Pennsylvania prides itself on its rich sporting history. Now sports fans can enjoy sports betting in the state too; online, mobile betting apps & in retail sportsbooks.
PA bettors have a vast array of options between online betting options and retail sportsbooks. It doesn’t matter if you are an avid NFL fan or go barmy for basketball, there will be a sports betting option available to you.
Being able to bet on sports is a relatively new concept to PA bettors; there may be several things you want to know before getting started. Here, we will provide you with all you need to know about how to bet or create an account at an online betting site. We will also give you information on the best promos, betting on a mobile app, and more.
Best Pennsylvania Sportsbooks & betting apps
Here is our pick of the best online & mobile sports betting options for bettors in PA
Live Online Sportsbooks in PA
The online sportsbooks which are currently available in PA are:
- DraftKings Sportsbook
- BetRivers Sportsbook
- Unibet Sportsbook
- BetAmerica Sportsbook
- Caesars Sportsbook
- FanDuel Sportsbook
- Fox Bet Sportsbook
Some casinos in PA are currently developing sports betting apps, including:
- Hollywood Casino
- Wind Creek
- Philly Live! Casino
The Philly live casino is not due to open until December 2020.
PA Betting Apps
Since sports betting went live in Pennsylvania, numerous operators decided to cater to those who wanted to bet on the go by launching a dedicated mobile app – available on Android & iPhone. What re the best PA sports betting apps? That would be:
Using PA online betting apps on your mobile means, you can bet anywhere across the state. It’s so easy to sign up on your mobile and joining any of the operators from your mobile, and you can be backing your favorite team in just a few minutes.
Let’s take a look in more detail at some of the best sports betting apps available in PA.
DraftKings Sportsbook App
DraftKings launched in Pennsylvania in 2019 in partnership with The Meadows Casino. You can download the app to Android and iOS devices. DK is now available in more states than any other legal US sportsbook.
FanDuel Sportsbook PA App
The FanDuel app launched in Pennsylvania as an integrated product with New Jersey. This includes a shared wallet and a single account. This means there is no need to download a new app for your Android or iPhone.
FOX BET Sportsbook App
Mount Airy struck a deal with The Stars Group and became the second property to roll out the brand new Fox Bet app. The app went live in PA in September 2019.
BetRivers Sportsbook App
Kambi powers the BetRivers mobile app. Customers in PA can take advantage of their iRush rewards program, which was named as New Jersey’s best online premier rewards scheme.
Unibet Sportsbook App
Mohegan formed a partnership with Unibet for its sports betting app. The sportsbook went live in November 2019. Android users can download directly from the site. iOS users can bet on their browsers in conjunction with the GeoGuard app.
Pennsylvania is the seventh state to officially accept sports bets, while it is the fourth to introduce online sports betting. The state currently has nine online sports betting sites for PA players to choose from. If you want an app that also includes a casino, check out our PA online casino & app guide.
A brief history of PA Betting Apps
PA online sports betting apps first launched in Spring 2019. The first operator to have a live app in PA was PlaySugarHouse, BetRivers, the sister site of PlaySugarHouse, went live in June 2019. When the PA sports betting market was in its infancy, there were not many options for iPhone users. However, FanDuel launched in July 2019 and became a benchmark for any future mobile sports betting apps in Pennsylvania. FanDuel introduced an application that worked in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey, as well as being PA’s first iPhone option.
FOX Bet, DraftKings, BetAmerica, and Unibet also launched PA betting apps in 2019. Residents in Pennsylvania now have numerous options if they want to bet on sports, with more expected to arrive shortly. In the first year of sports betting in Pennsylvania, the results have been encouraging. The betting market produced over $1.1 billion in wagers. Moreover, there was $75 million in revenue for operators and over $26 million in tax revenue for the state.
If you are wondering why there is only a small number of PA online sports betting sites, apps, and operators compared to other states, this is because each casino is only allowed 1 skin/betting partner. Pennsylvania is home to 12 casinos, meaning there are only 12 skins/sportsbooks allowed.
Banking Options for PA Bettors
Making a deposit and withdrawal is a crucial element of your sports betting experience. Being able to fund your PA betting account quickly and efficiently is vital. There are numerous options to fund your account. One of the most common payment methods is credit cards. The majority of sites will accept Visa and Mastercards. However, please bear in mind your credit card may be declined. The sites are legal and safe, but banks and credit card companies may flag some gambling transactions. Some other options include:
- ACH/E-check: ACH stands for Automated Clearing House. This process involved moving funds electronically from your bank account to the online sportsbook. Many PA bettors go for this option.
- PayPal/Neteller: These are both e-wallets and have become very prominent in the online gambling industry. However, they are not that common in Pennsylvania. Because of the high-tax rates and licensing fees, PA sportsbooks won’t offer PayPal because of the costs associated with the transactions.
- PayNearMe: This is an app that generates a barcode on your phone for the account you want to use. You can take your phone to several stores, including 7-Eleven and CVS, to complete the transaction.
- Prepaid Cards: The majority of PA online sportsbooks offer Play+ prepaid cards to customers. Customers can buy a casino branded card and use that to fund their accounts.
- Cash at the cage: All online books give players the option of visiting the local casino associated with the sportsbook and fund their account from there.
Withdrawal methods are more limited. Typically a sportsbook will automatically select the withdrawal method to be the same as the one used to deposit.
