The Pennsylvania sports betting industry still stands as one of the top markets in the country. Bettors have access to a wide variety of Pennsylvania sports betting apps from some of the top names in the industry.
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, Caesars, Barstool Sportsbook, and several other industry-leading brands. Pennsylvania produced more than $170 in online sports betting revenue last year.
Best Pennsylvania Sports Betting Apps 2021
- FanDuel Sportsbook – Best sportsbook iOS & Android App
- BetMGM – Best for MGM reward points & new bettors
- DraftKings Sportsbook – Best for DFS players who also want to bet
- BetRivers – Best for deposit bonus
Pennsylvania Sports Betting Recent Updates
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April 30, 2021:
Revenue Remains Strong: In May 2021, the PGCB released April revenue numbers, with Pennsylvania seeing almost $440 million in betting handle and $21 million in revenue.
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April 27, 2021:
PointsBet gets market access to Pennsylvania – PointsBet announced that they have made a deal with Penn National Gaming to receive access to launch in the state. Launch date is likely before the start of the NFL season.
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April 24, 2021:
DraftKings & BetMGM apps in Google Play Store – Google recently changed its rules allowing sports betting apps into the Google Play store. BetMGM and DraftKings are the first two pa betting apps to be approved.
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December 18, 2020:
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).
Best Pennsylvania Sports Betting Apps
Best For iOS And Android App
At FanDuel PA
Available On: iOS, Android, Web Browser
States Accepted: NJ, PA, IL, IN, IA, CO, WV, TN, MI, VA
Best For iOS And Android App
FanDuel Sportsbook
Risk-Free Bet
$1000
Retail Partner
Valley Forge Casino Resort
Licensed by
PGCB
Bettors across the US make FanDuel Sportsbook the No. 1 online sports betting platform by market share in the nation. The FanDuel Sportsbook app puts a world-class sports betting site at your fingertips.
With a robust selection of sports, ways to bet, and deposit/withdrawal options, FanDuel Sportsbook offers one of the top overall sports betting platforms in the legal US industry.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS APPLY & 21+
Best For New Bettors
At BetMGM PA
Available On: iOS, Android, Web Browser
States Accepted: CO, IN, IA, MI, NJ, NV, PA, TN, WV, VA
Best For New Bettors
BetMGM Sportsbook
Risk-Free Bet
$600
Retail Partner
Qualified Gaming Entity
Licensed by
PGCB
The BetMGM app is second to none, with the highest App Store rating in sports betting. This is due to its incredible stability, a wide range of bets, and variety of promotions.
From the high-quality BetMGM app to some of the most competitive odds around, this is a platform worth joining.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS APPLY & 21+
Best For DFS Players
At DraftKings PA
Available On: iOS, Android, Web Browser
States Accepted: CO, IL, IN, IA, MI, NH, NJ, PA, TN, VA, WV
Best For DFS Players
DraftKings Sportsbook
Deposit Match Offer
Up to 20% up to $1000
Retail Partner
The Meadows
Licensed by
PGCB
The DraftKings app offers a top-rated mobile betting platform with thousands of bets every day – alongside creative odds boosters and enticing promotions. From the DraftKings promo code, you’ll find here to the many other ongoing offers, there’s never a dull moment on the DraftKings app. New users can get a $50 free bet with $5 deposit in addition to the 20% match up to $1000 (5x playthrough).
The DraftKings Sportsbook betting markets are competitive from top to bottom. This includes the number of sports offered and the betting options surrounding and within those games.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS APPLY & 21+
Best For Deposit Bonus
At BetRivers PA
Available On: iOS, Android, Web Browser
States Accepted: CO, IL, IN, IA, MI, PA, VA, & NJ
Best For Deposit Bonus
BetRivers Sportsbook
Deposit Bonus
$250
Retail Partner
Rivers Casinos
Licensed by
PGCB
The BetRivers app is one of the most popular online sportsbooks in the US. A big reason for that is the simple fact that it’s available in most states with legal online sports betting. But with our BetRivers promo code, this app also offers one of the best bonuses in the industry.
