Are sportsbooks legal in Pennsylvania?
Betting sites in Pennsylvania are indeed legal. The Keystone State was actually one of the first states to legalize online sports betting, and laws were passed which allowed their legal operation as far back as 2018. The first retail sportsbook opened in the state in November 2018, while the first online sportsbook followed in May 2019. For more information on sports betting regulations and bonuses, check out our sportsbook welcome bonuses guide.
Since then, a range of operators have launched their brand successfully and there are now around 11 legal sportsbooks that Coal State residents can pick from. In terms of legislation and licensing, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board is responsible and it issues licenses for both retail and online sportsbooks and casinos in the state. If you want to explore your options beyond the Keystone State, our full guide to Pennsylvania sportsbook promos covers all the latest offers available to local bettors.
Pros and cons of PA sportsbooks
You have to be aware of the downsides of PA sportsbooks too, as I've not yet found one that is perfect. I've listed the main recurring pros and cons I've found:
- Generous promotions
- Wide sports coverage
- Excellent mobile apps
- Solid in-play betting experience
- Tend to concentrate on US leagues
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What do I look for when picking the best betting sites in Pennsylvania?
I maintain that some PA sportsbooks are better than others, and there are always specific things I look for before signing up to one. So you can get a head start, I've explained each of these features below.
Licensing and transparency 🎟️
My number one rule is that I only use licensed and legitimate online sportsbooks. If a site has a license, it means it has been audited and has to comply with specific rules and regulations. Think of a gambling license as your safeguard. PA sportsbooks must have a gambling license from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board and you can usually find licensing info in the website footer.
Security 🔒
HTTPS connectivity, SSL encryption, 2FA for my account login, and a detailed set of documentation are the minimum security and privacy features I expect the best Pennsylvania sportsbooks to have. I also look at things like their privacy policy and general terms of service to understand how the site works and my rites when using it.
Customer support 💬
If I get stuck or need help, I want the assurance that I can speak to someone which is why I look at the available support methods. My preference is the live chat, and I'll actually test it before signing up to see how quickly you can get a reply. To be fair, during my years using PA online sportsbooks, I've never had to actually contact the support team, BUT, it's reassuring to know I can if I need to!
Responsible gambling 🎲
I bet responsibly, and I want you to also. This is why I always check the promotion for responsible gambling a site has, plus the tools they offer. I expect features like deposit limits, reality checks, time out periods, wager limits, and self-exclusion options so that I can stay in control and dictate how I use the site.
Sport variety ⚽
I'm an NBA and European soccer fan. Because of this, these are the first two sports categories I check out when looking at Pennsylvania sportsbooks. You should do the same and think about which sports and competitions you intend to place wagers on. I've found that some sites usually have better support for different sports, so it's a good idea to do a comparison.
Betting variety ⚖️
Once I've established that the site has the sports and events I want to bet on, I'll go one step further and look at the types of bets available. I'll typically make moneyline, parlay, and same game parlay bets, so I'll check out the options for these. In particular, I enjoy making player props picks on NBA matches so this is the main thing I look for. You should do the same - think about which bets you want to make, and see which PA betting site has the best options.
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Five of the best betting sites in Pennsylvania you can sign up at now
I know it can be tricky when you're presented with a load of choices to settle on one option. So, to make things easier for you, I've listed my top four recommended Pennsylvania sportsbooks below.
| PA Sportsbook | Welcome Bonus for new PA customers |
| BetMGM | Risk-free first bet of up to $1,500 |
| Caesars | Bet $1, get 20x 100% profit boost tokens |
| DraftKings | Bet $5, get $200 in bonus bets if your first bet wins |
| FanDuel | Bet $5, get $150 in bonus bets if your first bet wins |
| bet365 | Bet $5, get $150 in bonus bets, win or lose |
BetMGM - top pick for 76ers fans
- Coverage for more than 25 sports
- Features a parlay builder and cashout
- Multiple payment methods
- Mobile applications for Android and iOS
- Delayed responses via email
- Review of withdrawal requests can take up to 5 days
BetMGM is my favorite PA sportsbook and I've always been a fan of the brand. If you're into the NBA and are enjoying the Maxey/Edgecombe duo, you'll find plenty of betting opportunities here. I think this site has some of the best player props options available as you can typically bet on things like total points, rebounds, and assists. The site and mobile apps themselves are also especially easy to use and I've always got on with the simple but effective navigation and sports filters. As a new customer here, you can get a welcome bonus that gives you a risk-free first bet of up to $1,500, meaning if your first bet loses, you'll get 100% of your stake back as bonus bets.
