Online sports betting has been live, fully legal and regulated in Pennsylvania since July 2019. Pennsylvania’s sports betting market continues to grow each month and has a ton of options both retail and online, and you found the comprehensive guide to all things PA sports betting including where you can bet, where you should bet and all the best promos and bonuses in the Keystone State.

• Draftkings Sportsbook Pa Bonus
• Draftkings Sportsbook App Pennsylvania
• Draftkings Sportsbook Pa Promo Code

The largest bonus in Pennsylvania for sportsbooks is DraftKings with a $1,000 deposit match bonus, but only at a 20% match rate. However, DraftKings also offers a $50 free bet with the Lineups.com link.

• Use Code: SAOMAXPROMO
• Big, Exciting Brand
• NJ-MI-PA-IN-CO-TN-WV-VA-IA-MI

• Plus $250 Risk-Free Bet
• Profit Boost Specials
• NJ, PA, and IN

• $500 Risk-Free Bet
• No Code Needed
• NJ, PA and CO

• $1000 Deposit Match
• Seamless Mobile Betting
• NJ-MI-PA-IN-VA-TN-CO-IA-IL-WV

• Top iGaming Brand
• Valuable Promos
• VA-MI-PA-CO-IL-IA-IN

1. DraftKings Sportsbook and Casino is a single app in Pennsylvania under the “DraftKings Sportsbook” name. It is available on iOS and Android. This is confusing for some people, who might be looking for a standalone casino app.
2. Opening its virtual doors on November 4, 2019, DraftKings has finally entered the online realm of the Pennsylvania sports betting community. Licensed and regulated through the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, DraftKings PA has partnered up with the brick-and-mortar Meadows Racetrack & Casino, owned by Penn National Gaming.

Pennsylvania Sports Betting Information

• Sports betting is fully legal and regulated by the PGCB (Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board) for both online and retail, the same department that regulates retail casinos.
• Wagers are accepted on professional and collegiate level sporting events.
• Sports Betting licenses and fees
  • Sports Wagering Certificate – $10 million
  • 34% tax on gross gaming revenue
  • 2% local share tax
  • .25% excise tax on handle revenue
• One sportsbook skin per license
• Wagering on sports only, so no award shows, presidential election, etc.

Active Pennsylvania Online Sportsbooks

BetRivers Online Sportsbook

• Casino Partner: Rivers Casino Philadelphia and Pittsburgh
• Retail Sportsbook: Yes
• Tech Partner: Kambi
• Mobile Launch Date: June 2019

BetRivers online sportsbook is owned and operated by Rush Street Interactive, who also owns Rivers Philadelphia and Pittsburgh casino locations.

Both BetRivers online sportsbook offers a 100% deposit match for new customers with an unrivaled 1x bonus wagering requirement which means you are playing exclusively with house money and can cash out after you wager the bonus funds 1 time through.

• Top iGaming Brand
• Valuable Promos
• VA-MI-PA-CO-IL-IA-IN

FanDuel PA Online Sportsbook

• Casino Partner: Valley Forge Casino
• Retail Sportsbooks: Yes
• Tech Partner: FanDuel
• Mobile Launch Date: July 2019

FanDuel online sportsbooks seems to dominate every US market they enter, and for good reason. FanDuel has some of the best promos, best betting lines and offers a wide array of betting options for both pregame and in-game betting.

FanDuels welcome offer is a $500 Risk-free bet where if your first bet loses, FanDuel will refund the total amount of the losing wager in site credit that needs to be turned over 1x before cashing out. Fortunately, site credit plays like cash, so winning bets pay out both the bet and profit unlike other sites where free bets only pay out profit.

