Best Pennsylvania Sportsbooks: PA Sports Betting Apps (March 2023)

Best Legal Sportsbooks in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania became the seventh state to introduce legalized sports betting following the landmark US Supreme Court decision of 2018 we’ll get into in more detail later in this guide.

There are currently 10 land-based sportsbooks where you can place a bet in person in Pennsylvania, 6 of which are located in Philadelphia.

Online sports betting is also legal in Pennsylvania, and most of the land-based sportsbooks accepting bets in the state are in the process of developing apps and mobile sites to allow betting on computers and mobile devices.

The launch of the first online sportsbook in the state of Pennsylvania happened in May 2019.

On this page, you will find all the information you need to know to get started with legal sports betting in PA today. We give a thorough overview of the current situation of sports betting in the state, including:

• Where residents of the Keystone State can go to place their sports bets.
• A rundown of the current sports betting laws in Pennsylvania.
• A look at the history of gambling and sports betting for some context on the current situation.
• The best online sportsbooks and betting sites available in Pennsylvania.
• A look at what the future holds for legal online sports betting in the Keystone State.

If you’re wondering whether sports betting is legal where you live, we’ve got legal sports betting guides for every US state in the country.

Pennsylvania Sports Betting Facts at a Glance [Video]

Rosalie Michaels answers all your sports betting related questions about betting in Pennsylvania. Watch this short video to get an overview of the sports betting situation in PA.

The Current Online Sports Betting Situation in Pennsylvania

Sports betting officially became legal in Pennsylvania in November 2018 when the Hollywood Casino in Grantville booked the first sports bet in the state. The Hollywood is joined by six other casinos in Pennsylvania who have applied to operate a sportsbook, all of which are expected to be operational by the end of January 2019.

Like we mentioned before, Pennsylvania was given the opportunity to determine its own sports betting laws in May 2018, when the Supreme Court repealed the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act. PASPA had been in place since 1992 and acted as a federal ban on sports betting across the US, with the exception of Nevada.

Some states, like Pennsylvania, had been preparing for this in advance. The current sports betting situation in the Keystone state is dictated by a sports betting bill that was passed by the Pennsylvania General Assembly in 2017. Once PASPA was repealed, the bill came into effect immediately.

Here are the main points of Pennsylvania’s legal sports betting bill:

• The bill allows wagering on both professional and college events.
• Online betting is fully legal from regulated online sportsbooks.
• You must be 21 years old to place a bet.
• To run a sportsbook, operators must pay for a $10,000,000 license fee and their revenue will be taxed at 36%. This makes Pennsylvania the state with the highest sports betting tax in the US.
• Many of the state’s casinos have already applied for sports betting licenses with up to seven expected to be open in January 2019.

Online betting is completely legal under the new bill. As of the end of 2018, the majority of the new sportsbooks are scheduled to begin offering online betting within the first quarter of 2019.

Many are likely to follow the lead of the SugarHouse Casino in Philadelphia, which has developed its own sports betting app that is already being used in New Jersey, where sports betting is also legal. Other operators are in a similar situation with apps already functional in other jurisdictions.

In May 2019, the first online sportsbooks and mobile sports betting went live in the Keystone State. The first Pennsylvania online casinos are scheduled to go live sometime in July 2019. This is the latest information provided by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB).

The launch of the first online sportsbook in the state of Pennsylvania happened in May 2019.

If you’re wondering whether sports betting is legal where you live, we’ve got legal sports betting guides for every US state in the country.

Let’s take a look at the betting law summary in PA.

Pennsylvania Sports Betting Laws Summary

• New laws allow sports betting at casinos and racetracks in Pennsylvania including on all pro sports, college games, and international sporting events..
• Online or mobile betting is also legal in the state but must have a physical brick and mortar, location partner. You do not have to sign up in person for online sports betting with mobile apps.
• Legal requirements to bet include being over 21 and being inside the state lines while placing bets.
• No betting on esports is currently allowed.
• Betting is not allowed on high school sports.
• Sports betting tax rates in PA are some of the highest in the country at 36% compared to NJ’s rate of 8.5% causing some controversy whether or not sportsbooks will provide as many services as they do in other states.

In late October 2017 PA Governor Tom Wolf signed a bill into law authorizing a myriad of new gaming options for the state including legal sports betting.

