Pennsylvania Online Casinos and Gambling Sites
Pennsylvania legalized online casinos in 2017. Players from the Keystone State can access online slot games, video poker, table games, live dealer titles, and more.
The state is also home to sports betting, the lottery, and charitable gaming. The options are well-rounded, so players of all skill levels and budgets can explore gaming via mobile and desktop sites.
Use this guide to learn more about the gambling services available in PA.
Highlights
The following table provides a snapshot of what forms of gambling are legal in the state, from online casinos to land-based casinos and other forms of gambling such as state lottery.
Is Gambling Legal?
Yes
Legal Gambling Age
18-21
Land-Based Casinos
Yes
Online Casinos
Yes
Land-Based Sports Betting
Yes
Online Sportsbooks
Yes
Legal State Lottery
Yes
Charitable Gambling
Yes
Table of Contents
Everything You Need to Start Playing at PA Online Casinos
Is Online Gambling Legal in Pennsylvania?
Key Takeaways
- Gambling at online casinos is legal in PA.
- Online sports betting is legal in PA.
- Gambling at offshore sites is technically illegal, but no one has ever been prosecuted for doing so.
Pennsylvania is one of the few states that has legalized gambling online. The passage of the PA Act 42 in 2017 granted licenses to conduct iGaming starting in 2018, and online sports betting launched in 2019.
Now, Pennsylvania has 20 online casinos and 12 online sportsbooks operating within its borders.
While gambling at sites regulated by the Keystone State has the green light, playing at offshore online casinos is illegal.
However, Pennsylvania has a relaxed stance on internet betting, and no one has ever been prosecuted for gambling at sites licensed outside of the state.
Take an in-depth look at Pennsylvania’s gambling legislation.
Best Pennsylvania Online Casinos in 2024
Pennsylvania residents have many options when it comes to gambling on the Internet. Our team of experts has thoroughly reviewed every aspect of the leading online casinos to bring you the best.
Below are our top picks.
| RANK | CASINO | BONUS | PAYOUT SPEED | LICENSED | TOTAL GAMES | SLOTS | OUR RATING | CLICK TO PLAY |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
DuckyLuck Casino |
BONUS 500% up to $7,500 | PAYOUT SPEED 1-5 Days | LICENSED Yes | TOTAL GAMES 699 | SLOTS 600 | OUR RATING 4 / 5 | Play Now |
| 2 |
Bovada Casino |
BONUS 125% up to $3,750 | PAYOUT SPEED 1-3 Days | LICENSED Yes | TOTAL GAMES 549 | SLOTS 435 | OUR RATING 4 / 5 | Play Now |
| 3 |
SlotsandCasino |
BONUS 500% up to $7,500 | PAYOUT SPEED 1-2 Days | LICENSED Yes | TOTAL GAMES 691 | SLOTS 594 | OUR RATING 3.9 / 5 | Play Now |
| 4 |
BetUS |
BONUS 150% up to $3,000 | PAYOUT SPEED 1-7 days | LICENSED Yes | TOTAL GAMES 491 | SLOTS 367 | OUR RATING 4.5 / 5 | Play Now |
| 5 |
Cafe Casino |
BONUS 350% up to $2,500 | PAYOUT SPEED 1-3 Days | LICENSED Yes | TOTAL GAMES 547 | SLOTS 384 | OUR RATING 3.5 / 5 | Play Now |
*Last Updated: November, 2024
Our Recommended Online Casinos By Category
We select the best gambling sites with the player in mind. Let’s take a look at the main features of the top casinos for Pennsylvanians.
DuckyLuck – Top Site for Casino Games
DuckyLuck is one of the leading places for spinning the reels for PA players. This site has a heavy focus on slots with 500+ quality titles, massive progressive jackpots, and tons of bonuses that give you deposit matches and free spins.
It is also an exceptional online casino for Pennsylvania players who love table games as it offers a wide selection of standard titles like roulette, blackjack, poker, and craps, and a few hard-to-find ones like Card Clash and Dragon Roulette.
FreshDeck Studios supplies live dealer games with the latest technology and HD streaming. You can choose from multiple variations of roulette, blackjack, and baccarat, with betting limits to suit everyone’s needs.