• Top Rated Sportsbook
• User-Friendly
• NJ-MI-PA-IL-IN-IA-WV-CO-TN-VA

FOX Bet PA Online Sportsbook

• Casino Partner: Mount Airy Casino
• Retail Sportsbooks: Yes
• Tech Partner: The Stars Group
• Mobile Launch Date: September 2019

FOX Sports and The Stars Group have teamed up to bring you the FOX Bet online sportsbook. Combining FOX Sports, of the biggest names in sports, and The Stars Group, parent company of PokerStars is a match made in heaven. FOX Bet has paired up with Mount Airy Casino and shares a wallet with PokerStars PA and Stars Casino. FOX Bet is one of the most fun sportsbooks in the industry bringing a ton of prop bets, custom bets and the most odds boosts in PA.

• $500 Risk-Free Bet
• No Code Needed
• NJ, PA and CO

DraftKings Online Sportsbook

• Casino Partner: Meadows Casino
• Retail Sportsbooks: Yes
• Tech Partner: Kambi
• Mobile Launch Date: November 2019

DraftKings, one of the biggest names in Daily Fantasy Sports has found their path into the PA online sportsbook market via Meadows Casino in Washington, PA. DraftKings online sportsbook offers daily odds boosts, ingame betting and all the major markets. DraftKings also has a large lineup of constantly changing promotions, so be sure to check back to see the latest offers and deals. They also recently launched an online casino offer in PA that’s become very popular with many players.

• $1000 Deposit Match
• Seamless Mobile Betting
• NJ-MI-PA-IN-VA-TN-CO-IA-IL-WV

Unibet Sportsbook

• Casino Partner: Mohegan Sun
• Retail Sportsbooks: Yes
• Tech Partner: Kambi
• Mobile Launch Date: November 2019

Unibet may not be a household name in the US market just yet, but they are one of the biggest online gaming companies in the world, with over 11 million customers worldwide in over 100 countries. Unibet first made their entry in the US market via New Jersey and have partnered with Mohegan Sun Pocono to bring their product to Pennsylvania. Unibet welcome package comes in the form of 3 $10 free bets just for signing up, and up to a $600 Risk-Free bet after your first deposit.

• Plus $250 Risk-Free Bet
• Profit Boost Specials
• NJ, PA, and IN

Parx Online Sportsbook

• Casino Partner: Parx Casino
• Retail Sportsbooks: Yes
• Tech Partner: Kambi
• Mobile Launch Date: June 2019

Parx was not fully on board with online gambling, but once online sports betting launched, they jumped in with two feet and were one of the first to go live. Parx online sportsbook offers a $500 Risk-Free bet where if your first bet loses, you will recieve the full amount of the bet in the form of a one-time free bet. Beware, only profit is paid out on these bets, making it not quite as good an offer as Fanduel that pays out in site credit, or DraftKings Risk-Free bet that is matched win or lose, but still an offer worth taking advantage of.

BetAmerica

• Casino Partner: Presque Isle Downs
• Retail Sportsbooks: Yes
• Tech Partner: SG Digital
• Mobile Launch Date: December 2019

Churchill Downs Inc acquired Presque Isle downs primarily to enter a growing Pennsylvania online gaming market. BetAmerica has been live in New Jersey since February 2019 and shares a wallet with their online casino. BetAmerica is offering a one-time $25 free bet for new customers and a 100% deposit match up to $100.

Pennsylvania Online Sportsbooks Coming Soon

Harrah’s Philadelphia

• Casino Partner: Harrah’s Philadelphia
• Retail Sportsbooks: Yes
• Tech Partner: Scientific Games
• Mobile Launch Date: Expected 2020

There has not been a lot of news out of the Caesars owned property and it is quite surprising that there has not been an online sportsbook and casino launched in Pennsylvania as they have been live in New Jersey for quite some time. Harrahs retail sportsbook opened their doors in January 2019 and features 4 teller windows, several self serve kiosks, a full bar and a wall of screens for watching the big games.

BetMGM PA Online Sportsbook

• Casino Partner: Independent License
• Retail Sportsbooks: No
• Tech Partner: GVC Holdings
• Mobile Launch Date: Expected 2020

When not all the sports betting licenses were claimed, the PGCB opened up the market to outsiders, and BetMGM quickly scooped up one of those leftover licenses. BetMGM is live in New Jersey via the Borgata license and has been since August 2018.

