PA Sports Betting: Top Pennsylvania Sportsbooks Online Guide
PA sports betting became legal in 2017 and since then you can get the best online sportsbook for your needs and preferences. In the past few years it has converted into one of the most important gambling states and, to some, is even regarded the biggest in terms of sports betting. It’s not much of a surprise that PA sportsbooks have some of the best offers in the country and you will be sure of it after reading this page. Pennsylvania really is, despite the heavy competition, one of the biggest players on the gambling scene and How To Bet will introduce you to the major online and retail operators in the Keystone State. Get ready to win some real money with the help of our detailed guide on PA online sports betting sites and apps.
Sports betting is now 100% legal in Pennsylvania, but that hasn't always been the case. The debate went on for years and began in earnest in the early 2000s when slot machines were first legalized. The real movement toward the actual allowing of PA sports betting came in 2017 when the state was creating an expansion to its existing legalized casino games.
Lawmakers saw the writing on the wall at the Supreme Court, so in preparation for SCOTUS returning the question of sports gambling to the states, they legalized it. This is why, following that landmark decision in favor of online sports betting in Pennsylvania and other states, it took just six months for the first PA sportsbook to open. Legal sports betting in Pennsylvania has thrived ever since.
The bill at the heart of PA sports betting is H 1627. Passed and signed in October 2017, it authorized the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board to offer PA online sports betting licenses to existing casino operators for both retail and online sportsbooks.
Online Sports Betting PA Rules to Know
It's always good to keep on the right side of the law, so here are the main points you need to know about legal sports betting in Pennsylvania.
All persons engaging in PA online sports betting must be at least 21 years old. The state lottery has an age requirement of 18, but you cannot bet on sports unless you are at least 21 which is the legal sports betting age in PA.
When placing bets with an PA online sportsbook, you must be inside the state lines. This will be verified through an IP address or geolocation technology located in your mobile device.
Unlike New Jersey, PA sports betting rules allow betting on college sports that involve local teams. You are also permitted to wager on college events that take place inside Pennsylvania, such as an NCAA Tournament regional.
Betting on high school sports is illegal at PA online sports betting sites.
Complete List of Legal PA Sports Betting Sites & Apps
Making the decision to get involved in PA sports betting is one thing, and another is to consider where to do it. This can be a tough process as there are a plethora of different PA sportsbooks that all come with their pros and cons. Don’t worry, we’re here to help you with our Top 10 list to discover which one fits you best. Each of them represents a significant piece in the onlinegambling USA puzzle in terms of sports wagering.
FanDuel Sportsbook PA
Retail Sportsbook Partner: Valley Forge Casino and Sportsbook
Technology Partner: IGT
FanDuel has been an absolute staple in the American sports betting industry since their arrival back in 2009. They are one of the most reliable around.
DraftKings sportsbook Pennsylvania is one of FanDuel’s major competitors in the Keystone State. They have one of, if not, the best fantasy football program around. This, combined with a fantastic online sportsbook, makes DraftKings one of the best around.
Unibet began in 1997, as a way for founder Anders Strom to share his sporting expertise with like minded bettors. They have always been a customer oriented organization.
Kambi’s vast experience in running sportsbook technology is really evident here. The desktop version and mobile app are fast and smooth and perfect for in-play wagering. You also get a deposit match of up to $250 as a new customer.
BetRivers Sportsbook connects seamlessly to the BetRivers Casino, making this an attractive option for customers who enjoy all types of gaming.
Parx was the second PA online sports betting association to open for business in the state. Parx is primarily a casino, but their online sportsbook has been quite the success.
How To Bet full review on Parx PA sportsbook
Get your promo code here and now
SugarHouse Sportsbook PA
Retail Sportsbook Partner: Rivers Philadelphia
Technology Partner: Kambi
SugarHouse PA sportsbook was the first to launch its desktop version and mobile betting app in the state. That fact is more than enough to show its ambitions to play a major role in the sports betting scene here.
This is an intriguing link-up between a media giant (Flutter) and an iGaming company (BetStars) that started in 2019. Few can claim to be surprised by its rapid rise in popularity.
Some consider Barstool Sports to be a controversial online sports media company. After launching its online sportsbook in Pennsylvania in September 2020 though, many sports bettors use it regularly now.
