Pennsylvania Sports Betting: Pennsylvania is the fifth most populated state in the United States of America. That being said, it should come as no surprise that Pennsylvania is one of the nation’s leaders in legal sports betting. The Keystone State is home to two major sports markets with eight professional sports teams, and several Division 1 college sports teams.
New User Bonus Offers in Pennsylvania
Rating | SportsBook | Offer | Features | Play |
 | Any Sport | Applies to First Bet | ||
 | First NFL or CFB Wager | New Players Only | ||
 | Win or Get a Refund | First 2 Wagers Code: LIBERTY | ||
 | 100% Deposit Bonus Offer | $500 Risk Free Win or Get a Refund | ||
 | Win or Get a Refund | Win or Get a Refund | ||
 | If Either Team Scores a TD | Best PA Promotion | ||
 | Win or Get a Refund | Win or Get a Refund |
Sports betting in Pennsylvania became legal in 2018 and has turned the state into one of the most profitable legal sports betting markets in the United States. Gaming revenue reached historic levels during the 2021 calendar year, bringing in over $4.7 billion in revenue, which was the highest single year amount in state history.
Pennsylvania is on track to be one of the most prominent players in online sports gambling for years to come and new online options to wager on sports are entering the market each year, complimenting the retail sports books and casinos already operating throughout the state.
Major Sports Teams in Philadelphia
How to Place a Sports Wager in Pennsylvania
STEP ONE: SELECT A SPORTSBOOK
Pennsylvania has a list of state-approved sportsbooks that you’ll want to consider when looking for the best odds, daily specials, and promotions. Here is a list of authorized online sportsbooks currently available in Pennsylvania.
- DraftKings Sportsbook
- FanDuel Sportsbook
- FOX Bet Sportsbook
- Betway Sportsbook
- UNIBET Sportsbook
- BetMGM Sportsbook
- PointsBet Sportsbook
- Caesars Sportsbook
STEP TWO: SIGN UP FOR A NEW ACCOUNT AND MAKE A FIRST TIME DEPOSIT
Almost every sportsbook will walk you through a step-by-step sign up process. Here’s what information you’ll need when creating your new account.
- Full Name
- Phone Number
- Email Address
- Age Verification (Social Security Number or Drivers License)
- Payment Information (Direct Deposit, Debit/Credit Card)
STEP THREE: VERIFY YOUR LOCATION
Next, you will need to verify your location to let the sportsbook know that you are within the state of Pennsylvania before accessing the sportsbook. If you’re on your phone, you can grant permission by allowing whatever app you selected to track your location. If you are on a desktop computer, most sports betting websites require you to download GeoComply, a location-tracking software that verifies you’re in the state.
STEP FOUR: PLACE YOUR BET
Each sportsbook app or website typically offers a clear user interface where you can navigate to a specific sport / league to find available bets to place.
- Go to the sport
- Click on game to expand betting options
- Select which line you want to place a bet on
- Your selection will be added to your Bet Slip
- Enter in your bet amount
- Submit
Showtime. You have just placed your first legal bet in the state of Pennsylvania. Let the games begin.
BETTING RESTRICTIONS IN PENNSYLVANIA
Sports betting in Pennsylvania offers odds only on traditional sports played on the field, meaning they do no not offer odds for off-field sports-related events (example: NFL Draft). Another example of things you are not allowed to bet on in PA would be major awards ceremonies like the Academy Awards or the Grammy Awards. Regardless of a few small restrictions, the amount of new legal online sports betting websites, apps, and retail sportsbooks throughout the state give users plenty of options satisfy their gambling needs.
Additional Pennsylvania Sports Betting Restrictions
POLITICS: Politics betting is not allowed in Pennsylvania, and is not offered anywhere in the United States.
eSports: It is not legal to bet on any eSports events in the state of Pennsylvania.
COLLEGE SPORTS BETTING IN PENNSYLVANIA
Pennsylvania allows sports betting on all Division 1 college football, basketball, and hockey sporting events. Although other states restrict betting on in-state teams, Pennsylvania allows you place wagers on the colleges that reside within the state.
NCAA DIVISION I FOOTBALL & BASKETBALL
NCAA DIVISION I BASKETBALL ONLY
ADDITIONAL GAMBLING OPTIONS IN PENNSYLVANIA
CASINO
PA offers a variety slot machines, video poker, and table games including, blackjack, roulette, and poker that can be played online or in-person. The brick-and-mortar casino blackjack rules are among the best in the US. Gambling odds and rules for casino games may differ online and offline.
POKER
Several PA casinos offer live poker games. There are also multiple online casinos, including Poker Stars, Betway, DraftKings, and Barstool Sports that allow user to play real-money poker with more expecting to launch soon.
DAILY FANTASY SPORTS (DFS)
DraftKings, FanDuel, and Monkey Knife Fight are among the available Daily Fantasy Sports gambling options in Pennsylvania.
HORSE RACING IN PENNSYLVANIA
Pennsylvania is home to six horse racing tracks. Parx, Penn National Race Course, and Presque Isle Downs are thoroughbred tracks, while The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono, Harrah’s Philadelphia, and The Meadows are all harness tracks.
Given the variety of sportsbetting apps in Pennsylvania, you are able to place wagers on horse racers without visiting the track. In addition to online wagering, Pennsylvania offers off-track betting (OTB) outlets located throughout the state to place wagers if you do not want to go directly to a racetrack.
Fans of horse racing can wager with AMWager, BetAmerica, and Betfair Exchange, TVG/4NJBets, and TwinSpires to bet online. BetMGM will soon offer an app just for horse racing bettors.