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The Keystone State is home to some of the nation’s biggest sporting cities, so it should come as no surprise that it was one of the first states in the country to legalize online sports betting in May 2019.
Since then, the amount of sportsbooks in Pennsylvania has been growing every year. So, in this guide I’m going to go through all Pennsylvania sportsbooks in detail, so that you can choose which one will suit you the best. I’ll also break down the best bonuses available across the state, so keep on reading to get all the information you’ll need.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| 💰 Best Sign Up Bonus | BetMGM |
| 📈 Most Competitive Odds | FanDuel |
| 🏈 Biggest Choice of Markets | DraftKings |
| 🤝 Best Loyalty Promos | Fanatics |
| 🎯 Best Same Game Parlays | BetMGM |
| 🆕 Newest Sportsbook | Bet365 |
| 📱 Best Mobile App | Caesars |
| ⏳ Best for Live Betting | Bet365 |
| 💳 Most Trusted Payments | FanDuel |
| 💬 Best Support | BetRivers |
Sports betting in the US has had an interesting history because federal and state laws have had to change quite a bit over the last few decades to get to where we are today in terms of being able to bet online. To help make it easier for you, I’ve created a timeline of how the sports betting landscape has changed in Pennsylvania over the years.
The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act was a federal law that was passed in 1992 that banned sports betting across the majority of states in the country. The goal of PASPA was to maintain integrity in American sports by stopping legalized gambling. It prohibited states from authorizing and licensing sports betting, through making it illegal to operate or advertise any sports betting services.
With rumours of PASPA being overturned, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf signs HB 271 into law. This law created provisions for legalizing sports betting in Pennsylvania if the Supreme Court overturns PASPA.
2018 was a big year when you consider the path to the legalization of online sports betting in Pennsylvania. This is because this is the year that the US Supreme Court overturned PASPA because it was found to be unconstitutional. By overturning PASPA, it meant that each state could decide for themselves whether they would allow sports betting.
After the news of the law being overturned, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) created regulations to help legalize sports betting in the state.
Shortly after Pennsylvania legalized sports betting the first retail sportsbook in Pennsylvania opened at Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course.
In May 2019, SugarHouse Casino became the first of the Pennsylvania online sportsbooks.
So that is the rundown of how sportsbooks made their way to being legalized in the Keystone State. Next, I’m going to give you a list of all Pennsylvania sportsbooks, so you can see what options you have to choose from when you are betting online.
Like I said earlier, since online sports betting was legalized in Pennsylvania, the amount of places where you can wager online has been growing. So, to help narrow it down for you, I’ve created this list of all the Pennsylvania online betting sites.
Sites no longer active:
After years of speculation, Bet465 became available in Pennsylvania in July 2024. Bet 365 is one of the world’s leading online betting sites because of their massive amount of sports markets and their extensive live betting platform. Sign up today and you can choose from two generous welcome bonuses. The first will see you receive $150 in bonus bets and 50 free spins, just for placing a first bet of $5 or more. The other option to choose from is a 100% first deposit match up to $500, which will come with 100 free spins.
BetMGM became available in Pennsylvania in December 2020 and has kept its place as a crowd favorite ever since. BetMGM remains a favorite among Pennsylvanians as it has great markets on the country’s top sports. As well as this, BetMGM is always offering bonuses to new and existing users.
New users at BetMGM have the chance to have their first bet refunded in bonus bets. Sign up today and you can place a bet on any game, and if your bet loses, you will receive your stake (up to $1500) back in bonus bets. Yes, you read that correctly. All the way up to $1500! To claim this bet you just have to register a new account, fund it, and then make your bet.
And where you place this bet is part of the reason that BetMGM is at the top of the pack of online sports betting platforms. At BetMGM you’ll be able to access over 30 sports, and have a huge range of markets available on each one. Their football markets are so diverse, making them one of the best NFL betting sites. So whether you are a fan of the NFL, MLB, or soccer, I think that you’ll always find a market that suits your style of play.
