Pennsylvania

Online Gambling & Casinos in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania is one of just a handful of states that permits online gambling. This not only means online casinos but online poker rooms & sports betting too. These were authorized and regulated within the last few years, as were fantasy sports contests and video gaming terminals. Pari-mutuel wagering, the state lottery, and charitable gaming have been around for decades. Understandably, the population of Pennsylvania is fortunate enough to have several options. It has become somewhat of a magnet for visitors from neighboring states like Maryland, Delaware, and West Virginia.

You can read about the different types of legal gambling in Pennsylvania and state gambling history. Additionally, visitors from Pennsylvania can find recommendations for new online casinos accepting players from The Keystone State. If you’re after casino bonuses for Pennsylvanians, we’ve got a section for that also.

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Best New Casinos in Pennsylvania

Players from Pennsylvania that enjoy online gambling can find some of the best new casinos in Pennsylvania listed below. Bitcoin casinos accept fast and secure BTC/USD deposits and withdrawals using a Bitcoin wallet or credit cards like Visa, Amex, and Mastercard. Some casinos even offer faster cashouts and higher withdrawal limits with no fees.

The choice of free-to-play games and real money games from Realtime Gaming, Rival Games, ViG, and others is huge. This guarantees that you’ll find great online slot machines, specialty games, live dealer games, and casino table games: video poker, blackjack, roulette, baccarat, et cetera.

Of course, Pennsylvanians will also find casino bonuses, whether they are new players or regular players. Tournaments, reload bonuses, cashback bonuses, and Comp Points are some of the additional perks. Find out more about our recommended casinos by reading our expert reviews.

Best Bonuses in Pennsylvania Casinos

It’s not surprising that Pennsylvanians and other Americans qualify for no deposit bonuses, match deposit bonuses, and free spins on the first or first few deposits. These bonuses are a good way of playing your favorite video slots (sometimes more) with free bonus money. Read all about the bonuses, bonus T&Cs, and playthrough wagering requirements.

Pennsylvania Gambling Overview

Pennsylvania is the fifth most populated state in the US, with just over 13 million people. Philadelphia is the most populated city, followed by Pittsburgh, a distant second making them among the prime locations for state gambling revenue. In the fiscal year 2020/21, total gaming revenue in Pennsylvania reached a staggering $3.87 billion. Social gaming is permitted provided that no prizes are offered and that they are free to play.

Pennsylvania has authorized and regulated several forms of gambling, including casinos, pari-mutuel horse race wagering, charitable gaming, the Pennsylvania Lottery, fantasy sports contests, sports betting, and online gambling. Additionally, video gaming terminals at truck stop convenience stores and airport gaming tablets are also authorized. The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board is responsible for regulating and enforcing all gaming within the state.

Fantasy Contests

Pennsylvanians 18 and older (21 and over at casinos) may participate in daily fantasy sports and season-long fantasy sports contests. Operators must obtain a license from the Philadelphia Gaming Control Board. The law requires that fantasy contest beginners be offered contests to eliminate the advantage held by expert players. As of July 29, 2021, seven fantasy contest operators like FanDuel and Fantasy Sports Games LLC are authorized. Fantasy sports contests continue to grow in popularity, generating $28.2 million in state revenue for 2020/21.

Sports Betting

All casinos and racetrack casinos in Pennsylvania offer a retail sportsbook. Online sports betting regulations went live in May 2019, allowing land-based casinos to also offer an online sportsbook. In the first full year of legalized sports gambling, gamblers made close to $1.5 billion in sports wagers – making it a huge revenue generator! Pennsylvanians can legally wager on professional events and collegiate events. Like other forms of gambling, sports betting in Pennsylvania is regulated by the PGCB.

State Lottery

The Pennsylvania Lottery is big business in the state, contributing over $31 billion to social programs since its creation. Products include scratch-offs, fast play, draw games (state and multistate), keno, online games, and Xpress sports (simulated racing games). Players can purchase tickets at authorized retailers or play online by topping up using a credit card, WebCash, PayPal, or PayNearMe.

