Online Sports Gambling in Pennsylvania

Author: Yan Zhylinski

Pennsylvania has for long been a big state for sports. Now, it’s a great state for sports betting, too. The Keystone State was among the first states in the U.S. to legalize sports betting, with the state going on to pass the bill in 2017. Two years later in 2019, online sports betting sites began opening up in Pennsylvania, and today, more than a dozen Pennsylvania sportsbooks operatingin Pennsylvania’s sports betting market. In the 2020-21 fiscal year, Pennsylvania’s sports betting handle stood at $5.591 billion. In 2021, only Illinois and New Jersey are larger online market. Whether you looking to find the top sports betting sites in Pennsylvania, how to start sports betting Pennsylvania or types of bonuses and promotions offered at PA bookies, we can help. Keep reading for insightful information on everything about sports wagering in Pennsylvania.

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Best Sportsbooks in Pennsylvania

With legal sports betting now a reality in Pennsylvania, more than a dozen bookmakers opened for business in the Keystone State. It means that sports bettors have plenty of options at their disposal. All bookies that operate in Pennsylvania say that they are the best in business. But that’s not the case. Do you want to play at the best Pennsylvania sports wagering sites only? Below is a list of PA bookies that are worth your business.

1.

BetMGM Read BetMGM Review

BetMGM Sportsbook

Of all the online sports betting sites that we’ve sampled so far in Pennsylvania, BetMGM top the list of the best bookie in the state. The sportsbook offers new account holders a generous risk-free bet of up to $1,000, along with a comprehensive menu of betting lines and sports. If you fancy several daily promotions such as parlay boosts and odds boosts, BetMGM PA is the right place for you. Today, BetMGM is home to plenty of sports bettors in Pennsylvania.

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2.

FanDuel Read FanDuel Review

FanDuel Sportsbook

In terms of handle, FanDuel is one of the biggest online bookmaker, eclipsing DraftKings by a slightly bigger margin. FanDuel Sportsbook PA is also plenty of bettors’ choice when it comes to a site with one of the best sports betting apps. Apart from its daily fantasy sports offering, there’s a myriad of reason as to why FanDuel is top dog. They have some of the best offers and running promotions, several efficient means of reaching their support reps, and a host of safe and secure banking options.

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3.

BetRivers Read BetRivers Review

BetRivers Sportsbook

Formerly known as SugarHouse Sportsbook, BetRivers is another top online bookmaker operating in Pennsylvania. They offer an impressive range of deposit options – some of the best in the industry –and a strong $250 deposit match. What’s even good here is that you only have to play with the bonus funds once before you can go ahead and withdraw your winnings. At BetRivers, expect to find player-friendly and straightforward bonuses and promos. BetRivers site also features a shared wallet with BetRivers online casino, which offers slots and other table games.

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DraftKings Read DraftKings Review

DraftKings Sportsbook

DraftKings is one of the most respectable names across the online sports betting market globally. In the state of Pennsylvania, DraftKings is among the leaders in the market. DraftKings PA offers players who sign up with them a fist deposit bonus of up to $1,000. Customers who wish to fund their accounts have several options to choose from, not forgetting their outstanding customer support department that’s ready for assistance.

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5.

Barstool Read Barstool Review

Barstool Sportsbook

Barstool Sportsbook managed to penetrate PA sports betting market and by the look of things, it seems that it hasn’t stopped there. Barstool says that there’s more to follow. The bookie isa self-proclaimed “disruptor” of the online sports betting industry. With that, Barstool is looking to alter at how things are done in Pennsylvania. New users can take advantage of the sportsbooks $1,000 risk-free bet. Since its initial launch, Barstool Sportsbook PA has improved a lot. They are one of those bookmakers with a decent and clean app that works very well.

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6.

TwinSpires Read TwinSpires Review

TwinSpires Sportsbook

Formerly known as BetAmerica until they underwent rebranding to TwinSpires, this Churchill Downs-owned operator is another top sports wagering platform. Sports bettors in PA have a number of reasons to always come back here. TwinSpires offer their customers a huge number live betting wagering opportunities, along with prop bets on all the major sports. They also have a generous offer of $1,000 risk-free first bet.

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7.

Unibet Read Unibet Review

Unibet Sportsbook

Unibet is one of those bookmakers that started very slow but then picked up pace like no any other sportsbook in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania sports betting scene has several operators who started slow but the progress of Unibet has left plenty of PA sports betting enthusiasts baffled. Unibet offers an excellent sign up bonus their major offering being $10 free with no deposit and a further $500 risk-free bet for players in Pennsylvania. Their sign up bonus alone is enough reason as to why you may want to sign up with Unibet.

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Pennsylvania Online Sports Betting Sites: A Comparative Look

Mobile Apps for iOS and Android in Pennsylvania

With more and more sports bettorsusing their mobile devices to place bets, it behooves online sportsbooksto ensure that they offer one. Amazing sports betting apps are those ones that allow mobile users to do every other thing that desktop users can do. Of course, they have to be laid out in a manner that’s conducive, even to smaller screens.

Those using Pennsylvania sports betting apps should be in a good position to effortlessly and promptly access all the games or bets or games that they are looking for. Having quick links, along with the ability to customize user options will make things even a lot easier on the user. The best apps are those that load quite fast and don’t lag or hang when betting.

Mobile apps for Android and iOS for Pennsylvania allow sports bettors to make secure deposits and withdrawals, claim bonuses and enjoy other exciting promos. Top sports betting sites in PA have apps designed in a manner that it’s easy to reach the support reps, access live odds, several betting options, live streaming, and handicapping tools.

