Are Online Casinos Legal in PA?
Yes. In 2017, Pennsylvania became the fourth state in the U.S. to legalize online gaming, part of a massive gambling expansion signed by Gov. Tom Wolf. The legislation allowed for online casinos, online poker and other forms of gambling, including online sports betting and online lottery games.
PA online casinos launched in July 2019, and five were live by the end of the year. By 2021, the number had grown to 13, each offering slots, table games and video poker. PA land-based casinos are permitted to partner with an unlimited number of brands, creating a wealth of legal online casino choices for Pennsylvania players.
Pennsylvania Casino Bonuses and Promo Codes
Whether you’re looking to find the best online casinos in Pennsylvania or the latest updates on bonus codes, PennStakes.com can be a valuable resource. The Keystone State is home to more than a dozen online casinos, with more on the way, giving Pennsylvania players an increasing number of choices. We provide information on the state’s gambling apps and online casino games, along with state-specific rules and regulations.
As the number of PA online casinos grows, so does the competition to sign up new players. So, PA online casinos offer a variety of bonuses to attract new players, such as welcome and no-deposit bonuses. Promo or casino bonus codes are often used to market the promotions and for tracking purposes. And here at PennStakes.com, we’ll help you find the best bonuses available.
Best Pennsylvania Online Casino Bonuses
A no-deposit welcome bonus generally provides a small bonus just for signing up. In a deposit match, an online casino site will match a percentage or all of your initial deposit. Other offers include reload bonuses for existing players and freerolls, which provide free contest or tournament entry. Some bonuses require that the bonus money be wagered a number of times before it can be fully redeemed, so it’s important to read terms and conditions.
Legal PA Gambling Apps
PA casino apps offer incredible convenience, providing 24/7 access to online slots, table games and video poker, whether you play for real money or just for fun. The apps are free to download and available for Android and iOS devices.
The apps allow players to choose from a wide selection of slots or table games, including several live dealer games. The multi-functional apps also allow you to claim a casino bonus, earn loyalty rewards and make deposits or withdrawals on your smartphone or mobile device from anywhere inside the state.
Pennsylvania’s Most Popular Online Games
PA online casinos offer many of the same slots and table games you would find at your favorite land based casino. And unlike those brick-and-mortar casinos, almost every online casino game can be played for free in demo mode, allowing players to become comfortable with the game before risking real money. Among the state’s most popular online casino games:
Slots: PA online casinos offer hundreds of slot titles, from classic games such as Cleopatra and Wheel of Fortune to new titles with the latest graphics. Most offer a large selection of progressive slots, which feature massive jackpots that grow over time.
Blackjack: The most popular table game in any casino, whether land-based or online, with a house edge of less than 1 percent for players who use correct basic strategy. The online version offers single deck and multiple deck blackjack games, some with surrender options and sidebets.
Poker: In addition to video poker, several online casino poker variations are available, including Pai Gow, 3 Card Poker and Casino Hold’em. For those who wish to play No-limit Texas Hold’em, Omaha or other stud games at a poker-specific site, PokerStars provides the state’s lone poker app, offering a large number of cash games and tournaments for various buy-in levels. There is hope that online poker options will increase, though.
Roulette: Identical to roulette in your favorite land-based casino, with a random number generator replacing the electronic wheel. Several online variations are available, with European and French Roulette (no double zero slot) offering more favorable odds than the American version.
Live Dealer: Live dealer re-creates the casino table game experience with an actual person dealing the cards (or spinning the wheel) from a studio. The online casino game is streamed to your computer or mobile device. Players can chat online with the dealer and others at the table. This popular format went live in PA during the fourth quarter of 2020.
PA Online Casino List
More than a dozen online casinos were operating in Pennsylvania during the first quarter of 2021. Each offers its own selection of slots and table games and is partnered with a PA land based casino.
| Site | Licensing Casino | Launch Date |
|---|---|---|
| Hollywood Casino PA | Hollywood Casino at Penn National | July 15, 2019 |
| Parx Online Casino | Parx Casino | July 15, 2019 |
| PlaySugarHouse Casino | Rivers Casino Philadelphia | July 17, 2019 |
| PokerStars Casino (FOX Bet) | Mount Airy Casino | Nov. 4, 2019 |
| Unibet Casino | Mohegan Sun Pocono | Nov. 13, 2019 |
| FanDuel Casino | Valley Forge Casino | Jan. 4, 2020 |
| BetAmerica Casino | Presque Isle Downs | Jan. 28, 2020 |
| BetRivers Casino | Rivers Casino Pittsburgh | Jan. 30, 2020 |
| Caesars Casino | Harrah’s Philadelphia | April 23, 2020 |
| DraftKings Casino | Meadows Racetrack and Casino | May 1, 2020 |
| Wind Creek Casino | Wind Creek Bethlehem | Aug. 5, 2020 |
| PlayLive! Casino | Live! Hotel & Casino Philadelphia | Aug. 11, 2020 |
| BetMGM | Hollywood Casino at Penn National | Dec. 1, 2020 |
Hollywood Casino
The first online casino site to launch in PA offers a large number of live dealer blackjack games and roulette options. Bonus offers include sign-up and deposit match.
Parx Casino
The state’s land-based casino leader in slot machine and table game revenue is also formidable online. Robust slot selection includes a variety of jackpot games.
PlaySugarhouse Casino
The state’s leading online casino in slots revenue, with several titles offering the latest 3D graphics and design. Live dealer options include blackjack, roulette and baccarat.
PokerStars Casino
The only PA gambling app to offer a live poker room, though others are reportedly on the way. Casino app includes several varieties of blackjack and video poker options. PokerStars is partnered with FOX Bet, which offers an online sportsbook.