Since then a lot of progress has been made to get the state up to speed when it comes to sports betting. Now many sportsbooks have partnered with brick and mortar casinos to open online sports betting. Meaning that in the Keystone State it is now legal to bet on your mobile device.

Pennsylvania Online Sportsbooks

There are currently 8 PA online sports betting websites and apps that are accepting wagers legally in the Keystone State:

1. SugarHouse Sportsbook
2. DraftKings Sportsbook
3. FanDuel Sportsbook
4. Parx Sportsbook
5. BetRivers Sportsbook
6. Unibet Sportsbook
7. Fox Bet
8. BetAmerica

Four other operators are expected to join the list of legal PA sports betting apps and websites:

1. Harrah’s Sportsbook
2. Hollywood Casino (Penn National)
3. Wind Creek
4. Philly Live! Casino

The History of Online Sports Betting in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania is one of the states that has been preparing for legal sports betting for a while making the online gaming situation very good. The bill that they passed in 2017 prefigured the repeal of PASPA, so it did not actually come into effect until almost a year later.

Led by Rep. Rob Matzie and Rep. Rick Kotik, the history of the bill really begins in 2015 when Kotik announced his attention to converting the unregulated sports betting already happening in Pennsylvania into a legal and regulated form of entertainment, which would generate revenue for the state.

At the same time, both men began to campaign to have Congress repeal the federal ban. Over the next three years, both events came to pass.

The move wasn’t surprising as there’s been a strong tradition of gambling in the state going back many years. Casinos were made legal in 2004 and the industry has grown steadily since then, making it the second-largest casino state in the US today.

Slots, table games, and live poker tables are all legal in Pennsylvania, as well as horse racing. Pennsylvania has a state lottery which features multi-state games like the Mega Millions.

All these gambling options mean that while the push for legal sports betting has only really taken hold in the last few years, the tradition of gambling in the state has created an ultra-receptive culture.

Which Online Sports Betting Sites are Legal in Pennsylvania?

Sportsbooks can only be legal in the start of Pennsylvania if they have a physical brick and mortar location. These are usually in existing casinos or racetracks found in the state. This law ensures that sportsbooks available in the state are 100% legal in PA since an offshore sportsbook cannot have a physical location in PA for obvious reasons.

The below Pennsylvania sportsbooks are already taking bets 100% legally.

Select any of the below sportsbooks to learn about the offers, sign up bonuses, and expert reviews to learn the differences between them so that you can find the one that works best for your sports betting needs.

All these betting sites are affiliated with the physical casino or racetrack in brackets and are based in Pennsylvania, ensuring a safe and secure betting experience for the public.

If you’re in a state that has not legalized sports betting you may find yourself tempted to spoof your location using a virtual private network (VPN). VPNs have become very common with them being available in the app store. A VPN allows you to fake your location on the internet. However, be warned against using a VPN to defraud sportsbooks. Sportsbook apps have become more advanced and now come equipped with location validation technology that can detect location spoofers.

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board maintains a list of websites with a license to operate in the state.

PA Sports Betting Websites’ Land-Based Partners

The map below shows the location of the land-based partners of each online sportsbook licensed in Pennsylvania:

In-Person Pennsylvania Sports Betting Additional Information

These days everyone is using their betting apps to do online sports betting and no wonder since the convenience and betting options available through betting apps are far superior to betting in person especially since most betting apps are available on ios and android.

With that being said there can never be a replacement for going to the cage or a sports bar in person and cheering (or jeering) on the game with friends or friendly strangers. Check out these sports betting location in PA, many of which are partnered with PA online sportsbooks, there might be one near you. This isn’t a complete list of retail sportsbooks available in PA, check above to see a larger list of betting options when it comes to retail sportsbooks.

Harrah’s Philadelphia

Online Sportsbook partnership:

Address: 777 harrah’s blvd.

