Pennsylvania Sports Betting

Pennsylvania stands as the No. 2 online sports betting market in the US. Only New Jersey produces more mobile betting handle than Pennsylvania.

The Keystone State’s sports betting industry includes online sportsbook operators like DraftKings, FanDuel, Barstool Sportsbook, and several other industry-leading brands. Pennsylvania produced more than $170 in online sports betting revenue last year.

Pennsylvania Sports Betting Recent Updates

• BetMGM launches in Pennsylvania – One of the sports betting industry’s leading brands debuts in the Pennsylvania market. BetMGM launched in December, becoming the first iGaming brand to launch in the state without a land-based casino partner. Pennsylvania gaming laws allow BetMGM to enter the state market as a qualified gaming entity (QGE).
• November online sports betting revenue sets a new Pennsylvania record – Pennsylvania’s mobile sports betting apps took in $31.18 million in November revenue, setting a new all-time in the state for the second consecutive month.
• Pennsylvania sportsbooks take more than $525 million in bets in October – The Keystone State hits a new betting handle high in October, with more than $525 million in combined online and live betting revenue. Almost 90% of bets come from mobile apps ($472.2 million).
• Pennsylvania online sports betting becomes a $100 million industry – October revenue numbers push online sports betting revenue over the $100 million mark for the year. FanDuel Sportsbook accounts for more than 45% of market share, with ten total mobile sports betting brands operating in the state.
• Barstool Sportsbook goes live in Pennsylvania – Last September, a new major player entered Pennsylvania’s online sports betting market. Barstool Sportsbook quickly emerged as the No. 3 mobile sports betting platform in the state, behind FanDuel and DraftKings.

Reviews For Pennsylvania’s Top Sports Betting Sites

FanDuel Sportsbook (9.8/10)

Visit: FanDuel Pennsylvania and get $1,000 Risk-Free Bet

• Welcome bonus: Risk-free bet up to $1,000
• Available as an iOS app, Android app, or via desktop
• License partner of Valley Forge Casino Resort
• Authorized Gaming Partner of the NBA
• Top-flight selection of domestic and international sports
• Best deposit option – PayPal
• Other deposit methods – ACH/eCheck, credit/debit card, FanDuel Play+

FanDuel Sportsbook enjoys status as Pennsylvania’s top choice for online sports betting. Nearly half of all online sports bets coming from Pennsylvania go through FanDuel Sportsbook.

Signing up for a new account unlocks a risk-free bet up to $1,000 at FanDuel Sportsbook. Other promotions include parlay insurance offers, applicable to several different sports.

DraftKings Sportsbook (9.4/10)

Visit: Draftkings Pennsylvania and get $1,000 Deposit Bonus

• 20% deposit match up to $1,000 as a welcome bonus
• iOS, Android, and desktop versions available
• License partner of The Meadows
• Official Sports Betting Partner of the Philadelphia Eagles
• A+ selection of sports and ways to bet
• Best deposit option – PayPal
• Other deposit methods – ACH/eCheck, credit/debit card, DraftKings Play+

Pennsylvania bettors can find one of the state’s best overall online sportsbook platforms at DraftKings Sportsbook. The selection of betting markets and deposit/withdrawal methods at DraftKings Sportsbook stack up against anything else on the market.

New players can enjoy a 20% deposit match bonus up to $1,000. Other promotions include daily odds boosts across several different sports.

BetMGM Sportsbook (9/10)

Visit: BetMGM Pennsylvania and get a $600 Risk Free Bonus

• Welcome bonus: Risk Free Bet up to $600
• Available as an app download for iOS and Android devices, as well as a desktop client
• Operates as a Qualified Gaming Entity, with no land-based casino partner in Pennsylvania
• Official sports betting partner of the Philadelphia 76ers and Pittsburgh Steelers
• Comprehensive selection of sports
• Best deposit option – PayPal
• Other deposit methods – ACH/eCheck, credit/debit card, Play+

BetMGM launched in Pennsylvania in December 2020. The iGaming platform is the first to take advantage of Pennsylvania’s Qualified Gaming Entity provision, which allows online gambling brands to enter the state market without a land-based casino partner.

BetMGM welcomes new players with a risk-free bet up to $600. Signing up for a new account can also unlock offers like the “Win Steelers Season Tickets for 10 Years” promotion.

BetRivers Sportsbook (8.6/10)

• 100% deposit match bonus up to $250
• Available as an Android app and a desktop client
• License partner of Rivers Casino Pittsburgh
• Official Sportsbook Partner of the Philadelphia Flyers
• Only a 1x playthrough requirement on the Deposit match bonus
• Best deposit option – PayPal
• Other deposit methods – ACH/eCheck, credit/debit card, BetRivers Play+

BetRivers functions as one of two Pennsylvania online sportsbooks under parent company Rush Street Interactive. Both offer a virtually identical sports wagering experience.

