PA Sports Betting: Best Legal Pennsylvania Betting Sites

Pennsylvania sports betting updates

In October 2017, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf put his signature on an extensive gambling expansion bill that set the table for legal Pennsylvania sports betting. The bill later came into effect after SCOTUS upended the federal ban on single-game betting in May 2018.

This timeline highlights milestones in Pennsylvania’s sports gambling history:

July 26, 2023: Golden Nugget receives approval to launch its online casino in PA. 

May 18, 2023: The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board releases PA's April sports betting handle. Pennsylvania sportsbooks gathered $572.1 million in wagers for the month.

May 1, 2023: The Philadelphia 76ers defeat the Boston Celtics in game one of the NBA Eastern Conference semifinals.

April 20, 2023: The Pennsylvania Gaming Board announces that legal PA sportsbooks accepted $723.5 million in total wagers in March.

March 28, 2023: State Rep. Ed Neilson and others introduce House Bill 733 in an effort to legalize esports betting in Pennsylvania.

March 20, 2023: Pennsylvania takes in $599.5 million in bets in February, a 22% drop from the state's January handle.

Feb. 13, 2023: Despite being the betting favorite, the Philadelphia Eagles suffer a 38-35 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII.

Jan. 9, 2023: bet365 announces it has secured Pennsylvania market access through a deal with Churchill Downs. At the time of this update, bet365 is available in three — New Jersey, Colorado, and Ohio — states. 

Oct. 23, 2022: The Philadelphia Phillies punch their ticket to the World Series, courtesy of Bryce Harper's go-ahead two-run home run.

Oct. 18, 2022: Pennsylvania sports betting action sees a spike in September, with the state taking in $645.2 million in wagers as opposed to August's $363 million.

Oct. 14, 2022: Greenwood Gaming extends its partnership with the Philadelphia 76ers, making betPARX and Parx Casino official partners of the franchise.

Oct. 7, 2022: The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) bans DraftKings Reignmakers, a daily fantasy contest that replaces traditional entrance fees with NFTs.

Aug. 17, 2022: Betting at Pennsylvania's sportsbooks continued to slide in July. Sports betting operators took $336.5 million in bets, nearly $60 million less than the previous month.

Aug. 8, 2022: European operator Novibet secures an online sportsbook and iCasino market access deal in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, expecting to launch in 2023.

June 22, 2022: Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin opts to divest his stake in the parent company of numerous pro sports franchises, including the Philadelphia 76ers, with Fanatics soon to launch its sports betting operation.

April 13, 2022: PointsBet debuts its online casino product in PA. The iGaming platform is also available in Michigan, New Jersey, and West Virginia.

Feb. 9, 2022: Chickie's & Pete's Malvern becomes the first establishment in the U.S. to open a race and sportsbook (Parx) in a restaurant and sports bar.

Feb. 7, 2022: PointsBet takes its first bet in PA, kicking off a three-day soft launch in the state. The PA sportsbook expects to be fully operational before Super Bowl 56.

Jan. 20, 2022: PoinstBet will soon offer online sports betting and casino products in Pennsylvania following the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board's decision to award sports wagering and interactive gaming operator licenses.

Jan. 11, 2022: A decision on PointsBet's license to operate in PA is expected next week during Penn National Gaming's hearing with the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. PointsBet would be tethered to Penn National's Hollywood Casino York.

Dec. 21, 2021: PA sportsbooks take in approximately $761.6 million in bets in November, while Pennsylvania saw sports betting revenues climb to $84.9 million.

Nov. 17, 2021: Pennsylvania registers its highest sports betting handle to date, $776.3 million for the month of October, eclipsing the previous high from January 2021. 

Nov. 10, 2021: Betway enters into a partnership with the Philadelphia Flyers, including on-ice branding during the team’s home games.

October 2021: Pennsylvania sees its sports betting handle for September hit nearly $580 million, largely due to NFL wagers. 

Sept. 22, 2021: MaximBet secures market access in Pennsylvania through a deal with Caesars Entertainment.

May 2019: SugarHouse becomes the first PA sports betting site to go live.

November 2018: Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course accepts the first legal sports wager in Pennsylvania.

May 2018: The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) is struck down by the Supreme Court, meaning sports betting can be legalized at the state level.