How to wager on sports in Pennsylvania

Wagering on sports in the Keystone State is simple and straightforward. Here’s how to go about it:

Different Bonuses & Promotions Available at PA Bookies

The first time you land at any sports betting Pennsylvania sportsbook, you’ll be confronted with a huge variety of offers since these bookies are vying for your attention. With the both the size and the competitive nature if the market in PA, we are bound to see even more aggressive marketing efforts. So far, though, some of the offers at plenty of online sportsbooks in PA include:

• Odds boost – Improved odds on specific events.
• Risk-free bet – Site credit that players get up to the amount of their wager if they lose.
• Deposit bonus – The bonus matches the funds to a player’s account to wager upon deposit.
• No-deposit bonus – Money to bet with that’s not tied to a deposit.

Payment Methods for Pennsylvania Bettors

A primary advantage that comes with legal sports betting sites is that you can go ahead and deposit without any worries. Not all payment option are available at all Pennsylvania sports betting sites. In most cases, withdrawals are normally handled using the same method of deposit. The following are the most common payment methods at PA online bookmakers:

• Credit / Debit cards
• Prepaid Cards
• Skrill
• PayPal
• Wire Payments
• Casino Cage Payments
• PayNearMe

Different Types of Sports Wagers Offered by PA Sportsbooks

If there’s something that make PA bookies to stand out from the rest, among other things, it has to be the sheer range of betting options or bet types that they offer to their customers. Some of the most popular sports wagers offered by PA bookies include:

• Moneyline
• Parlay
• Spread
• Futures
• Teasers
• Round Robin
• Over/Unders
• Live betting

Live betting/In-play Betting

Innovations across the online sports betting scene has made it possible to place bets on games that are underway. Most people know is as live betting or in-play wagering. Plenty of Pennsylvania sports bettingsites offer dozens or plenty of live betting options per game. They range from totals to proposition bets and spreads. Here odds are normally adjusted in real time as the action progresses.

Leagues and Sports Games to Wager on in Pennsylvania

Online sports betting in Pennsylvania is huge. And provided you are betting at a legit sports betting site in PA, then you can wager almost any league that you can imagine. You can choose to wager on desktop or a Pennsylvania sports betting app of your choice. Some the leagues and sports that you can bet on at PA include the following:

• Soccer (MLS, EPL, La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga etc.)
• Golf (LPGA Tour, PGA etc)
• Baseball (MLB)
• Football (NFL, NCAA, CFL)
• Basketball (NBA, NCAA, WNBA, EuroLeague)
• Hockey (NHL)
• Auto Racing
• College sports
• Mixed Martial Arts

Pro Sports Teams to Wager on in Pennsylvania

With Philadelphia and Pittsburgh having sports teams that play in different leagues, there’s surprisingly little direct rivalry to be witnessed in the Keystone State. For fans of hockey, the rivalry is without a doubt fierce, with both teams taking part in the same conference. The following are PA pro sports teams that you may want to wager for anytime they are in action, especially in the national league.

• Philadelphia Eagles (NFL)
• Pittsburgh Steelers (NFL)
• Pittsburgh Pirates (MLB)
• Philadelphia Phillies (MLB)
• Philadelphia 76ers (NBA)
• Pittsburgh Penguins (NHL)
• Philadelphia Flyers (NHL)

Responsible Betting in Pennsylvania

Now than ever before, gambling is more prevalent in Pennsylvania, with more than two dozen bookies and online casinos now legal to operate in the state. For sports bettors, gambling is meant to be a source of fun and entertainment. However, the state of Pennsylvania takes matters to do with compulsive and problem gambling very seriously.

Part of the mandate of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PCGB) is to ensure that responsible gambling thrives while making outreach for problem gamblers their top priority. The PCGB requires all operators to contribute to Pennsylvania’s Compulsive and Problem Gambling Treatment Fund. This fund supports efforts to identify and help problem gamblers.

The PGBC also has a toll free 24/7 confidential telephone line, along with a self-exclusion program. Furthermore, the PGBC offers plenty of information to help problem gamblers, along with providing support for their families. The PCGB advocates for several measures to those who want to gamble responsibly.

All online sportsbooks are also required to dedicate a page that says something about responsible gambling, how to identify the problem and how to go about avoiding becoming a victim.

The Legality of Online Sports Betting In Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania moved to legalize online and retail sports betting as part of their comprehensive game expansion back in 2017. Following the decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to strike down PASPA, clearing the way for state-legislation, Pennsylvania moved fast to legalize everything to do with online sports betting in the state. Pennsylvania sports betting falls under the watch and regulation of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, a body responsible for licensing and testing of operators before they grant them licenses. Of importance to note, though, is that you have to be at least 21 years of age to be able to register and place online bets in Pennsylvania. Additionally, you’ll have to pay a tax of 3.07% on your gambling winnings.

Online casinos in Pennsylvania

Several online casinos are operate in Pennsylvania. The sports betting law allows them to legally operate in Pennsylvania as long as they meet all the requirements. Hollywood Casino is an example of an online casino that went live in the state of Pennsylvania in July 2019. More online casinos sites are yet to debut now that it’s legal to wager in Pennsylvania.

DFS in Pennsylvania

In the same manner that online casinos are legal to operate in Pennsylvania, so is Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) contests. On October 26, 2017, the Pennsylvania House passed a bill that saw DFS being formally legalized in the Keystone Stone State. 

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Published: 12/17/2021