Legal Pennsylvania Betting Sites
Pennsylvania Online Sports Betting Apps
The first Pennsylvania sports betting apps launched in May 2019, and more have opened since.
Early on, there was speculation that the $10 million licensing fee and 36% tax rate would dissuade operators from entering the Pennsylvania sports betting market.
However, most casinos have applied for licenses, and bettors now have access to a variety of online sports betting sites in Pennsylvania.
Below is a list of all sports betting apps available in Pennsylvania:
- BetMGM Sportsbook
- FanDuel Sportsbook
- Caesars Sportsbook
- Bet365 Sportsbook
- BetRivers Sportsbook
- DraftKings Sportsbook
- BetParx
Bettors can also verify the licensing status of all Pennsylvania online sportsbooks at the PGCB website.
Pennsylvania Sports Betting Bonuses
Pennsylvania sports betting bonuses offer incentives for new customers to sign up for accounts and make deposits.
Some welcome promotions allow customers to place their first bet and receive a refund if it loses. Others issue wagering credits to customers who make their first deposit. Yet another type offers new customers a bonus bet or "second chance bet" match equal to the size of their first wager.
In short, the PA online sports betting market is rife with high-value bonuses, promotions, and special offers.
In all cases, the general idea is to give new customers a good reason to sign up and bet online for real money.
Pennsylvania Regulations On Betting Promotions
58 PA Code § 1409.1 requires operators to comply with the same rules that govern online casinos regarding bonuses, promotions, and advertisements.
Among other requirements, licensed PA betting apps must maintain records of all promotions so the Gaming Control Board can audit them for “compliance with the terms and conditions of current and previous offers.”
As a result, Pennsylvania sports betting bonuses tend to be simple and easy to understand. The rules do not guarantee every promotion is a great deal, but does ensure fairness.
One of the nice things about legal online sports betting PA residents should remember is that operators that launch misleading promotions risk losing their licenses.
PA regulations also require the terms and conditions associated with promotions to clearly describe what the promotion offers, who is eligible to participate, what actions customers must complete to participate, and any restrictions on the withdrawal of funds.
Pennsylvania Sports Betting Locations
Pennsylvania law permits casinos and race tracks to operate retail sportsbooks. Licensed race tracks may also construct sportsbooks at licensed off-track betting locations (OTBs).
Pennsylvania Sports Betting Law
Pennsylvania began legalizing sports betting in 2017 with the passage of a large gaming expansion bill titled HB 271.
The bill, signed into law as 2017 Act 42, greatly expanded Pennsylvania’s legal gambling options. Act 42 authorizes retail sportsbooks, mobile sports betting, daily fantasy sports, online gambling, online lottery games, and expands other in-person gambling options.
Sports betting provisions included in the bill were written to become effective contingent upon a change in federal law permitting states to regulate sports betting.
After the Supreme Court struck down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) as unconstitutional in May 2018, the portion of Pennsylvania’s new gambling law related to sports betting took effect.
The first Pennsylvania sportsbooks opened near the end of 2018, and the first mobile betting apps launched in mid-2019.
Key things to know about Pennsylvania online sports betting laws:
- Minimum age of 21 to participate.
- Persons excluded from gaming in Pennsylvania cannot participate.
- Key sports league personnel cannot wager on their own leagues.
- Licensed casinos, race tracks, and off-track betting locations (OTBs) may operate retail sportsbooks on-premises
- Licensed casinos and race tracks may each operate one online and mobile sports betting platform
- PA sportsbooks may accept wagers on professional and college sports
- Esports betting and wagers on non-sports events are not allowed
- The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) regulates sports betting
Pennsylvania Daily Fantasy Sports
The 2017 gambling expansion law that legalized sports betting in Pennsylvania also granted the Gaming Control Board regulatory powers over daily fantasy sports.
Under the updated law, Pennsylvania daily fantasy sports sites must register with the state and comply with regulations designed to protect consumers and ensure fair games.
Fantasy sports players can learn about DFS in Pennsylvania and find a list of BettingUSA's recommended operators:
Pennsylvania Prediction Markets
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) shared concerns with the CFTC in an October 2025 letter, but has not initiated legal or enforcement action. However, state lawmakers are considering legislation that would tax and regulate prediction markets in Pennsylvania, institute licensing fees, and ban insider trading.
For now, prediction market platforms operate in Pennsylvania under exclusive CFTC oversight.
Pennsylvania Horse Racing Betting
Pennsylvania boasts a healthy horse racing industry that provides numerous options to watch and bet on races.
Six major racetrack casinos and off-track betting facilities (OTBs) provide ample opportunity to bet on horse races in person, while licensed advance deposit wagering providers (ADWs) allow customers to bet online from anywhere in the commonwealth.