The BetRivers welcome bonus offer comes as a 100% deposit match bonus up to $250, with just a 1x playthrough requirement. Other promotions include weekly pick’em pools and odds boosts.

Barstool Sportsbook (9/10)

• Risk-free bet up to $500
• Available for iOS, Android, and desktop devices
• License partner of Hollywood Casino at Penn National
• Sportsbook partner of Penn National Gaming
• No. 3 online sportsbook in Pennsylvania by market share
• Best deposit option – PayPal
• Other deposit methods – ACH/eCheck, credit/debit card, Barstool Sportsbook Play +

Barstool Sportsbook PA launched in September 2020, marking the US debut of the online version of Barstool’s sports betting platform. The app launched with a selection of betting markets comparable to anything else in the state.

New bettors can sign up at Barstool Sportsbook and get a risk-free bet up to $500. Other daily player promotions include Barstool Power Hour, with odds discounts from 5 pm to 6 pm every day.

Full List Of Pennsylvania Online Sportsbooks

How To Place An Online Sports Bet In Pennsylvania

Picking An Online Sportsbook

Gaming Today offers updated information on all legal mobile sportsbooks operating in Pennsylvania. The welcome bonus offers, available betting markets, and lines on games vary from platform to platform.

Check out the table above for a comprehensive list of the bonus offers at each Pennsylvania mobile sportsbook.

Make Your First Deposit

Once you’ve chosen a sportsbook, you enjoy several different deposit options that instantly put funds in your account.

PayPal provides one of the most reliable ways to deposit at an online sportsbook. Other methods include ACH/eCheck, credit cards, debit cards, and the Play+ prepaid card.

Location Verification

Pennsylvania’s legal iGaming sites utilize geolocation services to determine a user’s location when they log in or try to place bets. If the geolocation technology determines you’re outside of Pennsylvania state lines, you’ll be blocked from betting.

State laws mandate that you must be within state borders at the time of a bet.

Registering For An Online Sportsbook Account

Signing up at a Pennsylvania online sportsbook takes just a couple of minutes. You’ll need to provide proof of age and identity, which can be done by uploading a photo of a driver’s license or state-issued ID.

Once the sportsbook verifies your identification documents, you’re ready to deposit and start making bets.

Placing Bets

Online sportsbooks allow you to wager by simply clicking on the line of your choice. Moneyline, point spread, totals, parlays, in-game betting, and more are at your disposal at Pennsylvania’s online sportsbooks.

Once you’ve clicked on a bet, the wager will appear on your bet slip (usually at the right of the screen). Confirm the bet one more time on the bet slip to make the wager official.

Why Choose A Legal Sportsbook?

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) regulates the state’s casino industry, including legal online sportsbooks. This government-operated gaming regulation agency’s oversight ensures proper operations, prompt payouts, and transparency from the Keystone State’s online sports betting platforms.

Illegal bookies and offshore sites, on the other hand, aren’t obligated to answer to an agency like the PGCB. As such, your money might not be safe once it’s in the hands of an illegal bookmaker.

Regulated sportsbooks automatically withhold federal taxes on wins of $5,000 or more. Aside from those withheld taxes, players bear responsibility for paying federal and state taxes on sports betting winnings.

Pennsylvania Sports Betting Revenue

Since launching in 2018, Pennsylvania’s sports betting industry shows significant upward growth in year-to-year revenue. According to reports from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, annual sports betting revenue jumped from $84.1 million in 2019 to $189.7 million in 2020.

Pennsylvania hosts one of the most viable land-based casino industries in the US. The state’s sports betting market, however, is dominated by mobile wagering.

Sportsbooks in the Keystone State took $2.558 billion in overall betting handle in the latter half of 2020. Of that figure, $2.345 billion came from online sportsbooks, as mobile wagers represented 91.6% of overall handle.

How Pennsylvania Compares To Other Sports Betting States

Pennsylvania’s neighbor to the east stands as the benchmark in the US mobile sports betting industry. New Jersey produced more than $6 billion in sports betting handle in 2020, and $5.53 billion of that figure came from online sportsbooks in the Garden State, according to figures released by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement.

Pennsylvania, however, holds its own as one of the top sports betting markets in the US. October reports from the nation’s top six sports betting states placed Pennsylvania as the No. 2 online sports betting market in the US, with $472.2 million in monthly mobile betting handle.

