Pennsylvania Sports Betting Guide

Pennsylvania Sports Betting Info And The Best PA Sportsbooks

In Pennsylvania, legal sports betting was once a dream but has now become a reality in the last several years. The Keystone State has been impressive and has become an excellent market for legal wagering, with lots of the industry’s top names that have established a presence here. In addition, Pennsylvania is central for sports in general, so there are always many opportunities to wager on. Some of the best teams in pro sports have the house here, like the Philadelphia 76ers or the Philadelphia Eagles, just to make an example. There are many ways you can wager legally in PA, and getting started is very simple. You will have access to real live sportsbook from your computer or mobile device in just a few minutes. Here you will learn how to do it and everything else you need to know about PA sports betting. 

When PA sports betting launched in the state in 2018, it was only limited to retail. But the online and mobile rollout followed in May 2019, and there are now several top sports betting apps in the Keystone State. As a result, bettors in PA have lots of choices for wagering with their iOS or Android device. Let’s take a look at some of the best sports betting apps in Pennsylvania. 

Pennsylvania Sportsbooks

DraftKings Sportsbook

DraftKings, known as the daily fantasy sports titan, has emerged as one of the market leaders in sports betting also in PA. They make their debut in the state in November 2019, on the back of a deal with Penn National. The app is one of the best in the industry and has several innovative features that give the bettors more flexibility. 

BetMGM Sportsbook

BetMGM made its debut in Pennsylvania towards the end of 2020 with a deal with Penn National’s Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course in Grantville. The BetMGM Sportsbook app is one of the most appreciated in PA, mainly due to its massive coverage of available sports for wagering. 

FanDuel Sportsbook

FanDuel in PA has managed to produce an app that is excellent when it comes to usability. It is not too busy and slick, making everything you need very accessible on the small screen. The company is a market leader in Pennsylvania and also has retail shops at Valley Forge and Live! casinos. 

BetRivers Sportsbook

BetRivers Sportsbook is a Rush Street Interactive family member and has a retail presence in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh with Rivers Casinos. BetRivers PA Sportsbook has also established its presence on mobile, with an excellent app that allows users to find everything they need quickly and easily. BetRivers also have a top loyalty program for sports bettors that get rewarded for their activity. 

Fox Bet Sportsbook

Fox Sports is a joint product of gaming giant The Stars Group and the media powerhouse. Their app is slick and easy to use, and their customers benefit from regular offers. Fox Bet made a deal with Mount Airy Casino to secure access to the PA sports betting market. 

Unibet Sportsbook

Unibet secured its place in the PA sports betting market in November 2019 with a deal with Mohegan Sun Pocono. Unibet, which belongs to the giant Kindred Group, is expanding rapidly in the US. Unibet app is easy to use, and their live betting section is particularly appreciated. 

PointsBet Sportsbook

PointsBet has made its debut in PA in February 2022, just in time for the Super Bowl wagering. PointsBetting is a unique feature that allows users to increase the risk on some bets hoping to gain potential rewards. PointsBet app is a clean and simple app that does the job very well, although it doesn’t have many bells and whistles. They also offer a great selection of promotions to new and existing customers. 

Is Sports Betting legal in Pennsylvania?

Yes, sports betting is legal in PA as it was legalized with HB519 in 2017. However, it remained sidelines, waiting for the Supreme Court judgement on the PASPA. In May 2018, when the court struck down PASPA, the state continued to move forward to get things finalized in the state. As a result, retail betting made its debut in November 2018, with the online and mobile rollout the following May. Today, the Keystone State has one of the most thriving betting industries in the US, with lots of top legal and safe operators present with retail shops, online websites, and mobile apps. 

How to begin betting online in Pennsylvania?