The State Horse Racing Commission oversees all horse racing and parimutuel betting in Pennsylvania, and it does commendable work in ensuring the integrity of the sport.
BettingUSA maintains a detailed guide to Pennsylvania horse racing betting, with a complete list of race tracks and online racebooks and an introduction to parimutuel wagering law:
Other Pennsylvania Online Gambling Options
Legal online gambling options in Pennsylvania include online casinos, poker sites, and lottery sales.
State law directs the PGCB to regulate online casinos and poker sites in Pennsylvania, issue licenses to qualifying operators, and adopt additional regulations as needed to execute the law. The Pennsylvania online lottery (PA iLottery) operates under the Department of Revenue rather than the PGCB.
See our dedicated guides for more information on these other Pennsylvania online gambling options:
Type of Gambling Minimum Age Read More
Online Casinos 21 Pennsylvania Online Casinos
Online Poker 21 Pennsylvania Poker Sites
Online Lottery 18 Pennsylvania Online Lottery
Pennsylvania Online Gambling Laws
Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf legalized online gambling in Pennsylvania after signing HB 271 in 2017.
Under the law, land-based casinos and race tracks may launch up to two online gambling platforms, one each for casino-style games and poker.
All Pennsylvania casinos may apply for one or more of the following licenses to offer online gambling:
- Non-peer-to-peer games that simulate slot machines (online slots)
- Non-peer-to-peer games that simulate table games (online table games)
- Peer-to-peer interactive table games (online poker)
Operators may apply for Pennsylvania online gambling licenses at a cost of $4 million. Pennsylvania casinos also received the option to purchase all three licenses in a package deal for $10 million during the first 90-day period after the law was passed.
Additionally, other “qualified gaming entities” (QGEs) may apply for any licenses not already claimed by a local casino.
Online gambling tax rates are relatively high in Pennsylvania, with online slots taxed at 52% plus an additional 2% local tax. Table games and poker are taxed at 14% + 2% and sports betting at 34% + 2%.
Responsible Gambling In Pennsylvania
Gamblers with questions, concerns, or in immediate need of assistance have access to a variety of responsible gambling resources, tools, and helplines in Pennsylvania:
- 24/7 Pennsylvania Gambling Helpline: Call 1-800-GAMBLER; Text 1-800-522-4700; or chat live
- Council on Compulsive Gambling of Pennsylvania: Nonprofit organization that provides information, helplines, and other resources for problem gamblers and their loved ones
- Gambling Provider Locations: Visit this website for a list gambling addiction treatment providers endorsed by the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol
- National Council on Problem Gambling: Additional problem gambling resources curated by the NCPG
- Gamblers Anonymous: Find Gamblers Anonymous meetings throughout Pennsylvania
- Gam-Anon Pennsylvania: Find support meetings for people affected by a loved one with a gambling problem
Pennsylvania Sports Betting Self-Exclusion
The PGCB offers several self-exclusion programs for sports betting, daily fantasy sports, and other types of gambling.
Pennsylvania sports bettors can register for self-exclusion programs online at the PGCB self-exclusion website for a minimum of one year, five years, or a lifetime.
To begin, visit this page to sign up for an account with the Pennsylvania self-exclusion program. After registering, select the type of gambling from which you would like to self-exclude and follow the onscreen instructions to complete the enrollment process.
See these instructions for a step-by-step guide to self-excluding from sports betting in Pennsylvania.
Anyone who has trouble enrolling in any Pennsylvania gambling exclusion program can contact the Office of Compulsive and Problem Gambling at 717-346-8300 or e-mail the office at problemgambling@pa.gov to schedule a call with an employee who can assist with submitting an enrollment request.
Important Pennsylvania self-exclusion points:
- Online sports betting self-exclusion requests automatically expire at the end of the selected term
- Casino self-exclusion requests do not automatically expire; players remain excluded permanently but may apply for removal from the program upon completing the selected exclusion term
- Casino operators may elect to restrict anyone who self-excludes from all properties they own nationwide
- When you self-exclude from sports wagering, some operators may extend that restriction to all forms of gambling associated with their brand
- The Pennsylvania Lottery operates a separate self-exclusion program for its online lottery products; readers can learn more here
Pennsylvania Sports Betting FAQ
Wes Burns has more than a decade's worth of experience as a writer, researcher and analyst in the legal gambling industry and is co-founder of BettingUSA.com. As a former professional online poker player, Wes approaches his work from the viewpoint of players.
Steve Ruddock is the content director for BettingUSA and the Editor-in-Chief of Gaming Law Review.
Steve has covered the legal and legislative developments in the US gambling sector for more than a decade for online and print publications.