Pennsylvania sports betting sites – Find the Best PA sportsbooks 2024
LEGAL sports betting is slowly but surely making its way around the United States.
Since 2018, when the Supreme Court removed the federal ban on sports betting, more and more states have been making the decision to legislate for sports betting, in most cases including the ability to bet using cell phones and mobile devices. By early 2023, some form of sports betting was legal in more than half of the states in the country.
One of those states is Pennsylvania. The Keystone State wasted no time, with legal sports betting launching in the state before the end of 2018, not long after the Supreme Court decision. Online betting came the following year, and it’s been a steady rise for the industry since.
Everything you need to know about betting on sports in Pennsylvania is covered here, from the legal stuff to the best sites, bonuses, tips and more.
Best PA sportsbooks
- DraftKings (Available in: AZ, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, KY, LA, MD, MA, MI, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, TN, VA, VT, WV, and WY)
- BetRivers (Available in: AZ, CO, CT, IL, IN, LA, MD, MI, NJ, NY, OH, PA, VA, WV, and WY)
- BetMGM (Available in: AZ, CO, FL, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, MD, MA, MI, MS, NV, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, PR, TN, VA, WA, WV, and WY)
The state of Pennsylvania sports betting
Sports betting is legal in Pennsylvania and has been since 2018.
In fact, Pennsylvania is one of the few states that actually passed its sports betting legislation in anticipation of the Supreme Court decision to remove the Professional and Amatuer Sports Protection Act. House Bill 271 was a sweeping reform of gambling laws in the state, and was signed into law - pending changes at federal level - by Gov. Tom Wolf. It included one of the highest gambling tax rates in the country, at 36%.
Once PASPA was removed in May 2018 Pennsylvania’s new laws kicked in, and the first in-person sportsbooks opened the following November. It was another six months before online betting launched in the state, and by 2020 90% of the bets in the state were being made via mobile.
History of sports betting in Pennsylvania
Even before the legalization of sports betting in the state, Pennsylvania had a close relationship with gambling.
The state lottery was founded in 1971, a step which many saw as the first step towards the eventual legalization of casino gambling in the coming decades. Horse racing is legal in and has been since the 1950s, with six different racetracks in the state. Off-track betting has been legal since 1988.
There were a couple of attempts made over the following years to introduce more liberal casino gambling laws - including riverboat casinos and racetrack slots - which eventually came to fruition in 2004. The Pennsylvania Racehorse Development and Gaming Act saw the creation of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board and the arrival of casino gambling in the state.
Today, Pennsylvania is second only to Nevada in terms of commercial casino revenue.
Given all of this, legal sports betting feels like a natural next step for Pennsylvania and more than a dozen online books have launched in the state since 2019.
A closer look at the top PA sportsbooks to place your bets online
By 2023, more than a dozen online sportsbooks were operational in Pennsylvania. We’ve chosen three of our favorites below, along with some reasons you might choose them.
1. DraftKings
DraftKings has a strong claim to being the top sportsbook in the US right now. It scores very highly in just about every category you can think of: the software is well designed, the range of bets and sports is among the highest around and the bonuses are plentiful and valuable.
The sister Daily Fantasy Sports platform is a big plus point for lots of people too. DraftKings is the top site for sports betting handle in the majority of US states.
2. BetMGM
BetMGM is similar, in that it hosts sports betting, casino games and poker all on the same site. It feels the most “casino-ish” of all the sports betting platforms, and you can stand to win trips, vouchers and other prizes at real MGM Resorts via the rewards programme.
That said, the betting options are great too, with an extremely deep menu of sports and some great tools to help you bet, like their parlay builder. There’s a $1,000 risk-free bet up for grabs for new players.
3. BetRivers
BetRivers is a bit of a home team option for bettors in the Keystone State, thanks to its connection with Rivers Casinos in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.
The site offers separate welcome bonuses for both the sportsbooks and the casino platform, with a $500 risk free bet available for new sports bettors. At first glance the platform feels a little old fashioned, but it actually includes tons of unique little touches that really elevate the experience.
There’s a House Specials tab that gets updated daily with new enhanced odds bets, a tab for streaming certain content live on the platform, and an extensive tiered rewards programme called iRush Rewards.
What can you legally bet on in Pennsylvania?
The betting laws in Pennsylvania are fairly liberal. More than likely, you’ll be able to bet on any popular sporting event you can think of - although there are a couple of exceptions which we’ll cover.
