Sports Betting Legal In Pa

Legal sports betting for Pennsylvania residents can be done in a multitude of ways. There are numerous casinos and racino locations that now have licensed sportsbooks for patrons to visit. Even so, many bettors prefer a more convenient way to wager, and this is where the internet comes in. On top of the online sportsbooks we often suggest on this site, Pennsylvania also has state-regulated sports betting sites available. That means there are many online sportsbooks that allow for legal Pennsylvania sports betting. This gives players in the state the ability to wager real money on any number of sporting events. This is the best way to flexibly bet on sports legally in Pennsylvania.

On this page, we are going to give you our list of the best legal Pennsylvania sports betting sites we know of. We also answer any questions you might have on the matter, like what federal sports betting laws are still applicable to legal sports betting in Pennsylvania. In addition, we go over questions you have about legal sports betting sites in Pennsylvania. Everything you need to know about legal sports betting sites in Pennsylvania is right on this page.

Legal retail and online sports betting is now alive and well in Pennsylvania. Retail books began launching in late 2018, and online sportsbooks began taking bets in May 2019. The legal sports betting industry is booming in Pennsylvania, and bettors have plenty of choices to consider as a result. A number of leading operators have set up shop, so accessing a real live sportsbook online or via mobile is a nonissue. Sports betting officially became legal in Pennsylvania in November 2018 when the Hollywood Casino in Grantville booked the first sports bet in the state. The Hollywood is joined by six other casinos in Pennsylvania who have applied to operate a sportsbook, all of which are expected to be operational by the end of January 2019.

Feb 03, 2021 Yes! Legal sports betting in Pennsylvania can be found in casinos all across the state. 42, formally known ​ as HB 271, is the piece of legislation that ultimately shaped the updated Pennsylvania gaming laws. With legal Pennsylvania sports betting sites opening across the state, these days many people are trying to find the best venues with the best odds. Even though Hollywood Casino at Penn National Racecourse was the first sportsbook to open, many other establishments have since jumped onboard to get a share of the industry as well.

Is It Now Legal To Bet On Sports In Pennsylvania?

Yes, it is now completely legal to bet on sports in Pennsylvania. Once the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (PASPA) was overturned, Pennsylvania was one of the first in line to legalize single-game wagering after Nevada had a monopoly on the market for decades. Pennsylvania lawmakers passed sports betting in law in 2017 but had to wait until the May 14th, 2018 Supreme Court decision in order for it to go into effect. Now, residents can choose from state-licensed online, mobile, and land-based sports betting in addition to offshore books. All of these options are now available for people in Pennsylvania. Compared to the state-based options, sites like Bovada and BetOnline continue to accept PA sports bettors and provide the best odds around.

Online sports betting is legal in Pennsylvania so long as you are doing it at the right locations. In the state, residents can use state-licensed or offshore sportsbooks. All of these options are available, but we suggest that you stick with offshore sportsbooks. The reason we recommend overseas betting sites is that they often have better odds and a greater variety of betting options, making them a safe and legal sports betting alternative in Pennsylvania. Plus, the offshore sites we recommend have many more years of experience than Pennsylvania’s state-based sites. That experience matters.

Residents of Pennsylvania can place wagers at online sportsbooks or casinos safely, just as they can easily travel to nearby gaming venues. Pennsylvania players continue to choose online sportsbooks because of the convenience of betting on sports online and the fact that online sports gambling is completely legal. If you live in the Liberty Bell State and enjoy casino gambling or betting on sports, consider placing bets at online sportsbooks and casinos instead of traveling to a land-based casino, paying for gas, and having to get dressed up. Online books don’t care how you look since you’re playing via your computer and they won’t see you anyway. Plus, online bets don’t require you to fill your gas tank.