Charitable Gaming

Pennsylvania allows taverns and non-profit organizations to offer small games of chance such as raffles, punch board, and pull-tab games. However, small games of chance may only be conducted in a municipality that has first approved it in a referendum. An organization will require a regular license ($125 annual fee) for year-round gaming.

A separate bingo law authorizes charitable bingo games by non-profit organizations. Most organizations require a regular license ($100 fee annually), allowing bingo no more than twice a week. Alternatively, it may be possible to receive a special permit to contact bingo for entertainment only.

Pari-Mutuel Wagering

Pennsylvania allows licensed horse racing and pari-mutuel wagering at live tracks (one of six) and off-track sites. The activity is regulated by the Horse Racing Commission, falling under the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.

Interstate simulcasts are also permitted. Players may make pari-mutuel wagers over the telephone and online on horse races but not greyhound races as it is not permitted. Off-track betting locations have dwindled in recent years as the popularity of horse racing declines.

Terminal-based Gaming

Up to 5 video gaming terminal machines, similar to slot machines, are permitted at authorized truck stops containing convenience stores. For fiscal 2020/21, VGTs generated roughly $31.3 million in state revenue from roughly $6.8 million in fiscal year 2019/20. The growth has not gone unnoticed by casinos that have voiced their concern over the expansion of VGTs and unregulated skill gaming machines.

Land-Based Casinos

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board also oversees all casino gambling: racinos, standalone casinos, resort casinos, and satellite casinos. Although there are no tribal casinos, the state has 13 land-based casinos. Some offer thousands of slot machines, video poker, and table games (craps, baccarat, blackjack, craps, poker, roulette, and more). Pennsylvania casinos also offer retail & online sportsbooks and interactive gaming.

Commercial Casinos	Address	Website
Harrah’s Philadelphia Casino and Racetrack	777 Harrah’s Blvd – Chester, PA 19013	caesars.com
Hollywood Casino	777 Hollywood Boulevard – Grantville, PA 17028	hollywoodpnrc.com
Hollywood Casino Morgantown	6021 Morgantown Rd. – Morgantown, PA 19543	hollywoodmorgantowncasino.com
Hollywood Casino York	2899 Whiteford Rd. York, PA 17402	hollywoodyorkcasino.com
Lady Lucky Casino	4067 National Pike, Route 40 – Farmington, PA 15437	ladylucknemacolin.com
Live! Casino Hotel Philadelphia	900 Packer Ave – Philadelphia, PA 19148	philadelphia.livecasinohotel.com
Mohegan Sun Pocono	1280 Highway 315 – Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702	mohegansunpocono.com
Mount Airy Casino Resort	312 Woodland Rd – Mount Pocono, PA 18344	mountairycasino.com
Parx Casino & Racing	2999 Street Road – Bensalem, PA 19020	parxcasino.com
Presque Isle Downs & Casino	8199 Perry Highway – Erie, PA 16509	presqueisledowns.com
Rivers Casino	777 Casino Dr – Pittsburgh, PA 15212	riverscasino.com
Rivers Casino Philadelphia	1001 N Delaware Ave – Philadelphia, PA 19125	riverscasino.com
The Meadows Racetrack & Casino	210 Racetrack Rd – Washington, PA 15301	meadowsgaming.com
Valley Forge Casino Resort	1160 1st Ave – King of Prussia, PA 19406	vfcasino.com
Wind Creek Bethlehem	77 Wind Creek Blvd – Bethlehem, PA 18015	windcreek.com

Pennsylvania Casinos Map

 

 

Online Gambling

Interactive gaming (online gaming) is offered by the state’s land-based casinos. Online sports betting is a partnership between casinos and sportsbook providers such as Betfred Sports and Fan Duel. Alternatively, players can enjoy traditional online casino gambling, including online slot machines and table games.

