PA Online Sports Betting 2024

If you’re like us, you are very excited about legal PA online sports betting. Pennsylvania has thrown its hat into the ring with its new PA online sports betting. Check where you can bet on sports from the Keystone State.

You could already bet on horses in Pennsylvania and online casino gaming is picking up steam as well. Now that online sports betting is here in PA, bet on your favorite teams and leagues today!

Best PA Online Sports Betting Offers

  1. 99 /100

    BetMGM Sports

    Exclusive Offer: Get Your First Deposit Matched up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets!
    T&C: 21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. CO, DC, IL, IN, LA, MD, MS, NJ, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY. Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Call 1-800-327-5050 (MA). 21+ to wager. Please Gamble Responsibly. Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (KS, NV), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-270-7117 for confidential help (MI). Visit BetMGM.com for Terms & Conditions. US promotional offers not available in DC, Kansas, Nevada, New York or Ontario. Visit site
  2. 96 /100

    Unibet Sports

    Bet $25, Get $100 in Bonus Bets
    New users only, 21+. Full T&C apply. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Visit site
  3. 93 /100

    BetRivers Sportsbook

    Get a 2nd Chance Bet up to $250!
    New players only, 21+. Gambling Problem? Call or text 1-800-GAMBLER. Available in CO, NJ only. In order to participate in this promotion, the player needs to make the first deposit (of at least $10) using code SPORTS. Full T&C apply. Visit site
  4. 90 /100

    FanDuel Sportsbook

    Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets!
    Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Hope is here. Gamblinghelplinema.org or call (800)-327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Call 1-877-8HOPE-NY or Text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 21+ and present in AZ, CO, CT, IA, IL, IN, KS, LA (permitted parishes only), MA, MD, MI, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, or WY. FanDuel is offering online sports wagering in Kansas under an agreement with Kansas Star Casino, LLC. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MI, NJ, OH, PA, IL, TN, VA), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-522-4700 (WY), or visit www.1800gambler.net (WV). Visit site

All PA Online Sports Betting Sites

Here is a list of the current places you can go to do your sports betting in Pennsylvania:

BetMGM

One of the most popular sportsbooks in the US is a Nevada-based operator called BetMGM. Known for the Bellagio, the MGM Grand, and Mandalay Bay, BetMGM is one of the biggest players on the market.

The operator is constantly offering many promotions for online users, such as daily bonuses or bonus event bets. Currently, BetMGM Sign Up Bonus is – Exclusive Offer: Get Your First Deposit Matched up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets!

BetMGM Logo

On top of that, once you signed up and are ready to play, you can also use the BetMGM app. You can download it on both iOS and Android devices.

Unibet

Unibet opened in Pennsylvania during the Fall of 2019. This was the platform’s first entry into the US market, but they established themselves worldwide as one of the first online sportsbooks dating back to 1997. Their welcome offer is: Bet $25, Get $100 in Bonus Bets.

unibet logo

They also have daily odds boosts, weekly parlay boosts and profit boosts. In addition to those incentives, Unibet also has a wide variety of betting styles available to users. NFL games for instance, have over 250 wager options. So, you can really tailor your bets to what interests you.

FanDuel

Though it started as a daily fantasy site, FanDuel opened an online sportsbook in Pennsylvania in July 2019. FanDuel is one of the more prestigious and popular sportsbooks out there and signing up offers new users a welcome bonus – Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets!

Available for iOS and Android platforms, the mobile app leads in the industry. There’s a wide variety of superior offerings including competitive bonuses, parlay insurance, daily odds boosts and live betting. Additionally, FanDuel offers a rewards program for bettors including discounts at Valley Forge Casino; the Pennsylvania retail partner. With a simple, intuitive sign up and a user-friendly platform, betting with FanDuel couldn’t be easier.

Borgata Sports

One of the newest Sportsbooks in Pennsylvania is Borgata Sports. Together with the opening of the online casino, the operator decided to open its sports platform.

Borgata Sports logo

Currently, Borgata offers an option to wager at least $20 and then get $100 in bonus bets! One of the requirements is to bet with minimum odds of -200 or greater. Remember to read full T&Cs before signing up.

