Is Sports Betting Legal in Pennsylvania?
Sports betting is now 100% legal in Pennsylvania, with online and retail betting both available. Since the Supreme Court ruled that the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) was unconstitutional, states have been free to set their own laws on sports betting.
PA was one of the first states to introduce new betting regulations after PASPA was overturned. The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board moved quickly to establish licensing guidelines in 2018. The first retail sportsbook soon opened its doors, but it took a bit longer for online betting to launch in the state. Those who preferred to bet online had to wait until the summer of 2019, but it was worth the wait, as PA bettors now have a wide range of sportsbooks to choose from.
Timeline of PA Sports Betting
- May 2018 – PASPA is struck down by the US Supreme Court, empowering PA and other states to legalize sports betting. The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board becomes the regulator of sports betting in the state.
- November 2018 – Pennsylvania’s land-based casinos begin accepting sports bets, with SugarHouse taking the very first legal sports bet ever placed.
- May 2019 – A year on from the Supreme Court decision and the state of Pennsylvania approves online sports betting, with the first sites going live.
Pennsylvania Sports Betting at a Glance
| Pennsylvania retail sports betting legal status | Legal and live |
| Pennsylvania online sports betting legal status | Legal and live |
| Pennsylvania online sports betting launch date | May, 2019 |
| Pennsylvania sports betting regulator | Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board |
| Number of sportsbook licenses available | 13 |
| Total bets placed in first month | $46 million |
| Sportsbook tax rate | 36% |
Top PA Sportsbooks
Bettors in Pennsylvania have plenty of options to choose from, with the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board offering a total of 13 licenses to betting operators. Here are some of the top sites available in the Keystone State:
- PointsBet – Best markets
- DraftKings – Best reputation
- BetMGM – Best betting interface
- Caesars – Best welcome bonus
- FanDuel – Best mobile experience
- BetRivers – Best rewards scheme
- Unibet – Best live betting
Choosing a Sportsbook in Pennsylvania
Before you start betting, you’ll first need to choose a site and sign up. The sportsbook you join will have a major impact on your betting experience, as the features available, bonuses, markets and odds all vary between sites. Therefore, it makes sense to take care and only ever join the best sportsbooks available. Here are a few factors you should consider when thinking about which site to join:
Reviews
Reviews are the fastest and easiest way to choose a new sportsbook. Rather than comparing each site yourself, you can read our reviews to get a better idea of what’s available. Our expert review team signs up to every legal PA sportsbook and does their research on all the features.
We use the latest data and update our reviews regularly to ensure the highest level of accuracy, and you can always expect unbiased opinions. Our reviews include information on usability, payments, security, and odds, along with all the other important features.
Bonuses
All of the PA sportsbooks we’ve reviewed offer bonuses and other promotions, both as an incentive for new users and to help encourage regular betting. The best PA sportsbook promos are easy to claim and help you get more value out of your bets, either reducing the risk or giving you more funds to use.
Popular bonuses available in Pennsylvania include:
- Risk-free bets
- Matched deposit bonuses
- Bet credits
- No deposit bonuses
- Loyalty reward points
Before you join a site, it’s always worth doing your research on the available promotions, as some offers are much better than others. This includes checking how easy the bonus is to use and any terms and conditions it might have.
Odds and Lines
The odds available at your sportsbook make a big difference to your eventual profits. Higher odds mean higher profits if you win, so being able to place the same bet but at higher odds is huge. Odds vary a bit between sportsbooks, although generally, the main sites tend to have similar odds for big events. Still, there’s always value to be found in comparing odds before you bet.
In addition, the lines can be different between sites, which may make a difference in how likely you are to win. Our data shows that the speed of line movement also makes a difference, and some sportsbooks are much quicker to change the lines based on emerging news.
Sports and Markets
Most people have a favorite sport they prefer to bet on, but having a variety is great, especially when it’s the offseason, and you’re looking for new sports to enjoy. Having more sports to choose from means more potential betting opportunities. The best PA sportsbooks allow you to bet on loads of different competitions and sports, including:
- NFL
- NBA
- MLB
- NHL
- College Sports
- Tennis
- Premier League Soccer
- Champions League Soccer
- MMA
Not only is the variety of sports important, but also how many different betting markets there are for each event. Most PA sportsbooks feature a range of markets to bet on, although the number of options will depend on the popularity of the event. Once again, more variety means more opportunities to find value, and you can expect the following options:
- Moneyline
- Point spread
- Point total
- Player props
- Game props
- Futures
- Parlays
- Same game parlays
Usability
Aside from the features, odds, and bonuses, good sportsbooks are also easy to use. Creating your account, making deposits, and placing bets should all be as simple as possible, with minimal hassle or complicated requirements.