How To Bet full review on Barstool sportsbook PA
Get your promo code here and now
PA Sports Betting App List
Since there are Pennsylvania sportsbooks without mobile apps, we at How To Bet will give you a list of the currently available ones on Android and iOS. See it and pick the best PA sports betting app to suit you best.
iOS (App Store)
FanDuel
DraftKings
BetMGM
Unibet
Caesars
Parx
FOX Bet
Barstool
Android (Google Play direct download)
FanDuel
DraftKings
BetMGM
Unibet
Caesars
BetRivers
Parx
FOX Bet
Barstool
How to Pick the Best PA Sportsbooks for You
How To Bet has listed only the legal and most trusted names on the Pennsylvania online sports betting scene, so we’ve made your job of choosing the right sportsbook for you pretty easy. We did a thorough due diligence on all the sites and apps in the Keystone State looking for the most safe, secure, enjoyable ones that offer the best markets, odds, and payouts.
Nevertheless, if you plan to research for yourself, here are our tips on what to look for. The main thing is to never settle for anything less than the best.
Legal status: Any online sports betting PA operator must be licensed and regulated by state gambling regulators.
Credibility: The PA online sportsbook you choose must have an impeccable reputation so that you’re not worried about your personal and financial information.
Accessibility: You must be able to consistently access the site/ app you like from any point in the state with internet connection.
User experience: The Pennsylvania sports betting sites/ apps you pick should offer you a pleasant journey right from the start to the very end of the wagering process. Easy-to-use interface and smooth navigation are top of the list of priorities.
Bonuses and promotions: Bonus offers, including free bets, Welcome or deposit bonus, are hugely important factors, so check thoroughly for them before you commit. Our advice is to sign up with more than one PA sports betting app or site to take full advantage of the promotions that are put on the table.
Payment options: Multiple deposit and withdrawal methods must be made available to you, starting with the most popular ones like credit/ debit cards, PayPal, bank transfers, etc.
Attractive odds: The betting lines must be so appealing that you can’t resist placing a wager on them. The company should be known for having these types of odds regularly.
Variety of betting markets: The online sports betting Pennsylvania operator you choose must offer a huge array of markets – from moneylines to in-game betting and props. Every bettor has his favorite type of wagers and the company you pick must offer it.
Customer support: Many PA sports betting fans will never need it, but those that do should be able to get friendly and polite assistance with a minimum of delay.
PA Sports Betting Bonuses and Promotions
You will struggle to find bonus offers when you wager at a retail sportsbook. When you bet in person, you’re not using an account which tracks your history with the company, they just don’t offer that. This means that there won’t be any loyalty bonuses. When using PA sportsbooks online though, you will be greeted with a lot of different offers to reel you in. There are many different types, some more simple than others, so if you want to dig a little deeper and reap the benefits of that knowledge, check our page for PA free bets and bonus codes. Now let’s concentrate on the main bonuses and promotions that will come your way.
Welcome Bonus
One of the easiest ways that PA sportsbooks will attract new business is with a Welcome bonus. Often this is in the form of a risk-free bet that only triggers in the event that it loses, but even that can have a lot of value. Be sure to look for these bonuses when choosing an online sportsbook.
Deposit Bonus
Welcome bonuses tend to be for smaller amounts, but when you're looking for a way to quickly add money to your online account, deposit bonuses can be more profitable. It is not uncommon to find ones that total up to $500 in free money. There will be a playthrough requirement, meaning that you'll need to wager the bonus amount a specific number of times before you can withdraw it, but free money is free money. Always read about this type of bonus offer before you make a deposit.
Pro tip: when trying to meet a playthrough requirement, wager the money on low odds. This gives you more chances of keeping hold of it and getting successfully to the withdrawal point.
Loyalty Programs
Usually loyalty programs are a casino thing, not really a sportsbook offering, and they're rarely available at a stand-alone sportsbook. However, if the sportsbook is connected to an online casino site, then there is a chance that you can use a rewards program for both accounts. So always double-check, because if a loyalty program is offered, you don't want to miss out on the free bonuses that come with it.
There are some brilliant programs out there, they usually come in tier systems, which are dependent on how much money you wager in a month or quarter. You can be promoted or demoted, depending on your spending patterns. The rewards for the higher tiers are much better of course, but you always need to way up the risk to reward. In fact, keep that line in mind when placing any bets as every bet comes with a great deal of risk.
Refer a Friend
The final type of bonus we will be discussing today is ‘Refer a Friend’. This is perhaps the most simple of them all. You can receive a referral code at any time and if someone signs up to the selected sportsbook with your referral code, you will both reap a small benefit.