FoxBet

A partnership between Fox and Stars Casino, FoxBet combines the best of both industries. Available for both iOS and Android platforms, the expertise of parent company Stars Group comes through in the sleek and intuitive design.

FoxBet offers standard favorites like live betting and has a loyalty program to reward fans. Perhaps most interesting, is the “custom bet” option, which allows users to create their own bets. Additionally, there is a section for futures betting which is new but will certainly continue to add events.

FOXbet Logo

Incredibly easy to use, Fox Bet is probably one of the best in terms of functionality. Even new users without much experience in the industry will have no issues navigating.

BetRivers

Betrivers logo

Like its sister property, SugarHouse, BetRivers offers great services with an easy-to-build parlay slip as a top feature. BetRivers is out for anyone located in PA and 21+. Signup and download the app to bet on sports and get a BetRivers Affiliate code.

DraftKings

DraftKings also started with daily fantasy sports and is now one of the most respected sportsbooks around. Currently available in five states, the Pennsylvania platform opened in November 2019. Though the interface isn’t perfect, it offers tons of unique options to bettors and an app for both iOS and Android users.

Most importantly, DraftKings offers an ease and quickness to payment withdrawals. If you are prompted to verify your identity, it is as simple as uploading a picture. Additionally, DraftKings pioneered the Live Play feature which allows bettors to cash out while a game is still in progress. There are definitely some great promotions and incentives for checking out DraftKings.

Advantages of Online sports betting vs land-based sports betting

Now, many Pennsylvania sports betting fans have yet to try PA online sports betting. But, there is no time like the present to try out Pennsylvania online sports betting. However, there are advantages to retail Pennsylvania sports betting as well as Pennsylvania online sports betting. 

Retail Pennsylvania Sports Betting

Pros Cons
Excitement of betting at a retail sportsbook with other players Need to physically go to the sportsbook
Can watch the sporting event live and bet in the same place Less of an ability to do thorough research when you bet
Can play casino games at most retail sportsbooks as well as place sports bets Chaotic casino/sportsbook atmosphere

As you can see, retail PA sports betting at on-site sportsbooks have many advantages and disadvantages. So, how does PA online sports betting stack up? Read below to see.

Pennsylvania Online Sports Betting

Pros Cons
Can place PA online sports betting wagers from home You miss out on the excitement of placing wagers in a retail sportsbook environment
Many online sportsbooks have apps you can use on the go Less interaction with other customers
Can do thorough research before you place your bets Do not get to enjoy the casino/racetrack gambling as you engage in sports betting

Now, it is obvious that retail PA sports betting and PA online sports betting both have their benefits. One is most likely not better than the other, it is all a matter of preference. However, Pennsylvania online sports betting is a great way for new sports betters to dip their feet in the betting world. They can do so from the privacy of their own homes. 

Retail Sportsbooks in PA

Retail Sportsbook in PA Details
Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course The Hollywood Casino was the first to open its doors to Pennsylvania sports betting back in November 2018. It is serving the PA sports betting needs of central Pennsylvania.
Parx Casino Looking to become a competition to SugarHouse Casino for sports betting in Pennsylvania, Parx Casino, located just outside of Philadelphia, joined the sports betting in PA world in January 2019. It has one of the only PA online sportsbooks, though it is temporary.
South Philadelphia Turf Club Also looking to take a bite out of the PA sports betting action in Philadelphia is this betting shop. It opened its doors to sports betting in Pennsylvania in mid-January, 2019.
Valley Forge Race and Sportsbook One of the more recent additions to the PA sports betting world launched in March 2019. It has been recently renovated and rebranded to suit your sports betting in Pennsylvania needs.
Valley Forge Also a newer addition to the PA sports betting circuit, it launched in March 2019 outside of Philadelphia.
Harrah’s Philadelphia An interesting addition to the PA sports betting world is Harrahs Casino as it is owned by Caesars Casino. It opened its doors in late January 2019.
Presque Isle Downs While currently, not yet available for your PA sports betting needs, Presque Isle Downs Sportsbook will soon open their Erie, PA doors to PA sports betting. You can legally bet on sports in PA on both a collegiate as well as professional level.