While the sign up process is normally similar between sites, some sportsbooks are definitely easier to use than others. The betting interface should be intuitive, and the menus should make it easy to find the sports and markets you want to bet on. If you enjoy betting on your mobile, a convenient mobile app is also a great feature to look out for.
Payments
Before you can start betting, you’ll need to add funds to your account, which means selecting a payment method and confirming your deposit. Looking at the data we’ve collected on PA sportsbooks, there are normally a lot of different payment options available, which gives you more control over how you add funds.
The payment process should be as straightforward as possible, and it’s generally very easy at the sites we’ve reviewed. Deposits are normally instant and free, and withdrawals are fairly simple too. The time taken for your withdrawals can vary depending on the site and the method you choose, but the best sites let you get your funds quickly.
Customer Support
While sometimes overlooked, good customer support is a sign of a quality sportsbook. Should you ever have any issues or even questions, being able to get in touch with a responsive and friendly support team is a big help. All of the PA sportsbooks we’ve tested offer some form of customer support, giving you a way to speak to someone if you have a problem. Common support methods include:
- FAQ pages
- Live chat
- Social media pages
How to Sign Up to a Pennsylvania Sportsbook
Once you’ve settled on a sportsbook, it’s time to create your account and get started. Here’s a quick guide on how to begin:
- Choose one of our recommended PA sportsbooks
- Select the sign up option and enter your full details
- Ensure all the information you provide is correct, and then agree to the site’s terms and conditions
- Verify your ID and your location to complete the sign up process
- Choose your preferred payment method from the available options and make a deposit
- Claim your PA sports betting promo and start betting
PA Sportsbooks Deposits Explained
To start betting, you’re going to need funds in your account. While it’s sometimes possible to claim no deposit bonuses when you first sign up, you’ll normally need to make a deposit to get started. The process depends on the site you’re using, but most sportsbooks make it as simple as possible for you to add funds. In addition, you can normally choose from lots of different payment methods, including:
- Online banking
- Debit/credit cards
- Wire transfer
- ACH/eCheck
- PayPal
- Paynearme
How to Claim Pennsylvania Sportsbook Promos
All of our recommended PA sportsbooks offer promotions to make betting more enjoyable, and they’re all worth claiming. Before you attempt to claim any of these offers, however, we recommend you check out the full terms and conditions. You can see some common bonus terms and what they mean below.
| Terms and Conditions | Example | Explanation |
| Wagering requirement/rollover | 25x | Complete the wagering to withdraw your bonus |
| Promo code | BONUS10 | Enter the promo code when making a deposit to claim your bonus |
| Minimum deposit | $20 | Deposit at least this amount to claim the bonus |
| Minimum bet | $10 | Make a bet of at least this amount to claim the bonus |
| Minimum odds | -200 | Make a bet at these odds or greater to claim the bonus |
Pennsylvania Sportsbook Payouts Guide
You can receive a payout from your sportsbook account at any time, provided you have enough to cover the minimum withdrawal. Requesting a withdrawal is simple, as you just need to choose your payment method and select the amount to withdraw.
Here’s a quick guide to making your withdrawal:
- Choose a payment method from the available options
- Enter the amount you’d like to withdraw and make sure you have the funds to cover it
- Confirm the withdrawal and then wait for your payout to complete
You can normally only use a payment method that you’ve previously used to make a deposit, and the time it takes to process your withdrawal request will depend on the method you use.
| Payment Method | Withdrawal Time |
| Debit card | 1-5 days |
| PayPal | 30 minutes to 1 day |
| Bank transfer | 1-7 days |
Mobile Betting Pennsylvania
All of the top PA sportsbooks are available on mobile devices, giving you more freedom over where and how you bet. Provided you’re within the state borders, you can sign up and access licensed sportsbooks through your smartphone or tablet, with no need to download any special software.
Alternatively, most sites also offer an app that you can download onto your device. Whether you have an Android, iOS, or other device, you’ll be able to install the app on your tablet or phone to get even easier access to all your favorite sports and markets.
Popular Pennsylvania Sports to Bet On
Pennsylvania is one of the greatest sporting states, home to some of the best and most historic sports teams in the country. Interestingly, the Keystone State has a team in each of the major sports leagues, and has its own MLS franchise too. You’ll be able to bet on all of them at PA sportsbooks, as well as all the other teams in major leagues.