Starting to wagering online in PA with a legal operator is very simple. As mentioned above, there are many legal and safe operators in the state, and in-person registration requirements are not present. This means that you can conveniently carry out the whole process on your computer or mobile device. When starting the registration, you would need to provide the following info: 

• Name
• Address
• Email address
• Date of birth
• Last four digits of social

After confirming this information, your account will be created in only a few seconds. The second step is for the operator to verify your identity and age. They usually do this automatically, but if they do have some issues, they will ask you to provide some additional supporting documents. There are no in-state residency requirements for using PA sportsbooks, yet you would have to be physically located within state lines when wagering. Sites check this necessary law requirement with precise geolocation tracking software verifying user location. If you are not within PA borders, your bets will not be accepted. When outside Pennsylvania, you would still be able to perform some basic account management functions on your sports betting account. Due to the fierce competition in PA, sports betting operators have invested heavily in the tech side, and, as a result, there are plenty of efficient and user-friendly platforms in the state. This means you will be able to do everything you need from your computer or device, including deposits or withdrawals, checking lines, placing wagers and so on, without visiting a retail shop. 

Sports betting bonuses and free bets promotions in PA

Since many top sports betting operators are available in PA, customers have the opportunity to choose from great promotions. After all, operators need to go the extra mile to attract new customers and reward the existing ones. Sign up offers are the most popular and generous, and below, we have provided an overview of the most frequent types of promotions you will find in PA:

1. Free bets: some books are giving new players free site credits to try the platform and place wagers without risking their own money. You are now allowed to withdraw the free bets, but the credits will be yours if you win. 
2. Deposit match: a popular offer is for the operator to match your first bet up to a certain amount. This deposit match will be credited to your account as a bonus and would have to be played through on the site to qualify for a withdrawal. 
3. Risk-free bet: the risk-free bet is a popular offer that consists of the books refunding the first bet up to a certain amount in the form of bet credits that would have to be played through. Again this is a great way to allow customers to try out the site without risking their own money. 

These are only some examples of the many great sports betting offers available with PA legal sports betting operators. In addition, existing customers are also benefitting from online promotional offers like parlay insurance, odds boosts, etc. Since offers terms vary from operator to operator, our advice is to always read the promotion terms carefully before getting involved. 

Can a PA sportsbook be also used in New Jersey?

No. Every state has its own apps with partners that have to comply with different rules and regulations regarding sports betting. For this reason, a PA app cannot be used in New Jersey and the other way around. To wager with a legal app, you would have to be physically located within the borders of the app’s state in question. Sportsbooks are using geolocation tracking technology to verify user locations. This software, which is not intrusive, runs in the background when the app has been downloaded and only tracks the location for the purposes of bets placing. Some operators, like Caesars Sports, have one app for each state, while others, like FanDuel, have a single app that can be used in all the available states. It will figure out the bettor’s location and suggest the correct version of the app, depending on the state. 

When it comes to managing your sportsbook account, you will be able to access the app even when outside a legal betting state. For instance, you can carry out tasks like checking your balance, seeing the bet history, etc. 

PA Sports Betting Explained

Legal sports betting in PA is controlled by the authority of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. Operators have to follow the rules and regulations made by the body, while bettors can contact the PGCB if anything comes up. If you are looking to wager on sport in Pennsylvania, the following eligibility requirements apply: 

• You have to be 21 years of age or older
• Don’t have to be a member of any self-exclusion lists for problem gambling
• Haven’t served a year or more in prison
• Those involved with sports in a professional capacity are prohibited from wagering on their own leagues and events.

You are not required to be a state resident to wager in PA, but you must be physically located within state lines when placing wagers. You can complete the sign-up process remotely, and you can also access and manage your sports betting account when away from PA state. 

How do sports betting licensing work in PA?

The PGCB is also in charge of licensing in PA. However, it requires heavy investments for operators to move into the state, as the license fee is $10 million, and there are 36% tax rate on sports betting revenue. So far, licenses have been obtained by the 13 land-based casinos and racetracks, with mini casinos that also have the opportunity to obtain them. In addition, all licensees can partner with one online or mobile operator, which we have seen extensively in the market. 

What are the current sports betting partnerships in PA?