The BetMGM mobile app is another reason why you’ll love BetMGM. They have created a mobile app that is perfectly optimized to ensure that you are having the smoothest experience while you are on the go.
With BetRivers being one of the country’s biggest online sports betting sites, it isn’t surprising that they were quick to get into Pennsylvania. One of the main reasons that it has become one of the most popular platforms, is due to their emphasis on providing their customers with a live betting section that is as good as it gets.
One of the other reasons why I really like BetRivers is that they have a pretty extensive live streaming list. Having a diverse range of sports to live stream really complements the live betting nature of the platform, and as a whole makes the experience so much more enjoyable. To see what sports offer live streaming, just look for the green and white button.
The BetRivers welcome offer is also something that catches the eye. If you register a new account today and place a first bet of $10 or more and it loses, you will have your stake matched up to an amount of $500. You don’t need to include any promo code to get your hands on this one. Simply just sign up, deposit your funds and make a wager. BetRivers often changes their promotions, so if you like this one then don’t wait too long to sign up.
The current Caesars sportsbook welcome offer for the people of Pennsylvania is really something that I think is worth checking out. If you register a new account, you are able to place a risk free bet up to $1000. This means that if your first bet loses, you will have 100% of your wager refunded in bonus bets up to an amount of $1000.
If that isn’t enough to get you to sign up, Caesars is also widely known for having an excellent loyalty program that can see you rewarded with loyalty points each time you place a bet. These points can be exchanged for a bunch of different prizes like additional bonuses and tickets to sporting events.
If you like sites that offer streaming, then Caesars is a platform that I am sure you will love. They are one of the best sportsbooks for football as they are one of the very few that live stream NFL matches on the mobile app, so you can watch the game and make in-play bets based on what you are seeing in real time.
DraftKings is definitely one of the best PA betting sites, and it’s for a good reason. No matter what you are looking for in an online sports betting platform, I am sure that DraftKings will meet your expectations. Famous for their generous bonuses and massive sports selection, you’re always going to find something you like at DraftKings.
If bonuses are what you are chasing, then you’re going to love the new customer bonus that they are offering. Currently at DraftKings, they offer their new Pennsylvanian customers a deposit bonus up to $1000 DK if you deposit $5 or more. To claim this offer you just have to create a new account and make your first deposit.
Like I briefly mentioned, one of the main reasons that people choose DraftKings is because of their massive sports selection. Not only are there markets for the main leagues like the NFL and MLB, but there’s also a wide range of different markets available in less popular sports like equestrian and even diving. With the Olympics around the corner, this is a feature that I think you should capitalize on.
Fanatics is another brand that’s only recently made its way into the Pennsylvania sports scene, but since it has, it has been making waves. People have been moving over to Fanatics because of their excellent welcome bonus, their FanCash system, as well as some great odds on all the best sports.
The welcome bonus at Fanatics really is something. Currently after you sign up a new account with Fanatics, you can receive up to $1000 in bonus bets when you place a $5 wager for the first five days. With this generous bonus you can have your stake matched up to $200 each day, meaning that over five days it can total $1000. You don’t need any promo code to claim this bonus, just opt in during sign up.
If that isn’t enough to convince you that Fanatics is completely legit, then I’ll fill you in on the FanCash system. Every bet you make with Fanatics will see you given back up to 5% of your wager in FanCash. You can use this to stake on sports and if your stake wins, the winnings are yours.
While I was doing this review I found it a bit interesting that Fanatics doesn’t have a PC website that you can use, as it’s currently only available if you download the app. But after I did so, I found that it was about as good as betting apps get. Whether it was cashing out, staking or depositing the app was so intuitive, and it made me forget they didn’t have a desktop website.
The FanDuel sportsbook was one of the first to operate online in the Keystone State, as it first went online in July 2019. Since then FanDuel has kept its place as one of the best PA sportsbooks.