Top Features
- A diverse selection of table games
- Unique titles that you won’t find elsewhere
- Impressive live dealer studios
Bovada – Best for Sports Betting
Bovada, a well-established gambling site with over 20 years of experience serving US residents, provides a wide range of sports betting opportunities, covering major American leagues, college events, soccer, boxing, and more.
Users enjoy flexibility in deposit methods, including cryptocurrency, credit cards, and MatchPay. The withdrawal process is efficient and usually completed within 1-24 hours. It’s important to note that the 15.9% fee for credit card deposits is high.
Bovada is our top option for those seeking a platform that offers both sports betting and casino games.
Top Features
- Bovada has stood the test of time
- Complete sportsbook and casino offering
- 24/7 online support
How We Choose Online Casinos
We look for specific criteria when selecting the best online casinos in Pennsylvania. Our top picks must meet the following standards.
Reputation
We read reviews from multiple sources to get a general feel for how the casino is received.Fast & Reliable Payments
We deposit and withdraw to ensure quick, reliable, and smooth payments.Security & Safety
We verify that a site uses SSL encryption to protect and secure your personal information.Games Variety & Quality
A quality online casino will have a diverse selection of games, so we look through its catalog and play multiple titles.Quality Bonuses
We examine the promotions and bonuses at a site and look at the terms and conditions to see how they stack up.
Casino Games Available in Pennsylvania
Residents of Pennsylvania are lucky to be able to access just about any gambling game they want online. Here is a comprehensive look at the top online casino games for real money.
Online Slots
Real money slots are immensely popular in Pennsylvania and completely legal.
For residents of PA, online slots offer several advantages. They often come with higher RTPs and rewarding features. Plus, online slots offer lower bet minimums, starting at just 1¢, compared to the $1 minimums at most land-based casinos.
In Pennsylvania, over 25,000 slot machines are available in various land-based casinos.
Online Poker
Real money online poker is another widely popular game PA residents can legally enjoy.
The online offering is diverse across sites. Players find everything from classic video poker titles with high RTP% to sophisticated HD live dealer poker rooms.
There are also nine poker rooms in licensed casinos around the state.
Online Blackjack
Blackjack is legal in Pennsylvania and is offered at state-regulated gambling sites and land-based casinos.
Some variants players can find online include Spanish 21, Perfect Pairs, Single Deck, and Pontoon.
Brick-and-mortar establishments also offer a range of games like Super 4 blackjack, multi-deck, and Free Bet blackjack, but the table minimums tend to be higher in person than online.
Live Dealer Games
Live dealer games offer Pennsylvania residents an authentic casino experience without the need to travel. These games feature real dealers through HD streaming, allowing you to play various games like blackjack and baccarat at any time.
With a wide range of betting options, they cater to all budgets. The live chat feature adds a social element, allowing you to interact with the dealer and fellow players.
Other Online Casino Games for PA Players
Pennsylvanians can access even more games online, like Keno, Bingo, and scratch cards.
Check out some other options below.
Top Pennsylvania Casino Bonuses Online
Yet another perk to playing online is that most gambling sites offer promotions.
Welcome Bonuses
Large introductory offers that nearly every online gambling site provides to new players.
Free Spin Offers
Promotional deals that give you a set number of free rounds on specific games.
Reload Deals
Get additional bonus cash when you deposit additional funds or top off your account.
Our Favorite Casino Bonuses
The bonuses below are two of the best for Pennsylvanians.
500% up to $7,500 + 150 free spins Welcome Bonus
Visit DuckyLuck and claim a 500% up to $7,500 + 150 free spins bonus.
Rollover requirements are 30x.
You need to deposit at least $25 (no bonus code needed).
$8,000 Welcome Package
If you’re a newcomer to Red Dog Casino, you can get a 225% match up to $8,000 Welcome Package over your first three deposits.
The rollover requirements are 40x, and the max payout is 30x the bonus.
Use code PATIO to claim.
Pennsylvania Casino Apps
Since Pennsylvania allows online gambling, there are many apps you can use to access a full range of gambling games on your mobile phone.
Another avenue is to visit offshore sites and avoid downloading anything.
Many online casinos licensed outside of the state are optimized to work right in your browser, so all you have to do is log in and play.
Facts About PA Online Casinos
Here are some facts about PA online casinos that you must consider before playing.
- Pennsylvania has fully legal and state-regulated online casinos.