So if you have a friend or family member who is eligible to register, definitely ask them to sign up using your code. Even if they never use the account, they are still doing you a favor. This is a crafty way for sportsbooks to pull in more customers and increase their player stats.
Best Bonuses from PA Sportsbooks
BetMGM Sportsbook PA
When you start PA sports betting with BetMGM you will be greeted with a risk free bet up to $600. This does not require a promo code, just follow the ‘claim now’ option straight from our site and follow the instructions from there.
The free bet credits will expire after seven days, so as with the Caesars offer, don’t forget about them!
FanDuel PA Sportsbook
FanDuel is also offering new bettors a risk free bet when you join them in the state of Pennsylvania. To claim the offer, you need to register, make a first deposit, and then place your first real-money wager up to $1000.
If you bet $1000 and lose, FanDuel will give you a $1000 Bet Voucher. If you then bet that voucher on a +100 line and win, they will pay you the $1000 in winnings (from the odds), as well as $1000 for the value of the wager. This is paid in cash, not in a free wager, making this offer one of the highest value offers on the market.
Unibet Sportsbook PA
Unibet are currently offering new PA bettors $41 for free immediately to be used on bets. $20 can be wagered on any market, with the remaining $21 needing to be used on the live betting markets that are offered.
As well as this, Unibet are also offering two risk free bets up to $250 or one risk free bet up to $500. All you need to do is place your first bet (minimum $10). And once it's been settled, if the bet loses you will be issued a full refund. This is a great way to start your PA betting journey.
This deal requires the use of PA bonus code ‘UNIGAMBLER’. Get betting!
Betway Sportsbook PA
Betway are the newest sportsbook to open their doors to the bettors of PA. They are offering a welcome bonus of up to $1000 to new bettors. This comes in the form of:
100% Match Bonus up to $250 on 1st deposit of $20+
Additional bonuses of up to $250 on 2nd deposit of $20+
Up to $500 on 3rd deposit of $20+
The more you deposit, the more you will receive! Always be careful when wagering any money and, as always, only bet what you can afford to lose.
Types of Online Sports Betting Pennsylvania Markets
If you know the betting markets, you are certainly a person who has an idea on how to bet on sports. Here are the main types of wagers to make in Pennsylvania.
Moneyline: A win/loss bet that uses odds to determine the difference between the favorite and the underdog. In American moneylines, a plus sign denotes the underdog and a minus sign is for the favorite.
Point Spread: Take the points, or lay them. A point spread is used to determine the favorite and the underdog, and your bet is a winner if the team covers the points.
Totals: Also known as an over/under, this bet is on the total combined points scored, and if the number will go over or under the posted line.
Parlays: Small bets combined into one large bet, which, if it wins, pays off big. The appealing potential winnings make players love parlays, but since it takes just one loss to sink the entire bet, sportsbooks love them too.
Futures
Live sports betting PA
Early redemption bets
Round robin bets
Player props
Team props
Teasers
PA Sports Betting Opportunities
Other than high school sports, sports betting in PA allows you to bet on almost any sporting event taking place around the world. Along with the main team sports of football, basketball, hockey, baseball, and soccer, you can also wager on rugby, golf, tennis, darts, cycling, motorsports, table tennis, volleyball, MMA, and boxing, among many others.
How to Start Your PA Sports Betting Journey Online
1. Download and install your preferred PA sports betting app
This is in case you want to wager from your smartphone or other mobile devices. Then find the app you want in the specific Android or iOS app store, download and install it. If you’re betting from a desktop, you won’t need to make any of these steps.
2. Sign up for your betting account
Whether you are accessing a PA online sports betting operator through its website or a mobile app, signing up for your new account is easy and straightforward. The information required for registration is:
Name
Address
Email address
Date of birth
Phone number
The last four digits of your Social Security number
Unique username for the Pennsylvania sportsbook
Password
You will choose your username and password at the time of registration. If there are any problems confirming your identification through your address and social security number, you may be asked to submit additional documentation, such as a utility bill in your name.
You will not usually need to provide a photo ID unless the operator has trouble verifying your identity using the other information provided.
3. Make a deposit
After your identity and age are determined, you’ll be ready to deposit money into your account. The sportsbook should offer you plenty of options: by credit/debit card, bank transfer, PayPal, Play+, etc.