BetRivers offers ongoing promotions and bet boosters to current bettors.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS APPLY & 21+
Full List Of Pennsylvania Online Sportsbooks
| Sportsbook | Welcome Bonus | Casino Partner | Launch Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| FanDuel Sportsbook | Risk-free bet up to $1,000 | Valley Forge Casino Resort | July 2019 |
| DraftKings Sportsbook | 20% deposit match up to $1,000 | The Meadows | November 2019 |
| BetRivers Sportsbook | 100% deposit match up to $250 | Rivers Casino Pittsburgh | June 2019 |
| SugarHouse Sportsbook | 100% deposit match up to $250 | Rivers Casino Philadelphia | May 2019 |
| Parx Sportsbook | Risk-free bet up to $500 | Parx Casino | June 2019 |
| BetMGM | Risk-free bet up to $600 | N/A | December 2020 |
| FOX Bet | Risk-free bet up to $500 | Mount Airy Casino Resort | September 2019 |
| Caesars Sportsbook | N/A | Harrah’s Philadelphia | March 2020 |
| TwinSpires (formerly BetAmerica) | 25% deposit match up to $500 | Presque Isle Downs | December 2019 |
| Unibet Sportsbook | Risk-free bet up to $500 | Mohegan Sun Pocono | November 2019 |
| Barstool Sportsbook | Risk-free bet up to $500 | Hollywood Casino at Penn National | December 2020 |
How To Get Started in Pennsylvania Sports Betting
Picking A PA Online Sports Betting App
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 A PA Sports Betting App 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
Pennsylvania sports betting apps or 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.
Although March 2021 revenue numbers were high due to March Madness, the PGCB announced almost $440 million in betting handle in April 2021, second only to its neighbor and betting rival, New Jersey. Top apps included FanDuel and DraftKings, with FanDuel reporting more than twice the revenue of DraftKings PA.
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. This trend continues, with NJ recognizing $6 billion of handle in the first quarter of 2021 alone.
Pennsylvania, however, holds its own as one of the top sports betting markets in the US. April reports from the nation’s top four sports betting states placed Pennsylvania as the No. 2 online sports betting market in the US, with $439 million in monthly mobile betting handle.
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. It is unclear what the effect will be of New York legalizing and launching mobile betting apps, but the effect on PA should be less than on New Jersey.
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 $11 million in April 2021, BetAmerica (now branded as TwinSpires) produced negative 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 Apps
Pennsylvania Sports Betting FAQs
Yes. Pennsylvania gaming laws allow both online and retail sportsbooks to operate in the state.
The first legal online sportsbooks went live in Pennsylvania in May 2019. Since then, the industry has expanded to include 11 different online sports betting platforms.
All legal mobile sports betting apps display the seal of approval from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.
21 or older. The minimum age to place an online sports bet in Pennsylvania is 21, across all legal sportsbooks.
When registering for a sportsbooks account, you’ll need to upload documents providing proof of age and identity.
Yes. All college sports are available for wagering at Pennsylvania’s online sportsbooks. This includes in-state programs like Penn State and Villanova.
Some states place restrictions on betting on in-state college teams and events. Pennsylvania gaming laws place no such ban on Pennsylvania-based programs and games, however.
Yes, as long as you’re betting on one of Pennsylvania’s legal mobile sports betting apps. Pennsylvania’s legal online sportsbooks are regulated by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB).
The PGCB oversees all casino operations in Pennsylvania. Playing at a legal online gambling site offers the same level of safety as playing at a Pennsylvania casino.
Yes. Just about all Pennsylvania online sportsbooks offer their platforms as app downloads for Apple iOS devices. Pennsylvania bettors can find these apps in the App Store.
Yes. FanDuel Sportsbook takes more bets than any other online sportsbook in Pennsylvania. Bettors can access FanDuel Sportsbook via desktop browser or downloadable app for Android and iOS devices.
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.
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