- Gambling at offshore casinos is illegal but not generally enforced.
- Many offshore sites accept players from Pennsylvania.
- Online casinos offer games that are hard to find in PA land-based casinos.
- Crypto is a fast, safe, and secure method of banking when playing at PA casinos and sites licensed elsewhere.
- State-licensed online casinos are better options if you want to use bank transfer, as many offshore sites don’t permit US players to do so.
Gambling Laws Summary
Pennsylvania is one of the most flexible states in the US regarding gambling. Online casinos and sports betting are permitted, as well as land-based casinos, poker rooms, state-run lotteries, charitable gambling, and horse race betting.
Below is a summary of all laws pertaining to gambling in the Keystone State.
| Pennsylvania Gambling | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Land-based casinos in Pennsylvania | There are 17 land-based casinos in Pennsylvania, consisting of six racinos, five standalone casinos, two resort casinos, and four mini-casinos. |
| Online Gambling | Online gambling is legal, as stated by Pennsylvania’s Gaming Control Board, at any of the 20 state-regulated and licensed online casinos. |
| Online Sports Betting and Land-Based | Online and land-based sports betting is legal. There are 12 online sportsbooks, 13 retail, and 2 OTBs. |
| State Lottery | Pennsylvania has multiple state-run lottery games, including Mega Million, Pick 4, and scratch-offs. |
| Charitable Gambling | Charitable gambling is legal in PA by licensed, eligible organizations that may conduct small games of chance. |
| Poker | Poker is legal at licensed card rooms in casinos throughout the state and online. There are no standalone poker clubs. |
| Horse & Dog Racing | Dog racing is illegal in PA. Betting on horse racing is legal at the six tracks throughout the state, multiple off-track locations, and online. |
| Fantasy Sports | Daily fantasy sports are legal, with ten sites operating in the state. |
| Social Gambling | Any game played outside of licensed operations that involves money, chance, and reward is illegal under Pennsylvania law. |
| Taxes on Gambling Winnings | PA’s Gaming Regulatory Board sets a 3.07% state tax on gambling winnings, and there’s a 24% federal tax. |
Disclaimer: The information on this page does not, nor does it intend to, constitute legal advice. This page is for learning purposes and may not have the most up-to-date information year-round. Readers should contact their attorney and/or accountant for advice concerning any particular legal matter. Do not take any action without first contacting a lawyer in your state.
Pennsylvania Gambling Laws: A Deep Dive
All forms of gambling are illegal in Pennsylvania unless authorized by the law, so at first glance, it seems as though the state has a tough stance on the topic. However, the law sanctions quite a bit, making Pennsylvania one of the most accepting of gambling.
We are going to do a deep dive into what is legal and what isn’t in the Keystone State.
Land-Based Casinos
Land-based casinos are legal in Pennsylvania, and there are currently 17 in operation. Most provide a mix of slots, table games, poker, and sportsbooks.
Parx Casino and Racing is the largest, providing 3,300 slots, 188 table games, a sports book, a race track, a 48-table poker room, and online gambling.
Although there are no locally-owned Indian casinos in the state, The Mohegan Tribe of Connecticut and the Poarch Creek Tribe of Alabama own and operate two commercial establishments.
Poker Rooms and Clubs
Despite playing poker at home is illegal, there are nine poker rooms at licensed casinos residents can visit in the Keystone State.
Online poker is also legal at state-regulated online casinos, and players can access even more poker games and tournaments at offshore sites. There are no standalone poker clubs in Pennsylvania.
Bingo, Lottery, and Charitable Gambling
Bingo is legal when conducted by a licensed non-profit organization or for-profit tavern, and you can find bingo halls in just about every state county.
Licensed non-profit organizations can also provide other types of charitable gambling in the form of small games of chance, including pull-tabs, raffles, drawings, and game nights.
Pennsylvania offers several types of state-run lotteries, such as Powerball, Mega Millions, and scratch cards.
Horse & Dog Tracks
Like most other states, Pennsylvania has outlawed dog racing. Horse racing, however, has been legal since 1959 and remains an extremely popular gambling outlet.
There are six race tracks throughout the state and plenty of off-track betting sites where live races are simulcast. Bettors can also get in on the action by wagering online.