Unibet Casino
Taking advantage of partnership with NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles by offering team-themed blackjack tables and online slots. Table game selection includes more than six variants of roulette.
FanDuel Casino
Powerhouse in online sports betting and Daily Fantasy Sports also offers solid online casino option, ranking among state’s top two operators (along with a familiar foe, DraftKings online casino) in internet table games revenue.
BetAmerica Casino
Churchill Downs-owned casino is relaunching its iGaming platform and sportsbook under TwinSpires brand. Slot selection includes several new releases and high limit games.
BetRivers Casino
Like PlaySugarhouse, is owned by Rush Street Interactive, and operates under the PlaySugarHouse license (though BetRivers is affiliated with Rivers Pittsburgh). First deposit bonus offers include 100% match.
Caesars Casino
Smaller selection of online table games, but with several live dealer blackjack options. Slot selection includes dozens of new titles.
DraftKings Casino
Like FanDuel, this dominant online sportsbook/Daily Fantasy Sports operator is now a leading online casino competitor. DraftKings Casino ranks among state leaders in internet slots and table game revenue.
Windcreek Casino
Tribal based operator closed on purchase of Wind Creek Bethlehem in 2019 and launched online casino in August 2020. Smaller number of games offered but selection is growing, with convenient format for demo play.
PlayLive! Casino
The 12th online casino in PA launched in August 2020, before completion of the company’s land-based casino in Philadelphia, which opened in February 2021. Already offers decent selection of slots and table games.
BetMGM Casino
One of the leading online casinos in New Jersey is the most recent addition to the PA market. BetMGM online casino is aggressively marketing its entrance, reaching gaming partnerships with the NFL’s Pittsburgh Steelers and NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers.
Gambling Regulation
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board regulates the state’s online gambling industry. Among the key components of the state’s online casino gambling laws:
- The minimum age to participate in Pennsylvania online casino gambling is 21.
- Bettors must be inside the state to place a wager with a Pennsylvania-licensed online casino. GPS software and IP Address identification verify a bettor’s location.
- The rules of play for internet casino gaming must be similar to the rules of play in land-based casinos.
- Existing Pennsylvania land-based casino license holders are eligible to receive an online gaming license and can partner with an unlimited number of online “skins.”
- Casino tax rates on gross revenue from internet gaming are 54% for slot machines (one of the highest rates in the U.S.) and 16% for table games.
Gambling Revenue in PA
| Land Based Casino | Online Casino | Total Revenue | |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 2021 | $296,134,108 | $85,522,028 | $381,656,136 |
| July 2021 | $309,795,427 | $86,085,189 | $395,880,616 |
| Change | Down 4.4% | Down 0.7% | Down 3.6% |
Note: Online casino (iGaming) reflects gross revenue for interactive slots plus banking tables; land-based casino figures include total table games gross revenue plus slots gross revenue
RELATED: Key Takeaways from the Pennsylvania August Gaming Report
Responsible Gambling
Gambling should be fun, which is why we take responsible gambling seriously at PennStakes.com. When reviewing casino and slots sites, we make sure they take it seriously, too. Pennsylvania bettors who may have a gambling problem can contact the Council on Compulsive Gambling of Pennsylvania (1-215-643-4542) or the PGCB helpline (1-800-GAMBLER), to name a few sites, and seek help. The PGCB also, at your request, have state-regulated casinos and sportsbooks to exclude you from playing for a set amount of time. Part of our mission is to provide resources to help you gamble responsibly.
PA Online Casino FAQ
Yes, online casinos are legal in Pennsylvania. PA online casinos launched in 2019. Entering 2021, there were 13 online casinos offering slots, table games and video poker operating in the state.
The minimum age to play in casino games at a legal online casino in Pennsylvania is 21, the same age to play in a PA land-based casino.
Choose an PA online casino you wish to sign up with. Go the online casino’s website or download the app from App Store. Click on “register’’ or “create an account.’’ You will be asked to provide some general information such as name, phone number, email address, last four digits of your Social Security number, etc. When your information is submitted and then verified by the casino operator, your account is created
PA online casino offers several deposit options to fund your account. The list includes, but is not limited to, credit/debit cards; Play+; prepaid cards; bank transfer; wire transfer; e-wallets such as PayPal, Neteller or Skrill; PayNearMe; or cash at the casino cage of the land-based facility affiliated with your online casino.
You can request a withdrawal at any time. Simply click on the ‘’make a withdrawal’’ button and follow the prompts. It’s generally best (and often required) to withdraw with the same method used to make a deposit (e-wallets and bank transfers work best; credit/debit cards are often not accepted for withdrawals). Withdrawals via old-fashioned paper check mailed to your address are also a common option.
All wagers at PA online casinos must be placed from within the state. Geofencing technology and IP Address identification are used to track a player’s location and will automatically block entry and play if a user is outside the state.
They all do. While each online casino has its own unique program, all reward and incentivize players for various levels of play. Generally, players earn credits or points which can be redeemed for cash, prizes and other perks.
Offshore casino sites are unregulated and risky, and withdrawals can be unreliable. Offshore sites are not licensed by any U.S. regulatory authority and may shut down at any time, causing bettors to potentially lose their funds and personal information with no recourse. Every legal online casino in PA is licensed by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, which ensures your accounts are secure.
All gambling winnings are subject to federal and state tax, according to the IRS. Pennsylvania levies a 3.07% tax on gambling income. Calculate your gambling winnings after taxes using our PA Gambling Winnings Tax Calculator.
Few, if any, states offer as many gambling options as Pennsylvania. The state offers casino gambling at land-based and online casinos; online and retail sports betting and poker; daily fantasy sports; pari-mutuel wagering; electronic gaming devices; bingo and lottery.
References
Contributors
Jon Young
Reviewer since May 2019
