customer protection if something goes wrong and a certain degree of peace of mind. 

This is in contrast to unregulated sites, which brings us to our next topic. 

Casinos to Avoid in Pennsylvania

To continue that theme, we strongly recommend not signing up for any unregulated offshore sites from Pennsylvania. Sites like Bovada, which don’t actually have a valid gambling license in PA, are happy to accept players from the state. It’s a kind of legal gray area, whereby since they are not actually based in Pennsylvania they don’t technically require a license and since they exist offshore US authorities don’t pursue them. With no regulatory oversight, there is nothing to stop sites like this from doing basically whatever they want - not pay out wins, sell your data to other sites, and disappear without warning. 

Stick to casinos that are licensed by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board and none of this will be an issue.

Responsible Gambling in PA

What help is there for people with gambling problems in the state? Include phone numbers and links to the relevant state organizations.

A significant benefit of a legal and regulated online gambling industry is that encouraging responsible gambling and protecting players is part of the mandate of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. Pennsylvania has a Compulsive and Problem Gambling Treatment Fund, used to support people who get into trouble with gambling addiction. Every licensed online casino in the state has links to responsible gambling organizations. There is also a PGCB helpline you can call on 1-800-GAMBLER and a state-wide self-exclusion program. 

Final Verdict

Pennsylvania is one of the top states in the US for online gambling, period. Sports betting is now widely available around the country, but legal online casino gaming is spreading much more slowly. 

Pennsylvania is one of the few states to have really embraced the online casino industry, and residents of the Keystone State today have around 18 sites to choose from to play the latest casino games online. 

The range of games and bonuses in Pennsylvania is second to none. Throw in legal online poker and a flourishing sports betting scene and there just aren’t many better places to be for online gambling. 

Check out our list of recommended sites above - which includes details on how to claim your welcome bonus - to get started with online gambling in PA.

Our Favorite Sweepstake Casino Sites in PA

If you'd rather play at a social casino instead of a regular real money casino, then have a look at our selection of the best sweepstake casinos in the US. We picked a few of our favorites, find them below.

• FunzPoints
• High 5 Casino
• TaoFortune
• NoLimitCoins
• Sweeptastic

References

1. Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board
2. PGCB Annual Reports
3. Allegheny Institute for Public Policy 
4. Don’t Gamble With Kids
5. Responsible Gambling Council

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