Website: https://www.caesars.com/harrahs-philly

Phone: (484) 490-1800

Hollywood Casino Sportsbook

Online Sportsbook partnership: Barstool Sportsbook

Address: 777 Hollywood blvd, Grantville, PA 17028

Website: https://www.hollywoodpnrc.com/casino/sportsbook

Phone: (717) 469-2211

Rivers Casino Philadelphia

Online Sportsbook partnership: PlaySugarHouse

Address: 1001 N Delaware Ave Philadelphia, PA 19125

Website: https://www.riverscasino.com/philadelphia/

Phone: (877) 477-3715

PARX Casino and Racing

Online Sportsbook partnership: PARX Sportsbook

Address: 2999 Street Rd, Bensalem, PA 19020

Website: https://www.parxcasino.com/bensalem/sportsbetting

Phone:  (215) 639-9000

Valley Forge Casino Resort

Online Sportsbook partnership: FanDuel Sportsbook PA

Address: King of Prussia, PA 19406

Website: https://www.vfcasino.com/play/sports-wagering/fanduel-sportsbook

Phone: (610) 354-8118

Harrah’s Philadelphia Casino

Online Sportsbook Partnership: Caesars Sportsbook

Address: 777 Harrah’s Blvd. Chester, PA 19013

Website:  https://www.caesars.com/harrahs-philly/casino/sportsbook#.X5qXiIhKg2w

Presque Isle Downs & Casino

Online Sportsbook Partnership: BetAmerica Sportsbook

Address: 8199 Perry Hwy, Erie, PA

Website: https://www.presqueisledowns.com/

Pennsylvania Sportsbook Sponsorships

Ever since the repeal of the ban of sports betting, sportsbooks have sought out partnerships with the teams and leagues that they are conducting betting on. Think about the famous air Jordan sneakers and Mr. Jordan’s endorsements of them to get an idea what this could one day look like.

New Jersey sports teams are already reaping the benefits of belonging to the US state with the most sophisticated legal sports betting market. The NHL team New Jersey Devils alone boast 3 sponsorship deals, with Caesars, and FanDuel. These deals include a branded lounge area and advertisement exposure.

There are no announced partnerships yet but that may change as the market matures.

What Sports Can You Bet on Online in Pennsylvania?

You can bet on nearly everything when in PA. The only major restrictions on sports wagering in the state have to do with sports where underage athletes are competing.

There are also different types of betting that you can do. To give you an idea of the different types of betting you can participate in check out DraftKings Sportsbook, which offers spread betting, live betting, moneyline betting, futures, prop bets, and more:

• NFL
• NBA
• MLB
• Golf
• NHL
• NASCAR
• MMA
• Soccer
• CFL
• CFB
• Tennis

The only major restrictions when it comes to sports betting in PA are restrictions on esports. Check your sportsbook to see what events are available.

People directly employed by leagues (such as coaches and players) are also banned from sports betting on their own leagues.

If you’re only just starting out and would like to learn more about sports betting, we encourage you to read our sports betting guide.

The State of Sports in the Keystone State

Football

Pennsylvania has got a pretty strong claim to being the home of modern NFL football and a lot of that is thanks to the Pittsburgh Steelers, the all-time Super Bowl record holders with six titles since 1974. They also have the best Super Bowl winning-percentage, having appeared in eight Super Bowl games.

Throw in the Philadelphia Eagles who claimed their first Super Bowl title in 2017 by beating the New England Patriots in one of the all-time great NFL games, and you can see why NFL is such a big deal in the Keystone state.

College sports are perfectly legal to be on in Pennsylvania too, and that is just as well because the state has some of the oldest and juiciest rivalries in all of American sports.

Derby games between the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Pittsburgh have literally been going on for hundreds of years. Given the sheer number of world-class universities in the state, it is no wonder that there are 14 NCAA Division 1 programs.

Even local high school football games regularly get crowds in five figures so there’s no doubt Pennsylvanians will learn how to bet on football and start placing NFL bets online as well. If you want to get started placing bets in PA then check out our guide on how to legally bet on the NFL, or our guide on how to legally bet on College Football.

Basketball

The Philadelphia 76ers, proud owners of three NBA championships, represent the state in the NBA. The 76ers are one of the most iconic teams in the game.

There are a couple of other professional teams found in the state playing in the minor leagues. Huge names like Kobe Bryant and Wilt Chamberlain hail from the Keystone state. To get started placing bets on the NBA in PA then check out our guide on how to bet on the NBA legally.

Baseball

An impressive seven World Series titles can be found in Pennsylvania. Five of these are possessed by the Pittsburgh Pirates, although the second of the Philadelphia Phillies’ titles has come more recently, in 2008.

Both teams were formed in the 1800s and their rivalry has been a big part of life in the state since then. You can also find a number of minor league baseball teams to bet on. Before you can bet on MLB you need to know how to get started, check out our guide on how to legally bet on the MLB.