Considering that all forms of sports betting are now available and legal, it is basically impossible for you to go to jail for sports betting in Pennsylvania. Land-based and online sportsbooks are completely legal in the state. The websites that we have recommended throughout this page and website have been legal for people in Pennsylvania to use for decades now and they continue to be legal. If you are worried about going to jail for sports betting in Pennsylvania, then let us be the first to assure you that it is not going to happen.

Safety is guaranteed when using the sportsbook located at Bovada. Having been around for 15 years, they definitely know what they are doing. Bovada gives their users a solid set of betting odds, giving all players a way to wager on any sport out there. They place a heavy emphasis on football, both college and professional, making this one of the better options for betting the Sox or the Pats. A 100% to $250 match bonus awaits new players, and this can be collected with any of their major deposit options. But for a limited time, there is an exclusive bonus going on for football season. Until October 1, you can get a 50% bonus for your first deposit for up to $1,000! Just use the promo code BVNFL1000 for NFL bets or the NCAAF bonus code BVNCAAF1000. Bitcoin, VISA and wire transfers can all be used to deposit into Bovada, making this one of the easier books to access.

BetOnline provides a fluid betting experience that is not mired in complications. BetOnline offers easy access by way of multiple deposit methods, including VISA, e-checks, wire transfers, and prepaid cards. With each of the options we have found, we can tell you that funding your account is not a challenge. BetOnline gives their users one of the best bonuses around, a 50% match up to $1,000 when making the first deposit with code BOL1000. BetOnline is one of the easiest gambling sites to use, and they allow you to wager on everything from football to politics. Major professional sports, collegiate sports and more can all be found through BetOnline's sportsbook, making it one of your better options for diversity.

This state is the state that is known for all the sports teams and they are always competing for titles. The Philadelphia Eagles and The Pittsburgh Steelers are the main football teams here that most players pay attention to and Mybookie has all the games that players want to bet on during the season. These games will have plenty of the bets that players want to check out also with bonuses that will help players earn other rewards and money. The features that they also have is mobile betting and live betting options that show many bets as well. Check it out!

Teams like the Philadelphia 76ers and the Philadelphia Phillies are big-time pro teams that Pennsylvania sports fans take a glance at all the time. These are the teams that players like to bet on and Sportsbetting has all the games for these teams as betting options. The fact is that players know once they log on to their Sportbetting account, a lot of prop bets, moneyline, and parlay bets for these teams and other sports teams will be here. There are also banking methods for players to sign up for and bonuses like a 5% bitcoin boost will be offered to players soon as they pick which method is best for them. The amount that players can deposit is pretty high as well as the withdraw amount as well. These are just a few things that stick out for Sportsbetting.

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The sports betting laws in Pennsylvania are relatively easy to understand. PA H 271 legalizes all forms of sports gambling in the state. The bill amended several titles of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes in order to regulate land-based and interactive gaming. You will find that there are licensure, taxation, and fee requirements established within the law. The bill was signed and approved by the governor on October 30, 2017, and went into effect after the federal ban on sports betting was revoked. Sportsbooks then launched in the state starting on November 16, 2018.

How Federal Laws Impact Pennsylvania Sports Betting

There are three federal sports betting laws that have impacted Pennsylvania sports gambling. The first one you need to know has been repealed, but it affected the industry for decades. It is called the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA). This law prevented sports betting from being regulated in 46 states, basically eradicating any stateside sponsored sports betting. The four states that were exempt included Delaware, Montana, Nevada, and Oregon. It was not until 2018 in Murphy vs. NCAA that the law was struck down. The Supreme Court ruled that PASPA was unconstitutional and the federal ban was lifted. The repeal of the law allowed PA HB 271 to take effect, legalizing sports gambling in Pennsylvania.

The second sports betting law that affects Pennsylvania residents is called the Wire Act. This law prevents people from accepting wagers over a line of communication. So, someone in Nevada can’t take a bet from someone in Pennsylvania. The Wire Act does not prevent actual sports betting. Instead, it just limits how and where you can bet on sports. The Wire Act does not have the authority to prevent the use of online, offshore sportsbooks. Furthermore, it is not applicable to state-licensed sports betting sites. So long as you use a Pennsylvania licensed online sportsbook or one of our recommended websites, you will be fine.