List of casinos and racinos that have sports betting licenses

Rivers, shortly followed by SugarHouse, became the first online sportsbooks in PA. Both owned by Rush Street, they have merged and Sugarhouse is now rebranded as Betrivers. BetRivers feature excellent online and mobile sports betting just like in NJ.

Plus, new casinos are applying for licenses all the time. So, you can find a new PA sports betting location and website at any time. It is important to keep up to date on the PA sports betting and PA online sports betting news.

PA Sports Betting

PA Online Sports Betting Rules

Online sports betting PA is imminent as it is now legal. It is, therefore, best to get to know the rules for online sports betting in PA now.

  • Over the age of 21 to participate in sports betting in Pennsylvania.
  • Physically located within the state in order to play online casino games or bet on sports online.
  • Must not be on any self-exclusion list to participate in PA online sports betting.
  • And finally, in order to bet online, you must have a registered account with a licensed casino operator.

PA Sports Betting Apps not supported by IOS

PA sports betting makes the state the seventh state to start accepting sports bets. And, the PA online sports betting market makes Pennsylvania the fourth state to allow online sports betting. And the Pennsylvania online sports betting includes mobile sports betting. 

However, mobile sports betting has run into a bit of a roadblock. The Google Play store does not yet allow real money wagering apps to be included. But, many PA online sports betting websites still have apps available for Android. Customers just have to download them directly from the Pennsylvania online sports betting websites.

Worse news yet is the fact that there are no PA online sports betting mobile apps for iPhones. A crackdown on submissions for apps by the Apple App Store has hit the Pennsylvania online sports betting mobile app market hard. As of now, no PA online sports betting mobile app has been approved for listing on the Apple App Store.

PA Sportsbooks Payment Options

With online sportsbooks now live in PA, below are the general payment options. Keep in mind, PA is also likely to open online casinos in addition to online sportsbooks. These online casinos will most likely have sports betting, slot machines, and other online table games available all in one online betting site, just like SugarHouse NJ.

Cash Transactions

Though cash may seem strange for online sports betting PA, it is the most basic form of money. There is usually local cash in hand option for your online sports betting needs:

PayNearMe

For this option, you will need to set up a PayNearMe deposit, then go to your local PayNearMe location (typically a CVS, 7-Eleven, or Family Dollar store), and show your authorization code, as well as the amount of cash you want to bet, to the cashier. You will most likely have a limit of $500 a day.

Physical Casinos

If you are near one of the physical casino locations, you typically are able to go to the cashier’s cage and deposit money which will be then made available in your online sports betting PA account.

Transfer from checking accounts

Easier than using physical cash for your online sports betting PA, the best sports betting sites will accept transfers from your checking account. This will give you money in your online sports betting PA account instantly.

ACH Transfer

Also known as eChecks. Many existing top sports betting sites have this listed as VIP Preferred which is an ACH service run by Global Payments Company, which is a common partner of online betting sites. When you do an ACH transfer, the money will be available to you instantly in most instances. This will most likely be a very common payment type on any online betting sites in PA.

Online Bill Pay

If this option is offered at your bank, you must activate it first. It may be slower than eChecks however.

Credit/Debit Cards

The most common cards used in electronic transactions. Every online betting site in PA will most likely accept cards. Some sites may have a limit on the types of credit cards they will accept, however, as visa and MasterCard tend to be preferred among the best online sportsbooks.

Prepaid Cards

Many of the best online sportsbooks will offer their own brand of prepaid card that is branded to the casino. There is an extra step involved as you must transfer money onto the card to be able to use it. There are sometimes rewards from the best sports betting sites for using their card.

eWallets

Many of us are used to using online sites to help us protect our money when making online purchases. The best online sportsbooks in PA will most likely follow the existing top sports betting sites and also accept this form of payment.

PayPal

The most well-known eWallet in the United States at least. Many of the best online sportsbooks in NJ made the mistake of not incorporating PayPal into their payment options and were hurt by that mistake. It is most likely the online sports betting PA sites will have learned from NJ’s initial mistakes. With PayPal, the transfers are typically pretty fast. The limits also tend to be pretty high. However, you will most likely need to make sure you matched your PayPal email with the email you use to register for any online sports betting PA site.