We have seen many partnerships between sports betting operators and pro sports teams and leagues with legalized sports betting. The NFL, for instance, have several deals with the likes of Caesars, DraftKings and FanDuel. They are the ‘official sports betting partners of the league. Individual teams have also moved in this direction, and several PA based clubs have made deals with sports betting operators, as we can see in the list below: 

• Philadelphia Eagles: Unibet Sportsbook PA, DraftKings, FoxBet
• Pittsburgh Steelers: BetMGM
• Philadelphia 76ers: FoxBet, DraftKings, BetMGM
• Philadelphia Flyers: BetRivers
• Pittsburgh Penguins: BetRivers
• Philadelphia Phillies: Live! Casino, DraftKings
• Pittsburgh Steelers: BetMGM
• Philadelphia Union: Parx Casino

Partnership deals with local clubs increase the credibility of sports betting operators and allow them to stand out in what is a highly competitive PA market. 

Wagering on Futures and Prop in Pennsylvania

Bettors have many options to wager on sports games in PA. The most popular wagers types are moneyline, spreads and totals, but there are many more at disposal. Futures and props are two wager types that attract lots of attention. If you are not familiar with futures bets, don’t worry, as the concept is pretty easy to grasp. Futures are wagers that require a long-term view. For instance, a future wager is predicting which team will win the next Super Bowl. Usually, futures wagers are season-long and below as some other examples: 

• Super Bowl
• NBA Finals
• World Series
• College Football Playoffs
• March Madness

Futures are not only about teams, there are futures bets also for individual players. A great example of this is which player will win the NBA MVP award. There are also other options for individual sports like the golf Masters or Tennis US Open, etc. The odds for these long-term events are released well in advance and are updated by the books as we get closer to the outcome. 

On the other hand, Props bets are those wagers that let bettors dig even deeper into individual matches. They allow wagering on different game circumstances, team performance metrics, and individual players’ performances. To find available prop bets related to a game, click on the vent listing. An example of a prop bet is: Will player X score a rushing TD? You would need to select Yes/No. Another example is: Who will score more points in this game between players X and Y? 

There are many opportunities to explore with props bets, especially if you are particularly savvy about specific teams or players’ performances. However, there are some limitations in PA when it comes to prop bets, as, for instance, it is not allowed to bet on things like the NFL Draft. Interestingly, New Jersey allows this type of bet but has other restrictions in place for wagering on college teams or games in the state. In contrast, Pennsylvania has no limitations for betting on its local schools. As mentioned above, each state has different rules, and this is why betting with a PA app is only allowed when you are located in PA. 

In-play betting at PA sportsbooks

You don’t have to rush to get all your wagering before events start with the live betting feature. Instead, you can save some of your betting budget for in-game betting, also called in-play, which refers to bets that you can place in real-time while the actions unfold. Although the wager types are not as extensive as pre-match betting, all the most popular betting markets are available in-play with the top PA sportsbooks. Betting live is thrilling and entertaining as it is a really fast-moving market in which the odds are constantly moving. With mobile apps, you can stay ahead of the game and try to take advantage of what is just happening. 

What are the most popular Pennsylvania Sports Teams to bet on?

If you like to stick with the local teams when it comes to betting, you have plenty of options here in Pennsylvania. The state is represented in all the top leagues, with fans with lots of options for backing local teams. 

• NFL: Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers
• NBA: Philadelphia 76ers
• MLB: Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates
• NHL: Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins
• MLS: Philadelphia Union

In addition to major sports, Pennsylvania also has a great range of college sports teams. In the NCAAF, top teams are the likes of Penn State Nittany Lions and Pitt Panthers, while in the NCAAB top squads are the Villanova Wildcats and Temple Owls. Since there are no wagering limitations on in-state collegiate teams in PA, you can freely bet on their matches. If you like betting on local teams, you will rarely get bored in Pennsylvania. You can, of course, always expand your look and get into the action on any other game or event that is on schedule, as the coverage of legal PA sportsbook is impressive. 

What’s legal and illegal to wager on in PA

As mentioned above, there is a fantastic range of opportunities to wager on with PA sportsbooks. From massive games like the NFL to the most obscure individual sport, you will find lines and options with these operators. There are, however, some restrictions when it comes to betting in PA. The betting law dictates that wagering has to be limited to actual athletic competitions: this means that it is not possible to bet on things like the NFL Draft, the Oscars or the political elections. Unlike other states, there are no restrictions on betting on college sports, but wagering on high school and esports is not allowed in PA. Things are different from state to state, as, in the neighbour NJ, bettors cannot wager on local colleges or on college events that are taking place in the Garden State, but they can wager on the NFL Draft and the Oscars. Generally, things that are not allowed to bet in PA are tiny in numbers. 