Betting Options at PA Online Sportsbooks

If you are new to sports betting or just need a refresher, you may not be sure what to expect when signing up at an online sportsbook. One of the many upsides of betting online versus at a retail location is that online sportsbooks can be more innovative when it comes to betting options and promotional offers. Let’s take a look at the most popular bet types you will see:

• Moneyline: A moneyline bet is most simply put as just picking who you think will win. Each team is assigned odds based on if they are a favorite or underdog. For example, if you are betting on the Celtics(+145) vs the Sixers(-170), the Celtics would be the underdog and the Sixers would be the favorites. Your $100 bet on the Celtics would return $245 ($100 bet +$145 profit) where as that same $100 bet on the sixers would only return $158 ($100 bet + $58 profit). To win $100 profit on the Sixers, you would need to bet $170 when the odds are -170.
• Point Spread: To bring a game back to even, teams are assigned a point spread and offered close to even odds on the bet. In that same example from above, the spread is -3.5 for the Sixers and +3.5 for the Celtics. If you bet the Celtics +3.5, they can lose by 3, and you would still win the bet. On the flip side, if you bet the Sixers, they would need to win by 4 or more in order for you to win the bet.
• Over/Under (Totals): The Over/Under or totals bets is just picking how many points will be scored in a game. If the O/U is set it 152.5, you would win the Under bet if there are 152 points or less, and win the Over if there are 153 points or more scored between both teams.
• Parlays: Parlays are a combination of two or more bets, where you get increased odds but the risk is higher as all of the legs of the parlays must win for you to be paid.
• Futures: Futures bets are just as they sound, betting on outcomes that will take place in the future. For example, if you bet the Phillies to win the world series back in March, that would be a futures bet.
• Prop Bets: Prop bets are any bet that is based on a team or individual performance, such as Ben Simmons to have over 9.5 assists or Rafael Nadal to serve over 10.5 aces in a match.
• Ingame or Live Betting: Ingame bets are placed after the match or game has started. The odds are constantly updating based on the action and depending on the site, you may have access to all the same bets listed above during the game.

Pennsylvania Online Sportsbook Banking

Knowing your money is safe is top priority in a legal and regulated sports betting market. Along with keeping your money safe, making it easy to move money on and off the sites in a timely manner is another great benefit. Below is the most popular banking options in Pennsylvania.

• Visa/Mastercard (deposits only): Use your credit card to instantly deposit money into your account.
• PayNearMe(deposits only): Choose PayNearMe from the list of deposit options and you will receive a barcode that can be scanned at a 7-11, CVS or Family Dollar. Make a cash deposit and you will see the funds in your account within 15 minutes.
• PayPal: Use the world’s most popular E-wallet to safely and securely load money on and off a variety of sites.
• Online Bank Transfer: Use your online banking bill pay options to transfer funds on and off the various sites.
• Wire Transfers: Transfer money directly from your bank account using wire transfer option.
• Cash at the casino cage: Bring cash and your ID to the affiliated brick-and-mortar casino to make deposits, or request a withdrawal to the cage and bring your ID to easily get cash out of your account.

Available Platforms

Whether you like to bet from your couch or on the go, online sportsbooks give you a variety of options to place your bets including:

• Desktop/Mac: Place your bets from desktop, laptop or Mac computer by going directly to the online sportsbook’s website.
• iOS App: Most online sportsbooks offer an iOS app for your iPhone or iPad and can be downloaded from Apple’s App store.
• Android App: Either download the app directly from the website or app store.

Pennsylvania Retail Sports Betting Locations

• Hollywood Casino at Penn National
• Parx Casino
• South Philadelphia Turf Club
• Rivers Casino Philadelphia
• Rivers Casino Pittsburgh
• Valley Forge Casino
• Presque Isle Downs
• Mohegan Sun Casino
• Mount Airy Casino
• Meadows Casino
• Harrah’s Philadelphia

Pennsylvania Gambling History

Up until 2004, the closest Pennsylvania had to gambling was the lottery, but that all changed when the state approved slots machines to be installed at the states seven racetracks. Fast forward to 2010, the state looked to raise the stakes and take in more revenue to fill the budget gaps by adding table games and poker rooms. Pennsylvania quickly rose to the second largest gaming state behind only Nevada bringing in over $3 billion a year in gross gaming revenue.