NETELLER

This option is mainly used outside of the United States for online sports betting. The benefits are it is extremely secure and the limits can be very high. However, the fees are typically higher than that of PayPal.

Skrill

Is like a smaller version of NETELLER and tends to be available on less of the best online sportsbooks.

PA Sports betting Deposit & Withdrawal Options

The withdrawal options are usually somewhat different than the payment options. Typically for the already existing top sports betting sites, these are the options available to receive your money:

  • Paper check sent by mail
  • PayPal
  • ACH Transfer/VIP Preferred
  • NETELLER/Skrill
  • Your Prepaid Card
  • The Cashier’s Cage at your local casino

From these options, the ACH eChecks and PayPal tend to be the fastest, easiest, and most convenient. NETELLER and Skrill can hit you with a lot of fees and lower your winnings. You may not be able to use a different method to withdraw your money than you did to deposit it with some online betting sites. Most likely, you will also have to verify your withdrawal method with the online sports betting sites before you can use this. You can do this by uploading the relevant requested documents to the online sports betting sites.

Importance of Geolocation

Regardless of which sportsbook you elect to play on, sports bettors will need to familiarize themselves with the term “Geolocation.”

Sportsbooks will use geolocation software to ensure you are in a permitted area within the state to play. So, stay within the state border, and you’ll be good to go!

But there are some things to remember: first, if you are close to the border, your geolocation software may be confused.

Even though Pennsylvania is surrounded by legal states (which we will review below), certain states will present different markets. In order to optimize your geolocation software, ensure you are a few miles away from the state border.

In addition, sportsbooks will automatically block you if you try to circumvent the geolocation software using a VPN.

PA Sports Betting Tax

Unfortunately, PA is known for having one of the highest sports betting tax rates in the country. PA online sportsbooks and regular casinos will have to pay 36% of their revenue to state and local coffers. For some context, Nevada sportsbooks and online betting sites pay just 6.75% of their revenue to the state. That is a large difference. Though, Nevada has had legalized gambling for around 70 years. Read more at the PA Gaming Control Board website.

Sportsbook Welcome Bonuses

Welcome bonuses are an excellent way for sportsbooks to entice some new customers. As the sportsbook industry grows, competition grows more fierce and, in turn, can mean better welcome bonuses for the user.

There are different welcome bonus types that sportsbooks will offer. Below, we’ll review the different types you’ll see as a sportsbook user.

Bonus-Back Bet

A bonus-back bet is exactly what it sounds like.

A bonus-back bet is the most common promotional giveaway for sportsbooks. Bonus-back bets are bets where you will receive a bonus bet if you lose your initial bet. We will review below what a bonus bet is in the next section.

Bonus Bets

Bonus bets are promotional giveaways to new and existing customers. Consider them as a bonus amount – let’s go over an example.

BetMGM offers a welcome bonus – Exclusive Offer: Get Your First Deposit Matched up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets! So, you would be able to place a $1,000 wager but make sure you follow the requirements to fulfill the given promotion. Some sportsbooks will designate you cannot have shorter than certain odds to complete the promotion correctly (for example, you may not be able to place your money on a heavy favorite).

Let’s say you want to place your $1,000 bonus-back bet on the Eagles spread against the Dallas Cowboys. The Eagles are 4-point favorites (would be designated at -4 on BetMGM). If they win by five or more, that’s great! You’re off to a positive start on your bankroll. If they win by three or less or lose outright, you would be granted a $1,000 bonus bet. 

You cannot withdraw bonus bets, but you can place them on wagers without the risk of using your own money. So, with your $1,000 bonus bet, you can place one or multiple wagers with your bonus amount. If you place your $1,000 on a wager with -110 odds, you would win $909.09 (it would not include the initial $1,000 like a regular wager). If you lose, you are out of a bons bet.

Deposit Match

The deposit match is what you’d expect: a sportsbook will elect to match your initial deposit up to a certain amount of money in bonus bets!

For example, BetRivers PA is offering a 100% deposit match up to $250. So, if you deposit $250 (or more), you will receive $250 in bonus bets! You will need to play through your bonus bets and your initial deposit ($500 in total) before withdrawing your winnings. But deposit matches can be some of the most tantalizing welcome offers.