The third federal sports betting law in the US is the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA). Now, this law sounds like it would make sports betting online unlawful, right? But it doesn’t. The UIGEA is just a really scary sounding banking regulation. The verbiage in this law states that companies cannot accept wagers or process transactions from US bettors to online gambling sites.

But US law does not have jurisdiction over companies that are based in other countries, so it can’t prevent these companies from accepting wagers from US bettors. What the UIGEA can do is prevent deposits from going through to these online companies. So banks are allowed to decline payments made to online gambling accounts. Fortunately, Legal Pennsylvania sports betting sites offer alternative deposit methods that are not affected by the UIGEA. Plus, online sports betting is completely legal in Pennsylvania. This further weakens the effect that the UIGEA has on the state.

The legal betting age in Pennsylvania is 21. While most online sportsbooks will allow you to join at the age of 18, we recommend waiting. This is simply to comply with gambling age restrictions set forth by your state so that there are no grounds for your winnings to be confiscated. Whether you bet online or at a local PA sportsbook, you will need identification to verify your age.

In Pennsylvania, legal mobile sports betting can be accessed through your phone’s browser. If you are a fan of one of the land-based sportsbooks, check to see if they have an online option available. If they do, you can use their mobile sports betting app to place bets on your favorite teams without leaving home. You also have the option to use offshore sportsbooks. The online, offshore sports betting sites we recommend all have mobile sites that are designed to work on smartphones and tablets. So, if you’re in Pennsylvania and can’t make it home before the game starts, just log onto your account from your phone.

How Can I Tell if an Online Sportsbook is Legal for Pennsylvania Residents?

It’s actually very simple to determine if a site provides legal sports betting for Pennsylvania residents. If the site accepts American players, you’re using a legal sportsbook. Legal Pennsylvania sports betting can be done at any of the sites we recommend here on this page. We also recommend checking for licensing as well, which can be found on the home page. You can also see if an online book only accepts Pennsylvania players. If they do, then check if they are associated with one of the casinos that has a sportsbook. That will be a good indication that they are legal for Pennsylvania residents.

How Can I Open An Account At An Online Sportsbook?

All it takes is an email and a few minutes of your time to open a legal Pennsylvania sports betting account. Simply set up a username and password, verify your email, and voila, you’ve got yourself an account. Deposits are just as simple.

What Are The Best Deposit Methods At Legal Pennsylvania Sports Betting Sites?

The best deposit methods for Pennsylvania residents are those that are fast, easy to use and provide safe transactions. We recommend prepaid cards or Bitcoin. Both methods take only minutes to fund your account. Neither will get flagged by the UIGEA, so you don’t have to worry about a declined transaction. And there are no fees to worry about. If you are using a state-licensed sportsbook, Bitcoin will not be available. In that case, you can use PayPal or use your credit and debit cards.

What Are The Best Withdrawal Methods Available To Pennsylvania Residents?

The best withdrawal methods available to Pennsylvania residents are those that have minimal fees and fast delivery times. Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other cryptocurrencies are typically the fastest. Most legal Pennsylvania sports betting sites will provide at least one free payout per month, which means the fees will be waived. So after that, it comes down to speed. All of the methods offered are guaranteed and secure, so you never have to worry about that. But as we have mentioned, cryptocurrencies are not available for use on state-licensed sportsbooks. PayPal will likely be your best option to withdraw your winnings.

How Long Should It Take For The Sportsbook To Payout?