One of the reasons why is probably due to the frequency and the generosity of their bonuses. For example, just for registering a new account and placing a $5 wager, you’ll receive $150 in bonus bets. It doesn’t even matter if your bet wins or loses. To claim this you don’t need any promo code. Just meet the minimum requirements that I just mentioned and you’re good to go.
At FanDuel, there are over 20 sports categories to choose from. I understand that this isn’t as many as other sportsbooks, but they make up for it by offering a wide range of markets that are available in the most popular sports.
FanDuel is also well known for having a fast and easy payment system that will allow you to deposit and withdraw with all the best payment methods available. Like all good sportsbooks accepting Visa, it never took more than a few hours to receive a withdrawal.
Another great thing about Fanduel is their payout rate. When I looked into it, I found that this sportsbook offers a 96.77% payout rate for the most popular sports like MLB and the NFL. Depending on which game you are betting on, you can also get a livestream straight from the mobile app.
Betfred became legal in Pennsylvania in December 2020, and since then it has been a favorite among bettors. It has become a major platform in the state due to its wide range of markets and competitive odds. If you register a new account today, you will be welcomed with a generous offer. To claim it you just need to bet $20 on any sports market with odds of -200, and if it loses, you’ll receive your entire initial stake back in Fred Bets, up to $105.
BetPARX started out as a casino and racing brand, but has since become a much loved online betting platform in Pennsylvania thanks to their user-friendly interface and competitive odds. Their current welcome bonus offers new users an insurance on their first bet up to $750. While this isn’t as much as the BetMGM offer, it’s still very generous, and allows new users to try out some of the great odds that are available just for registering a new account. So, what are you waiting for?
ESPN Bet was late to the party as it launched in Pennsylvania in December 2023. But, since then it has become very popular thanks to its great odds and generous bonuses. New users at ESPN Bet are able to choose from two different welcome bonuses. The first will see you receive up to $1,000 in bonus bets if your first wager settles as a loss and the other offers new bettors to get a 200% match on their first deposit, up to $500. To claim these offers you won’t need an ESPN Bet promo code, just simply sign up and reap the rewards.
After an unsucessful launch into several different US states, including Pennsylvania, Fox Bet Sportsbook stopped accepting wagers as of July 31st 2023. The brand was launched under the Fox brand with some serious firepower behind it, Flutter Entertainment who operate some the biggest sports betting brands in the UK and Ireland, but it wasn’t to be long term.
Churchill Downs Inc launched their TwinSpires sportsbook as one of the first apps in the legalized Arizona market but it didn’t work out. The decision to pull out of PA came when the brand’s CEO cited issues around winning market share which raised questions over potential profitability both short and long term.
Another big name that has come and gone in Pennsylvania was Unibet. Despite their experience in Europe and elsewhere, Unibet Sportsbook pulled out of the PA market in June 2024 after their wider ownership decided to withdraw it’s focus on the North American market.
Pennsylvania has one of the biggest lists of sportsbooks in the entire country, and that means that the list is constantly changing as new sportsbooks join in. To keep you up to date, I’ve looked into which are the newest sportsbooks in Pennsylvania and put them into this table below.
