Now that Pennsylvania sports betting is legal, many players want to know, “what are the best PA betting sites?” Other players want to know how they can tell the difference between legit sites and untrustworthy ones. On our site, you can rest easy knowing that we only recommend licensed sportsbooks that operate legally in the state. Players are not protected if they choose to play offshore or at an unlicensed site.

Luckily for residents, Pennsylvania has numerous great sportsbooks to choose from, all of which offer guaranteed payouts, bonus offers, mobile apps, live betting and much more. So whether you are betting on the NBA, NFL, College Sports, or games around the world, you won’t go wrong playing at one of the state’s top online sports betting sites. Below is our recommended list of the best and safest places to wager. If you’d like to learn more about why these sites were chosen, read below to see the features of PA’s greatest online betting brands.

Matt Speakman, Betting Expert at online-gambling.com

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Matt Speakman is a Connecticut-born and raised betting expert with a soft spot for the Patriots. He is also a proud member of the online-gambling.com team. You can read his articles on a broad range of topics, including sports betting and DFS.

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Top Pennsylvania Online Sports Betting Sites by Category

One thing is certain. People in Pennsylvania love sports. There are numerous professional sporting teams, events, and venues located in the state, and now, with online sports betting fully legalized, sports fans can support their favorite teams with the occasional bets as well. There are plenty of sports betting sites operating in the Keystone State, but we have selected only the cream of the crop.

Our selected top PA sports betting sites will grand you with an abundance of betting opportunities. Just like the top online casinos in PA, however, each of them has their strengths and has optimized their services for a particular type of players. Some count on alluring welcome bonuses or regular promotions to keep the customers happy, while others rely on providing the best possible odds online.

Pennsylvania Sports Betting Rules: Sports and Top Leagues

Pennsylvania is home to some of the greatest sports teams in America, not to mention some of the most notorious rivalries. Many of the greatest champions in basketball history found their footing in Philadelphia’s own NBA team. The chilly winters definitely ignite a passion for ice hockey, as well as other winter sports. Baseball and football are both hugely popular as well, thanks to their globally ranked teams. Soccer is also getting many admirers, especially in recent years.

PA Sports betting fans can place bets on all these sports and more, and in the following few paragraphs, we will pay special attention to the top sports in the state, along with some intriguing information about the top teams and their history.

1. American Football NFL – Betting on Superbowl, NCAA & More

Football is Pennsylvania’s most popular sport. The state is home to two NFL teams – the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles. The Pittsburgh Steelers are hugely popular locally, but also have a large global fan base, known as the Steeler Nation. This reputation is mainly due to their success in the NFL during the 1970s. The team is tied with the New England Patriots for the most Super Bowl titles – 6.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have called the Heinz Field stadium home since opening in 2001, while the Eagles play at the Lincoln Financial Field, aka the Linc. The Steelers – Eagles rivalry is one of the oldest in NFL, dating back to 1933.

PA punters can bet on games from the NFL, college football and other football championships outside the U.S., at each of our recommended best Pennsylvania sportsbooks. The odds vary, though, so do the available markets. Live betting is also possible, and we strongly recommend the usage of the popular and beneficial betting feature cash out.

2. Baseball MLB – NCAA Betting & More

The Keystone State is home to two Major League Baseball teams – the Philadelphia Phillies and the Pittsburgh Pirates. The two have a rivalry that stretches back to 1887 – over a hundred years ago! The Pirates have won five World Series, although the Phillies were the most recent to win the World Series in 2008. In recent years, the rivalry may have died down a little but baseball has a special place in Pennsylvania’s heart, as it is the home of Little League Baseball too.

Betting on baseball is quite popular, not only in Pennsylvania but at all US states where online sports betting is legal. This is not only because the sport has many fans, but also because the Major League Baseball’s regular season traditionally runs from late March through the end of September. During a big part of this period, most other sports and leagues are on break, so there aren’t that many betting possibilities and even people who are not so keen on watching baseball games, place the occasional bet.

3. Basketball Betting – NBA, WNBA & More

The Philadelphia 76ers, or just the Sixers for short, are Philadelphia’s NBA basketball team. The Sixers are world-famous for producing some of the best basketball players in history – Wilt Chamberlain, Charles Barkley and Allen Iverson, just to name a few. The team has won three NBA championships. Memorably, in 1983 Julius Erving and Moses Malone led the Sixers to victory. In 2001, the team made it to the NBA finals once more but was struck out by the Los Angeles Lakers.