Wager types available in PA

As you would expect in a competitive sports betting market, plenty of wager types are available at PA online and mobile sportsbooks. Clearly, some markets are significantly more popular than others, and below, we have listed the top bets you will find in PA books: 

• Moneyline: Predict the winner.
• Point spread: Choose which side will cover the spread.
• Totals: Over/under on combined points scored in the game.
• Props: Side wagers for specifics within a game or event.
• Live betting: Wagers you place in real-time as the action unfolds.
• Futures: A wager on a future outcome of an event
• Parlays: A wager with two or more outcomes on a single bet slip.
• Round robin: Multiple parlay combination on a single slip.
• Teasers: Move the spread by a number of points.

There are plenty to choose from when it comes to betting here in PA, which is great for bettors with lots of flexibility. 

Where can you bet on sports in PA?

Having the opportunity to bet online and via mobile legally and safely is excellent, but you might want the experience of going at a real live sportsbook from time to time. As the law allows it, there are several retail outlets available in the state, and below we have provided a summary with some key info on each of them. 

Harrah’s Philadelphia

This sportsbook opened for business on January 24, 2019. It is at the back of the casino floor, it is spacious with food and beverage specials. 

• Address: 777 Harrah’s Blvd.
• Location: Chester, PA
• Phone: 484-490-1800
• Hours: M-F: 11 a.m.-close, Sat/Sun: 10 a.m.-close
• Amenities: Video wall, game day food and beverage specials.
• Windows and kiosks: Six windows and self-serve kiosks sprinkled throughout the casino.
• Online and mobile: Caesars Sportsbook
• Launch date: March 2020

Hollywood Casino

Hollywood Casino was the first sportsbook retail outlet to open in PA. It was opened on November 17, 2018 and has a partnership with William Hill (now Caesars Sports). 

• Address: 777 Hollywood Blvd.
• Location: Grantville, PA 17028
• Phone: 717-469-2211
• Hours: M-F: 11 a.m.-midnight, Sat-Sun: 10 a.m.-midnight
• Amenities: Dedicated 50-foot wall for TVs, located by Skybox Sports Bar
• Windows and kiosks: Six windows and several self-serve kiosks
• Online and mobile: Barstool-branded platform in works
• Launch date: September 2020

Mohegan Sun Pocono

The Unibet Sportsbook has been available at Mohegan Sun Pocono since September 27, 2019. Unibet, a company part of the global gaming company Kindred Group, continues to grow its presence here in the US. 

• Address: 1280 PA-315
• Location: Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702
• Phone: 570-831-2100
• Hours: Open seven days, 11 a.m.-midnight
• Amenities: 28-foot HD video screen and full service bar
• Windows and kiosks: Six self-serve kiosks
• Online and mobile: Unibet Sportsbook
• Launch date: November 2019

Mount Airy Casino

Mount Airy has made a deal with The Stars Group for its sports betting operation. As a result, they opened Fox Bet Sportsbook on September 19, 2019, in addition to online and mobile presence. 

• Location: 312 Woodland Road
• Address: Mount Pocono, PA 18344
• Phone: 877-682-4791
• Hours: M-F: 2 p.m.-10 p.m., Sat/Sun: 10 a.m.- midnight
• Amenities: 7,000-square-foot space located at the former Gypsies Lounge.
• Windows and kiosks: Four self-service kiosks with live betting windows also available.
• Online and mobile: Fox Bet
• Launch date: September 2019

Parx Sportsbook

This popular casino and venue for live horse racing opened its doors on January 15, 2019, in a temporary location. In August, there was a grand opening of what is one of the best state-of-the-art sportsbooks in the month of August. 

