PA Sports Betting: Best Pennsylvania Online Underscoregs 2024

PA sports betting key developments and updates

Pennsylvania sports betting quick facts

Is sports betting legal in Pennsylvania?

Sports betting is legal in Pennsylvania. HB 271 was signed into law by former Governor Tom Wolf on October 30, 2017, allowing for both retail and online sports wagering in the state. Retail sportsbooks in Pennsylvania began operating in November 2018.

At present, Pennsylvania bettors have access to 12 online sportsbooks. To stay informed about the latest laws and legislative changes in other states, check out our legal sports betting state tracker.

Pennsylvania sports betting promos and bonuses

In 2019, Pennsylvania’s online sportsbook market started with just a few operators, but has since grown to include 12 sportsbooks competing for customers’ attention. New bettors at PA sports betting sites can take advantage of generous welcome bonuses and ongoing promotions.

• $1,000 first bet on Caesars via Caesars
• Up to $1,500 first bet insurance from BetMGM
• Up to a $500 bonus bet at BetRivers

New players are advised to explore their options to find the best bonus and user experience as bonus offers and matches can be limited. It is important to choose a sports betting site or PA sports betting app that offers a user-friendly experience. The same applies when searching for a high-quality PA online casino bonus.

Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.

Experienced sports bettors in Pennsylvania who have already registered with multiple online sportsbooks may not be eligible for new user bonuses. However, as the competition in the industry increases and other states attract customers from Pennsylvania, operators are focusing on retaining long-time players by providing enhanced odds, lower fees, bonus bets, and special same-game parlays for loyal customers.

Top Pennsylvania sports betting sites

Every Pennsylvania betting site stands out with its own distinctive feature. For example, Betway stands out with its offerings of sports betting and online casino games for real money, while Fanatics offers the unique FanCash Rewards program where users can earn points towards team merchandise.

Why Caesars is the best sportsbook in Pennsylvania

Despite opening its retail casino in the Las Vegas desert over 50 years ago, Caesars Palace has fully embraced mobile betting by introducing its industry-leading legal betting app in Pennsylvania and over a dozen other states.

By using the promo code SBRBONUS1000 during registration, new players at Caesars PA can receive a $1,000 first bet bonus. Caesars PA is the official sports betting partner of the Philadelphia Eagles and Philadelphia 76ers, offering sports bettors in Pennsylvania the opportunity to wager on major events such as the Super Bowl, World Series, and Masters golf tournament.

Caesars PA offers a wide range of banking options to streamline deposits and withdrawals, ensuring quick transactions with minimal wait times.

If you encounter any problems, rest assured that Caesars Underscoreg’s customer support is top-notch, offering live chat with representatives available 24/7 for sports bettors.

Review of Caesars: A Guide to Sports Betting in Pennsylvania

BetMGM Pennsylvania

Consider choosing BetMGM for your online betting needs in Pennsylvania. They offer competitive odds, a user-friendly parlay builder, positive reviews, and a generous welcome bonus. Use our exclusive BetMGM bonus code SBRBONUS to receive a $1,500 first bet insurance welcome offer. BetMGM is a top choice among PA sports betting sites.

BetMGM provides an exceptional live-betting experience with fast odds updates for quick betting during events. With a variety of banking options and excellent customer service, it is one of the top online betting platforms in Pennsylvania and beyond.

Review of BetMGM: The Best Place to Bet on Sports in Pennsylvania

FanDuel Pennsylvania

FanDuel, a top player in the industry, provides their highly sought-after legal sports betting app in Pennsylvania and 22 other states. The app offers a wide range of betting markets and features a top-notch same-game parlay (SGP) builder, as well as their SGP+ feature.

New bettors at the sportsbook can take advantage of a promotion where if they bet $5 and win, they will receive $200 in bonus bets with no need for a FanDuel promo code. The bonus offers flexibility as it can be split into smaller wagers. Furthermore, both new and existing users will receive a daily boost or bonus for the remainder of the summer.

Review of FanDuel: The Best Place to Bet on Sports in Pennsylvania

DraftKings Pennsylvania

Regardless of your opinion in the FanDuel vs DraftKings discussion, DraftKings competes with the top PA sportsbooks. With a strong background as a leading daily fantasy sports provider, DraftKings smoothly entered the online sports betting market when it was legalized in the U.S.

Gamblers will enjoy the user-friendly DraftKings mobile app, regular odds boosts, and a welcome offer of up to $300 in bonus bets that only requires a small initial deposit to maximize. This offer is activated automatically, so no DraftKings promo code is necessary.