Sportsbook Team Partnerships

Team Sportsbook
Eagles Caesars Sportsbook
FOX Bet
Unibet
Sixers BetMGM
Betway
Caesars Sportsbook
DraftKings Sportsbook
FOX Bet
Phillies None
Flyers Betway
PlaySugarHouse Sportsbook

Pennsylvania Professional State Teams

Eagles

The Eagles have had one of the intriguing offseasons around the NFL.

After being on the hot seat after a disastrous 2020 season, GM Howie Roseman has slowly built the Eagles back up to contention in the NFC East. Many pundits went into last year thinking the Eagles may be one of the worst teams in football. But instead, they finished 9-8 with a wild card berth.

And they’ve seemingly upgraded from last season: they signed prominent pass rusher Haason Reddick and drafted a mammoth of a man in Jordan Davis with their 1st selection in the NFL Draft. But neither move was as shocking and potentially impactful as their trade for star wideout AJ Brown.

The Eagles will look to take the next step and win the NFC East title. All eyes will be on Jalen Hurts. The 3rd year quarterback showed some promising moments, especially using his legs. With his supporting cast, Eagles fans should expect plenty of fireworks.

Sixers

The Sixers’ season ended in disappointment.

After securing the 4th seed in the East, superstar Joel Embiid suffered a right orbital fracture and a torn ligament in his thumb.

Embiid’s limitations compounded with new acquisition James Harden’s streakiness led to the Sixers’ demise against the Miami Heat as they fell in six games in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Embiid was able to take home his first scoring title since he entered the NBA. However, for the second year in a row, Embiid fell just short of hoisting the NBA’s Most Valuable Player.

There were rumors after the season that front office executive Daryl Morey may elect to move on from head coach Doc Rivers. However, signs are pointing towards Philadelphia running it back with Doc. 

The Sixers will look to build off their solid season and establish better chemistry between Embiid and Harden and their budding star in Tyrese Maxey.

Phillies

Philadelphia Phillies fans have been going through some tough times. 

The Phillies currently hold the second-longest active playoff drought in the MLB, missing the postseason for the last decade. Owner John Middleton is looking to change that as the Phillies went out and acquired some big names in free agency, including Kyle Schwarber and Nick Castellanos.

However, the Phillies got off to a rocky start, leading to World Series champion manager Joe Girardi’s firing.

With the expanded playoff format, the Phillies will look to end their playoff drought this coming October.

Flyers

The Flyers might have been the most disappointing team in the National Hockey League this past season.

The Flyers made some aggressive moves during the offseason, including the signing of Ryan Ellis and a trade acquiring former top ten selection Rasmus Ristolainen. However, the Flyers were one of the league’s worst teams. Head coach Alain Vigneault was fired. The Flyers will look to pick up the collective pieces and try to rite the ship back to contention for the 2023-2023 season.

Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers are transitioning into a new era as legendary quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and GM Kevin Colbert both retired this past season.

The Steelers finished the year with a 9-7-1 record which propelled them to a wildcard berth. However, they were thumped in the first round by the Kansas City Chiefs. The wheels seemingly fell off for the second consecutive year towards the season’s second half.

New quarterback Mitch Trubisky will see if he can change that narrative. Trubisky enters the year as the starter, but we’ll see if newcomer Kenny Pickett has anything to say about that. Pickett played just down the street at the University of Pittsburgh, where he led the Panthers to their best season in program history.

Pirates

The Pittsburgh Pirates boast one of the more promising young corps in all baseball. They currently have six top 100 prospects, including Oneil Cruz and Nick Gonzales. Although the Pirates may not be contending just yet in the NL Central, they’ve proven they can be pretty stingy as they surprisingly swept Dodgers early on in the season.

Penguins

The days of dominance led by the Crosby, Malkin, and Letang trio are dwindling. Each of them is approaching the end of their careers, and Malkin and Letang are scheduled free agents for this upcoming summer.

It’ll be interesting to see how they construct their roster for this upcoming season, but they must feel like they aren’t very far away. The Penguins mounted a 3-1 series lead over the New York Rangers with their third-string goaltender, Louis Domingue, in net and almost managed to pull out the series win.