Pennsylvania came in as the No. 3 overall sports betting market in the US for October, trailing only Nevada and New Jersey. The future looks bright for Pennsylvania’s sports betting industry, which in a short time has established itself as one of the biggest sports wagering hubs in the US.

Pennsylvania Sports Betting: Successes And Failures

Pennsylvania Sports Betting Successes

The 2020 end-of-year revenue numbers point to significant potential success in future years for Pennsylvania’s sports betting industry. Online sports betting revenue exploded in Pennsylvania over the final three months of 2020.

October ($30.47 million in online revenue), November ($31.18 million), and December ($32.89 million) each marked successive new all-time monthly highs for mobile sports betting revenue in Pennsylvania.

Despite high tax rates on revenue compared to other states, Pennsylvania attracted sports betting’s most prominent brands to the market. FanDuel and DraftKings lead the Pennsylvania charge, which projects as a top US sports betting market for years to come.

How Pennsylvania Could Improve Its Sports Betting Industry

Pennsylvania’s sports betting model isn’t the most operator-friendly in the US. Sports betting revenue is taxed at 36%, with operators paying a $10 million licensing fee to enter the market. Those numbers represent the highest in the industry.

While DraftKings and FanDuel flourish in the state, the bottom half of the state’s list of 11 online sportsbooks struggle to earn revenue relative to the top players. While FanDuel Sportsbook earned more than $15 million in November 2020, BetAmerica (now branded as TwinSpires) produced just $8,632 in earnings over the same period.

Overall performance, however, has to be considered a success for Pennsylvania’s sports betting industry.

Sports Betting Legalization Effort In Pennsylvania

The current sports betting boom in the US required a change in stance on federal sports wagering laws. A 1992 mandate known as the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) outlawed sports betting in all but four states.

The Supreme Court of the United States overturned PASPA in May 2018, however, setting the stage for US states to legalize sports betting. Much like neighboring New Jersey, Pennsylvania lawmakers already had sports betting regulations ready to go before the fall of PASPA.

A Pennsylvania sports betting bill went into law in October 2017. The implementation of the bill pended the overturn of PASPA, which happened seven months later.

Despite Pennsylvania’s status as the second-largest land-based casino economy in the US, online gambling legislation came upon serious opposition in both the state House and Senate. Online gambling legislation, which included mobile sports betting, passed in the House by a 102-89 vote and the Senate by a 31-19 margin.

Pennsylvania’s gambling expansion bills gave the green light to both retail and online sports betting. The first online sportsbook went live in May 2019.

The end of 2020 marked one-and-a-half years of legal online sports betting in Pennsylvania. Despite that short timeframe, annual revenue nearly hit the $200 million mark in 2020.

Pennsylvania Sports Betting Timeline

• October 2017 – A package of bills outlining a significant gambling expansion in Pennsylvania is signed into law by Gov. Tom Wolf. The bills legalize both retail and online sports betting as part of that expansion. Sports betting can’t launch at the time, however, as the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) is still in effect.
• May 2018 – The Supreme Court of the United States rules PASPA as unconstitutional, overturning the mandate after 26 years in effect. With PASPA out of the way, Pennsylvania’s sports betting industry gets the official green light.
• November 2018 – The state’s first retail sportsbook opens for business, as Hollywood Casino at Penn National takes the first sports bet in Pennsylvania history. A dozen more land-based sports betting venues launch in the state over the next two years.
• May 2019 – Pennsylvania’s first online sportsbook goes live. SugarHouse Sportsbook launches under the interactive gaming license of Rivers Casino Philadelphia.
• July 2019 – FanDuel Sportsbook enters the Pennsylvania online sports betting market. The platform quickly emerges as the most popular mobile sports betting app in the state.
• September 2020 – A new major player enters the Pennsylvania market, as Barstool Sportsbook goes live with an online platform. Barstool rapidly becomes the No. 3 most popular online sportsbook in the state, trailing only FanDuel Sportsbook and DraftKings Sportsbook in monthly revenue.
• December 2020 – BetMGM launches in Pennsylvania as the state’s first Qualified Gaming Entity (QGE). Pennsylvania law allows iGaming brands to enter the market with QGE status, which doesn’t require a land-based casino partner.
• December 2020 – December marks the third straight month in which Pennsylvania online sportsbooks set a new monthly revenue high. Mobile sportsbooks produce $32.89 million in December revenue, and the state ends the year with $189.7 million in combined retail and mobile sports betting revenue for 2020.