Punters in Pennsylvania can place betting predictions on games from the National Basketball Association, NCAA college basketball (including the all so popular NCAA March Madness), and other basketball championships from around the world. As we all know, the NBA features plenty of regular-season games and suspense-filled postseason, so there’s no shortage of betting opportunities and valuable markets. Outright bets are quite popular, so are DFS tournaments, where knowledgeable PA punters make their own dream teams and compete with each other.

4. Ice Hockey NHL Betting

Thanks to Pennsylvania’s cold winters, the state is home to seven professional ice hockey teams. With popularity comes intense competition, and nowhere else is that clearer than between the state’s two NHL teams – the Philadelphia Flyers and the Pittsburgh Penguins. This fierce rivalry has been called ‘the Battle of Pennsylvania’ and for a good reason too. During the last ten seasons, the teams have played each other at the Stanley Cup playoffs four times.

Most recently, the Flyers beat the Penguins 4-3 at the 2019 NHL Stadium Series. PA online sportsbooks offer the full slate of hockey bets that you’ll typically find at any retail sportsbook in a casino. As long as you have an active account at an online betting site, you’ll have access to a plethora of NHL markets. In this sport, live betting is again quite common, and you’ll be able to bet on live ice hockey games through your portable device too.

5. Soccer MLS – Betting on Premier League & More

Soccer is certainly the world’s most popular and loved sport. Even though it didn’t enjoy much success and popularity in the U.S. until the 21st century, in recent years, soccer’s fame has blossomed throughout the whole country. It definitely seems like the beautiful game has a bright future in the States. Currently, Pennsylvania has three professional outdoor soccer teams, and there are multiple soccer schools and training grounds and facilities.

Since 2010, Pennsylvania has been the home of the Philadelphia Union of Major League Soccer, which further intensifies the interest towards the game in the state. Soccer is probably the game that provides the largest number of betting possibilities and markets. There are literally hundreds, if not thousands of soccer championships around the globe. PA punters have access to the most popular soccer leagues and championships such as the MLS, Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga, League 1, Copa America, Champions League, European and World Championships and more. There are active NCAA betting markets as well.

Top PA Betting App

Nowadays, people spend enormous amounts of time on their smartphones and tablets, so having access to your favorite online PA sportsbook from your mobile device is a must. All of our recommended best Pennsylvania sportsbooks offer players the ability to place bets from their portable devices. Some offer applications, while others have developed their websites to adjust to your smartphone screen automatically.

Of course, all of the available PA betting apps, whether it’s a native or a web-base app, are free to use. All you’ll need is a stable internet connection, and you’ll be good to go and enjoy mobile gaming to the fullest, regardless of your destination. Bear in mind though, that if you plan to travel and leave Pennsylvania, these applications might not be reachable due to legal restrictions in other states.

PA Sports Betting Bonus Offers and Promotions

As you’ve probably already figured it out, the easy access, the plethora of betting markets, and the most valuable odds are not the only advantages of betting online in Pennsylvania. Most online sportsbooks offer enticing welcome bonuses that can give a boost to your bankroll and let you place bigger bets, playing for more significant profits. As the competition for customers is fierce, online bookies use various strategies to attract players and keep them satisfied. Each of our recommended top PA betting sites has a welcome bonus offer, and in the table below, you can see some important information about the conditions surrounding the bonuses.

Even though all the available bonuses at our selected top PA online betting sites are appealing, the one offered by Draft Kings is a bit more alluring. It is divided into two parts – up to $500 as bonus credits and up to $500 as a bonus bet. In order to qualify, players must deposit a minimum of $5. The bonus amount is equal to 20% of the deposit amount, so if you want to be eligible for the maximum amount of $500, newcomers must deposit $2500. The wagering requirements might seem a bit tough at first, but trust us, they are manageable. For every $25 played on Draft Kings in DFS/Sportsbook/Casino, the player receives $1 in bonus finds. The good thing is that you’ll have whole 90 days to fulfill the wagering requirements.

The other part of the bonus (up to $500) is a match up bonus bet on your first made wager. After you receive your bonus bet, you’ll have 30 days to use it, otherwise, you’ll lose it. The bonus bet amount is deducted from any potential winnings. Bear in mind that the bonus bet is not redeemable for cash, non-refundable and non-transferable (which is understandable). Carefully examine your betting options, so that your bonus bet becomes a winner, and you are able to make a profit.