Review of DraftKings: The best place to bet on sports in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania sportsbooks honorable mentions

While not making our top two Pennsylvania sportsbooks list, these nine online sports betting sites are still reputable options. For detailed reviews of each site, click on the links below to read SBR’s independent and thorough evaluations.

• Betfred
• betPARX
• BetRivers
• Betway
• ESPN BET
• Fanatics
• SugarHouse
• TwinSpires

How we rate and review Pennsylvania sportsbooks

Pennsylvania residents have a wide selection of 12 online sportsbooks to pick from, making it important to carefully consider various factors before creating a new account. The SBR editorial team takes into account each sportsbook’s distinctive features when assessing, analyzing, and independently rating and reviewing the overall excellence of the sports betting platform. Our review process covers the entire site and betting app, with a strong emphasis on six key categories.

Welcome bonuses and promotions

Newcomers to online sports betting are often enticed by attractive welcome bonuses and ongoing promotions offered by betting sites. These incentives, such as first-bet insurance, first-deposit match bonuses, and bonus bets earned after placing your first wager, should provide enough value to make the overall experience worthwhile.

Continuing promotions may feature enhanced odds for Pennsylvania-based sports teams such as the Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles, Philadelphia Flyers, and Pittsburgh Penguins. PA sports betting apps are also focusing on promoting same-game parlays and have made efforts to enhance the value of these bets for customers.

User experience

Everyone has their own preferences, but our SBR editorial guidelines consider the user experience from multiple angles. We analyze the ease of signing up, aiming for a quick and simple process. We assess the site’s navigation, the frequency of app crashes, the number of clicks required to place a bet, the variety of banking options available, the accessibility of customer support, and the security measures in place to protect user data.

Sports bet variety

While it can be enjoyable to stick to traditional bets like moneylines, point spreads, and point totals on the NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL, it can become monotonous betting on the same teams like the Pirates every day, don’t you think?

Hence, a wide range of sports betting markets and odds play a crucial role in enhancing the user experience. This includes popular international sports markets such as European soccer, international tennis tournaments, and golf tournaments held overseas.

Banking options

In the past, online sportsbook banking was a common obstacle for users but that is no longer the case. We now suggest top online sports betting sites that provide a variety of banking options, such as credit and debit cards, digital wallets like PayPal, bank wire transfers, and other payout methods like check by mail. With the first options, transactions usually take less than five business days to complete, while a mailed check may take up to 15 business days to be delivered to your address.

Payout speed

Picture yourself winning a three-team Philly special parlay and heading to the cashier to cash out your winnings. You definitely don’t want to wait a long time to receive your funds, right? Depending on your chosen banking method, you could have your payout in as little as a few business days. Make sure to check each sportsbook’s payout timeframes or refer to our list of the quickest payout sportsbooks for more information.

Security and customer support

Every online sportsbook and sports betting app operator prioritizes security to protect your personal and financial information. They utilize SSL encryption software to safeguard your data as it is transmitted over the internet.

If you come across any problems regarding account security, banking methods, or have inquiries about current promotions, our experts have evaluated customer support teams and their responsiveness. With legal sports betting now widespread in many states, customer service should be easily accessible through phone, email, and live chat. Live chat is the quickest way to receive assistance and answers to your queries.

How to start betting in Pennsylvania

The 2023 state budget predicts that Pennsylvania’s sports betting handle will approach $8 billion in wagers this year. With the Philadelphia Eagles and the Philadelphia Phillies performing well in their respective leagues, sports betting sites in Pennsylvania are expected to be bustling with activity. If you’re looking to join in on the excitement and start betting in Pennsylvania, here’s how you can get started.

1. Select a sportsbook licensed in PA

To begin, you must select one of the 12 online sportsbooks that are licensed in Pennsylvania by the Gaming Control Board. It is important not to choose one randomly. We conduct thorough reviews of each betting site to ensure quality. Take the time to read these reviews and thoroughly research all important categories before deciding on a preferred legal sports betting app. Once you have chosen one, you can sign up or download it to your iOS or Android mobile device.

2. Register online

Afterwards, you will create a new account with the operator, such as DraftKings or Caesars. You will be required to input basic personal information including your name, address, email address, phone number, date of birth, and social security number. The social security number is used to verify your identity, confirm your age, and speed up payments when you wish to withdraw funds.