In 2017, the Keystone State once again looked to expand their gambling revenue, this time in the form of iGaming. After years of debate, the state finally passed a massive gaming expansion package that led to legalizing online poker, casinos and sports betting. Sports betting was a placeholder pending a federal case regarding the legality of sports betting outside of Nevada.

In May 2018, the United State Supreme Court declared PASPA, a 1992 law that prohibited full-scale sports betting outside of Nevada, unconstitutional, giving the green light for states to regulate and legalize sports betting within their own borders.

Given that the 2017 gaming expansion package had language for legal sports betting, Pennsylvania was well set up to be one of the first states to get up and running. We saw the first retail bets being placed at Hollywood Casino in November 2018 and the first online sports bets being placed at an online sportsbook in May 2019.

PA Online Sports Betting Frequently Asked Questions

Is it legal to bet on sports in Pennsylvania?

Yes! Betting on sports in Pennsylvania is legal both in person and online.

How do I know my money is safe in an online sportsbook?

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) oversees and regulates online sportsbooks the same as they oversee retail sports betting and all casino activities. This is one of the biggest benefits of legal and regulated sports betting is peace of mind that your money is safe and games are fair.

Who can place a bet at a retail or online sportsbook in Pennsylvania?
Anyone who is 21 years of age or older and is physically located in the state of Pennsylvania.

Draftkings Sportsbook Pa Bonus

What can I do if I have a gambling problem, need a time out from sports betting or want to limit my betting activity?
All legal online sportsbooks in New Jersey have responsible gaming tabs on their site. Go to the “Responsible gaming” page on the individual site and you can set deposit limits, spending limits, time limits, temporary self-suspensions, and total lifetime self-exclusion. For more help, you can call 1 800-GAMBLER.

Is live ingame betting available in Pennsylvania?
Yes! All sites have their own live ingame betting options.

How can online sportsbooks verify if I am in Pennsylvania?
Geolocation technology uses your computer’s IP address, phone’s GPS and available Wi-Fi networks to pinpoint your location and verify that you are physically located in Pennsylvania. If a site is having trouble verifying your location, check to be sure that you are allowing the app to find your location and that your Wi-Fi is turned on. When using the desktop, be sure to have and VPN turned off and be connected to Wi-Fi.

Deposits and withdrawals can be made from outside of the state, but to place a bet, you must be physically located in the state. You do not have to be a Pennsylvania resident to bet.

How busy was Championship Sunday for online sportsbooks?

Pennsylvania market leader FanDuelexperienced technical difficulties that drew the ire of users trying to log on during the NFC Championship game.

Jason Scott, VP of trading at BetMGM, said:

“The Buccaneers upsetting the Packers was the best result BetMGM has had on a single event in 12 months. The public won some money back on the Chiefs but Sunday was still a very profitable day.”

At DraftKings, Championship Sunday was big. The AFC Championship game (Buffalo Bills vs. Kansas Chiefs) and the NFC Championship game (Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Green Bay Packers) rank No. 1 and No. 2 respectively for the biggest handle ever for a playoff game at DraftKings. According to Johnny Avello, head of sportsbook and gaming operations at DraftKings:

“It was really big. It was probably our biggest day ever.”

For now.

“It’s going to continue to happen as we expand.”

Draftkings Sportsbook App Pennsylvania

DraftKings launched in Pennsylvania in the fall of 2019 and quickly established itself as the No. 2 operator in terms of handle and revenue (although in December, Barstool led for revenue). Last week, DraftKings arrived in two new states, Michigan and Virginia. We were curious what the popular sportsbook expects for Super Bowl betting this year.

The following interview with Avello has been edited for length and clarity.