It depends on the withdrawal method you’ve chosen from the online sportsbook. If you choose something digital, like Bitcoin or Litecoin, payouts take only a few hours. But if you choose a paper check in the mail or even a wire transfer, it can take a few business days, and sometimes up to a week. Offshore sites that provide legal sports betting in Pennsylvania are located in other countries, so it can take time for physical payment to reach you. For state-licensed sportsbooks, it will usually take about 72 hours to review and approve your withdrawal. Afterward, it depends on what method you choose to take. At most, it will take 14 business days if you ask for a check by mail. But if you use PayPal, it will take 30 minutes after approval.

When Will Pennsylvania Open State-Sponsored Sports Betting Sites?

State-sponsored sports betting sites are available right now in Pennsylvania. State-sponsored sports betting sites will offer the same betting options like those offered at the brick and mortar sportsbook. If you have a favorite land-based sportsbook that you like, check if they have a mobile option available. But we will continue to suggest online offshore sportsbooks. Offshore online sportsbooks will typically have better odds because there are not as many overhead costs as a physical location.

College:

• Penn State
• University of Pennsylvania
• University of Pittsburgh
• Villanova
• Temple
• Lehigh

Pennsylvania is a sports fan’s dream. The state has eight professional sports franchises and also a popular college sports following. This makes for a dynamic sports betting landscape and bettors have plenty of teams to place wagers on.

Pennsylvania passed legislation to allow domestic sports betting after PASPA's repeal. Sports betting officially launched in November of 2018. However, there are several options and Pennsylvania residents can still participate in legal online sports betting through several licensed offshore sportsbooks.

page was designed for Pennsylvania residents and sheds light on the legalities of the industry as well as which sportsbooks are best to use. You will also find information on the most popular sports teams in the state.

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Pennsylvania residents have more home state pro sports teams to follow than the average American. We can easily recommend Betonline Sportsbook for PA sports fans seeking a premium online sports betting experience. BetOnline is an industry leader when it comes competitive odds and betting lines, which are comparable to the bookmakers in Vegas. This well established operation has been in business since 1991, they offer a lifetime match bonus on all deposits, fast withdrawals and deliver a high quality, secure and innovative betting environment that is licensed and regulated in Panama City, Panama. You will find a well designed mobile application that includes their live betting features, a banking suite that effectively supports US players, and a highly responsive and competent customer support team.

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Is Online Sports Betting Legal In Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania has recently passed legislation legalizing state-regulated sports betting entertainment and in late 2018 domestic sports betting was launched across the state. In addition to state-based online sportsbooks, residents can also play offshore online sportsbooks. USA friendly sportsbooks often have better bonus options and more favorable sport betting lines. Offshore sportsbooks have been servicing Pennsylvania residents for over a decade and have built a great reputation among its players.

When Will Sports Betting Launch In PA?

Sports betting officially launched in November of 2018. As of early 2019, there are only a few establishments that have obtained a license and launched their domestic sports betting services. Domestic sportsbooks can be found at the following casinos:

• Hollywood Casino
• Sugar House Casino
• Rivers Casino
• Parx Casino

Federal Laws that May Impact Pennsylvania

There are three major pieces of legislation here, and we'll start with the latest of the series, the UIGEA. Known technically as the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006. The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) places strict regulatory oversight concerning how gambling related transactions are processed online. It is not directed towards bettors, but rather towards gambling site owners and operators, as well as payment processors.

The second piece of regulation we'll speak about is known as the Bradley Act but is technically the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (recently repealed). PASPA was huge when it was first implemented. The PASPA law barred all but four states—Oregon, Nevada, Montana, and Delaware—from having any form of state-regulated brick and mortar sports betting options. PASPA was ruled unconstitutional in 2018 by the Supreme Court and as a result, the Pennsylvania gambling expansion law of 2017 legalized sports betting as part of its initial framework.

The third piece of legislation is the oldest, the Federal Wire Act of 1961. The Federal Wire Act makes it illegal for US-based online sportsbooks to accept any action from US bettors across state lines. It doesn’t go after the bettor, but rather the sportsbook or bookie running the show. However, the law does not apply to legally licensed offshore sportsbooks that offer online access to their betting services.

