Pennsylvania Online Casinos

Pennsylvania has always been one step ahead of others, even when gambling is in question. The first type of gambling that was legalized in 1959 was horse racing. Then came the state lottery in 1972, bingo in 1988, and casino in 2004 right after the creation of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.

Today, gambling is seen as a way of boosting the economy, improving the state’s financial deficit, and providing more people with job opportunities. Pennsylvania is one of the first states to legalize almost every form of gambling — the only gambling activities that are still illegal in the Keystone State are betting on greyhound races and live dealer casino games.

Read our review to learn about the current legal situation regarding online casinos in Pennsylvania.

Is Online Gambling Legal in Pennsylvania?

Gambling has been present in the Keystone State for quite some time. Pennsylvania’s residents have been able to partake in all sorts of gambling activities for more than a decade, and now, they have the opportunity to enjoy the offering of various online gambling platforms.

On October 26, 2017, Governor Tom Wolf signed the H 271 — a bill that made online gambling legal in the state of Pennsylvania. Here is what the bill introduced:

  • Online casinos (table games and slots)
  • Online poker
  • Daily fantasy sports
  • Online lottery
  • Video gambling terminal at a couple of truck stops
  • Tablet gaming in several airports
  • Mini-casinos

Additionally, this bill provided regulation for sports betting, both retail and online, in case it became legal at the federal level. Once the H 271 bill was approved by the Senate and introduced into the law, the state of Pennsylvania was given permission to legalize and regulate the above-mentioned activities.

The law states that real-money casino platforms can operate only in cooperation with existing land-based casinos. All the legal online casino sites are approved, vetted, and overseen by the PGCB (Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board).

In 2018, after the PASPA (Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act) had been ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court, Pennsylvania legalized sports betting.

Currently, there are three types of online gambling licenses the state of Pennsylvania issues:

  • Slot machines
  • House-banked table games
  • Peer-to-peer games and poker

Online Casino Platforms in Pennsylvania

At the moment of writing this article, there are ten online casinos that offer various gambling activities to PA players:

  • BetAmerica Casino
  • BetRivers Casino
  • FanDuel Casino
  • DraftKings Casino
  • Caesars Casino
  • PlaySugarHouse Casino
  • Parx Casino
  • Hollywood Casino
  • Unibet Casino
  • PokerStars Casino

Each of these platforms holds a license to operate and has partnered up with a local brick-and-mortar casino. Every casino has a wide range of online slots and table and card games. Additionally, they offer enticing welcome offers to all new players who’d like to join.

Currently, the only form of casino games that isn’t available to PA players is the live dealer casino. However, with the state adapting its laws and regulations regularly, this type of gambling might soon be legalized.

What Other Types of Online Gambling Are Legal in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania was the fourth state, and the largest one, to legalize online gambling. Online casinos were the first ones to have a crack at the gambling licenses. Afterward, the Keystone State introduced online sports betting into the law. Soon after, online poker became a legal gambling activity as well.

Currently, PA players have the opportunity to enjoy a vast selection of sports betting opportunities on top-notch online sportsbooks — FanDuel, DraftKings Sportsbook, BetRivers, FoxBet. Bettors can place bets on sports and sporting events such as the NLF, NBA, MLB, hockey, horse racing, golf, tennis, etc.

The last one to join the party was online poker. For now, the only licensed poker platform that operates in the state of Pennsylvania is PokerStars. However, another two poker websites are set to launch soon in PA — Party Poker and WSOP.com/888.

Land-Based Casino Options in Pennsylvania

Before online casinos, there were land-based casinos — 12 of them, to be precise. They have all been active for quite some time and they offer traditional casino games but are always looking to improve their selection.

Below, we have mentioned some of the brick-and-mortar casino options you can opt for whenever you’re in the Keystone State:

  • Harrah’s Philadelphia — Operated by Caesars Entertainment, this casino offers over 2,000 slot machines and video poker games. Additionally, it has a good range of table games and a sports betting hall.
  • Hollywood Casino at the Penn National Race Course — Recognized as one of the best casinos in Pennsylvania, this casino offers around 2,500 slot titles, more than 60 table games, and a selection of video poker opportunities.
  • The Meadows Racetrack and Casino — Without a doubt, this is the largest casino in the Keystone State. The Meadows has a selection of over 3,000 slot games, more than 60 table games, and 14 poker tables available to all visitors.
  • Parx Casino and Racing — With jaw-dropping 3,300 slot games, 180 table games, and 48 poker tables, this casino offers an amazing casino experience to all players.
  • Rivers Casino — Located in the heart of Pittsburgh, it offers over 2,900 slot machines, along with over 100 table games and 30 poker tables.
  • SugarHouse Casino — Even though in size, it can’t be compared to other casino establishments, this establishment is still among the most popular options among casino players. It has over 1,800 slot machines and over 130 table and poker games.
  • Mohegan Sun Pocono — With more than 2,300 slot game titles and 90 table game choices, Mohegan Sun offers an immersive casino experience.

Most of these land-based casinos already have their online counterparts, and more might come in the future.


FAQ

Yes, in 2017, the state of Pennsylvania introduced the legislation that made online gambling (online casinos and online poker) legal. In July 2019, the first online casino platforms went live.

Online poker was legalized along with online casinos in 2017. Currently, there are seven casinos that have poker licenses. Poker players have the opportunity to play different versions of online poker, claim bonuses, and participate in numerous online tournaments.

In order to participate in any form of gambling, you need to be older than 21 in the state of Pennsylvania.

At the moment, there is no law that prohibits offshore casinos from accepting players from Pennsylvania. However, you might encounter some difficulties if you want to play in an offshore casino. For example, American banks are legally obliged to block all payments players try to make in offshore casinos.

Pennsylvania is home to 12 land-based casinos that offer casino games, poker, horse racing, and sports betting. Additionally, players located in Pennsylvania can participate in the state lottery and bingo.