Social Gambling at Home
“Games of chance” are illegal outside of licensed establishments in Pennsylvania, even poker.
In 2009, the Columbia County Court in PA ruled that poker was a game of skill, not chance, and therefore didn’t fall under the statute.
However, in 2010, the state’s supreme court overruled the decision, determining poker to be a game of luck.
Sports Betting
Legal since 2017, sports wagering is overseen by Pennsylvania’s Gaming Commission.
The first retail wager was placed in November 2018. Not far behind was online sports betting, which officially launched in 2019. Now, residents 21 and above can place their bets at 12 different online sportsbooks or 13 retail locations.
Land-Based Casinos in Pennsylvania
There are a total of 17 commercial land-based casinos in the Keystone State that offer a variety of games. The interactive map below will show you where to find all the locations.
Top Casinos
- Parx Casino
- Harrah’s Philadelphia
- The Meadows Racetrack and Casino
- Mohegan Pennsylvania
Summary
- Total Casinos: 17
- Sportsbooks: 12 retail
Pennsylvania Gambling vs. Neighboring States
How do Pennsylvania gambling laws compare to neighboring states? Let’s look at the regions surrounding the area and find out.
| State | Is Gambling Legal? | Legal Gambling Age | Legal Land-Based Casinos | Playing at Online Casinos | Legal Sports Betting | Legal State Lottery | Charitable Gaming |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | Yes | 18-21 | Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal |
| New York | Yes | 18-21 | Legal | Grey Area | Legal | Legal | Legal |
| West Virginia | Yes | 18-21 | Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal |
| Ohio | Yes | 18-21 | Legal | Grey Area | Legal | Legal | Legal |
| Maryland | Yes | 18-21 | Legal | Grey Area | Legal | Legal | Legal |
The states bordering Pennsylvania have differing laws, but all allow some gambling. Like PA, West Virginia has state-regulated online casinos, but the other neighboring states do not. However, sports betting is allowed in all of them, as well as land-based casinos, lotteries, and charitable gambling.
A Brief History of Pennsylvania Gambling
Gambling first began in Pennsylvania with the 1959 legalization of horse race betting, which led to the first track opening in 1965. Six years later, in 1971, the state decided to legalize the lottery, and in 1981, bingo.
By the end of the 80s, other small games of chance hosted by non-profit organizations were also permitted.
For over a decade, things stayed the same. Finally, in 2004, in an effort to save failing racetracks, Pennsylvania allowed them to provide slot machines.
Standalone casinos and resort casinos soon followed, but it wasn’t until 2010 that they were allowed to offer table games.
One of the most significant strides was in 2017 when Pennsylvania legalized online gambling.
Shortly after, a federal court ruling in 2018 struck down a sports betting ban, allowing online and retail sportsbooks to burst onto the PA scene. Today, the Keystone State has some of the most progressive gambling laws in the country.
Responsible Gambling Initiatives
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board offers several resources for those seeking help for problematic gambling behavior. The site has self-assessment tests, tips for responsible gambling, self-exclusion forms, and multiple hotlines.
Gamblers who need help can also contact the following organizations:
To learn more, please visit our responsible gambling page.
Summary: Gambling Journey in the Keystone State
Pennsylvania offers its residents a wide range of legal gambling avenues. Those in the Keystone State can participate in land-based casinos, racinos, online casinos, bingo halls, charitable gambling, the lottery, and sports betting.
In fact, there’s hardly a form of gambling that is outlawed in PA. Sure, it’s illegal to host games of chance at home, but with so many other options, few feel the need to break the law.
Poker players have been vocal about wanting standalone poker clubs, so perhaps Pennsylvania still has a few small steps to make in its journey. But overall, the Keystone State is a gambler’s paradise.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you still have something on your mind, check out our list of frequently asked questions about Pennsylvania gambling.
How do tribal casinos differ from commercial casinos in Pennsylvania?
There are no tribes in Pennsylvania that own casinos. The state only has commercial casinos. Although there are two tribes from other states that own and operate casinos in PA, they are still considered commercial.
Are there real money online casinos in Pennsylvania with no deposit bonuses?
There are certainly plenty of real money online casinos in Pennsylvania, but no deposit bonuses are rare. That doesn’t mean they don’t pop up from time to time! Check your favorite gambling sites to stay up to date.