Oct. 30, 2017: Gov. Tom Wolf signs bill H 271 into law, officially legalizing PA sports betting. 

December 2015: Rep. Rob Matzie led a bill that urged the US Congress to lift the federal ban on sports betting.

October 2015: Rep. Rick Kotik introduced a bill that aimed to repeal the ban on Pennsylvania sports betting.

Is sports betting legal in PA?

Yes, legal sports betting arrived in Pennsylvania when Gov. Tom Wolf signed HB 271 into law on Oct. 30, 2017. The state took its first retail bet in November 2018.

Bettors can now wager online or in person with 12 PA retail sportsbooks.

Best PA sports betting offers and bonuses

In a competitive market, PA's online sportsbooks need to incentivize free-agent bettors to choose their sports betting platforms. Here are the best Pennsylvania sportsbook bonuses for new users in 2023:

Caesars Sportsbook - $1,000 First Bet on Caesars

$1,000 First Bet on Caesars

Code: COVERSBONUS1000

Claim Now

Use Caesars promo code COVERSBONUS1000 when you sign-up with Caesars Pennsylvania to secure up to $1,000 in bonus bets. If your first real money wager settles as a loss, Caesars Sportsbook will refund your initial stake, up to $1,000, back in bonus bets. Must place initial wager within 30 days of activating your account to qualify.

FanDuel - Bet $5, get $200

Bet $5, Get $200

Ends: 26 Oct

Claim Now

FanDuel is dishing out $200 in bonus bets for new Pennsylvania customers. Deposit $10, make a $5 wager on any market, and FanDuel Sportsbook will credit your account, win or lose, within 72 hours. No FanDuel promo code is required. 

DraftKings - Bet $5, get $200 + $150 in bonus bets

Bet $5, Get $200 + $150 in Bonus Bets

Ends: 02 Oct

Claim Now

New DraftKings Sportsbook PA users receive $200 in bonus bets, once a qualifying $5 deposit and wager is placed. Regardless of the outcome, DraftKings Sportsbook will dish out eight $25 bonus bets. Additionally, new PA bettors can claim one "no sweat token" per eligible NFL gameday, up to three per week. Tokens are worth up to $50, totaling $150, and only issued if qualifying wager is unsuccessful. No need to worry about a DraftKings promo code either.

BetMGM - $1,500 back in bonus bets

$1,500 back in bonus bets

Code: COVERSBONUS

Claim Now

Use BetMGM bonus code COVERSBONUS to claim the self-proclaimed "King of Sportsbooks" latest offer. New customers get a first bet offer of up to $1,500 paid back in bonus bets. BetMGM PA will refund your stake up to $1,500 in bonus bets if you lose, in equal denominations of 20% of the total amount of the qualifying bet. You won't need a BetMGM promo code to claim the offer either.

PointsBet - Bet $50, get an official jersey

$1,000 in second chance bets

No code required

Claim Now

New PointsBet PA users can claim a $1,000 in bonus bets, without using a PointsBet promo code. Wager up to $100 for 10 consecutive days and receive an equal stake in bonus bets if the wager loses.

Unibet - $500 second chance bet

$500 second chance bet

No code required

Claim Now

First-time customers in PA can claim a $500 second-chance bet with Unibet, without the need of a Unibet promo code. It's worth noting that the bonus money provided should you lose your first bet must be wagered 1x on any sports market or 20x via casino at odds -300 or higher to convert it to withdrawable cash.

Terms and conditions apply to all bonuses and promotional offers.

Top five PA sports betting sites

While Pennsylvania sports bettors have more than a dozen online sportsbooks to choose from, some sports betting platforms stand out as must-haves for both new gamblers and experienced handicappers. Here are our top five PA sports betting options for bettors:

1. FanDuel PA

The operator’s latest welcome bonus is supported by an industry-leading online sports betting app, plenty of bet types and promotions, and some exclusive live-streaming partnerships. Add in its industry-leading same game parlay betting experience and it’s difficult to find a sportsbook option superior to FanDuel PA.

Dive into our FanDuel Sportsbook Review for more information.