After receiving the verification email from the operator, you will need to activate your account by creating a unique username and password. For optimal security, it is recommended that your password contains a minimum of eight characters, including a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters.

3. Deposit and claim a bonus

After registering your account, head to the cashier section of the sports betting site. It is essential to link your preferred banking method to your new account. Online sportsbooks usually accept credit and debit cards, as well as digital e-wallets like PayPal or ACH bank wire transfers. Remember to enter your first deposit amount and any welcome bonus promo codes before submitting the payment. Once you click submit, you will not be able to go back and enter the promo code later to receive free bet credits.

4. Select and finalize your bet

The exciting part has arrived! Your account is now fully funded and the welcome bonus credits have been applied. Take your time to explore the various types of bets available. Browse through the online sportsbook or sports betting app and choose a betting market that you are familiar with and feel confident in placing a wager on, based on your knowledge of the league, team, or player.

Keep in mind that there are many different types of bets available in Pennsylvania sports betting, beyond just moneyline, point spread, and over-under wagers. You can also bet on things like Bryce Harper’s home run totals for 2023, Jalen Hurts’ chances of winning MVP, or the Pittsburgh Penguins’ odds of winning the Stanley Cup. Make sure to compare odds from different sportsbooks and take advantage of any bonus bets that are offered. Once you’ve decided on the bets you want to place, add them to your bet slip and submit it. Your wager receipt will then be saved in your account for reference.

5. Withdraw your payout

After winning a few bets and deciding to cash out your profits, simply go back to the account cashier page and initiate the withdrawal process. Input the desired amount and hit submit. Approval times for payouts vary, with some legal sports betting apps sending funds in as little as 48 hours. If you opt for a check to be mailed to your Pennsylvania residence, expect delivery within 15 business days.

Pennsylvania sports betting handle

Pennsylvania has experienced substantial growth in both handle and revenue in recent years by being an early adopter of sports betting and establishing itself as a key player in the industry. The handle refers to the total amount of wagers accepted by online sportsbooks, retail sportsbooks, and legal betting apps in a given year. The revenue generated from sports betting represents the tax percentage collected by the state from operators as payment for conducting business and accepting sports bets.

Pennsylvania’s sports betting handle reached a new high in 2022, surpassing $5.2 billion in wagers. This was nearly $500 million more than the previous year. The projected handle for 2023 is expected to increase by approximately 3%, with Pennsylvania anticipated to receive $7.6 billion in bets.

The taxes collected from sports betting handle revenue are used to support various state initiatives such as youth programs, gambling addiction treatment and prevention, and other resources.

PA sports betting handle 2023

PA sports betting handle 2024

Pennsylvania sports leagues and teams to bet on

Being able to bet on your hometown teams can give a false sense of security. While you may know your local teams better than anyone else, bookmakers and online sportsbooks have more knowledge and expertise. Betting based solely on loyalty and emotion can quickly deplete your bankroll, so it is not a wise strategy to always back your favorite teams.

Make sure to thoroughly research betting trends, recent injuries, roster changes, and weather conditions before placing any bets on Pennsylvania hometown teams. This information can greatly affect the betting odds and outcome of the game.

Although not as widely followed as the major four professional sports leagues, there are plenty of betting markets available for Major League Soccer (MLS) if you’re looking to support the Philadelphia Union.

As mentioned on this page, betting on Pennsylvania in-state college sports teams, including Temple and Penn State, is allowed by law.

Sports bettors are able to review the leading sportsbooks for individual sports, leagues, playoffs, and categories.

Legal Pennsylvania sports betting options

Pennsylvania was an early pioneer in online sports betting, with Governor Tom Wolf legalizing it in October 2017. The Supreme Court’s decision to strike down PASPA in May 2018 further solidified the state’s position. SugarHouse was the first mobile app to launch in Pennsylvania following the PASPA ruling. Currently, there are 12 online sportsbooks and betting apps available in the state, along with online casinos for residents to enjoy.

PA’s online and mobile sportsbooks

Land-based PA sportsbooks

Pennsylvania sports bettors have the option of 11 land-based retail sportsbooks, spread out across various locations throughout the state rather than being concentrated in just one or two major cities.

Who can bet on sports in Pennsylvania?

Legal age

In order to place bets on sports in Pennsylvania, individuals must be at least 21 years old to participate in both online and retail sportsbooks.

Mobile betting

In late 2019, Rush Street Interactive, powered by SugarHouse, became the first online sportsbook to launch in Pennsylvania, allowing legal sports betting through a mobile app in the state.