• Address: 2999 Street Road
• Location: Bensalem, PA
• Phone: 888-LUV-PARX
• Hours: 24/7 with live betting assistance depending on sports schedule
• Amenities: 156-foot wall, food and beverage service, VIP areas
• Windows and kiosks: Six windows and 18 self-serve kiosks
• Online and mobile: Parx Online Sportsbook
• Launch date: June 2019

Presque Isle Downs & Casino

Presque Isle, part of the Churchill Downs family, is another top spot to catch live horse racing action. The retail sportsbook with the BetAmerica name opened for business on July 26, 2019, with the online and mobile rollout that followed after a few months. 

• Address: 8199 Perry Highway
• Location: Erie, PA 16509
• Phone: 866-ERIE-FUN
• Hours: Open 24/7
• Amenities: Located near poker room and racebook, features 50 big screen HDTVs
• Windows and kiosks: 50 self-serve betting kiosks on site
• Online and mobile: BetAmerica
• Launch date: December 2019

Rivers Casino Philadelphia

Rivers Casino Philadelphia opened on December 15, 2018, in a temporary location. The permanent location opened on October 10, 2019, with the venue that changed the name from the original SugarHouse Sportsbook to Rivers. 

• Address: 1001 N. Delaware Ave.
• Location: Philadelphia, PA 19125
• Phone: 877-477-3715
• Hours: M-F: 10 a.m.-1 a.m., Sat/Sun: 7 or 8 a.m.-1 a.m.
• Amenities: Club seating, sportsbook bar, food service available.
• Windows and kiosks: Onsite ticket writers and express kiosks are available.
• Online and mobile: PlaySugarhouse PA
• Launch date: May 2019

Rivers Pittsburgh

Rivers Pittsburgh also followed the same plan as the sister property, as it did open in a temporary sport in December 2018, and moved to the permanent location on September 30, 2019. 

• Address: 777 Casino Drive
• Location: Pittsburgh, PA 15212
• Phone: 412-231-7777
• Hours: M-T: 10 a.m.-midnight, Fri/Sat: 10 a.m.-2 a.m., Sun: 9 a.m.-midnight
• Amenities: Center of casino location with bar and food service.
• Windows and kiosks: Six windows and 27 self-serve kiosks.
• Online and mobile: BetRivers
• Launch date: June 2019

South Philadelphia Race & Sportsbook

This off-track betting facility also opened its sports betting on January 17, 2019. 

• Address: 700 Packer Ave.
• Location: Philadelphia, PA 19148
• Phone: 215-551-8270
• Hours: M-T: 12 p.m.-11 p.m., Fri: 12 p.m.-midnight, Sat: 10 a.m.-midnight, Sun: 10 a.m.-11 p.m.
• Amenities: 100 HDTVs and full food and beverage menu.
• Windows and kiosks: Seven windows and nine self-serve kiosks.
• Online and mobile: Parx Online Sportsbook
• Launch date: June 2019

The Downs at Lehigh Valley

Another OTB facility, part of the Mohegan Sun Pocono family. The Unibet sportsbook opened here on March 7, 2020. 

• Address: 1780 Airport Road
• Location: Allentown, PA 18109
• Phone: 610-266-6559
• Hours: M-T: 12 p.m.-11 p.m., F-Sun: 11:30 a.m.-midnight
• Amenities: Full service bar and 27 HDTVs
• Windows and kiosks: Self-serve terminals located on site
• Online and mobile: Unibet Sportsbook
• Launch date: November 2019

The Meadows Sportsbook

Penn Interactive manages the operation of a retail sportsbook that does have the DraftKings name. It was opened on October 10, 2019, with the online and mobile rollout that followed a month later. 

• Address: 210 Racetrack Road
• Location: Washington, PA
• Phone: 724-503-1200
• Hours: M-F: 2 p.m.-10 p.m., Sat/Sun: 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
• Amenities: Located in the middle of the casino, huge TVs, food and beverage service available.
• Windows and kiosks: Five windows and 18 self-serve kiosks.
• Online and mobile: DraftKings Sportsbook
• Launch date: November 2019

Valley Forge Casino

The FanDuel Sportsbook opened at the Valley Forge Casino on March 13, 2019. Situated just off the main casino entrance, offers guests the opportunity to bring food and beverages from other onsite amenities. 