Supersize handle

For the 2020 Super Bowl, bettors in legalized markets across the country wagered nearly $270 million. It marked the first Super Bowl that gamblers in Pennsylvania could wager online. Pennsylvania posted Super Bowl handle of $30.7 million in 2020, with $24 million being placed online.

What is Avello’s prediction for Super Bowl LV handle?

He couldn’t offer a number, but he did say it would be record-breaking:

“There is no doubt in my mind this Super Bowl will be the biggest of all time, especially since we added two new states.”

DraftKings promos

For the first game of the NFL season, DraftKings ran a “no brainer” promo that had the Chiefs +101 against the Houston Texans. On Championship Sunday, there were 50% boosts on markets such as “first team to score” and “anytime touchdown scorer.” On Monday, DraftKings posted an “Early Bird Big Game Profit Boost” that gives a 55% boost on any Super Bowl LV bet.

Where do DraftKings’ promos come from, and why are they such a big part of the marketing plan?

“Our promo team led by Lexi Janson is great. They do a great job coming up with different things you haven’t seen in the market before. It’s a big deal for us because we want to separate ourselves from other operators in various ways. You want to have the best app, the best customer service and best promos, too. We try to be the best at everything we do. That team has really outdone themselves over the past year.”

Have users already seen the best promos?

“The team is so innovative and hardworking. I don’t think you’ve seen their best.”

In-game betting

Judging from Twitter, my experience and group chats I was in on Sunday, it seemed that there was a decent amount of live betting going on. Can you comment on the volume on live betting? Have you seen an increase in live betting from week to week?

“There is no question that it’s grown throughout the year, and it will continue to grow. Live wagering used to be the game and the total, and now there is so much more in there. As we continue to come up with new offerings, it will continuously grow.”

Player props

DraftKings added a section in the app with information about player props. There are hundreds of markets for the Super Bowl, and player props are very popular. How have you seen this market grow?

“If you look at Super Bowl props going back a year or two ago, you would see certain ones only for the Super Bowl. You may also see them on Championship Sunday but not at the magnitude of the Super Bowl. What we have done at DraftKings this year is we’ve put up a Super Bowl menu for every game. We’ve added new props and will continue to add some. Our players have become comfortable with props by seeing them from week to week.”

Brady bettors

Draftkings Sportsbook Pa Promo Code

You have been a bookmaker throughout Brady’s career; do bettors back or fade him?

“When he was with the Patriots, there was a love/hate between him and some of the bettors. I spoke to some people over the years who made a sportsbook living betting on the Patriots. There are always a bunch out there who root for the underdog.

“This year, they may bet against him because they feel he lost a little edge or is going against a better team. I think moving to Tampa Bay took some of the ‘bet against Brady’ away. He did a remarkable job down there. Who knows if they would have made it without him? He lived up to expectations, and when he announced he was going to Tampa, we took a ton of money on the Bucs to win the Super Bowl. People have continued to bet the Buccaneers to win the Super Bowl throughout the season.”

Bucs and Chiefs biggest liabilities for the book

Since Brady signed with the Bucs in the offseason, the Buccaneers are the most-bet team at DraftKings to win the Super Bowl. They are DraftKings’ biggest Super Bowl liability.

Their second-biggest liability is the Kanas City Chiefs.

So, who is DraftKings rooting for on Super Bowl Sunday?

“You let that go. When you have a future book and you are in that spot, you let it go. It will play out however it plays out, and you book the game normally.”

Adrenaline still flows for veteran bookmaker

It’s your 36th Super Bowl as a bookmaker. What gets you excited for the game?

“There is a lot of hard work involved by the staff. As the week goes on, we will add new props; then the game starts and there is in-game wagering. What has always gotten me excited is the booking part of it. We have multiple decisions on the game, and whether you win or lose them, that’s when the adrenaline flows. The biggest decision will be on the game itself, but there will be other significant decisions on all the offerings we have up. Bookmakers get excited about bookmaking.”

When will you see the majority of money come in?

“Starting Saturday night through kickoff. The last 18 hours is when you’ll see the majority of the money come in.”

Lead image credit: AP Photo/Charles Krupa