4. Place your bet
Here are the steps:
Go to the sport
Click the line you want to bet
Click bet slip (or navigate if you’re on a computer)
Enter your bet amount
Submit
Congrats! You’ve just placed your first legal sports bet in Pennsylvania.
5. Withdraw your winnings
In the best case scenario you will have to withdraw the money you won. The payment methods will most likely be the same as with the deposit, so you won’t have problems. Choose the PA sports betting online site/ app that offers the fastest (and safest) payout.
Benefits of Using a Legal PA Sports Betting App
It’s available as long as you have an internet connection
You can bet on the go
Easy deposits with withdrawals straight back into your bank account
Live odds and live betting made easy
It’s legal to use it, unlike the offshore site/ app
Your money is completely safe
Retail Pennsylvania Sports Betting Locations
As well as the vast amount of PA online sports betting options, there is also a number of different retail options for you
Harrah’s Philadelphia
Address: 777 Harrah’s Blvd, Chester, PA 19013
Located in the back of the main casino floor, the sportsbook at Harrah’s Philadelphia boasts more than 4,000 square feet and features a half-dozen live betting windows.
Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course
Address: 777 Hollywood Blvd. Grantville, PA 17028
Originally paired with William Hill to run its retail sportsbook, Penn National now owns a stake in Barstool Sports and is expected to launch a rebranded version of its PA sports betting offerings soon. The sportsbook itself has live windows, betting kiosks, and more than 50 feet of television wall space.
The Meadows Sportsbook
Address: 210 Racetrack Road, Washington, PA 15301
Located 30 minutes south of Pittsburgh, The Meadows sportsbook is inside the racetrack and on the casino floor. There are five live betting windows, 18 betting kiosks, and a series of 86-inch 4k ultra HD TVs to watch your bets play out.
Mohegan Sun Pocono
Address: 1280 PA-315, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702
Open since September 2019, the Mohegan Sun Pocono partnered with Unibet to build and brand their retail sportsbook. Bar service, a 28-foot video screen, and six betting kiosks are the highlights at the Unibet Sportsbook.
The Downs at Lehigh Valley
Address: 1780 Airport Rd, Allentown, PA 18109
Part of the Mohegan Sun Pocono casino, The Downs at Lehigh Valley is an off-track betting parlor that is now taking sports wagers.
Mount Airy Casino Resort
Address: 312 Woodland Road, Mt. Pocono, PA 18344
Live tellers, eight betting kiosks, and sharing a space with the poker room are what you’ll find at the sportsbook at Mount Airy. The Stars Group, the force behind PokerStars, are the builders and operators of the FOXBet branded PA sports betting products.
The Oaks Race and Sportsbook
Address: 600 Cresson Blvd, Oaks, PA 19456
Associated with Parx Casino and Racing, this off-track betting parlor has taken live sports bets since March 2019. It has more than 100 televisions and features betting through both live windows and kiosks.
Parx Casino and Racing
Address: 2999 Street Rd, Bensalem, PA 19020
The largest gaming complex in Pennsylvania, Parx has a casino, racetrack, and brand new 10,000 square foot PA sportsbook. Open 24 hours a day, with staffed tellers for 16 of those hours, the Parx Sportsbook features an incredible 156-foot wall of televisions that can broadcast a total of 36 different sporting events.
Presque Isle Downs & Casino
Address: 8199 Perry Highway, Erie, PA 16509
Right next to the racebook, the Presque Isle PA sportsbook has more than 50 self-service betting kiosks and another 50 large screen televisions.
Rivers Casino Pittsburgh
Address: 777 Casino Dr. Pittsburgh, PA 15212
The only casino in Pittsburgh is home to the only sportsbook in the Steel City. There are two dozen 86-inch TVs, a pair of 50-foot LED video walls, six betting windows, and more than 30 self-service betting kiosks. The 5,500 square feet of the sportsbook can accommodate up to 200 customers.
South Philly Race and Sportsbook
Address: 700 Packer Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19148
Part of the Parx family, this off-track betting parlor has been operating as a PA sportsbook since January 2019. Formerly known as the South Philly Turf Club, the sportsbook has both live betting windows and self-service kiosks.
Rivers Casino Philadelphia
Address: 1001 N Delaware Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19125
Still branded as SugarHouse online, the newly branded Rivers Casino Philadelphia launched its sportsbook in December 2018. The sportsbook has a bar, electronic poker, live windows, express kiosks, and the ability to pre-build your betting slips for faster check out at the counter.