NFL
Data shows that football remains the most popular sport in the country, especially among bettors. In Pennsylvania, most football fans follow either the Pittsburgh Steelers or the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles recently went to the Super Bowl, although they were defeated in a close game by the Kansas City Chiefs. Meanwhile, the Steelers most recently lifted the Vince Lombardi trophy in 2008.
NBA
Support for the NBA is growing all over the world, and in Pennsylvania, fans across the state tune in throughout the season to watch the Philadelphia 76ers play. The 76ers recently crashed out in the Conference semi-finals to the Celtics, despite having the season’s MVP, Joel Embiid. Fans will be hoping that next season the team can improve Embiid’s support to go again and reach their first Finals since 2001.
MLB
The MLB is the oldest sport in the country, and it has a huge following in PA. Just as with football, Pennsylvania is home to two rival baseball teams based in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. The Pittsburgh Pirates were founded in 1881 and have won five World Series titles, though none since the late 70s. On the other hand, the Philadelphia Phillies have been part of the National League since 1883 and most recently won the World Series back in 2008.
NHL
The NHL is also huge in the Keystone State, especially thanks to the success of the Pittsburgh Penguins. This hockey franchise is one of the few teams to have lifted the Stanley Cup in consecutive years, winning in 1991 and 1992 before doing it again in 2016 and 2017. They became the first back-to-back NHL Champions in the salary-cap era when they lifted the Stanley Cup in 2016 and 2017.
MLS
The MLS is perhaps the fastest-growing sports league in the US and across the world, with more and more fans getting into it each season. While many soccer fans prefer to bet on European soccer, there’s growing support in PA for clubs like Philadelphia Union. The Eastern Conference team was founded in 2010, and although it has yet to win the MLS Cup, it’s won the conference twice and the Supporter’s Cup once.
College Sports
College sports betting is fully legal in Pennsylvania. Unlike some other states, you can bet on all games involving PA college teams and teams from across the country. However, you won’t be able to bet on player or game props for college games.
Why Sign Up to Multiple PA Sportsbooks
More is better when signing up to sportsbooks, and with so many available options, why not sign up to as many as possible? Although some bettors prefer to stick to one site, there are lots of advantages to joining multiple sportsbooks, including:
More Bonuses
Joining a new sportsbook means claiming a new welcome offer. Although you can only receive one welcome offer per site, there’s nothing stopping you from signing up to multiple sportsbooks and claiming a bonus at each one. This will help you increase your bankroll and get more out of your bets, while also giving you more access to regular bonuses too.
The Best Lines and Odds
How much you win from your bets depends on the odds given to you when you place them. There is quite a bit of variation in odds between sites, with the biggest sportsbooks all competing and trying to offer the best while still making a profit themselves. If you want the best odds and lines, creating accounts at different sites will help you compare and always place your bets at their maximum value.
Unique Betting Features
Some sportsbooks offer unique features, such as big games on live stream, special markets, or better apps. If you want to get more out of your betting experience, it’s worthwhile joining multiple sportsbooks and checking them out for yourself. You can see which features you like and which ones you don’t, and hopefully have more fun placing your bets.
PA Sportsbook FAQ
Is it legal to bet on sports in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania has fully legal sports betting, allowing both online and in-person betting at licensed sportsbooks. The sports betting industry in PA is regulated by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, and you can bet on a wide range of different sports.
Can I bet online in PA?
Yes, online betting is legal in Pennsylvania, with 13 sportsbooks available to choose from. Before you sign up to bet, you need to make sure that the site you’re using is licensed in PA and that you’re within the state borders.
Do PA sportsbooks offer bonuses?
Yes, all of our recommended PA sportsbooks feature welcome offers, which you can claim when you first sign up. In addition, many of the top betting sites also have lots of regular promotions for you to claim, including loyalty rewards, bet credits, and odds boosts.
What restrictions are there on betting in Pennsylvania?
To start betting on sports in Pennsylvania, you’ll need to visit a licensed sportsbook, either online or in-person. You’ll also need to be at least 21 years old and will need to provide a copy of your ID. If you’re betting online, your device will need to provide location data to ensure that you’re within the state borders.
Sources
Author
Tom Edlin is a senior author and contributor to SportsbookPromo.com. He's been writing and reporting on the US sports betting industry for years and has crafted hundreds of in-depth reviews and guides.