Other PA Professional Teams

Team League
Philadelphia Union MLS
Philadelphia Stars USFL
Pittsburgh Maulers USFL

Pennsylvania College Teams

Penn State

The Nittany Lions are coming off a lackluster year on the football field.

Penn State finished 7-6, including a disappointing loss to Arkansas in the Outback Bowl. Head coach James Franklin finished under .500 for the second consecutive year in the Big Ten. He will look to bring the Nittany Lions back to being perennial contenders in the Big Ten. Quarterback Sean Clifford will return for his fourth straight year as the starter.

On the basketball court, the Nittany Lions are entering a new era. Head coach Micah Shrewsberry went 14-17 in his inaugural season, but the Nittany Lions proved to be pesky. Penn State won two games in the Big Ten tournament before faltering to runner-up Purdue in the quarterfinal.

Pittsburgh Panthers

The Pitt Panthers had one of the more exciting seasons in their football program’s history. First-round quarterback selection Kenny Pickett was immaculate in his fifth year at Pittsburgh.

Behind Pickett’s play, the Panthers won their first-ever ACC football championship. Although they fell short in the Pinstripe Bowl to Michigan State, it was a memorable season for the Panthers. Unfortunately, star wideout Jordan Addison elected to put his name in the transfer portal and has since wound up at USC.

Head coach Pat Narduzzi will look to build momentum off last year’s title. 

Villanova Wildcats

Although the Wildcats can celebrate another Final Four, the 2023-2023 basketball season will be one of the weirder ones in recent memory.

Legendary basketball coach Jay Wright announced his retirement after the team fell in the Final Four to the eventual champion, Kansas Jayhawks. At Villanova, Wright compiled a .720 winning percentage, won eight Big East regular-season titles, went to four Final Fours, and won two national championships.

Former Villanova assistant coach Kyle Neptune will now lead the Wildcats as he tries to retain their status as one of the country’s top basketball programs.

Other PA Division I Schools

School Conference
Bucknell Patriot
Drexel CAA
Duquesne A10
La Salle A10
Lafayette Patriot
Lehigh Patriot
Penn Ivy
Robert Morris Horizon
Saint Francis NEC
Saint Joseph’s A10
Temple American Athletic

PA College Sports Betting

In New Jersey, where while sports betting and online sports betting is now legal, New Jersey residents are unable to bet on New Jersey located college sports. Unlike in New Jersey, PA sports betting allows for Pennsylvania residents to bet on teams located in the colleges in the state. This is especially good news for those looking to be involved in online sports betting PA for March Madness and Penn State football each year.

Neighboring States

New York

The wait was long and grueling for New Yorkers and tourists who passed through the Empire state. But the wait is over!

As of January 2023, mobile sports betting officially launched and is running rampant. Unsurprisingly, New York state has proved to be one of the more robust markets in the entire United States.

For Pennsylvanians that are passing through or visiting New York for a weekend, don’t you worry. New York has you covered.

New Jersey

Soon after PASPA was overturned, the state of New Jersey legalized sports betting in 2018.

Formerly, New Jersey found itself at the top of online sports betting markets, but since New York has legalized, it’s been competitive for the two.

Whether you’re commuting over the Ben Franklin Bridge or you’re visiting the Jersey Shore, Pennsylvanians can travel to New Jersey without any worry about whether they can wager on sports.

Delaware

Delaware became the first state to legalize sports betting after PASPA was struck down in 2018.

Delaware may not be the biggest state, but it sees plenty of tourists. ​​Rehoboth, Bethany, and Dewey are some of the more popular beaches in the northeast and are just a drive away for people in southeastern Pennsylvania.

Maryland

Sports betting is on its way to the Old Line State

Maryland officially legalized online sports betting in November of 2020. However, as many sports bettors may know, it takes some time to finalize the fine print to have these sportsbooks legally operating in their state.

Lawmakers have expressed their desire to get online sports betting up and running in 2023 in Maryland, but time will tell if this can be executed.