Hockey

Hockey is another major sport with a big in-state rivalry. The Pittsburgh Penguins are the most successful NHL team in the state, with five Stanley Cups on the record books.

They were formed as an expansion team at the same time as their great rivals, the Philadelphia Flyers. The Flyers have two Stanley Cups of their own, although their last win came in 1975. A further five professional Hockey teams find their home in Pennsylvania.

Other Sports

Philadelphia has an MLS team, the Philadelphia Union, who were formed in 2008 and are still awaiting their first championship win.

College programs from the state’s many universities have scores of NCAA National titles in a variety of sports.

The state plays host to motorsport and bicycle racing events, and PGA tournament golf courses.

Pennsylvania is a state steeped in sporting tradition. It is not hard to see why sports betting has been so widely accepted. Of course, if residents don’t want to bet local, sportsbooks in the Keystone state will be booking bets on sports from across the US and around the world.

Pennsylvania Sports Betting Revenue

The total PA sports betting handle for 2019 stood at $1.49 billion.

The total sports betting revenue in 2019 amounted to $92.1 million.

While the numbers are impressive, it should be noted that Pennsylvania enforces a 36% effective tax rate on operators.

Is Betting on Fantasy Sports Legal in Pennsylvania?

Yep. Provisions for Fantasy Sports were included in the 2017 sports betting bill.

Fantasy sports are now fully legal and regulated in Pennsylvania, and there are currently ten licensed operators including DraftKings and FanDuel. The minimum age to bet on fantasy sports is 18.

How to Bet on Sports Legally in PA

If you’re a resident of Pennsylvania or just passing through there are a few different options available to you when it comes to how you want to place bets.

The most popular by far is mobile or cell phone app betting using sportsbook apps that we covered earlier. There are lots to choose from and with the level of competition, attractive bonuses and promotions are often available to new customers, so make sure you are taking advantage of them.

Take a look at our full PA sports betting bonus guide for a full and up-to-date list of sportsbook bonus offers in Pennsylvania. Bonus offers are a great way to get a jump on betting with sportsbook apps. Bonus offers are a way sportsbook apps bring in new customers, but if you take advantage of them wisely like with risk-free bet offers, you can have a headstart on your first bet or first deposit.

Signing up to a sportsbook in PA is very simple, compare the sportsbooks available in the state to see which one is right for you and then download the app and finish your registration to start betting today.

If you’re a new sports bettor, make sure to check out our guides to betting for tons of valuable information.

Just because everyone is betting on their phones these days doesn’t mean that they’ve closed down the cage at physical sportsbooks. You can still make it to where the live-action is. Physical sports betting may now be “old school” but you just can’t get the same atmosphere that you get there on your phone. Huge TVs, a charismatic atmosphere, and food and drink bring many casual bettors every day.

For more details about the betting process, read our guide on how to bet in Pennsylvania.

Popular Betting Options and Lingo on Sportsbook Apps

With the sports betting market opening up across the US sportsbook apps have hurriedly sprung up in the wake of legalization. Since betting with mobile devices has become so popular many of the sportsbook apps have opened up their platforms to nearly all forms of betting. If you’re just getting into real money betting then here are some mobile betting terms you find helpful before placing your first bet or first deposit.

Parlay Bets: A parlay bet is one where you must make several predictions and have them all come true in order for you to win. Parlay bets have massive payouts but are very difficult to win.

Deposit Bonus: Sportsbooks want your business and one way they compete is through deposit bonus offers. A deposit bonus is a bonus you are given to entice you to open an account with a certain mobile sportsbook. How this might look could be a sportsbook offering you a $100 risk-free bet on the condition that you deposit at least $200. Watch out for the terms and conditions to make sure you take advantage of the sportsbooks, not the other way around.

Deposit Match: Like the aforementioned deposit bonus, a deposit match is very similar. A deposit match is a deal where a sportsbook will agree to supply the same amount in the form or wagerable funds to that which you deposited. Beware as terms and conditions apply.

E-Check: An e-check in the sportsbook world is more commonly known as a bank transfer. E-checks are very reliable as they are considered very safe. It is one thing for your PayPal to be accessed, but having your bank be defrauded is on a whole other level of sophistication. Also, banks are insured by the FDIC meaning your money is in safe hands.