Free Sports Betting with No Deposit – Are There Any Offers?

There are many players that look for sportsbooks that offer a no deposit bonus to newcomers. Unfortunately, this kind of bonus is not very popular with operators, and it’s rare to see such an offer. Luckily, at the moment, one of the top PA online sports betting sites selected by our team of experts, gives you the chance to grab a no deposit welcome bonus.

BetMGM’s welcome bonus offer can reward you with up to $1000 in bonus money and two $10 on the house. You have to make a real money bet to qualify for the main part of the bonus (up to $1000 First Bet Offer), but you don’t have to make a deposit to receive the other part (2 x $10 bonus bets). All you have to do is get your account verified, and you’ll receive two bonus bets worth $20 in total. Any winnings from the bonus bets will be paid in cash, and the bonus bet stake amount will not be included in any potential returns. There’s no better way to start off your Pennsylvania online sports betting journey, especially for players who don’t want to invest real cash amounts from the very beginning.

Banking at Online Sports Betting PA Sportsbooks

When you pick a new online sportsbook, you should always spare a few minutes researching the accepted payment methods. Having a broader list of possibilities is undoubtedly an advantage. At our selected best Pennsylvania sports betting sites, you will have the opportunity to choose from some of the most popular banking options in the world. Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, PayPal, Neteller, Skrill, ecoPayz, bank transfers, Paysafecard and other payment methods are all at your disposal.

We certainly recommend the usage of e-wallets, as they provide safer and much faster transactions. You don’t have to share any of your bank details with the operator, as all you need to put in is your account name and the amount you wish to deposit. But keep in mind that some betting sites exclude e-wallets from the list of qualifying bonus transactions.

Live Sports Betting in Pennsylvania

One of the most significant improvements of the online sports betting industry in the last decade is certainly the emergence of live betting. Nowadays, it is next to impossible to find an online sportsbook that doesn’t provide live betting markets. That’s why we no longer focus on the pure existence of live betting sections, but we dig in deeper and evaluate multiple different features.

Live betting in Pennsylvania is as popular as in any other US state, where online betting has been legalized. Live betting can not only increase the thrill and excitement of watching a sports game, but also gives you a better chance to make more accurate predictions on the outcome. A stable internet connection is essential for this type of betting, as the odds are constantly changing, and you need to be in tune to take advantage of opportunities and valuable odds as they pop up.

For more information on live betting, check out our online sports betting guide. You will find plenty of interesting and useful information about sports betting in the U.S. as a whole, including various betting strategies, tips, instructions and explanations.

Pennsylvania Land-Based Sportsbooks & Locations

Despite that online sports betting is incomparable when we talk about convenience, some players prefer to go to land-based gambling destinations, where they can place their sports betting predictions. Fortunately, there’s no shortage of land-based sportsbooks in Pennsylvania. Most of them are located inside fabulous gambling resorts, others at racinos or sports betting-only establishments. In the table below, we have listed most of the available land-based Pennsylvania sportsbooks, so you can check it out and maybe organize a trip.

Even though sports betting became legal in 2017, it was not until the end of 2018 when the first brick and mortar sportsbook in Pennsylvania opened doors. From there on, gambling destinations providing sports betting started emerging like mushrooms throughout the state, and this trend seems to keep going. After all, spending the whole Sunday at a brick and mortar sportsbook and watching various sports events with other fans is a lot more fun than watching alone at home. Another advantage is that when you get a winning ticket (bet slip), you receive your winnings straight away in cash.

Sports Betting Law in Pennsylvania

At the end of 2017, the state of Pennsylvania legalized sports betting as part of an extensive gaming expansion. The federal ban known as PASPA (Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act) was struck down by the US Supreme Court, clearing the way state-based legislation. Now all states are permitted to set their own laws, and Pennsylvania was one of the first states to take full advantage of the opportunity and legalize sports betting.

Pennsylvania sports betting falls under the regulation of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB). The Board is responsible for licensing, compliance, fairness and responsible gaming. There are multiple strict testing procedures before an operator goes live, as well as random analysis and investigations during operation. Punters in Pennsylvania are allowed to make wagers on both professional and collegiate sports events. Legal ways to place a bet include online, in person, and through a mobile device. Similar to most other states, the legal age to participate in gambling activities is 21 years old. For more information on the history of the legal situation in Pennsylvania, check out the local history of sports betting.