In every state, the big four major leagues -the NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL - tend to dominate the betting scene and Pennsylvania is no different.
The Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles are two of the most iconic teams in the NFL and share seven Super Bowls between them. The Philadelphia 76ers have three NBA championships to their name, and there are seven World Series titles in the state: two for the Philadelphia Phillies and five for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
All in all, it paints a picture of a state that is sports-crazy, and legal sports betting has been a natural fit. Moneylines, point spreads, totals, futures, player and team props, live betting, parlays - all are legal in Pennsylvania.
Betting on high school sports is not legal. You can bet on college sports, but you can’t place player prop bets on college athletes. Betting on non-sporting entertainment events is not allowed.
The following sports can all be bet on in Pennsylvania:
- NFL
- NCAA Football
- NBA
- NCAA Football
- NHL
- NCAA Hockey
- MLB
- NCAA Baseball
- Soccer (Premier League, MLS, Champions League etc…)
- Golf
- Tennis
- Boxing
- UFC/MMA
- Motorsports
- Table Tennis
- Lacrosse
- Australian Rules
- Badminton
- Billiards
- Bowling
- Chess
- Cricket
- Curling
- Cycling
- Darts
- Esports
- Field Hockey
- Floorball
- Handball
- Horse Racing
- Netball
- Rugby League
- Rugby Union
- Snooker
- Volleyball
- Winter Sports
What are the legal requirements for Pennsylvania sports betting online?
It’s pretty simple: you need to be at least 21 years old to sign up and bet with a Pennsylvania sportsbook, and you need to be physically located within the borders of the state when you place a bet.
You can however register from outside Pennsylvania, and you don’t need to be a permanent state resident. You just need to be in the state to actually bet.
Pennsylvania sportsbooks are also legally required to verify the identity of everyone who signs up, by checking the information provided against the public record. You may need to send some additional documentation, like a copy of your driver’s license.
Every online sportsbook legally must have a physical partner, so there are also a healthy selection of retail sportsbooks scattered around the state, at various casinos and racetracks. The likes of Harrah’s Philadelphia, the Hollywood Casino at Penn National and the Rivers Casino branches in both Pittsburgh and Philadelphia all have modern in-person books.
What to look for in a trustworthy PA sportsbook
Choosing a sportsbook is a little like choosing a restaurant. They all have their different styles, strengths and weaknesses and what you’re looking for ultimately boils down to the user’s particular taste.
All of the sportsbooks in Pennsylvania can make convincing arguments to choose them over the competition, but below we’ve collected some of the top factors you should consider before choosing a book to join.
- Deposit options: It’s important to choose a sportsbook that lets you deposit and withdraw in a way that makes sense for you personally. Whether you want to use a bank card, an e-wallet like Skrill or PayPal, cryptocurrency or another payment processor, you should be able to find a sportsbook that’s got you covered. Check out the expected withdrawal timeframe too, to avoid unwanted surprises later on.
- Top odds and good prices: This is an obvious one but ideally, you should be playing at a book that is giving you the best possible lines and prices in the industry. In fact, signing up to multiple sportsbooks is a smart move - it means you can shop around every time you want to place a bet. Marginal savings on odds multiply very quickly over time.
- Mobile betting: Mobile betting is fast becoming the most popular way to bet in the US. It makes a lot of sense: practically everyone has a smartphone which we increasingly use for a huge variety of things in life and there’s no reason sports betting should be any different. Mobile betting also goes hand in hand with in-play betting, especially if you’re watching a game live. It’s always a good idea to check out the reviews on the App Store or Play Store before downloading a sports betting app.
- Special offers: This is where you really need to match the sportsbook with your specific requirements. All sites offer welcome bonuses for new players, but the types of bonuses can vary quite a lot. For example, if you’re happy to make a pretty sizable deposit up front, you should probably look for a 100% match bonus with a high limit, to maximize your bonus potential. If you’re a more casual bettor, a no-deposit bonus or a free bet might make more sense.
Which Pennsylvania sports betting site has the best promos?
As we touched on in the last section, choosing a site with the best promos is a little tricky since it somewhat depends on the player. Still, from all of our research of the sportsbooks in Pennsylvania, we’re going to give the nod to BetRivers.