• App Store rating: 4.5 (iOS), 4.7 (Android)
• Sign-up bonus: Bet $5, get $200 in bonus bets
• Payout speed: 1-7 days

2. DraftKings PA

DraftKings provides Pennsylvanians with one of the best online sports betting experiences in the industry, hands down. DraftKings Sportsbook holds its own as our top choice of the best PA sports betting apps in 2023, presenting a polished design and user-friendly interface.

Placing sports bets is simple and smooth via the operator’s site and premier sportsbook app. The numerous sports betting markets, bonuses and promotions, fantasy sports, and zippy payout system keep DraftKings PA firmly locked into the list of the state’s top-five sportsbooks.

Read our DraftKings Sportsbook Review to discover more about DraftKings PA.

• App Store rating: 4.8 (iOS), 4.5 (Android)
• Sign-up bonus: Bet $5, get $200 + $150 in bonus bets
• Payout speed: 1-7 days

3. Caesars Sportsbook PA

An official sports betting partner of the Philadelphia Eagles and 76ers, Caesars Sportsbook PA recently revitalized its online product in the state, meaning Pennsylvanians can now access its excellent online sports betting app to claim its huge welcome bonus. An impeccable interface and top-notch customer support make for an exceptional mobile app experience.

Read our Caesars Sportsbook Review for more on the best sportsbook in Pennsylvania.

• App Store rating: 4.6 (iOS), 4.1 (Android)
• Sign-up bonus: $1,000 First Bet on Caesars
• Payout speed: 1-5 days

4. BetRivers PA

While it lacks the same notoriety as some more prominent brand names, BetRivers delivers a sports betting experience that Pennsylvanians shouldn’t hesitate to investigate. More than anything else, BetRivers specializes in satisfying its active customers by using its iRush rewards program and providing regularly boosted odds and bonus bets.

The BetRivers sportsbook app, which can be downloaded directly from the site, is also user-friendly and straightforward. Be sure to give the Rush Street Interactive sports betting platform a chance.

Refer to our BetRivers Review for more expert analysis.

• App Store rating: 4.5 (iOS), 3.8 (Android)
• Sign-up bonus: Up to a $500 bonus bet
• Payout speed: 1-14 days

5. BetMGM PA

Arguably the most famous brand name in sports betting and beyond, BetMGM has taken advantage of its reputation and generated a sportsbook that PA bettors would be wise to peruse.

Users will find that the online sportsbook presents competitive odds and tons of bet types and sports to select from. BetMGM PA has plenty of deposit methods and a stunning platform for mobile and online sports betting. 

Get the full details on BetMGM PA in our BetMGM Review.

• App Store rating: 4.8 (iOS), 4.6 (Android)
• Sign-up bonus: $1,500 back in bonus bets
• Payout speed: 2-8 days

What sportsbooks are legal in PA?

There are currently 12 legal PA sportsbooks actively taking bets in Pennsylvania.

Legal sportsbooks in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania sports bettors may place wagers via retail sportsbooks, online betting sites, and mobile apps.

You can place bets in person at retail sportsbooks located within casinos and racetracks, such as Hollywood Casino, Mohegan Sun Pocono, BetRivers Sportsbook, and Penn National.

PA's online sportsbooks accept your picks from anywhere in the state. 

Pennsylvania sports betting sites

Online sportsbook	Mobile app	Odds provider	Online casino	Retail partner
Barstool	Yes	PENN	Yes	Penn
Betfred Sports	Yes	OpenBet	Yes	Wind Creek Bethlem
BetMGM	Yes	BetMGM	Yes	Hollywood Casino
betPARX	Yes	Kambi	Yes	Parx Casino
BetRivers	Yes	Kambi	Yes	Rivers Casino
Betway	Yes	Betway	Yes	Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia
Caesars Sportsbook	Yes	Caesars	Yes	Harrah's Philadelphia
DraftKings	Yes	SBTech	Yes	The Meadows
FanDuel	Yes	Flutter	Yes	Valley Forge Casino
PointsBet	Yes	PointsBet	Yes	N/A
SugarHouse	Yes	Kambi	Yes	Rivers Casino
Unibet	Yes	Kambi	Yes	Mohegan Sun Pocono

Land-based PA sportsbooks

Latest Pennsylvania sports betting news

Who can partake in PA sports betting?

Pennsylvania sports betting law allows bettors to register their sportsbook accounts without having to visit a casino. 