Valley Forge Casino
Address: 1160 1st Ave, King of Prussia, PA 19406
FanDuel runs the PA sportsbook at Valley Forge Casino, which features betting windows, self-service kiosks, and a pair of sports tickers. There are 27 televisions here on which you can watch your wagers play out.
SugarHouse
Address: 1001 N Delaware Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19125
SugarHouse online sportsbook was the first to go live in Pennsylvania on the last day in May 2019. Having already operated in New Jersey since 2018, SugarHouse drew from its experience and took advantage of its first-mover advantage to become one of the top sportsbooks in the PA market. In late 2019, SugarHouse transitioned to Rivers Philadelphia. The new state-of-the-art sportsbook features a nearly 60 foot long screen, six betting windows and over 20 self-service kiosks.
Pennsylvania Online Sports Betting in Comparison with Other States
From a broad perspective, PA sports betting is much the same as that in other states. You can bet on a wide range of sports in the US and abroad, the betting markets available work in the same way as anywhere else and the act of placing a bet is also very straightforward.
However, look a little closer and you'll see that Pennsylvania online sports betting does differ in a few areas. We thought that it would be a good idea to highlight those differences so you can appreciate the uniqueness of the Keystone State betting market. Let’s have a look at how PA sports betting online and retail operators compare to the external competition in the USA.
You can bet on a high range of college sports in Pennsylvania
Some states don’t allow this, but if you are into college sports betting, the Steel State is a very useful place to be. Pennsylvania didn’t follow New Jersey’s example on banning sports betting on its college teams.
Pennsylvania's pricing is fair but modest
The pricing situation seems a lot like in other states such as Tennessee. If you’re looking for something more flashy, then you have to move somewhere else and not rely on PA online sportsbooks.
PA sports betting fans can root for some great sporting teams from their own state
These include the Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Phillies, Philadelphia 76ers, and Philadelphia Eagles.
Lower access for smaller sportsbooks
Only the biggest companies and those that are connected to the now existing casinos are present at the moment in Pennsylvania. This is not surprising considering the huge license fee ($10 million) and high tax rate (36%). Smaller sportsbooks stay away for now when in states like Colorado the market is blooming.
Responsible PA Sports Betting
The most key thing to remember when sports betting isn’t player stats, injury lists and form records. It's to do so responsibly. It doesn’t matter if it's a dollar bet or ten thousand, you need to be smart and make sure your head is always in the game.
A lot of the major PA sports betting sites have tools to help you gamble responsibly. Some of the best features are:
Tools to limit spending and how many bets you place
Notifications and alerts telling you how long you have been on the site or app
Ads for gambling rehabilitation options
We here at How To Bet are strong advocates of responsible PA sports betting. That's why we always advise that you only bet with money you can comfortably afford to lose, no matter how much you think your selection is a ‘sure thing’. In betting, there is no such thing as a sure thing, and some of the worst losses come suddenly, straight out of left field.
If you recognise that your betting has become out of hand, head to one of these sites for support and guidance to help you get your PA sports betting under control.
The first casino to submit paperwork for the rights to allow sports betting in Pennsylvania was Hollywood Casino back in August 2018. Parx Casino followed suit by offering $10 million for a licence for their casino to allow sports wagering.
After this, many of the other casinos in the Keystone State stepped forward. They did this by partnering with nationally known sportsbooks to take PA sports betting to the next level.
The online betting PA options were still thin at this point until FanDuel released their app in July 2019. This was the first iPhone/mobile option available in the state. The app is also available in NJ.
Now there are plentiful mobile betting options in Pennsylvania and it is one of the biggest gambling states in the country. The signs of this happening were there early. The first year of PA sports betting saw over $1.1bn overall spend in wagers. A truly amazing feat!
PA Sports Betting FAQ
Is sports betting legal in Pennsylvania?
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Yes, PA sports betting is legal. This applies to land-based sportsbooks and also to online sportsbooks. However, it is only legal to bet with a sportsbook that is regulated by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. No outside bookies!
Does Pennsylvania have sports betting?
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Yes, the Keystone State has had sports betting since 2018. You can bet in a retail sportsbook/casino or online.
Can you bet on sports online in PA?
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Yes! You can bet on sports online and on your mobile device in Pennsylvania.
Where to bet on sports in Pennsylvania?
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These days there are a number of options for PA online sports betting. Some of our personal favorites are FanDuel, DraftKings and Unibet.
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