• Address: 1160 First Ave.
• Location: King of Prussia, PA
• Phone: 610-354-8118
• Hours: Daily 10 a.m.-11 p.m.
• Amenities: Just off main entrance, two sports tickers and 27 HDTVs
• Windows and kiosks: Seven windows with kiosks pending approval
• Online and mobile: FanDuel Sportsbook
• Launch date: July 2019

Sportsbook at Wind Creek Bethlehem

A retail book powered by BetFred Sports opened here in November 2020. Onsite bar and grill and a 21-panel TV wall to enjoy sporting actions are available here. 

• Address: 77 Wind Creek Blvd.
• Location: Bethlehem, PA 18015
• Phone: 877-726-3777
• Hours: M-Th: 2 p.m. – 10 p.m.; F: 2 p.m. – 1 a.m.; Sat: 11 a.m. – 1 a.m.; Sun. 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
• Amenities: Bar and grill, video wall, lounge seating
• Windows and kiosks: 8 self-service kiosks and teller service
• Online and mobile: BetFred
• Launch date: December 2020

Live! Casino Philadelphia

FanDuel Sportsbook opened in this brand new casino and hotel in January 2021. There is a Lounge, and a 52-foot led wall.

• Address: 900 Packer Ave.
• Location: Philadelphia, PA 19148
• Phone: (833) 472-5483
• Hours: M-F: 11 a.m. – Midnight; Sat. – Sun. 10 a.m. – Midnight.
• Amenities: Lounge seating, 52-foot video wall.
• Windows and kiosks: Teller and kiosk service
• Online and mobile: FanDuel Sportsbook
• Launch date: July 2019

Live! Casino Pittsburgh

This new property opened to customers in the Pittsburgh area in November 2020. There is a FanDuel Sportsbook and Lounge available. 

• Address: 5260 Route 30
• Location: Greensburg, PA 15601
• Phone: (878) 787-7770
• Hours: M-Th: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.; F-Sa: 10 a.m. – 1 a.m.; Sun: 10 a.m. – Midnight.
• Amenities: 40-foot video wall, lounge seating.
• Windows and kiosks: 15 self-serve kiosks and teller service.
• Online and mobile: FanDuel Sportsbook
• Launch date: July 2019

How Pennsylvania is protecting bettors with the Responsible Gambling Policy

Gambling is usually an entertaining pastime for most, but unfortunately, some people cannot set reasonable limits for wagering activities. Gambling addiction can destroy lives, so local authorities must take care of providing help and support to afflicted individuals. The PGCB has an active site where problem gamblers can find many resources. In addition, there are many links to organizations that give people the help they need. On the PGCB’s site, you will also find the self-exclusion form. This document that you will also find in areas that host gambling allows people to ban themselves from all the casinos and gambling establishments in that location. Gambling establishments have the responsibility to check in their establishments for people that have self-excluded. Placing oneself on that list is a permanent decision but could be vital for those struggling to stop their gambling behaviour. 

Here you will find a list of helpful links that do support responsible gaming behaviour in PA:

• PGCB Office of Compulsive Gambling
• Pennsylvania Self-Exclusion Form
• Council on Compulsive Gambling of Pennsylvania
• Gam-Anon
• Gamblers Anonymous

Pa Sports Betting Faq

Is sports betting legal in Pennsylvania?

Yes, Pennsylvania had legalized sports betting gambling even before the Supreme Court overturned the PASPA. As a result, the law became effective on May 14. The first casino that launched a legal sportsbook was Hollywood Casino in Granville, Pennsylvania, with others that followed in late 2018 and early 2019.

Can I wager on the US elections in PA?

No, as betting on political elections is not allowed in PA. The sports betting law defines that wagers have to revolve around sports and competitions which involve real live athletes. For this reason, you can’t bet on the NFL or NBA drafts, and entertaining events like the Oscars.

Is any other online gambling legal in Pennsylvania?

Online lottery, Keno, and daily fantasy sports are all legal in Pennsylvania. Online casinos and online poker sites are also legal and up and running.

What is the legal gambling age in Pennsylvania?

You must be 21 years old or older to be able to gamble in PA legally.