Is DFS Legal in PA?
Yes, Daily Fantasy Sport (DFS) is legal in Pennsylvania and there are currently ten licensed DFS apps in PA. Fantasy contests were defined in law in 2017 as part of the expansion of the gaming act, separate to sports betting. DFS contests are authorized under 4 Pa.C.S. Chapter 3 (relating to Fantasy Contests) with rules and regulations determined by the PGCB.
Players must be aged 18 or older to participate in online fantasy sports contests, or 21+ if playing in-person at a licensed gaming facility. DFS in Pennsylvania covers a broad array of events, but the following categories are prohibited:
Any college or high school sports
Non-athletic events
Player props, or any lineup based on an individual athlete in a single event
Pick’em or other against the house contests
Most Popular Sports to Bet on in PA
The best PA sportsbooks cover upwards of 30 sporting markets from major leagues to niche events, and there’s no shortage of home teams to support in the Keystone State. Pennsylvania has eight major-league pro teams—including MLS Cup Finalists Philadelphia Union—and more pro teams in AHL, lacrosse, and Ultimate Frisbee.
Here’s a closer look at the most popular sports to bet on in PA:
NFL Betting in PA
Pennsylvania takes the lead on the majority of US states with not one but two NFL teams: the Philadelphia Eagles and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Pennsylvanian football fans look beyond state lines, with a large fanbase for teams from neighbouring states. Buffalo Bills are the third favorite in PA by ticket sales: the Bills hold the highest ticket sales of any NFL team in ten PA counties.
Unsurprisingly, NFL leads the PA sports betting market, and you’ll find regular season bets on moneylines, totals, points spreads, parlays, props, and live betting. NFL draft betting is not legal in Pennsylvania, as it doesn’t qualify as an athletic event.
However, betting on Division I college football is allowed (although no player props). That includes games played in the state as well as Pennsylvania college teams including Pittsburgh Panthers, Penn State Nittany Lions, and Villanova Wildcats.
NBA Betting in PA
The Keystone State is home to three-time NBA Champions the Philadelphia 76ers—although the first of those wins was under the original franchise name Syracuse Nationals. Other popular teams include inland neighbours Cleveland Cavaliers, and Washington Wizards to the south.
You’ll find plenty of NBA betting options on the Sixers or their competition, covering moneylines, over/under, spreads, parlays, period bets, and futures markets like NBA Championship winner odds. Again, there’s no draft betting in Pennsylvania, although you can bet on regular NCAAB matches in the state and matches featuring PA teams.
NHL Betting in PA
Pittsburgh ranks the fifth-best city in the US for NHL fans, and hockey enjoys widespread popularity across the state. The Philadelphia Flyers and the Pittsburgh Penguins have seven Stanley Cup wins between them—rivalry aside—placing Pennsylvania third for total wins from one state. Pennsylvania is one of just four states to have more than one NHL team, and the Buffalo Sabres are another local favorite to the north.
Pennsylvania has hockey teams aplenty and betting options to match: top PA sportsbooks offer puck lines, moneylines, 60-minute odds, team and player props, parlays, and live bets. There are no markets on non-sport events like awards, although there are various futures markets on outcomes like the Stanley Cup winner, conference winner, playoffs, and regular season points over/under.
MLB Betting in PA
Pennsylvania has a historic rivalry in MLB between the Philadelphia Phillies and Pittsburgh Pirates, although it’s more of a tradition than an active feud in the modern league splits. Looking past the cross-state divide, the Keystone State Rivalry tallies seven all-time MLB championship wins. Out-of-state teams have a place in Pennsylvania’s MLB fanbase too, with supporters of teams like the Baltimore Orioles and Boston Red Sox.
Bettors can take a swing on MLB markets like runlines, moneylines, totals, first five innings, props, parlays, and live bets. If you prefer to play the long game, look out for futures markets on World Series champion odds, conference winners, and regular season props.
PA Sport Betting Handle
Pennsylvania is the fifth largest sports betting market in the US by revenue according to the American Gaming Association. Online sports betting handle makes up around 95% of all sports betting in PA, showing a steady increase year on year. Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) is taxed at 36%, made up of a 34% state tax and 2% local share assessment.
Here’s an overview of the combined handle for retail and online sports betting in Pennsylvania, directly from the PGCB financial reports:
| Year | Total Handle | Revenue | Hold Percentage | Tax Revenue |
|---|
| 2026 (Jan–Aug) | $4,422,668,186 | $525,868,408 | 11.9% | $140,707,069 |
| 2025 | $8,858,467,928 | $883,657,089 | 10.0% | $206,098,410 |
| 2024 | $8,421,417,830 | $778,420,694 | 9.2% | $183,858,071 |
| 2023 | $7,682,694,849 | $686,915,514 | 8.9% | $165,101,882 |
| 2022 | $7,251,428,759 | $597,364,960 | 8.2% | $144,434,920 |
| 2021 | $6,552,109,118 | $505,523,748 | 7.7% | $122,440,739 |
| 2020 | $3,580,864,477 | $269,902,733 | 7.5% | $68,293,250 |
| 2019 | $1,490,167,111 | $111,726,711 | 7.5% | $30,280,670 |
| 2018 | $17,587,677 | $2,516,589 | 14.3% | $905,972 |