Legal Online Sports Betting Age in Pennsylvania

Only players aged 21 or older adhere to the rules for legal sports betting in Pennsylvania. This applies to both online sports betting and sports betting at physical locations. 21 is also the minimum gambling age at casinos. There are some betting activities you can take part in at 18 years old. This applies to pari-mutuel betting, most commonly seen in betting on horse races. Underage gambling carries hefty fines of up to $1,000, and that’s just for a first offense. Repeat offenders could land themselves even bigger fines and community service.

• Sports Betting Age
  Adults must be at least 21 years of age to place sports bets online.
• Drinking Age
  The legal drinking age in Pennsylvania is 21 years old.
• Legal Age for Marijuana
  As recreational cannabis is not yet legal in Pennsylvania, there is no legal age.

Taxes on Your Winnings: Do You Have to Pay Anything?

If your sports bet turns out to be a winner, you won’t want to see your winnings diminished by heavy taxation. Unfortunately, in most of the U.S. states where betting is legal, sports betting winnings are taxable income. In the state of Pennsylvania sports betting carries a 36% tax rate. Combined with a $10 million licensing fee, the impact on casinos and sportsbooks is big. Some speculate that this will have a knock-on effect for customers, in the form of fewer attractive wagers. While this is the operator’s tax, bettor’s winnings don’t come tax-free. Winnings count as income, so must be declared and are subject of a minimum tax fee of 3.07%.

Benefits of Legal Sports Betting in Pennsylvania

There are many advantages of the legalization of sports betting not only in Pennsylvania but in the whole United States. First of all, the popular phrase ‘give people what they want’ certainly comes into effect. We already mentioned that residents of Pennsylvania do love all kinds of sports, and we all know that sports and sports betting go hand in hand. In the table below, we have listed the biggest benefits of legal sports betting in Pennsylvania.

As you can see, the benefits of betting legally on sports in Pennsylvania can be huge. Probably, the most significant advantage is that the state will immensely benefit from tax contribution and will increase the revenue vigorously. Just the one-time fee of $10 million (which actually is the biggest in the U.S.) is quite something and will surely strengthen the state’s budget.

Local History of Sports Betting

PASPA, also known as the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, was declared unconstitutional at the US Supreme Court in May 2018. This has allowed individual states to regulate laws on sports betting for themselves. Pennsylvania sports betting was officially allowed since November 17, 2018, when the first legal sports bet was made at Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course.

Is Online Sports Betting Legal Outside of Pennsylvania?

At the time of writing, sports betting is legal in over 35 US states. Over 25 states have legalized online betting. You can legally bet at online sportsbooks in New Jersey. The same applies in West Virginia and Delaware.

Other US states that have followed suit are Nevada, Mississippi, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Arkansas, Iowa, Michigan, New Hampshire, New York and Oregon. Since New Jersey’s landslide victory against PASPA at the Supreme Court in 2018, many more states are gearing up to legalize sports betting.

This trend is definitely set to continue, so it’s only a matter of time until more states legalize sports betting. When it comes to online sports betting, legalization isn’t universal. State laws still apply, so you need to physically be in a state like Pennsylvania or New Jersey, where it’s legal to place online sports bets. Online sports betting has also spread to the peer-to-peer world with the Prophet betting exchange in New Jersey. Online sportsbooks have long been popular in the rest of the world, particularly in most parts of Europe.

Upcoming Regulation Changes to Be Aware Of

Since following the lead of neighboring states New Jersey and Delaware in legalizing online sports betting, the future seems bright for Pennsylvania. The Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course took in the very first legal sports bet on November 17, 2018. This was to be the first of many, as other casinos followed the example and started offering their customers the chance to bet on a wide variety of sports. Currently, there are more than ten sportsbooks in Pennsylvania, with nearly half of them based in Philadelphia.

While the reception of these new sportsbooks has been positive, there are some obstacles slowing casinos down. The licensing fees and taxes that casinos need to pay to offer sports betting are sky-high. A one-time fee of $10 million can price some casinos out of the market. However, as these changes are rolled out across America, we could see the fees being lowered. All in all, the picture seems positive, indicating that the US is ready to embrace sports betting to the fullest, both online and on land. Luckily for state residents, there are many PA online gambling sites offering casino games, sports betting, and poker. If you’re particularly interested in the last option, check out our guide to the best online poker in Pennsylvania, too.

Sports Betting Guides for Nearby States

• New York
• New Jersey
• Ohio
• Rhode Island