Pennsylvania Retail Sports Betting
There are 13 sportsbooks currently in operation in Pennsylvania, with more hoping to open. Each property only offers sports betting at the physical location, not online. The sportsbooks include:
- FOX Bet (Mount Airy)
- FanDuel Sportsbook (Valley Forge Casino)
- PlaySugarHouse Sportsbook
- BetRivers Online Sportsbook
- DraftKings (The Meadows)
- Unibet (Mohegan Sun Pocono)
- Parx Casino Sportsbook
- BetAmerica (Presque Isle Downs)
- Caesars PA Sportsbook (Harrah’s Philadelphia)
- Hollywood Casino at Penn National
- Wind Creek
- Live! Hotel and Casino
Each property offers a vast range of betting options on numerous sports. There are more planned to open in the future.
Major Sports Betting Events
Bettors in Pennsylvania will be able to bet on all of the major international sporting events across the world. There is always something happening throughout the year that draws attention from sports bettors; these include:
- Super Bowl
- Kentucky Derby
- March Madness
- NBA Finals
- World Series
- Wimbledon
- The Masters
- College Football Playoffs
- Triple Crown
Each of the events listed above is popular among bettors around the world. Pennsylvania does not offer markets on everything certain other states do. For example, in the Keystone State, you cannot wager any real money on the NFL draft or Television awards. As they are not linked to a sporting event, they are off-limits for PA sports bettors.
Pennsylvania online sports betting: What is allowed?
All the following sports can be bet on from within The Keystone State:
- Football
- Soccer
- UFC/MMA
- Motorsports/Nascar
- Golf
- Boxing
- Tennis
- NBA
- Table Tennis
- Darts
- Aussie rules football
- Volleyball
- Basketball
- Cricket
- Cycling
- Rugby League & Union
- Snooker
NJ College Sports Bets
New Jersey sportsbooks may let you place wagers on TV awards shows and other non-sporting events, but they will not take any wagers on New Jersey college sports teams. Furthermore, they will not accept bets on any collegiate sporting events happening in the Garden State.
Pennsylvania has no such restrictions. PA retail and sportsbooks and betting apps offer action on New Jersey teams such as Seton Hall and Farleigh Dickinson. For events like March Madness, NJ bettors cross state lines to bet on these two teams.
Types of Bets at Pennsylvania Sportsbooks
There is a massive range of bets on PA sports betting apps. There are more options available to people who choose to gamble online than in retail sportsbooks. Some of the most popular types of bets you can choose from at online sportsbooks include:
- Live Betting
- Futures
- Moneylines
- Parlays
- Teasers
- Point Spreads
- Props
- Round Robins
- Over/Under Bets
One of the most popular features of online sportsbooks is the ability to place a live bet. Live betting or ‘in-play betting‘ gives bettors the chance to place a wager at the event. The odds update regularly based on what is happening.
Live betting options include point spreads and money lines. Moreover, there are also numerous betting markets specific to in-game betting. For example, in football, you can bet on which team will reach a certain number of points first. Live betting offers excellent entertainment as it adds to the excitement of watching a game.
Responsible Gambling in Pennsylvania
Since the inception of online gambling in Pennsylvania, strict measures have been taken to ensure people can gamble responsibly. As well as a PGCB-managed, land-based self-exclusion list, there is an online gambling self-exclusion list. This is aimed at those who want to prevent themselves from gambling online.
If you’re going to be involved in either of these exclusion lists, you need to complete some paperwork and provide a photo ID. Players can choose between one year, five years, or permanent inclusion on the lists. Please note that you will need to petition to remove yourself from the list once that time passes
if you choose the one or five-year option.
There are other options available to you if you do not wish to be included in any self-exclusion list. Online sportsbooks have measures in place, including:
- Time notifications to inform you how long you have been on the site.
- Set deposit amounts and wager limit amounts.
- Links to several gambling problem pages and resources.
There is constant support for anybody who believes they may have a gambling problem. The betting industry in PA takes the issue of player safety extremely seriously.
Advantages of Regulated PA Online Sports Betting
There are numerous reasons you should wager at a casino sportsbook or betting app instead of offshore sites (such as bovada sports) or a local bookie. First, if you were to bet with an offshore site or a bookie, you are breaking the law. Additionally, regulated markets offer consumer protections. For example, if an offshore site decides to close and take your money, you are unlikely to get it back.
Even though that scenario is unlikely to happen in Pennsylvania, if it did, you can report them to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. The PGCB regularly carries out audits and checks on all sportsbooks to ensure they are following the regulations.
FAQs
Can you bet on sports online in Pennsylvania?
Yes, Pennsylvania online sports betting is live. The first betting app launched last year, and several have followed. You can place bets on all of your favorite sports online in PA.
How do I bet online in PA?
You will need to download a sportsbook app on your mobile. They will require information such as name, date of birth, address, and email. You can sign up for any pa sports betting apps from the comfort of your own home. They are simple to download from iOS or Android devices.
Is FanDuel sportsbook legal in PA?
Yes, FanDuel has been live and legal in Pennsylvania since July 2019.
Where can I bet on sports in Pennsylvania?
There are several physical sportsbooks and also sportsbook apps where you can place wagers in PA. If you prefer to place a wager from the comforts of your own home, downloading a betting app is the way to go.