Caesars - great for Eagles and Steelers fans
Caesars is one of the main NFL partners so I think that Eagles and Steelers fans will have a blast here. The NFL betting section is always packed with features whether it's special same game parlay bets, profit boost/bet boost tokens, or promos for events like the AFC/NFC Championship games and the Super Bowl. It's got plenty of other sports markets too though, and I also rate it highly for its NBA and MLB picks. This PA sportsbook does things differently when it comes to the welcome bonus, as instead of free bets, you can make a $1 initial bet and unlock 20x 100% profit boost tokens. Each token can be used on a bet of up to $25 in value which I think is incredible.
DraftKings - top support for NHL and MLS
- Great mobile apps
- Supports live streaming
- Withdrawal takes 1 to 3 days
- Subpar customer service
DraftKings also has loads of markets for the NFL and NBA, but I think it has the widest coverage for the NHL and MLS which means that PA residents will be able to make picks on the Philadelphia Union, the Flyers, and the Pittsburgh Penguins. It's one of the better sites for ongoing rewards too, as after the welcome bonus, you can get profit boost tokens on multiple sports, plus there's the Dynasty VIP/rewards program. For new customers, if you use the banners here, register an account, and make a $5 winning first bet, you'll get an epic $200 in bonus bets which is one of the biggest PA bonuses I've seen for a long time. If you're also a fan of fantasy formats, check out our DraftKings review for the full breakdown.
FanDuel - good picks for Phillies and Pirates fans
- Best in class usability
- Available in 25+ states
- Competitive odds and coverage
- Top tier brand rep
- No sportsbook VIP program
FanDuel has a similar new customer offer to DraftKings, and if you make a successful first $5 bet that wins, you'll unlock a massive $150 in bonus bets. You could potentially make your initial bet on the Phillies or Pirates as this PA operator has some of the best MLB picks I've found — though note that the MLB link has already been used above, so be sure to check our FanDuel review for full market details. It supports Spring Training, global events like MLB Tokyo, and of course the regular season, playoffs, and World Series. FanDuel also has a top notch live betting setup and depending on the broadcasting rights, you can get live streaming for some events via the FanDuel Sports Network on the site or in-app.
Arm yourself with knowledge about Pennsylvania sportsbooks
I hope I've given you plenty of useful information about Pennsylvania sportsbooks that you can put to good use. This includes understanding how they work, and knowing the important features to look for so you can keep yourself safe, protected, and in control when betting at them. You should now also have a potential starting point and some operators to consider.
If you want to give BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, or FanDuel a try, all you need to do is tap the banners or links I've got on this page, follow the registration process, and get your epic PA welcome bonus. You can then check out the range of betting markets for your favorite PA teams like the Eagles, 76ers, Steelers, and Pirates. Our Free Predictions section is also a great resource to consult before placing your next wager. You can also explore our top sweepstakes casinos if you're looking for no-risk alternatives to traditional sportsbooks.
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Betting sites in Pennsylvania FAQs
What betting sites are legal in Pennsylvania?
There are around 11 legal online sportsbooks in the Coal State, with my top legitimate picks being DraftKings, Caesars, BetMGM, and FanDuel. Each of these online sportsbooks has a license from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.
How old do you have to be to sign up at PA online sportsbooks?
You have to be over 21 to register an account at a PA online sportsbook.
Can you win real money from PA sportsbooks?
Maybe! There is no such thing as a guaranteed bet. However, you can place real money wagers at a betting site in PA, and thus, have the chance of getting a real money payout based on your odds and original stake.
