Legal Pennsylvania Sports Betting – How To Bet On Sports Legally In PA in 2024
- Online Sports Betting Available In PA Via Offshore & Domestic Sportsbooks
- Local Sports Betting In Pennsylvania Available Via In-Person/Online/Mobile
- All Forms Of Sports Betting In PA Are Legal
Legal Pennsylvania sports betting at the state level launched in 2018, not very long after PASPA's repeal. Their state-regulated betting options expanded to online and mobile sports apps in May of 2019.
Despite ridiculously high licensing fees ($10m), seven casinos had launched physical sportsbooks and/or launched online sportsbooks by the end of 2019. There are currently 12 retail casino sportsbooks, while there are 8+ online domestic books operating in PA.
Pennsylvania residents also have access to international sports betting sites operating legally outside of the US, such as the sportsbooks listed below. Overseas sports betting has been allowed in the United States for over a decade and tends to offer more betting lines across more sports as well as more generous promotions.
Is Sports Betting Legal In Pennsylvania 2024?
Yes. in 2017 Pennsylvania passed a sports betting bill that allows mobile and in-state betting. The bill went into effect in 2018 with brick-and-mortar retail betting options and since May 2019 there have also been state-regulated online and mobile sportsbooks available to in-state residents and visitors.
In addition, there are no sports betting laws in Oregon that prevent residents from placing bets at international sportsbooks that are operating legitimately under the appropriate licensing credentials. The same holds true for US federal gambling laws.
PA Sports Betting Laws
The state legislature passed HB271 in October of 2017 in anticipation of New Jersey's success with the Supreme Court as they sought to overturn PASPA. Turns out that was a smart move and allowed PA to be one of the early regions to embrace state-licensed sports gambling as the state launched retail sports betting in November 2018.
You also won't find anything in Pennsylvania's state gambling laws that restrict residents from legally betting on sports at online sportsbooks legally operating outside of the United States.
PA Sports Betting Bills
While Pennsylvania is one of the few states with domestic sports betting across all platforms, there is still active legislation addressing rules and regulations in the industry. While several bills still remain in committee, one piece was passed into law in July of 2022. HB1421 was approved and includes expanding the definition of sports betting to include Esports.
Because PA’s legislative session extends through the near entirety of the year, other active bills could possibly see success as well, all addressing various regulatory aspects of the sports gambling industry. To stay in the know with everything regarding legal sports betting in Pennsylvania, be sure to visit our state by state sports gambling legislation tracker tool.
Best Sports Betting Sites In Pennsylvania 2024
The following are our recommendations for reputable, safe, premium online sportsbooks that accept PA residents. They offer mobile and live, in-play betting, attractive bonus offers, a US-friendly banking suite, and an impressive range of betting lines and wagering options. They are all operating legally and according to the requirements of the governing jurisdiction in which they are located.
The table below includes their current welcome bonus offers, but if you'd like more information on any of these brands, you can visit our reviews section.
| Site Name | Current Bonus | Age | U.S. | Visit Site | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |  | 50% Max $1,000 | 18+ |  | Visit Site Review |
| 2 |  | 125% Max $3,125 | 18+ | | Visit Site Review |
| 3 |  | 50% Max $1,000 | 18+ | | Visit Site Review |
| 4 |  | 50% Max $1,000 | 18+ | | Visit Site Review |
Sportsbooks in Pennsylvania
There are currently several domestic sportsbooks and mobile sportsbooks operating inside of Pennsylvania's borders. The following casinos are some of the most popular PA sports betting destinations, and most of them also have online mobile apps.
- Sugarhouse Casino
- Play SugarHouse (mobile)
- Valley Forge
- Harrah's Philadelphia
- Rivers Casino
- Parx Casino
- Hollywood Casino
- Presque Isle Downs Casino
- South Philadelphia Turf Club
PA Sports Betting Details
Here you can find a brief summary of everything related to sports betting in the state of Pennsylvania. This section is packed with details like minimum gambling age, launch date, in-play betting options, and more.