We’ve outlined the pertinent details that you need to know about:

The pros and cons of PA sports betting

The demand for online sportsbooks in PA is evidenced by the fact that 95% of bets are placed online. The convenience of mobile and online betting reduces the need or inclination to visit retail sportsbooks.

The high tax rate for Pennsylvania sportsbooks means some lines and odds are less favorable than in other states. Some bookies will add a little extra juice to a line to make up for the high tax rate for online betting.

Easy online registration at PA betting sites

Plenty of retail sportsbooks

Substantial online promotions and bonuses

Poor odds due to high tax rates

Retail experience less enticing due to online sportsbooks

No NFL Draft or esports betting

How to start betting in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania online sportsbooks make it easy for you to place your first sports wagers. Legal sports betting via online accounts can be set up anywhere, while in-person bets can be placed at retail sportsbooks within casinos and tracks throughout the Keystone State.

What you can't bet on in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania sportsbooks can offer odds on traditional sports played on the field. They are not allowed to post odds for off-field sports-related events like the NFL Draft. Additionally, you cannot place a wager on major awards ceremonies like the Academy Awards.

Pennsylvania sports bettors have used illegal bookies for years. There are differences between legal and illegal sports gambling. The new legal online sports betting sites, apps, and retail sportsbooks are helping to make sports fans feel more comfortable betting than ever before.

Politics

Political betting is not allowed at any Pennsylvania sportsbook. In fact, this kind of betting isn’t offered anywhere in the United States.

esports

The popularity of esports has not yet translated to legal betting markets. It is not legal to bet on at any Pennsylvania sports betting site or retail sportsbook.

What about college sports?

PA sports betting permits wagering on all college sports that a given sportsbook chooses to promote. College football and basketball are by far the most popular college sports to bet on.

These collegiate teams garner the most attention: Penn State Nittany Lions, Pitt Panthers, and Villanova Wildcats.

PA sports betting handle

Pennsylvania’s sports gambling handle has increased from millions to multi-billions in the wake of legalization. These figures continue to climb as more fans gravitate toward sports gambling. This means sportsbooks are generating more revenue — and so does the state — from taxes on sports betting.

This table illustrates how much money Pennsylvania pulls in from sports betting every year:

Yearly breakdown

Monthly handle

Home team advantage: Pennsylvania sports

It’s tempting to always back your local major league teams, like Joel Embiid's Philadelphia 76ers, but that strategy can quickly backfire and ruin your bankroll. We recommend that you do some preliminary research before laying down action on the hometown. Our how to bet guides are a handy resource for beginner and casual sports bettors.

With college sports betting legalized, don't forget that you can make a parlay bet on your favorite college teams, including Penn State University, Temple University, Villanova University, the University of Pittsburgh, and the University of Pennsylvania. 

NHL

Philadelphia Flyers

Pittsburgh Penguins

New Jersey Devils

Get live NHL odds

NBA

Philadelphia 76ers

Get live NBA odds

NFL

Philadelphia Eagles

Pittsburgh Steelers

Get live NFL odds

MLB

Philadelphia Phillies

Pittsburgh Pirates

Get live MLB odds

PA sports betting law

Pennsylvania was one of the first states to legalize sports betting. In 2023, there are 12 betting apps accepting wagers.

Here's a brief look at legal PA sports betting:

• The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board regulates all online and retail sports betting in PA.
  
  
• You must be at least 21 years old to bet on sports in Pennsylvania.
  
  
• There are 12 legal sports betting sites operating in PA.
  
  
• Sports betting revenue is taxed at a rate of 36% in PA. A 0.25% federal excise tax is also applied to total sports betting handles.
  
  
• Betting on politics, esports, or amateur athletes under the age of 18 is prohibited.
  
  
• College sports betting (in-state included) is allowed in PA.

Other types of gambling

Pennsylvania offers traditional casino gambling at PA online casinos, in person at land-based casinos, and at some taverns throughout the state.

Quick facts: Pennsylvania sports betting

Pennsylvania has been a major player since the early days of legal sports betting in the U.S. They remain one of the few states where you can play online poker as well.

Our Pennsylvania quick facts table below has all the brass tax:

Responsible gaming in Pennsylvania

Casino gambling is not new to Pennsylvania. The state has had plenty of time to come up with programs to address players who get too caught up in gambling. The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board has a website dedicated to responsible gaming.