No Deposit: The competition between sportsbook apps has become to fierce that promo codes and sign up offers no longer are enough. Sportsbooks are now using no deposit offers as an incentive for you to join their platform. A no deposit offer is one where your first bet is “free”, meaning your first bet is capped at a certain amount such as $10, and the money you are betting is being provided by the sportsbook. If you lose the bet then you are not liable but if you win you may claim the winnings. Terms and conditions apply.

What Is the Future of Online Sports Betting in the Keystone State?

Sports betting in Pennsylvania is a fresh industry that is set to only grow in the following months and years. Since PASPA was repealed in May 2018, casinos, sportsbooks, and fantasy sports operators have all been scrambling to take advantage of the multi-billion dollar opportunity.

With one of the highest taxes levied on sports betting in the country, many speculated that growth in this new market would be seriously stunted. Despite the heavy tax PA now has a robust market of sportsbooks available to residents. This may be because mobile betting (betting on sports with a mobile device) was approved in the state, something that many other states that have approved sports betting have yet to do.

What Kind of Withdrawal Processes are Available in PA?

As of now there are seven sportsbooks available in PA.

Not all sportsbooks were created equally and the differences between them can be as big as which sports they cover or as little as the deposit and withdrawal methods available with them.

Check out our Fastest Payout Sportsbooks guide so that you can compare these sportsbooks and find the one that is best for your needs.

In the Footsteps of New Jersey – How We Got Here

Back in 2018, the Supreme Court overturned an earlier decision, which made sports betting illegal in most states. The overturning of this decision, known as PASPA, made the decision to legalize sports betting one that individual states had to make rather than it being a federal decision. This entire process happened because the State of New Jersey decided to challenge the rule.

After the repeal of PASPA NJ was quick to legalize sports betting and many other states followed in their footsteps, including PA where sports betting is now legal.

Pennsylvania Gambling Problem Help Resources

Gambling problems are serious business and in Pennsylvania the state Govt. takes the issue very seriously. The PA Dept. of Drug and Alcohol Programs have taken it upon themselves to help those who have gambling problems.

The Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs have set up a Problem Gambling helpline with a 24-hour addiction hotline at 1-800-GAMBLER as well as text or chat options.

There is also a request for voluntary self-exclusion from gambling activities option ran by the PA Gaming Control Board. Visit their site for more information.

Pennsylvania Online Sports Betting FAQs

Here are answers to the Pennsylvania sports betting questions we’re asked most frequently:

Is sports betting legal in Pennsylvania?

Yes. Since the legal groundwork was laid well before the US Supreme Court repealed the federal ban on sports betting, Pennsylvania was quick to start accepting legal sports bets in 2018.

Do you pay taxes on sports betting in Pennsylvania?

Yes. A tax rate of 36% is applied to all income from gambling making it one of the highest betting taxes in the country.

Where can I bet on sports in PA?

Legal sports wagers are now being accepted at a number of land-based sportsbooks located in existing casinos including Rivers Casino, SugarHouse Casino, Parx Casino and the South Philadelphia Turf Club. Mobile betting is also legal in PA.

What sports can I bet on in PA online?

Fortunately, Pennsylvania’s sports betting bill clearly includes legal online sports gambling. Many casinos in the state have made partnerships with or created their own mobile sportsbooks. As long as you are within state lines mobile betting is legal.

What sports are illegal to bet on in PA?

Betting on high school sports is not allowed and neither is esports betting for the time being. All sports offered by the sportsbook of your choice can be trusted to be legal. Remember to only use reputable sportsbooks since illegal sportsbooks are dangerous and you may lose your money and also get a heavy fine from the PA Gambling Authority.

Is it illegal to bet using off-shore sports betting websites?

Yes, only regulated sports betting with licensed casinos of their affiliated apps are allowed. Offshore sites are illegal following the US Supreme Court decision on the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA). We recommend choosing one of the many legal and excellent options listed on this page.

What other states is sports betting legal in?

Online gambling is currently legal in Nevada, Delaware, New Jersey, Mississippi, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Arkansas, New York, Iowa, and Indiana with more to come in the coming months and years.

New Mexico and Oregon also have some forms of legal sports betting with Native American Tribes and state lotteries getting into the action.

References

• Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB)
• Gambling in Pennsylvania (Wikipedia)
• Rules and Regulations, Title 58. Recreation Part VII. Gaming Control Board
• National Center for Responsible Gambling (PA page)