Places to Gamble in Pennsylvania

It isn't going to take you long to find casinos in Pennsylvania. One of their most popular is the Valley Forge Casino Resort, and this casino features over 600 slots, 50 table games, and has a health spa, a gym, restaurants, valet parking, and entertainment options. If you want something that's much more inclusive, then you might appreciate The Meadows Racetrack and Casino. This is a location where you can find slot machines, table games, a 15-table poker room, horse races, simulcast racing, and so much more.

If you're a serious poker fan who wants to play in a large poker room where many tournaments are frequently held, then you might enjoy the Sands Casino Resort in Bethlehem. Not only can you find over 3,000 slot machines and nearly 200 table games here, but they also have a very large 36-table poker room. They also have plenty of entertainment options, multiple restaurants, valet parking, top-notch rooms, and every other odd and end you would expect from a top-flight casino.

One of the fastest growing names in all of gambling is the Mohegan Sun, and you can find their biggest offering in Connecticut. However, they're starting to open more locations around the nation, such as their relatively new casino in Pocono Downs. This version of the Mohegan Sun has over 2,300 slots, nearly 100 table games, and an 18-table poker room. Slated to open up in 2018, Pennsylvania isn't done with their casinos yet. They have a brand new and very large casino coming via the Live Hotel and Casino resort. This casino will feature over 2,000 slots, over 100 table games, and more than 30 poker tables. There will also be entertainment options and plenty of dining options. If you need a place to gamble in Pennsylvania, you definitely have a few options available.

Pennsylvania's Many Sports Franchises

Major League Baseball

MLB has a huge presence in Pennsylvania via two very popular ball clubs: The Philadelphia Phillies and the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Phillies are the more popular of the two teams, and that's because they've been the better team for longer. Their last East Division title came in 2011, but they have a pitching staff that's basically unmatched in all of baseball. If only they could swing the bats on a more consistent basis, the team might actually have more World Series wins to its credit. Their last World Series came back in 2008, and they had a chance to win back-to-back but ended up losing in '09. The Phillies have fallen on hard times this season, however, due to injuries and bad trades, so they won't be in 2015's postseason. However, their core pitching is still intact and they may make another big run at it next season.

For the Pirates, they're actually in contention in the NL Central this season. They're currently five games back (as of September, 2015), and they're 29 games over .500. For Pirates fans, this is a huge improvement over recent years. They made a wild card berth last season, and may well again this season, but before their relatively recent run of decent play, the Pirates were a bottom-shelf team. Their last World Series happened back in 1979, so the state of Pennsylvania is hungry for a Pirates push through the playoffs this year.

The National Hockey League

The NHL is considered to be the bottom of the major four American sports, but at least they're listed as a top-four sport. Golf, volleyball, soccer and many other sports cannot claim this. And so it's no surprise really that Pennsylvania has two NHL teams: The Philadelphia Flyers and the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Flyers have been around since 1967 and have a pretty big following. Unfortunately, however, they don't have a very big roster of talented players. Their last Stanley Cup victory came all the way back in 1973, and the last time they won their division was in 1967. The Flyers aren't looking that ready for prime time of late, but maybe their luck is slated to change in a few years.

For the Penguins, you're looking at a team that has won more recently yet still hasn't really given Pittsburgh anything in decades. They're 25 years without any winning seasons, dating back to their last division title and Stanley Cup in 1990. Under Mike Johnston, the Penguins seem to be a little improved, but fans are hoping for much improved. Maybe another year of draft picks and free agency can fit Pittsburgh's woes.