BetRivers delivers on the promos front in a number of different ways. The welcome offer is a risk free bet worth up to $500 - a good offer but pretty standard. The on-running promos are where the site really stands out though. There are consistently special offers personalized for different sports: money back if a certain player scores first in NHL playoffs, a free bet if you place a live bet on the NBA, a second chance bet if one leg of your MLB parlay fails etc. BetRivers also chooses certain markets every day to receive enhanced odds, and there’s the great iRush Rewards programme. Overall, it’s a really impressive array of promos.
As a runner-up, we want to shout out DraftKings’ welcome bonus. Right now you claim $150 in bonus bets simply for signing up and placing a qualifying bet of $5 or more. Your bet doesn’t even need to win - you’ll still receive six $25 free bets regardless. It’s an excellent introductory offer.
Do I have to pay taxes on my sports betting winnings in PA?
Technically yes. Gambling winnings are theoretically subject to income tax, the same as any other type of income. It’s up to you to include them when you file your taxes. However, under a certain threshold, the IRS has no visibility of individual betting wins.
If you win a bet of more than 300x your stake over a certain value, the sportsbook is obliged to send both you and IRS a copy of form Form W2G, declaring the winnings.
What’s the legal age limit for Pennsylvania sports betting?
You must be at least 21 years old to bet in Pennsylvania.
Is mobile betting legal in PA?
Yes. Online and mobile betting launched in the state in May 2019. All of the sportsbooks up and running in Pennsylvania have both in-person and online sportsbooks, including dedicated mobile platforms.
How to place a bet at a Pennsylvania sportsbook:
Placing a bet online is easy. After you’ve signed up with a sportsbook you’ll need to deposit some money to bet with. This process is as simple as opening the cashier, choosing your preferred payment method and following the instructions. Your money will be available to bet with instantly.
Once your account is topped up, you can browse through the list of sports and betting markets to find the bet you want to place. Click the bet and it will be added to the digital betslip, normally on the right-hand side of the page or as a pop-up on mobile.
You can add more selections to the betslip if you want to build a parlay, plus test out different stakes and combination options. Once you’re happy with your bet, click the button to confirm and your bet will be locked in.
What’s illegal to bet on in PA sportsbooks?
The sports betting laws in PA are fairly liberal, but there are a few types of betting that are prohibited. Betting on high school sports is not legal, and neither is betting on entertainment events or similar non-sporting events. While you can bet on college sports, player props on college athletes are banned.
Planning a trip to Arizona? Find everything you need to know about AZ sports betting here.
Can you bet on DFS in Pennsylvania?
Yes. Daily Fantasy Sports are legal in Pennsylvania, and both DraftKings and FanDuel DFS are available in the state.
Is it safe to bet online in Pennsylvania?
The simple answer here is “yes”, provided you stick to the legal and regulated sportsbooks. To legally operate in the state, a sportsbook needs to have received a license from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. The PGCB monitors all gambling activity in the state, as well as how the sites handle personal information. If you run into any issues with a sportsbook, they can offer support and legal protection.
Our top 5 tips for Pennsylvania sports betting
We asked our experts to come up with their top five tips for new sports bettors in Pennsylvania. Here what they came up with:
- Find the bonus that works for you. All sportsbooks offer bonuses and promotions to new members, but the key is to hone in on the welcome bonus that is actually going to make your life easier. For instance, if you don’t want to spend a lot of money up front you should avoid a one off deposit match bonus, and look for free bets instead.
- Join multiple sportsbooks. Not only will you get access to more bonuses but you can also shop around for the best odds. Not everyone will be up for creating multiple accounts - which is understandable - but it’s an easy way to find more value.
- Bet on what you know. The most successful sports bettors hone in a single sport or even on a single type of betting market - like specializing in throwing yards or rushing yards. The more specific you can get, the easier it is to become an expert.
- Bet without emotion. Betting on what you know does not mean simply betting on your favorite teams, or what you would like to happen. Betting on popular favorites - like the Philadelphia Eagles or the Pittsburgh Steelers for instance - often also comes with inflated odds at Pennsylvania sportsbooks, since so many people are rooting for them. Don’t fall into this trap.
- Bet for fun. Remember that sports betting is about having fun, not about making money. Sometimes you’ll win and sometimes you’ll lose, and that’s OK. Don’t turn to betting as a way to make money quickly and always bet within your budget.
Responsible gambling
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
- Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
- Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
- Never chase their losses
- Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry, or depressed
- National Council on Problem Gambling – https://www.ncpgambling.org/
- Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org
For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 1-800-522-4700 or go to ncpgambling.org/chat