The state is a member of the National Council Of Problem Gambling. Like all states with legal gambling, anyone with a problem can call 1-800-GAMBLER.

Legal U.S. sports betting markets

The state-by-state sports betting legislation enabled by SCOTUS has already produced several other legal markets in addition to Pennsylvania. These U.S. jurisdictions have now legalized sports gambling:

Arizona

Arkansas

Colorado

Connecticut

DC

Delaware

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Kansas

Kentucky

Louisiana

Maine

Maryland

Massachusetts

Michigan

Mississippi

Nevada

New Hampshire

New Jersey

New York

North Carolina

Ohio

Oregon

Puerto Rico

Rhode Island

Tennessee

Vermont

Virginia

Washington

West Virginia

Wisconsin

Wyoming

Upcoming legal U.S. sports betting launches

On Nov. 23, 2022, seven Maryland betting sites came online and began to accept legal sports wagers. 

Retail and online sportsbooks made their Ohio sports betting debut on Jan. 1, 2023. 

Sports bettors in Massachusetts felt joyous on Jan. 31, 2023, the first date that they could visit a retail sportsbook and place a legal wager. Massachusetts sports betting fully came into effect when online betting sites launched on March 10, 2023.  

Legal Kentucky sports betting launched on Sept. 7, 2023, with the arrival of retail wagering. Online sports betting became available to Bluegrass State bettors in Sept. 28, 2023. 

Potential legal U.S. sports betting markets

There are still numerous states looking to legalize and we're constantly tracking states that allow sports betting.

The following regions may potentially offer online sportsbooks and legal sports gambling in the near future:

Alabama

California

Florida

Georgia

Minnesota

Missouri

Oklahoma

PA sports betting history

Legal sports betting arrived in PA six months after the Supreme Court of the United States lifted the nationwide ban on event wagering.

In 2023, Pennsylvanians can also submit their picks at over a dozen online and brick-and-mortar sportsbooks. 

2023: bet365 gains PA market access in January via a partnership with Churchill Downs. 

A bill to legalize esports betting, HB 733, is introduced in March.

2022: PointsBet launches its online sportsbook and casino in Pennsylvania, while Chickie's & Pete's Malvern becomes the first restaurant and sports bar to open a race and sportsbook — Parx Race and Sportsbook.

2021: Pennsylvania takes in over $6.5 billion in sports betting handle in the 12 months ending December 2021.

2020: Barstool Sportsbook, Betfred Sports, BetMGM, and Caesars Sportsbook launch mobile betting apps in PA. Pennsylvania more than doubles its 2019 sports betting handle, generating over $3.5 billion in total wagers in 2020.

2019: PlaySugarHouse launches its Pennsylvania online sportsbook. The operator takes PA's first legal online bet in May. BetRivers, FanDuel, FOX Bet, DraftKings, Parx (now betPARX), and Unibet launch online operations later in the year. TwinSpires, now closed in PA, also goes live.

2018: The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) falls as the Supreme Court removes the federal ban on sports betting. In November, Hollywood Casino accepts the first legal wager in Pennsylvania.

2017: Gov. Tom Wolf signs House Bill 271 into law on Oct. 30, legalizing online and retail sports betting in PA.

List of Pennsylvania resources

Visit these helpful PA sports betting online resources to keep tabs on everything sports gambling in Pennsylvania:

• Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board: Regulating body in Pennsylvania
  
  
• Council on Compulsive Gambling of Pennsylvania: Help and support for problem gamblers in PA
  
  
• House Bill 271: 2017 sports betting bill signed by Gov. Tom Wolf
  
  
• PA sports betting rules: What you can bet on in Pennsylvania
  
  
• List of PA sports gaming licensees: Legal sportsbook operators in PA

Pennsylvania sports betting conclusion

There has been an absolute explosion in Pennsylvania sports betting, fueled primarily by online sportsbooks. Bettors can enjoy all the excitement of college sports, poker, and online casino sites in the Keystone State. 

One key drawback of Pennsylvania sportsbooks is the high tax rates which often lead to less favorable odds compared to other states. Nevertheless, Pennsylvania betting sites continue to see steady growth, and we expect more to launch in the near future.