The National Basketball Association

In the NBA, there's only one team in Pennsylvania, and that's the Philadelphia 76ers. This is an incredibly proud franchise, which once had the famous Dr. J playing for them, and they had Mr. 'Who Needs Practice' himself, Allen Iverson in the 1990s. However, now that the 76ers are basically without that level of talent, they're the bottom rung of the Eastern Conference. Surely this article doesn't inspire much confidence with Philly fans, but we must tell the truth as it relates to sports teams and your odds of winning anything on them. And the truth about the 76ers is that they'll probably finish close to dead last in the East next season, at least four solid drafts away from putting together a true contender. Long gone are the days of Dr. J's impressive reverse layups. These days, it's flopping and tanking for more lottery balls in the draft.

Major League Soccer

Perhaps the newest sports franchise in Pennsylvania is the Philadelphia Union, of Major League Soccer (MLS). Of course, soccer isn't ranked as a top-four sport, and thus a lot of people don't follow the action closely. But for fans in Philly, the Union are a solid ball club that has been in competition for big titles since they were founded. They once finished as runners up to the US Open Cup, and the team seems to get a little better every year.

NFL Teams in Pennsylvania

The Keystone state houses two NFL teams, the Philadelphia Eagles (NFC) and the Pittsburgh Steelers (AFC). The Philadelphia Eagles franchise was first established in 1933, and the franchise won its first Super Bowl championship in 2018 with a 41-33 upset over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII. The Pittsburgh Steelers were also founded in 1933 and are one of the most successful franchises in league history with 6 Super Bowl championships, more than any other NFL franchise, winning in 1974 (IX), 1975 (X), 1978 (XIII), 1979 (XIV), 2005 (XL), and 2008 (XLIII).

Betting on the 2019 Philadelphia Eagles

Well, the Eagles finally decided on a quarterback this offseason when they traded Nick Foles to the Jacksonville Jaguares. Carson Wentz expects to lead the Eagles to another Super Bowl but everyone knows how hard it was for them to get the first one. The Eagles are always a physical team and have a history of playing good defense. Betting on the Eagles to win the Super Bowl would be a good bet at the current preseason line.

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Odds to Win the Super Bowl LIV: +1600

Betting on the 2019 Pittsburgh Steelers

Is this the year big Ben throws in the towel, we may never know, but one thing is for sure, Roethlisberger will suit up and take the field this 2019 NFL season. After losing Le'Veon Bell during contract negotiations last year the Steelers put together a good season finishing with a record of 9-6-1. This year sportsbooks have the Steelers in the middle of the pack due to the fact they lost their #1 receiver Antonio Brown and the 2015 fantasy player of the year Le'Veon Bell.

Odds to Win the Super Bowl LIV: +2500

College Football Teams in Pennsylvania

There are two Power 5 Conference college football teams in Pennsylvania: The Penn State Nittany Lions (Big Ten) and the Pittsburgh Panthers (ACC). Located at State College, PA, Penn State claims 2 national titles (1982, 1986) and play in Beaver Stadium, the second largest stadium in the western hemisphere with a seating capacity of 106,572. Pitt claims 9 national titles (1915, 1916, 1918, 1929, 1931, 1934, 1936, 1937, 1976) and out of all college football programs, has the twelfth most consensus All-Americans and the third most Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees, including all-time greats RB Curtis Martin, RB Tony Dorsett, QB Dan Marino, and head coach Mike Ditka.

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Betting on the 2019 Penn State Nittany Lions

The Nittany Lions had a good season last year finishing 9-4 and third in their conference. Most PSU fans would like to see a better season in 2019. During the offseason the Lions picked up some fresh talent that could really help them make a championship run in 2019.

NCAA Championship Odds: +3000

Betting on the 2019 Pittsburgh Panthers

Pitt will probably not win the NCAA National Championship any time soon but that doesn't mean you can't win money betting on the Panthers. Game lines will likley be the best way to bet on the Panthers in 2019 as they are coming off a 7-7 season. Pitt won the AC Coastal conference last year but went on a 3 game losing streak to end their season.

NCAA Championship Odds: +TBA