For the time being, the sports bill allowed for up to 50 retail sports betting locations throughout the state, and plenty are currently operating. So, although sports bettors will be unable to make an online sports betting account at this time, there are plenty of locations you can go to for legal sports betting in Maryland.

West Virginia

In August of 2018, sports betting was officially legalized in West Virginia, the third state in the US to legalize online sports betting at that time. 

For western Pennsylvanians visiting the Mountain state, you are in luck. There are no restrictions in regards to sports betting when it comes to West Virginia. 

Responsible Gaming

As the saying goes, everything in moderation.

Sports betting is an excellent means of entertainment and makes the game that much more enjoyable. But the addictive nature of gambling can make that a slippery slope. For those who think their betting may not be in their grasp anymore, many responsible gaming resources are at your disposal. Let’s review some of these crucial outlets:

Self-Exclusion List

Sportsbook apps will allow users to place themselves on a self-exclusion list. This means if you think your betting is getting out of control, you can put yourself on this list where you won’t be able to access the sportsbook app for some time.

Deposit and Session Limits

Sportsbooks can limit the amount of time you use their app and the amount of money you are depositing into your account. This can be common practice for online casinos but also applies to sportsbooks.

Helplines

There are phone numbers you can reach out to or even text if you think you have a severe gambling problem. Trained professionals are available at your disposal to talk to you about your situation and recommend ways to get help if you need it.

For more information about problem gambling in Pennsylvania or any other state, please visit the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG)’s treatment/resource finder by state.

  • Call the NCPG: 1-800-522-4700 (24-hour confidential national helpline)
  • Text the NCPG: 1-800-522-4700 (24-hour confidential national text service)
  • Chat with the NCPG: ncpgambling.org/chat (24-hour confidential national chat service)

PA Online Sports Betting Laws History 

Back in 2017, towards the end of the year, Pennsylvania sports betting legislation was passed in the state government. This was part of a comprehensive gaming expansion legislation set to help the state’s economy. Recently, the activation clause that was included in the legislation was met.

Then in 2018, the United States Supreme Court struck down PASPA, the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act. This allowed for states to pass their own sports betting legislation on a state by state basis. So, the already passed PA sports betting legislation came into effect.

The law for Pennsylvania sports betting allows for any system or method, which means in person, by mobile, or online are all legal in Pennsylvania. So, that means PA Online sports betting was effectively legalized. Pennsylvania online sports betting has since jumped into high gear in the past year. After the success of NJ Online Sports Betting Operators, it is fair to expect an equivalent success on the PA market.

Currently, the law states that any slot machine licensed facility may apply for a sports wagering certificate. That means that Pennsylvania sports betting is allowed at the state’s casinos as well as the racinos. There are 12 casinos and racinos in the state with sports betting licenses.

PA Online Sports Betting FAQ

Now, you have learned a lot about PA sports betting legalization. And, you have learned a lot about Pennsylvania online sports betting.

But, you may still have some questions about the Pennsylvania sports betting market. So, this frequently asked questions section is here to help answer any questions you may still have.

Are there any legal PA online sports betting apps?

Yes! Pennsylvania online sports betting apps have been approved by the PGCB. That said, currently, you can only download the apps directly from the bookmakers’ websites for Android. This is because the Google Play Store does not allow real money wagering apps.

Likewise, Apple has changed its policy regarding apps; they can no longer be a “clone” of the online platform. Thus, the existing PA sportsbook apps from SugarHouse and BetRivers require time and effort to be eligible for the App Store. 

Who can engage in PA online sports betting?

Anyone who is over the age of 21 and in the state borders of Pennsylvania can engage in PA online sports betting. But, even if you are using the app or a Pennsylvania online sports betting website, you must be in the state of Pennsylvania. And, the legal age to place a bet at a retail PA sports betting location is also 21 or over.

When did PA sports betting become legal?

So, legislation for legal Pennsylvania sports betting was passed in 2017. However, it was not until 2018 when the United States Supreme Court struck down PASPA that the legislation took effect.

What is PASPA?

PASPA stands for the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act. Passed in 1992, it effectively outlawed sports betting nationwide except the state of Nevada. When it was struck down in 2018, it allowed for states to pass their own sports betting legislation.

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