- Legal Sports Betting: Yes, In-state; Offshore
- Launch Date: October 2018
- Pennsylvania Minimum Sports Betting Age: 21 years old
- Land-Based Sportsbooks: 12+ locations
- Online Sportsbook: State-based, Offshore
- Mobile Betting App: State-based, Offshore
- In-Play/Live Betting: Land-based locations; Offshore
- State Sportsbook Revenue: $37,350,246
- Eligible Operators: Casinos, mobile operators
- Commission: Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board
- Licensing Fee: $10 million
- Tax Rate: 36%
What You Can Bet On In Pennsylvania:
- In-state: All bet types and professional and college sports are allowed.
- Offshore: All betting lines, odds, and props for all games, teams, and players across all college and professional sports.
What You Can't Bet On In Pennsylvania:
- In-state: Politics, Amateur sports.
- Offshore: No restrictions.
Biggest Sports Betting Cities In Pennsylvania
Sports Betting In Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia, the city of brotherly love, is home to 4 major sports franchises—the Philadelphia Eagles (NFL), Philadelphia Phillies (MLB), Philadelphia 76ers (NBA) and Philadelphia Flyers (NHL). With representation in each of the major US sports leagues, Philly fans have options when it comes to betting. In any case, betting lines are available for all these teams through any of the licensed sportsbooks recommended in our guide.
Sports Betting In Pittsburgh, PA
Pittsburgh has many successful sports franchises and is home to the Pittsburgh Steelers (NFL), Pittsburgh Pirates (MLB) and Pittsburgh Penguins (NHL). Pittsburgh residents are no strangers to winning when it comes to these franchises and betting lines are open for all 3 teams via sanctioned offshore betting sites.
Legal Pennsylvania Sports Betting FAQs
Will I Get Arrested For Betting On Sports In Pennsylvania?
No, domestic sports betting launched in 2019 giving PA residents the legal option to betting on sports. In addition to the domestic options, there have been federal or state laws forbidding PA residents from accessing and betting with offshore sportsbooks. Placing a bet with the guy on the street corner (illegal) could get you into some trouble, but placing an illegal bet shouldn't warrant a trip to jail.
Can I Bet On Teams Outside Of PA?
Yes. You can bet on any team outside of PA—betting options are not restricted to your state. PA residents can bet on any team in the US, college or professional, and there are even options for international teams.
How To Bet on March Madness In Pennsylvania
PA March Madness betting can be done by using either domestic or offshore NCAAB sportsbooks, both in-person and online. The best college basketball betting sites in Pennsylvania are linked to within this page and operate offshore which means tons of props and loads more options to wager on the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament.
If you're 18 or over, consider becoming a member today and investigate the bonus cash offers as well as the cryptocurrency sportsbook deposit options for Pennsylvania March Madness betting.
Are Mobile Sports Betting Apps Legal In Pennsylvania?
Yes, there are currently several mobile sportsbooks offering betting lines to in-state residents. You can also find several offshore mobile sportsbooks that will accept your wagers at this time.
Who Regulates Sports Betting In Pennsylvania?
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board regulates the gaming industry in PA. Recently the control board made headlines when they launched an exclusion program where bettors can add themselves to the list to prevent problem gambling.
Pennsylvania Legislative Resources
Pennsylvania Gambling Resources
SportsBetting.legal wants you to enjoy sports betting in a healthy way. If you feel that you have a problem or are developing a problem with sports gambling we suggest you reach out to the PA Council on Compulsive Gambling, or call 1-800-848-1880 to seek help.
Football Betting In Pennsylvania 2024
How To Bet On NFL Football in Pennsylvania
The fans of the Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers are some of the most rabid in the National Football League. If you are in PA and want to bet on the NFL, our best recommendation is to do so with an online sportsbook that is included on this page. Odds for regular season and playoff games are offered for all 32 Teams, with hundreds of lines and props for Super Bowl betting as well.
How To Bet On College Football in Pennsylvania
While there is no shortage of options for betting on college football inside the state of Pennsylvania, if you want to wager with a legal, safe, and reputable NCAAF sportsbook, we advise doing so with one of the websites included in this guide. No matter if you want to lay some action on the Penn State Nittany Lions, Pittsburgh Panthers, or any other program in the United States, the above college football sportsbooks are the best option in PA.