Pennsylvanians can also legally participate in online poker networks such as WSOP.com, PokerStars, and BetMGM. Discussions to create poker ‘Compacts’ between neighboring states are ongoing.

Pennsylvania Gambling History

In 1963, The Race Horse Industry Reform Act made horse race pari-mutuel wagering the first legalized form of gambling in Pennsylvania. Telephone wagering would later be authorized in 1983 under the Racing Reform Act. Seven years later, in 1990, Pennsylvania saw its first off-track betting facility. It wasn’t until 2016 that the Horse State Racing Commission was established.

The Pennsylvania Lottery was established in 1971, with proceeds directed towards property tax relief for seniors. At the same time, the state wanted to curb illegal gambling. Its introduction created pressure to authorize casinos during the 1980s and 1990s, although the idea was rejected by Pennsylvanians. In 1993-1994, a push was on to offer riverboat gambling, but the legislation failed. In 1999, there was yet another push to legalize gambling through a House-approved Bill. It would allow a referendum to authorize video poker at taverns, slot machines at four racetracks, and authorized riverboat casinos but failed to make it to a vote.

In 1981, The Pennsylvania Bingo Law was passed, allowing charitable bingo to raise money. After seven years, small games of chance were authorized after the state introduced the Pennsylvania Local Option Small Games of Chance Act.

It wasn’t until 2004, with the passing of Act 71, that legalized gambling made any real headway as voters were becoming increasingly liberal. It created the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board and legalized racetrack casinos and 5 standalone casinos, and 2 resort casinos. The argument for legalizing casino gambling at racetracks was to help revive an industry in decline since 2001. Slot machines were legalized at 14 locations at the start of 2006. It wasn’t until July 2010 that Pennsylvania standalone casinos could offer table games along with racinos.

In 2013, Pennsylvania passed a Gaming Act that authorized chance-based games and raffles at taverns.

On October 30, 2017, Gov Tom Wolf signed a House Bill into law to legalize online gambling, including slots, table games, and poker. This was part of the Expanded Gaming Act, which went into effect in 2018. It included DFS, sports betting, video gaming terminals, satellite casinos, and legalized the online lottery (iLottery).

Pennsylvania Gambling FAQ

What is the legal gambling age in Pennsylvania?

The Pennsylvania legal gambling age is 21+ except for charitable gaming, the state lottery, pari-mutuel wagering, and fantasy contests, where the legal age is 18+.

Can I find a state lottery in Pennsylvania?

Yes, the Pennsylvania Lottery offers draw games, scratch-offs, keno, fast play, simulated games (called Xpress Sports), and online games (iOS/Android device or online desktop).

Is there a Pennsylvania withholding tax on lottery winnings?

Yes, Pennsylvania withholds 3.07% on lottery winnings.

Are fantasy sports contests legal in Pennsylvania?

Yes, fantasy sports contests on professional and collegiate level events are authorized and regulated in Pennsylvania. Contests must be offered by licensed operators, like FanDuel.

Can I find Vegas-style casino games in Pennsylvania?

Yes, casino games like roulette, blackjack, poker, baccarat, craps, and others are all legal in Pennsylvania at land-based and online casinos.

Is interactive gambling legal in Pennsylvania?

Yes, Pennsylvania has authorized and regulated internet gambling, including casinos, poker rooms, and sports betting.

Conclusion

Pennsylvania has taken considerable strides to become one of the biggest states for all types of gambling. Statewide, players can find a mix of charitable gaming, a state lottery, commercial casinos, fantasy sports contests, online sports betting, online casinos, and pari-mutuel wagering. It has become an enormous tax revenue generator for The Keystone State.

In some ways, we view Pennsylvania as a model for other states. You can read all about gambling in Pennsylvania below, along with expert recommendations on the best new online casinos and bonuses. Furthermore, as gambling laws continue to evolve, revisit us soon for updates.