| Sportsbook | Launch Date | License Owner |
|---|---|---|
| Bet365 | July 2024 | Presque Isle Downs & Casino |
| Fanatics | January 2024 | PointsBet Pennsylvania LLC |
| ESPN Bet | December 2023 | Penn Entertainment |
Pennsylvania is one of the states with the most lenient laws in the country when it comes to online sports betting, and as a result, you’ll find that you can bet on pretty much every sport out there. I’ll go into detail on what you can’t bet on later in this guide, but here’s a list of some sports and competitions that you can expect to find at all of the Pennsylvania betting sites
| Sports | Competitions |
|---|---|
| Professional football | NFL |
| College Football | NCAA |
| Professional basketball | NBA |
| College Basketball | NCAA |
| Baseball | MLB |
| Hockey | NHL |
| Soccer | MLS, English Premier League, UEFA Champions League |
| Tennis | ATP Tour, WTA Tour, Grand Slam Tournaments |
| Golf | PGA Tour, European Tour, Majors |
| Boxing | Major Fights, World Championships |
| Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) | UFC, Bellator |
| Motorsports | NASCAR, Formula 1 |
| Horse Racing | All race events state and nationwide |
| eSports | All majors |
In Pennsylvania, there are a few restrictions on what you are able to bet on. Pennsylvania has created these restrictions to ensure both the integrity of sports and the protection of their participants, especially when minors are involved. So, here’s a list on what you can’t bet on in Pennsylvania.
Although I have said that Pennsylvania is one of the more lenient states in the country when it comes to sportsbooks, it still has strong regulations that ensure a legit and fair betting system. The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) are the ones who oversee sportsbooks in Pennsylvania and they have a range of roles that start at regulating the different operators, to ensuring consumer protection. As well as this, they frequently work with the state government to create licensing processes for all of the different Pennsylvania betting sites.
21+. Gambling problem? Text 800GAM, Call 1-800-GAMBLER, or visit http://www.pacouncil.com/
| Bonus | ★★★★★★★★★★ | 10/10 |
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| Competitive Lines | ★★★★★★★★★☆ | 9/10 |
| App Experience | ★★★★★★★★★☆ | 9/10 |
| Payment Options | ★★★★★★★★★☆ | 9/10 |
| Market Variety | ★★★★★★★★★★ | 10/10 |
| Support | ★★★★★★★★★☆ | 9/10 |
| Summary | ★★★★★★★★★☆ | 9/10 |
| Bonus | ★★★★★★★★★☆ | 9/10 |
| Competitive Lines | ★★★★★★★★★☆ | 9/10 |
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| Payment Options | ★★★★★★★★★☆ | 9/10 |
| Market Variety | ★★★★★★★★☆☆ | 8/10 |
| Support | ★★★★★★★★☆☆ | 8/10 |
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| Bonus | ★★★★★★★★★★ | 10/10 |
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| Bonus | ★★★★★★★★☆☆ | 8/10 |
| Competitive Lines | ★★★★★★★★☆☆ | 8/10 |
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| Competitive Lines | ★★★★★★★★★☆ | 9/10 |
| App Experience | ★★★★★★★★☆☆ | 8/10 |
| Payment Options | ★★★★★★★★☆☆ | 8/10 |
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| Summary | ★★★★★★★★★☆ | 9/10 |
| Bonus | ★★★★★★★★★★ | 10/10 |
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| Competitive Lines | ★★★★★★★★☆☆ | 8/10 |
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| Competitive Lines | ★★★★★★★★★☆ | 9/10 |
| App Experience | ★★★★★★★★☆☆ | 8/10 |
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| App Experience | ★★★★★★★★★☆ | 9/10 |
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| Support | ★★★★★★★★☆☆ | 8/10 |
| Summary | ★★★★★★★★☆☆ | 8/10 |
Online sports betting became legal in Pennsylvania back in May 2019 after the US Supreme Court overturned the PASPA Act and SugarHouse created the first online betting site in the state.
The minimum legal betting age in Pennsylvania is 21. To be able to create an account at one of the best PA sportsbooks, you will have to verify that you are at the legal age and live within Pennsylvania.
There are currently 11 online sportsbooks in Pennsylvania that are fully licensed. These are Bet365, Betfred, BetMGM, BetPARX, BetRivers, Betway, Caesars, DraftKings, ESPN Bet, Fanatics, and FanDuel.
Determining the best PA sportsbook comes down to individual preference. There are many great options in Pennsylvania as sites like BetMGM, FanDuel, BetRivers, DraftKings, Fanatics, and Caesars have a great range of markets, as well as generous welcome offers.