Remote registration

Residents of Pennsylvania are not required to go to a physical sportsbook at a retail location in order to sign up for mobile sports betting. They can register from anywhere in the state using their mobile device, desktop, or laptop computer.

Within state borders

Both out-of-state visitors and full-time residents of Pennsylvania can place sports bets at Keystone State online sportsbooks and betting apps. In order to wager, you must be physically located within state borders. Geotagging location software is used to verify that bets are placed within Pennsylvania’s borders. Bets placed outside of the state will not be accepted by operators.

Retail sportsbooks

Pennsylvania provides various physical locations for sports betting throughout the state, including commercial casinos, betting kiosks, and a betting lounge at PPG Paints Arena, the Pittsburgh Penguins’ home.

Taxable winnings

If you win more than $600, the federal government will tax your winnings at a rate of 24%. However, you can offset this tax by claiming losses from your bets to lower your taxable income. In Pennsylvania, state income tax is set at 3.07%. Additionally, the state and its counties impose a 36% tax on sports betting revenue. When operators apply for a license, they must also pay a $10 million fee.

What you can’t bet on in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania offers access to over 10 online sportsbooks, introducing a variety of new betting markets, including both domestic and international options. From NFL games to March Madness and the French Open, there are betting odds available for a wide range of events worldwide. However, some events are prohibited by Pennsylvania law from being included on the odds board.

Politics ❌

The 2024 U.S. Presidential election is expected to receive significant interest, however it is important to note that betting on political events is prohibited in Pennsylvania and other states where online sportsbooks are legally operating.

Entertainment award ceremonies ❌

Online sports operators are not allowed to provide betting options for events such as the Oscars, Grammys, or non-sports events like the NFL Draft. While we may all be fans of Taylor Swift, any privileged information about her potentially winning album of the year cannot be used to make a lawful bet.

eSports ❌

Pennsylvania is considered more progressive than many states when it comes to online sports betting. It was one of the first states to legalize sports gambling and permits betting on college sports, which is not common. However, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) does not currently allow betting on esports, despite the growing popularity of video game tournaments and the industry as a whole.

What about PA college sports teams?

In Pennsylvania, players can legally bet on college sports teams both in and out of state, as well as on collegiate events happening within the state. If you’re eager to place bets on Penn State football or Villanova basketball futures, online sportsbooks in Pennsylvania will gladly accept your wagers.

Responsible Pennsylvania sports betting

The PGCB is responsible for overseeing sports betting operations in Pennsylvania, ensuring responsible gaming practices, and upholding the integrity of sports betting within the state by enforcing laws and regulations. The board is tasked with approving licenses and conducting audits for the 12 operators in the state.

Pennsylvania sports bettors who are concerned about possible gambling addiction can find help and support through the PGCB website. Resources and treatment options are available, including a voluntary self-exclusion program, phone numbers for assistance like 1-800-GAMBLER, 24/7 live chat support, and affordable treatment options provided by the PA Department of Drug and Alcohol Program.

To access additional information, you can discover ways to safeguard yourself.

Underscoregs to avoid in Pennsylvania

Prior to November 2018, Pennsylvania residents seeking online sportsbooks were probably forced to turn to offshore, illegal operators. While it wasn’t against the law for players to utilize these sites, they operated in a legal grey area and were not the most secure platforms for betting. Thanks to Pennsylvania now providing 12 regulated mobile betting options, you can steer clear of these illegal sites.

Offshore sportsbooks often avoid regulations and have complex terms and conditions, questionable banking methods, and intricate payout procedures that can result in delays when attempting to withdraw funds.

There are three sportsbooks in Pennsylvania that you should steer clear of:

Growth of sports betting 📈

In 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court’s repeal of PASPA led to a rapid expansion of legal sports betting in the United States. Nearly 30 states have now legalized some form of sports betting, often through the licensing of online sportsbooks and mobile betting apps. To learn more about the status of legal sports betting in a specific state, consult our legal sports betting tracker.

In the last two years, Ohio and Massachusetts have seen great success with their online betting launches. Sports enthusiasts now have an additional way to connect with their beloved teams, while the states benefit from much-needed revenue through licensing fees and taxes.

Legal North Carolina sports betting officially launched on March 11, 2024, introducing eight top sportsbooks to the Tar Heel state. As events such as the Copa America and Euro 2024 soccer tournaments unfold throughout the summer, the enthusiasm and possibilities for sports betting enthusiasts are steadily increasing.