Pennsylvania’s Sports Teams

Professional Sports Teams

Pennsylvania’s NFL Teams

Pro football loyalties in Pennsylvania split between two teams – the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Steelers stand as one of the NFL’s most successful franchises. Pittsburgh shares the NFL record for most Super Bowl wins (6) and holds the outright record for most conference championship game appearances.

The Eagles hold one Super Bowl title, breaking through with a win in the 2017 NFL championship game. Like the Steelers, the Eagles contend as a perennial threat to win a division title, although the franchise’s postseason success falls short of Pittsburgh’s accomplishments.

Pennsylvania’s online sportsbooks offer wagering on both Pennsylvania teams, as well as the rest of the NFL, every season. Betting opportunities include every round of the playoffs, all the way through the Super Bowl.

Pennsylvania’s MLB Teams

The Philadelphia Phillies and Pittsburgh Pirates both play in Major League Baseball’s National League. Both franchises trace their roots to the late 1800s, as both stand as two of the longest-running franchises in professional baseball.

The Pirates claim five World Series titles, while the Phillies own two MLB championships. Neither Pennsylvania baseball franchise has appeared in the postseason over the past five seasons, leaving fans in the Keystone State hungry for the next playoff run.

When that happens for either team, Pennsylvania online sportsbooks will offer betting on all rounds of the postseason, including the World Series.

Philadelphia 76ers

Like Pennsylvania’s other sports franchises, the 76ers draw a loyal but demanding fan base of basketball fanatics. After a long playoff drought, the team returned to the playoffs for the first time in six seasons in the 2017-2018 NBA Playoffs.

The following season ended in heartbreak for 76ers fans. Toronto Raptors’ superstar Kawhi Leonard hit a dramatic last-second shot in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, ending Philadelphia’s season.

Like the other major pro sports, NBA betting is open at Pennsylvania’s sportsbooks. That includes the regular season and every round of the playoffs.

Pennsylvania’s NHL Teams

Pennsylvania cross-state rivalries don’t come any more intense than matchups featuring the Philadelphia Flyers against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

With five Stanley Cups, the Penguins lay claim to more NHL championship success than the rival Flyers. Philadelphia’s two Stanley Cups both came in the early 1970s, leaving longsuffering Flyers fans waiting decades for a taste of championship success.

Pittsburgh’s success includes three Stanley Cup championship wins in the past 12 seasons.

Pennsylvania College Sports Teams

Some states place betting restrictions on in-state college programs and games. Pennsylvania’s sports betting laws don’t apply any prohibitions on state-based teams, however.

Big-time sports contests involving Pennsylvania programs like Penn State and Villanova are legally available throughout the season at Pennsylvania’s sportsbooks.

Penn State Nittany Lions

The Pennsylvania State University football program, aka the Penn State Nittany Lions, play as one of the more decorated programs in NCAA football history. Penn State holds two National Championship titles and perennially contends as one of the Big Ten Conference’s top teams.

Annual contests against Michigan, Michigan State, and Ohio State represent some of the most hyped matchups on the college football calendar. All Nittany Lions games appear on the betting boards at Pennsylvania’s mobile sportsbooks, including bowl games and potential future College Football Playoff appearances.

Villanova Wildcats

A member of the hallowed Philadelphia Big Five, the Villanova Wildcats men’s basketball program represents one of the sport’s most successful teams.

The Wildcats posted 14 NCAA Tournament appearances in the past 15 seasons. Two of those runs (2016 and 2018) ended with Villanova hoisting the NCAA Championship trophy.

Future March Madness appearances for the Wildcats will be available for wagering at Pennsylvania’s sportsbooks, with no restrictions.

Other Sports

Plenty of other betting markets await Pennsylvania bettors on the state’s mobile sports betting apps. MMA, tennis, golf, motorsports, international leagues, and niche sports round out the opportunities available at Pennsylvania sportsbooks.

Included in that lineup are in-state events like the NASCAR Cup Series races held at Pocono Speedway each year. Known as the “Tricky Triangle,” Pocono Speedway stands as one of the unique tracks on the NASCAR circuit.

Pennsylvania Sports Betting FAQs

More Resources On Pennsylvania Sports Betting

• Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board: Press Releases – Monthly updates on revenue and other news in the Pennsylvania casino industry.
• Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board: Monthly Sports Wagering Report – A detailed breakdown of revenue by sports betting operator. This report includes a breakout of online and retail betting handle and revenue.
• Visit PA – State tourism website offering an overview of Pennsylvania’s casinos and racetracks.
• ESPN US Sports Betting Map – ESPN’s interactive map showing where all 50 states stand on sports betting legalization.
• Philadelphia Inquirer – Sports section of one of Pennsylvania’s most prominent news outlets.